[MulliganAl]

I can tell it's a 20 Gauge shotgun made around 1997/98 series number is 401-060xx.

My dad was an avid hunter and had many guns and shotguns. He passed away last year and left me his Ruger. I don't know much about shotguns but want to get into shooting skeet with friends and would just like to know a bit about the shotgun and about what is needed to get into shooting skeet (if someone could also provide a few tips on maintenance and upkeep that would be great also). There are a few chokes included with the gun but I'm not really sure which are best suited for what.

I'm new to this form and new to shotguns but I look forward to getting to know folk here and enjoying this new activity in my life. My dad always took very good care of his guns so this Ruger looks brand new but unfortunately my gun shop discovered a hairline crack in the stock near the trigger so I called Ruger and they said to send it in, which I did yesterday. I hope it doesn't cost too much to repair but either way it's worth it.

Just a side note, if anyone here is asked to go shooting with their dad or child don't miss out on the opportunity. I live in a different state from my dad and we talked about going quail hunting but never got the chance and now I'm left without those memories and times with him. Sorry for the emotional post, it's just came to mind so I thought I'd share it.

Thanks for any and all help you can all provide and happy holidays to all.

 

[Kenny53]

Welcome from Utah. Sorry for your loss.

 

[MulliganAl]

Welcome from Utah. Sorry for your loss.

Thanks Kenny, I really appreciate that. And even though we never shot together, every time I go out with friends I'll be thinking of him which is still pretty cool. Have a great holiday.

 

[terry_p]

I believe Ruger will take care of your problem with the stock and when you get it back find someone that can be sure the gun fits you properly. My Red Label fits me like it was custom made for me and after you get the fundamentals of skeet shooting down if the gun fits it will shoot where you look without trying to aim or even seeing the sights. Good luck and enjoy the Red Label. You can remember you dad whenever you take it out and pass it on when you are through with it.

 

[red feather]

Down load a manual from Ruger. That will tell you how to take care of it.

 

[bandit1]

I'm not much of a sheet shooter but I had my
20g red label up in Vermont a month or so ago shooting
pheasant, it's a real joy to shoot, enjoy the heck out of yours

 

[HAWKEN]

I don't have a Red Label but I have shot one in 28ga, nice! I shot skeet competitively for 4 or 5 years using a Weatherby Orion Sporting Clays model. I use screw in chokes, skeet and skeet in both barrels. Your longest skeet shot will be 40 yards or less, so a skeet choke is fine..........robin

 

[Smithy]

Again, sorry for your loss. As far as the date of manugacture goes, it would have all Red Label's in the fixed choke department. Ie. the old method of buying shotguns would have prevailed and Ruger stuck to the standard (unless it was indeed a "skeet" gun as that would have skeet/skeet chokes and 24" tubes) And if it wasn't a "skeet" gun, then it'd be 28" mod/full, 30" full/full, 26" (had a few different options and I don't recall all of them), 24" imp/mod, and I think that was about it. Again on special request you could have different lengths cut to the choke constrictions they currently offered, but I don't know of anyone that had that done or had a gun that that was done too? Just heard of it being the case? So after all of that, you need to figure out just whose chokes are on your gun? It might be that Ruger did the work?, but they weren't offering a screw in choked gun at the time, so....? After they went to screwin chokes all I'd ever do was to install the two skeet chokes that comes with the gun and forget the rest. Skeet and upland birds (maybe a rabbit or two), were all I'd ever shoot so that choke combination was perfect for me. You'll absolutely adore skeet. Just remember to take advice with a grain of salt. You'll get the Pass through, folks and the Sustained lead, folks and everything inbetween. Just do what comes natural to you and you'll end up getting it in your mind. That mental picture that allows you to consistently hit skeet targets can't be put onto paper or said in words. I had listened to all the sage advice and sure, you need to know the order of targets from each station, but after that, try to shoot all birds as close to the center stake as possible, but that also is not required (it just gives you more time to hit the second bird in doubles). Once you've hit the target at each of the 24 positions (option shot doubles up on the first target missed in a round), then you have all of the information you'll need to go out and smoke them targets up. Best of luck to you and do register with the national organization for skeet, the NSSA. Registered shoots are really neat and you get a magazine with tips and such you may find helpful? Smithy.

 

[winggunner46]

Good start, free gun <

They have come a long way from the early guns and most people that have them like them. I shot skeet for a long time and the fit of the gun to U personally is most important so get some help and be sure it fits U. Shortly after starting I formed my own Export Co. and lo and behold the main portion of my business was exporting Winchester shot shells. It was well that I had that early start as skeet shooting is addictive. It is also a good idea if U can get your wife interested so it doesn't break up your marriage :<).. Join NSA from the start and U will get a world of help from those folks. I got away from skeet when I discovered dove shooting in Argentina. Skeet is a great game, but it doesn't beat live birds. Ah, those were the days and I will never forget them and going to Argentina, Costa Rica, Honduras and best of all Cuba. The shooting there is very good and it is so close. I of course have to dodge our Government's restrictions back then. But I was young and it was all very exciting. U will meet a lot of great people and just have at it and have fun.
Good Luck

 

[MulliganAl]

Thanks guys for all the helpful advice, I'm really looking forward to this new activity and to meeting some very cool folks along the way.

Just remember to take advice with a grain of salt. You'll get the Pass through, folks and the Sustained lead, folks and everything inbetween.

And Smithy, as an avid golfer I totally understand the passerby advice and will certainly take it with a grain of salt, thanks.

 

[HockeyisLife]

MulliganAl, sorry for the loss for your family. The red Label is a nice weapon you will like it when you can get out a enjoy shattering some clays.

Ruger has a great customer service team and all reports is they will take care of the weapon and will do the right thing by you.

Once it returns you will be pleased with the Red Label

I too am in the Atlanta area is you would like to connect and try a round of skeet or sporting clays PM me and we will see if we can connect.

 

[MulliganAl]

Well, high high high praise to Ruger. I just received a shipping notification that my dad's shotgun is on the way back to me and Ruger never contacted me about any payment arrangements or shipping cost so I'm assuming they did the repair for free. Now I'll be looking to Ruger for my future purchases for sure because that's what I call outstanding customer service.

What a great Christmas gift to have my dad's shotgun back, and I'm sure he's looking down from the heavens with a smile.

 

[MulliganAl]

I too am in the Atlanta area is you would like to connect and try a round of skeet or sporting clays PM me and we will see if we can connect.

Thanks so very much, I really appreciate the kind offer.