Trap/Skeet Shooting

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dman86

New member
Looking at getting into the sport/s a little bit more and am also still looking into which shotgun will give me what I need for the best value. So here's the question: will a 18 or so inch cylinder bore work for trap shooting as well? Obviously not optimum for that task as that is not what it is meant for, but can it still function in knocking down clays? My experience is only limited to using a friends 28" barrel with mod. choke but I am looking at home defense as well. The benefits to a short barrel are obvious for home security but does anyone actually use them for anything else as well? If I would need a longer barrel with a choke that would definately affect my choice. Thanks for input.
 
It might work, but it's far from optimum and some ranges have minimum barrel lengths. At my local range, it's 23"
 
I think shooting a riot gun at regulation trap would be an exercise in frustration.

Extra barrels for the usual Remington or Mossberg home defense shotgun are common and reasonably priced. A 28" with screw choke would let you shoot Skeet with a skeet or improved cylinder tube, Trap with modified or full.
 
Typically Trap barrels run from 28" to 34", Skeet barrels run from 26" to 30". That said, any shotgun can get pellets going downrange but the effect is changed by choking. Barrel length really allows for a smoother swing. My range does not allow barrels less than 24" for what they consider "safety reasons" I don't have a barrel less than 26" so it isn't a point I am willing to argue with the people making the rules. If you are going to get serious about shooting trap you will be a lot better off getting another longer barrel for your gun with screw in chokes. Otherwise you will most likely be frustrated with the results. I have for grins and giggles shot Trap with my Skeet gun on occasion, it works as long as I hit them fast and right out of the house.
 
Thanks for the good posts. But here's another question: would a bead sight be enough? I saw a Benelli Supernova with drift adjustable rifle sights but would those be necessary for trap shooting or are those mainly for slugs? I would imagine that the rear sight would help line it up either way but maybe not with the inertia of the swing.
 
beads on a clays gun are mainly for making sure you have a proper cheek weld IME. I have a single bead, but I don't think it'd make any difference if it wasn't there. I've tried a fiber optic front bead and it was more of a distraction than anything.

I definitely wouldn't want rifle sights for shooting a moving target
 
I am with Maas. Go with the 18/28 combo. Standard bead sights are fine. Rifle/Night sights can be useful for a HD gun.

The problem is you are trying to cover too many bases with one gun and you won't do any of them well. Most likely if your get serious about any of the three needs you describe, you will probably buy a specialty gun to cover that area.

The combo is a great way to get your foot in the door and start learning all three area.
 
will a 18 or so inch cylinder bore work for trap shooting as well
Click to expand...

No. The 18'' barrel is not a good thing for trap; but its not impossible. A cylinder choke will kill you when it gets time to move back to handicap line (21 yards, mostly). Even at the 16, it will make it difficult to hit birds. You'll have way to "wide" of a spread.

If you just want to take some shots at a few birds with friends, it'll work.

If you want to enjoy trap, or become competitive at it; you'll need a longer barrel (28-34ish) and either a modified choke, improved modified (smaller gauges), or a full (.410 gauge).

Hope you get into to trap, it's an enjoyable hobby!
 
the choke is what you need to be concerned with, not the barrel length. barrel length has NOTHING to do with anything but feel and looks. some will tell you that it helps you by providing alonger siting/aiming plane, but remember the first rule of shotguns, you do NOT aim a shotgun, you point it. very few times will you need to aim a shotgun like a rifle, none of which will be at moving targets. the only place a longer barrel will help is with inertia to help you follow through, or adding weight out front to improve balance or slow down the start of the swing, taking away some of the "whippyness" of a gun. like said before, all the bead on a shotgun is for is to make sure you have proper mount before the shot. if you look at the barrel/bead while shooting, I can almost guarantee you are going to miss. a cylinder shoke in a 12 guage will work fine for skeet but will be nothing but frustrating on the trap line. for trap you are looking to be in the mod-full range on choke. also an 18" barrel is going to be MUCH louder than a 24-28" barrel would be.

-Scott
 
No.

My trap double has 28" barrels with mod/full chokes. That's really the minimum you need for trap. You might be able to get away with a 18" cylinder bore at a skeet range, but never at a trap range.
 
Hey thanks for all the helpful input guys. This has all really helped alot. I kind of figured what you guys said was spot on before I asked but I am a newbie and thought I would ask anyway. Thanks a million.
 
When I first started out I shot a 870 Wingmaster with 28" Modified Barrel. I used it for everything--skeet, trap, sporting clays, hunting, and HD. Now I use it for hunting only.

The point is that I shoot thousands of rounds of clays and did fine. Was it optimum, no. Did it work, yes. Could I it targets on a skeet field with a choke that was too tight, yes.

To many people worry about equipment and not fundamentals. It's not the Ping clubs that make the golfer. The key is to get a gun of reasonable quality and start shooting. Take some lessons and work on the skills.
 
I don't care how good your "skills" or "fundamentals" are, you are NOT going to succeed at trap, especially anything further than 16 yd line, with a cylinder bored gun, plain and simple.

-Scott
 
scotts_4x "barrel length has NOTHING to do with anything but feel and looks"

Then someone could shoot a sawed off shotgun (with the appropriate choke) in all applications with the same success? I am curious where i could find evidence to that. I understand what your point is, but i would like to find some proof of it.
 
I have one Express barrel that's been shortened to 21" and threaded for tubes.

It works for trap. Using a Full tube it works for handicap if I hold up my end.

Length doesn't affect the pattern. Load and choke do.
 
Brett, i must make an addendum to my previous statement. after 18", barrel length has nothing to do with anything but looks and feel.

-Scott
 
I'd love to see someone come to the 27yd trap line with a cylinder bore. At least I know who'd be buying everyone a beer afterwards, and it ain't gonna be me.
 
bad form

I think at best an 18" barrel on the trap line would be bad form.

I think the combo barrels for an 870 are the way to go if you just want one gun.

Better to buy a used Baretta 303. They are great for trap and you can trick it all out with mag weights, a shell catcher and an extended release button. Then you'll want a high vent rib barrel and an adjustable cheek piece.

Its better to build on a good platform than try to build a base line 870 HD gun up to be a trap gun.

Warning trap and skeet are addictive.
 
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