Best Over and Under Shotgun for Clay Shooting 2026
Ireland's O/U market runs from €560 entry guns to €1,050 wildfowling actions, and only some of that range actually suits a clay station rather than a foreshore. This guide ranks six over and under shotguns sold in Ireland in 2026 against what a clay shooter actually needs: ejector speed, barrel length for sporting or trap, and steel-proofing for the cartridges you'll be firing hundreds of times a season.
- The best over and under shotgun for clay shooting in 2026 is the Yildiz SPZME 12G O/U at 630 euro - buy it.
- Ejector models beat non-ejector guns for sporting clays and cost 70-100 euro more in 2026.
- Skip 3.5-inch wildfowling chambers like the SPZMCCH Wildfowler for clays - it's built for waterfowl, not stations.
- Grade 3 wood adds 200-300 euro over Grade 2 with no patterning benefit on the same steel-proofed barrels.
Why this matters
A clay shooter fires far more rounds per outing than a hunter does in a season, so the gun that patterns well and cycles fast at the peg matters more than any cosmetic upgrade. Buy the wrong action and you'll notice it on the fourth stand, not the first.
Cartridge choice compounds the decision. A steel-proofed 12 gauge paired with standard orange clays and the right fibre or steel load will outlast a poorly matched combination by hundreds of rounds. Get the gun right first, then match the load to the discipline.
How we ranked
Each model here is ranked on four factors that matter for clay shooting specifically: action type (ejector vs non-ejector), barrel length, steel proofing status, and price relative to spec. Wood grade is noted but not weighted heavily - it's cosmetic, not functional, on a working clay gun.
All six models are steel-proofed 12 gauge O/U shotguns available on the Irish market in 2026. Chamber length is flagged separately because a 3.5-inch wildfowling chamber changes the gun's balance and intended use, even when the action and gauge match.
The ranked list
1. Yildiz SPZME 12G O/U (adjustable stock) - the all-rounder
Lightweight alloy action, ejector, steel-proofed, 14.5-inch length of pull with an adjustable stock, 12 gauge, Grade 2 wood. At 630 euro in 2026, this is the cheapest ejector gun on this list and the adjustable stock means it fits a wider range of shooters without a gunsmith visit.
The ejector alone justifies the step up from a non-ejector gun if you're shooting more than one round of sporting a month - faster reloads mean more targets per session. Verdict: Buy.
2. Yildiz SPZME O/U Shotgun (Grade 2, game scene) - the classic sporting build
Same lightweight alloy ejector action as the model above, 28-inch barrel, 14.5-inch length of pull, Grade 2 wood with a game scene engraving. Priced at 735 euro in 2026, the 105 euro premium over the adjustable-stock version buys engraving and a fixed 28-inch barrel length that suits trap and sporting clays equally well.
If you want a gun that looks the part at the club without paying for figured wood, this is the balance point. Verdict: Buy.
3. Yildiz Steel Sporter (30-inch, Grade 3) - the competition upgrade
Full steel action rather than alloy, ejector, steel-proofed, Grade 3 wood, 30-inch barrel with an ABS travel case included. At 950 euro in 2026, the steel action adds weight that helps swing consistency on longer crossing targets at sporting clay stands.
The extra 5-10 inches of barrel length over the alloy models steadies the muzzle on extended target presentations, which matters more at sporting grounds than at a standard trap layout. Verdict: Buy.
4. Yildiz Steel Sporter (28-inch, Grade 3) - the budget sporter
The same steel action and ejector as the 30-inch version above, but with a 28-inch barrel and an ABS travel case, priced at 850 euro in 2026. You lose the extra barrel length for 100 euro less - a fair trade if you shoot mostly trap or skeet rather than long crossers.
Wood grade matches the 30-inch model, so you're not losing anything cosmetic by choosing the shorter barrel. Verdict: Consider.
5. Yildiz SPZM O/U Shotgun (non-ejector) - the entry-level pick
Lightweight alloy action, non-ejector, steel-proofed, 14.5-inch length of pull, 28-inch barrel, Grade 2 wood, priced at 560 euro in 2026. This is the cheapest gun on the list and the only one without an ejector, meaning you'll be picking spent cases out by hand between stands.
For a first gun bought to learn the fundamentals before committing to a pricier action, the savings are real. Once you're shooting weekly, the lack of an ejector becomes a genuine time cost. Verdict: Consider for beginners, otherwise skip.
6. Yildiz SPZMCCH Wildfowler (3.5-inch chambers) - the wildcard
Steel action, non-ejector, steel-proofed, colour case-hardened action, Grade 3 wood, priced at 1,050 euro in 2026 - the most expensive gun here. The 3.5-inch chambers are built for heavy wildfowling loads, not the 2.75-inch fibre and steel cartridges used at clay grounds.
The extra weight and longer chamber add nothing on a clay stand and make the gun noticeably harder to mount quickly on crossing targets. Verdict: Skip for clay shooting - buy this one if you're after a foreshore gun, not a clay gun.
Comparison table
| Model | Action | Wood grade | Barrel | Price (2026) | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yildiz SPZME 12G O/U (adjustable) | Alloy, ejector | Grade 2 | 28 in | 630 euro | Buy |
| Yildiz SPZME O/U (game scene) | Alloy, ejector | Grade 2 | 28 in | 735 euro | Buy |
| Yildiz Steel Sporter (30 in) | Steel, ejector | Grade 3 | 30 in | 950 euro | Buy |
| Yildiz Steel Sporter (28 in) | Steel, ejector | Grade 3 | 28 in | 850 euro | Consider |
| Yildiz SPZM O/U | Alloy, non-ejector | Grade 2 | 28 in | 560 euro | Consider |
| Yildiz SPZMCCH Wildfowler | Steel, non-ejector, 3.5 in chamber | Grade 3 | 28 in | 1,050 euro | Skip for clays |
Where to buy
Buy a steel-proofed 12 gauge from a dealer who can confirm the gun is proofed for the steel and fibre cartridges your club actually uses - not every imported O/U is rated for steel shot loads at clay-typical pressures. Check the proof marks on the barrel flats before you sign anything.
Match the cartridge to the discipline once the gun is sorted. Trap shooters running a 28-inch barrel tend to reach for Eley Olympic Trap cartridges rated at 28 grams, while sporting layouts vary load weight station to station.
Factor in secure storage before the gun arrives - a Firearms Certificate holder in Ireland needs an approved safe fitted before the licence is granted, not after the gun turns up.
FAQ
What's the best over and under shotgun for clay shooting in 2026?
The Yildiz SPZME 12G O/U with an adjustable stock is the best over and under shotgun for clay shooting in 2026 at 630 euro, combining an ejector action with a 28-inch steel-proofed barrel. It beats non-ejector guns on reload speed at the peg.
Is an ejector shotgun better than a non-ejector for clays?
Yes, an ejector shotgun is better for clay shooting because it clears spent cases automatically, saving time between stands. Non-ejector guns like the Yildiz SPZM cost 70-175 euro less but require manual case extraction every round.
What gauge should I buy for sporting clays?
12 gauge is the standard chambering for sporting clays, trap and skeet in Ireland, and every model in this guide is a steel-proofed 12 gauge. Smaller gauges exist but 12 gauge dominates club-level clay shooting.
How much does a decent O/U clay shotgun cost in Ireland?
A decent over and under clay shotgun costs 560 to 950 euro in Ireland in 2026 for a steel-proofed ejector or non-ejector 12 gauge. Wildfowling-spec guns with 3.5-inch chambers run higher, around 1,050 euro, but aren't built for clays.
Do I need a Firearms Certificate to buy an over and under shotgun in Ireland?
Yes, a Firearms Certificate is required to buy or possess a shotgun in Ireland, and an approved gun safe must be fitted before the certificate is granted. The application goes through your local Garda station using Form FCA1.
What barrel length is best for clay shooting?
28 to 30 inches is the standard barrel length for clay shooting in 2026, with 28 inches suiting trap and skeet and 30 inches giving steadier swing on longer sporting clays crossers. Shorter barrels swing faster but lose stability on extended presentations.
Is a 3.5-inch wildfowling chamber shotgun good for clays?
No, a 3.5-inch wildfowling chamber shotgun is not the right choice for clay shooting because the extra weight and length make it slower to mount on crossing targets. It's built for heavy foreshore loads, not the lighter fibre and steel cartridges used at clay grounds.
What cartridges should I use with an O/U clay shotgun?
Match the cartridge to the discipline: trap shooters typically use 28-gram loads like Eley Olympic Trap, while sporting clays loads vary by station and target distance. Always confirm your gun's steel-shot proofing before switching load types.
One last thing
Grade 3 wood on the Steel Sporter models adds 200 to 300 euro over the same action in Grade 2, and it changes nothing about how the gun patterns or cycles. If you're buying to shoot rather than to look good in the cabinet, spend the difference on cartridges instead - the 630 euro SPZME will pattern identically to the 950 euro Steel Sporter on the same steel-proofed barrels.