Semi-Auto for Trap & Skeet??

[bobhwry]

I want to buy a new semi-auto for trap & skeet primarily. What would you guys reccomend including barrel length, chokes etc??

 

[rebelwon]

I always used a Remington 1100 in both 20ga and 12ga, 26" barrell with fixed skeet choke for skeet, 30" fixed full choke for trap. I have also seen a lot of Brownings, but don't know specifics.

Good luck!

 

[Clayfish]

I use a Browning gold fld superlite hunter in 20g. It's a great gun. For skeet and trap I use a imp cyl. choke with a 26" barrel. It's also my quail gun. This shotgun has the semi humpback design so it shoulders like dream. I feel like it's a part of me when i shoot. Check it out. Don't let the msrp scare you. I picked mine up for $700 even.

http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?value=010B&cat_id=011&type_id=263

 

[Striker]

My wife and I each have an 11-87 Remington with 28" bbl set up for both skeet and trap. Only difference is a shorter LOP on her gun. We like em!

 

[bobhwry]

I looked at a Beretta AL391 TEKNYS Gold Sport today and it handled like a dream!!A little pricey at $1400 but very nice. Anyone have any experience good or bad with these before I take the plunge. It's a 20ga. with 30" barell.

 

[AZGunLover]

I shot trap with an 1100 20g a couple of times and my empties kept hitting the person next to me. I now use an 870 12g with a 30in full choke barrel (works great). My question for all of you semi-auto shooters is how do you keep your empties from hitting the person next to you??

 

[scotts_4x]

one thing to remember, if you are not going to use this gun in the field, the more weight you can be comfortable with the better. a light gun is not always better, it will kick like a mule. the heavier the better. most serious competition shooters are shooting 8-9+ lb guns.

-Scott

 

[jroth]

Note:...

on trap fields, for single target round you will be required to have an occluder on the ejection port to restain the empty hull from ejecting onto the right-hand shooter.
for doubles you will not use it.
No problems on the skeet field.

 

[scotts_4x]

I have been on many a trap field and have NEVER seen a sign that requires you to use a shell catcher.

-Scott

 

[AZGunLover]

mr 4x i haven't either ever seen a sign like that

 

[Dead-Nuts-Zero]

I have shot Skeet for many years with an 1100. They are about all there were in semi's (on the skeet fields) back then. Browning A-5, A few older 11-48's and maybe a Sportsman 58 but not many where I have been. They (1100 SA) came in all 5 gages then too.

For trap, I have shot my 1100 plenty with no problems with the guy next door. Maybe with hi-base hunting loads but target loads were never a problem that I knew of. I have a shell catcher and use it when I have good hulls that I don't want to donate to the host club. 1100 26" Skeet and I used a mod. for trap mainly because as a Skeet shooter, I tend to shoot them quick. If I was serious, I borrowed a full choke bbl. for my 1100.

Now....the Real Men shoot 870's on the skeet field. An 870 will really loosen up and become a nice slider after about 15,000 rounds!

I have 870 in 12 and 20 and when I shoot skeet these days (not very often) I shoot the 870 20ga. I really enjoy the 20 pump gun...just a personal pleasure with light recoil and more difficult (but loads more fun) shooting doubles. It's Skeet bbls. always.

Someday I woud like to buy an o/u for both games.

Good luck with your selection.

 

[Ruger4570]

You can buy a T S shell catcher for $10.95 to catch fured hulls. They are cheap and effective. In an emergency you can even use a rubber band over the port to catch shells, now that is real cheap and reasonably effective. You might get a few odd stares though

 

[straightShot]

I have a Remington 1100, and I like it. For trap, I leave a a small shell catcher attached so that I don't hit the guy to my right. It's a small clip that keeps the empty hulls from exiting the gun.

Common sense dictates that if you keep hitting your trap team member on your right every week, eventually he'll have something to say about it. It's common sense that it's not the proper thing to do.

When it comes to mention of not seeing a sign forbidding autoloaders without shell catchers when shooting with others, I suppose that I'd compare it to spitting sunflower seeds on someone's shoes. We all know that a sign isn't needed to tell you that it isn't right. Common sense is all that's needed.

 

[rebelwon]

Like Mr. DN0, I have also used a 12 ga 870 on both skeet and trap fields. For skeet, used a 26" barrell with skeet choke; for trap used the fixed full choke 30" barrell.

 

[DOCSpanky]

Anybody got a link to one of these shell catcher things?
I will refuse to use one till politely asked by my club to do so. I have been hit with too many sets of shells popped out through an O/U ejector (even got a warm spot once when my FORMER partner "EJECTED" too close and a high brass hull went in my collar.) To consider handicapping myself with extra gear for some (You know who you are) who are equally rude. However, a competent gunsmith can tune/play/polish your gun and have it throw them to your 4-5 o'clock position like my Browning Gold 20ga. does

Its simple....

"Browning, the best there is."

Notice please the period at the end of that sentance. I have shot better O/U, but never a better auto, and I have tried LOTS!