Trap Gun
- Thread starter house
- Start date
Several choices are available. A Remington 870TC or TD is a good bet. They are built with trapshooting in mind. Also Browning recently discontinued their single shot trap guns (Model BT 99) and you may be able to find one for around $900 if you shop around. If you need a gun for doubles look for a used Browning or Beretta o/u, often you can find them at range pro shops or local gun clubs.
Geoff Ross
Geoff Ross
Hi House,
I agree with K80Geoff. Look for a used o/u from recognised competition gun manufacturers like Beretta or Browning. Have you ever heard of Miroku? Its the Japanese version of the Browning and for some reason seems to handle better.
What you haven't told us is his age and size. You also haven't told us if he shoots trap regularly or whether he is just beginning.
However, to generalize, buy a .12ga, multichoke gun with 30" - 32" barrels and a standard adult trap stock.
From a purely personal point of view, I would rather have a used Beretta 682, 686, 687, in good condition than any number of Ruger Red Labels. The ultimate and equal of our lovely Perazzi's is the Beretta ASE 90 Gold, however, I think that even a used one will far exceed what you want to spend.
He will also be able to hunt with the trap gun and it will be fun once he realizes that he doesn't need all five for that one dove. Clays are wonderful for the one shot, one target mentality that I find improves the average hunters ability. To make a long story shorter, I think that everybody should shoot clays and own a double barreled o/u shotgun as this will improve their shooting dramatically.
ENJOY SHOTGUNNING and try ISSF Skeet.
I agree with K80Geoff. Look for a used o/u from recognised competition gun manufacturers like Beretta or Browning. Have you ever heard of Miroku? Its the Japanese version of the Browning and for some reason seems to handle better.
What you haven't told us is his age and size. You also haven't told us if he shoots trap regularly or whether he is just beginning.
However, to generalize, buy a .12ga, multichoke gun with 30" - 32" barrels and a standard adult trap stock.
From a purely personal point of view, I would rather have a used Beretta 682, 686, 687, in good condition than any number of Ruger Red Labels. The ultimate and equal of our lovely Perazzi's is the Beretta ASE 90 Gold, however, I think that even a used one will far exceed what you want to spend.
He will also be able to hunt with the trap gun and it will be fun once he realizes that he doesn't need all five for that one dove. Clays are wonderful for the one shot, one target mentality that I find improves the average hunters ability. To make a long story shorter, I think that everybody should shoot clays and own a double barreled o/u shotgun as this will improve their shooting dramatically.
ENJOY SHOTGUNNING and try ISSF Skeet.
My son is about 5'9 his is 18 Hey has been shooting trap for a year now and injoys it very much. He wants to start competing in ATA
matches. So far i have been leting him use my parzzie. I think its time for his own gun.
He like the Auto loaders are there any good ones out there? Or shoud i saty with a over-under?
thanks
matches. So far i have been leting him use my parzzie. I think its time for his own gun.
He like the Auto loaders are there any good ones out there? Or shoud i saty with a over-under?
thanks
Hi House,
MOO (my opinion only). The best trap shooters in the world including current American Olympians (Lance Bade, Kim Rhode - Atlanta '96 Gold, Ladies Doubles) and Michael Diamond (Australia, Atlanta '96 Gold, Trench) without exception use o/u's. Therefore, to compete at other than basic levels, you must have comparable equipment.
There is, however, a starting point. You don't need the best immediately, but, if he intends to shoot trap seriously, the o/u is the way to go. A used BMW or Mercedes, in good condition is probably a better buy, at the same price, than a new Suzuki. If he intends to stick to ATA then a single barrel will do the job. If he wants to shoot clays for fun then any shotgun will do.
As he want's to compete in ATA, I strongly recommend dedicate the o/u to the discipline of Trap. Buy a Trap Gun, not a sporter that closely resembles one. Chose carefully and try to get some advice on gunfit, this is more important than you would believe. The good news is that most people are suited by standard stocks. Encourage him to study the sport as well. You will save a lot of money in ammo, gun mods and equipment if you understand the sport better than the next guy.
If you live in Washington State or its environs, go see Chuck Dryke and have a lesson. The point is that one or two good sessions with a proper coach will save thousands of dollars in ammo over the years and he will actually shoot better.
Let him move on to ISSF competitions as soon as possible. You never know, an Olympian may be in the making. Its not as difficult or out of reach as you may think. Live the dream.
ENJOY SHOTGUNNING and try ISSF Olympic Trench.
MOO (my opinion only). The best trap shooters in the world including current American Olympians (Lance Bade, Kim Rhode - Atlanta '96 Gold, Ladies Doubles) and Michael Diamond (Australia, Atlanta '96 Gold, Trench) without exception use o/u's. Therefore, to compete at other than basic levels, you must have comparable equipment.
There is, however, a starting point. You don't need the best immediately, but, if he intends to shoot trap seriously, the o/u is the way to go. A used BMW or Mercedes, in good condition is probably a better buy, at the same price, than a new Suzuki. If he intends to stick to ATA then a single barrel will do the job. If he wants to shoot clays for fun then any shotgun will do.
As he want's to compete in ATA, I strongly recommend dedicate the o/u to the discipline of Trap. Buy a Trap Gun, not a sporter that closely resembles one. Chose carefully and try to get some advice on gunfit, this is more important than you would believe. The good news is that most people are suited by standard stocks. Encourage him to study the sport as well. You will save a lot of money in ammo, gun mods and equipment if you understand the sport better than the next guy.
If you live in Washington State or its environs, go see Chuck Dryke and have a lesson. The point is that one or two good sessions with a proper coach will save thousands of dollars in ammo over the years and he will actually shoot better.
Let him move on to ISSF competitions as soon as possible. You never know, an Olympian may be in the making. Its not as difficult or out of reach as you may think. Live the dream.
ENJOY SHOTGUNNING and try ISSF Olympic Trench.
TheOtherMikey
New member
OK Beano, but is the reason they are buying O/Us to compete in doubles competition with the same gun. It would be a tad difficult with a BT-100 I would think. Also, it gives them the advantage of using only one shotgun for all trap competition. REgards, Mikey
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Retired, Broke, and In Need of Brass, Powder, and Shot. Will Work To Shoot!
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Retired, Broke, and In Need of Brass, Powder, and Shot. Will Work To Shoot!
Hi OtherMikey,
Sure some of them shoot doubles with the same gun. However, there will usually be major changes made from one sport to the next. Changes are personal to the shooter and can include different barrels (length, weight, rib height and configuration, chokes,etc.), different stocks (length, drop, offset, recoil pad orientation). Remember, at that level most of the folks don't need to buy guns. Their equipment is provided so extras are no problem.
However, I still believe that an o/u is the best choice for someone young who is interested in competition and is probably a little more keen than average. It is more suitable to "Trap" (a generalization) than any other gun. The balance and handling of a good o/u will help you pick up a few targets that you wouldn't get with a semi auto or single barrel trap. Don't ask me to explain this because I can't. I have just learned to accept this through years of shooting, watching and asking questions of the best shooters that I have come across in various parts of the world.
Also, ATA while being an excellent sport with huge participation, is not the be all and end all of either competition or shooting for fun. I hope some of the tfl membership will move on from entry sports like ATA and American Skeet to mens sports like the Olympic Disciplines of ISSF Skeet, ISSF Trench, Double Trap and FITASC. These definitely require an o/u.
I know excellent shooters who do everything (except hunt) with one o/u. They generally have a pair of multichoked 28" barrels for skeet and 30"/32" multichoked barrels for trap and sporting. Some also have adjustable stocks. The main point is that an o/u is extremely versatile and can be endlessly accessorized for different sports, or not. The accessorizing is cheaper than having different guns for different things.
Maybe, I just like o/u's for any type of clay better than anything else. MOO.
ENJOY SHOTGUNNING.
Sure some of them shoot doubles with the same gun. However, there will usually be major changes made from one sport to the next. Changes are personal to the shooter and can include different barrels (length, weight, rib height and configuration, chokes,etc.), different stocks (length, drop, offset, recoil pad orientation). Remember, at that level most of the folks don't need to buy guns. Their equipment is provided so extras are no problem.
However, I still believe that an o/u is the best choice for someone young who is interested in competition and is probably a little more keen than average. It is more suitable to "Trap" (a generalization) than any other gun. The balance and handling of a good o/u will help you pick up a few targets that you wouldn't get with a semi auto or single barrel trap. Don't ask me to explain this because I can't. I have just learned to accept this through years of shooting, watching and asking questions of the best shooters that I have come across in various parts of the world.
Also, ATA while being an excellent sport with huge participation, is not the be all and end all of either competition or shooting for fun. I hope some of the tfl membership will move on from entry sports like ATA and American Skeet to mens sports like the Olympic Disciplines of ISSF Skeet, ISSF Trench, Double Trap and FITASC. These definitely require an o/u.
I know excellent shooters who do everything (except hunt) with one o/u. They generally have a pair of multichoked 28" barrels for skeet and 30"/32" multichoked barrels for trap and sporting. Some also have adjustable stocks. The main point is that an o/u is extremely versatile and can be endlessly accessorized for different sports, or not. The accessorizing is cheaper than having different guns for different things.
Maybe, I just like o/u's for any type of clay better than anything else. MOO.
ENJOY SHOTGUNNING.
shooter682
Inactive
shooter 682
What you want to do is buy the best o\u you can afford. My preferance is the beretta 682 gold e combo. This will run you about $4500.00 to $4700.00 new but you can find them used for less. The combo is ideal for every trap situation. You can shoot singles or handicap with the single barrel then you can shoot doubles w/ the o/u. Barrel lengths for the single barrel should be a minimum of 30" to 32" the o/u should be 32" to 34" If your son decides to try bunker (trench) then he will need the extra shot because you are allowed 2 shots in bunker and you will need that second shot. The problem with shooting auto loaders is when you shoot it the shell usually hits the guy to the right. And I've seen some trap shooters come unglued when they get by your empty hull. It throws off their concentration. It's not that big of a deal to most shooters but you will get that 1 out of 10 shooter that just explodes, and ruins the harmony for the rest of the squad. The o/u is the way to go. Browning makes a good gun for the money but I think the beretta is the best. I have beat people with Perazzis, Kreigoff,Lutic it doesn't matter. Get the best you can afford learn to shoot it and have it fitted to you if you think you need it. Like somebody said earlier most standard gun stocks will fit the average person. Happy Shooting. shooter682
What you want to do is buy the best o\u you can afford. My preferance is the beretta 682 gold e combo. This will run you about $4500.00 to $4700.00 new but you can find them used for less. The combo is ideal for every trap situation. You can shoot singles or handicap with the single barrel then you can shoot doubles w/ the o/u. Barrel lengths for the single barrel should be a minimum of 30" to 32" the o/u should be 32" to 34" If your son decides to try bunker (trench) then he will need the extra shot because you are allowed 2 shots in bunker and you will need that second shot. The problem with shooting auto loaders is when you shoot it the shell usually hits the guy to the right. And I've seen some trap shooters come unglued when they get by your empty hull. It throws off their concentration. It's not that big of a deal to most shooters but you will get that 1 out of 10 shooter that just explodes, and ruins the harmony for the rest of the squad. The o/u is the way to go. Browning makes a good gun for the money but I think the beretta is the best. I have beat people with Perazzis, Kreigoff,Lutic it doesn't matter. Get the best you can afford learn to shoot it and have it fitted to you if you think you need it. Like somebody said earlier most standard gun stocks will fit the average person. Happy Shooting. shooter682
