[LoadedDrum]

Thanks to Scout26, I got the chance to shoot trap for the first time with my HD gun and I figure the 20" IC choked barrel was less than optimal (I did hit a few with it though).It got me wonder what is the best configuration of barrel, choke, and sights for shooting trap? What are your thoughts?

[nico]

I'm sure you'll get much more educated opinions than mine, but I'll try to get the ball rolling.
For barrel length, I'd want at least 26" (I use a field model SX2 with a 28" barrel), but I think a purpose built trap gun can have a barrel as long as 32".

Choke: I use a full choke but everything I've seen says to use modified or tighter depending on how fast you shoot the birds. I've heard of some people using turkey chokes, but I can't say I've met someone in person who did this. A lot of people who compete will practice with a tight choke like full or tighter so they'll work on getting the middle of the pattern on the bird, and then compete with modified or IM to give themselves a a little more room for error.

Sights aren't 100% necessary. My gun has a single white bead, and other people prefer a mid bead and a bead at the muzzle so they know when their head is in the right position. But when you're in the process of shooting a bird, you shouldn't be looking at the sights. I'm pretty sure (and some people on this board have had it happen) that my front bead could fall off and it wouldn't be a big problem.

[genie]

ooh - i get to get in on some advice early on! :)

i believe that the reason people prefer longer barrels for trap is that it "smooths out" your swing. having a bit more weight spread out in front makes it harder to snap the front of the barrel to the clay. in trap, all the clays are flying out in front of you to some non extreme angle. therefore having a smooth swing through the clay helps you to be consistent.

typically trap is shot with the clay thrower 16 yards in front. by the time you hit the clay, it's somewhere between 30 - 40 yards in front. a modified choke is fine for this distance. a full choke will force you to be more disciplined b/c there's less error room and also helps if sometime you do try shooting from 27 yards back.

for clay shotgun games, b/c the target is moving rather fast you don't want open/rifle/ghost/aperature sights. these sights train your eye to aim specifically at a target. if you take the time to do this with a flying clay disk...most likely you'll be far behind the fast moving clay target. a simple bead at the end of the barrel will get your peripheral vision to pick up the clay and then swing that bead through the clay. pull the trigger when the bead is on the clay and don't forget to swing through!

the 2 best tips i've ever gotten is:

1. have fun! it's lots of fun to blast clay disks into teeny bits.
2. be sure to swing through the target. if you stop the barrel and shoot -- b/c the clay is moving it will have moved ahead of your stopped barrel.

in joy's defense,
-genie

[sm]

First off remember it matters not what a bbl or choke is "marked" - what DOES matter is what the Pattern Board shows the pattern to be.

Having said that-

Personally I feel a longer bbl is better. Less apparent lead and smooths mount, swing and follow thru. Standard in the old days was 30". Today some guns do have 32" and longer bbls. These are used for other clay games besides Trap as well.

Most folks , especially folks new to a discipline, shoot too tight a choke IME/IMO. At 16 yds with quality hard shot Modified "patterns" work fine. I tend to favor "improved modified" patterns.

[Dave McCracken]

Most trap hounds favor long barrels. Some because they keep the swing going. some because Ray and Leo and Daro use them.Extra credit, give the last names of these three...

I use 30" barrels for the most part. This time of year I can open up to IC for singles and not change my hits. In warmer weather I use Full or IM. That's more than needed, but it helps keep me tight on the birds.

Since trap targets are shot rising, a barrel and gun that hits over POA is favored.

What kind of HD shotgun? If it's a Big Four Pump, second barrels are not rare nor costly. Spring for a tubed 28-30" ribbed barrel and go have fun.....

[00-Guy]

Leo Harrison III and dad, Jr.
12 GAH HOA titles for III

Daro Handy
At least one,

I had to cheat for the last one
Ray Stafford
something on the order of 9 HOA

Note: Unless you plan on dedicating a gun to trap, a 30" barrel should be sufficient for all games. A side note too: Most aftermarket and spare barrels that I have seen max out at 30". (There maybe exceptions)

[Dave McCracken]

Correct, Paul!! You get the autographed copy of Shotgun 101.

More on purpose built trap barrels. I use the standard Remington LC barrels for most of my trap shooting these days. Any long barrel with a rib and some choke will do Ok wtih modern ammo. Most older barrels are overchoked for modern ammo.

Some folks favor a headsup style for trap. The high rib barrels are great for this. And while there's some F/O sights out there, more folks use the two bead setup and stack them in an 8 for the correct POI.

Lots of folks use their field guns for trap, and with a barrel as specified above, they'll work.

I shot a couple rounds of wobble with the Geezer Squad today. One fellow used a Stevens bolt action 20 gauge he had bought as a youth. He didn't run them but came close and many targets were ground into dust.

[scout26]

LD,

You can get a standard 28" field barrel for your 870 and a couple of chokes at one of the guns stores around here or you can get them from Remington or on-line at one of the auction sites (gunbroker.com, gunsamerica.com). Shop around for best price.

Sorry I couldn't talk the other day. I had to leave work early to go rescue the kids from daycare. I'll give you a call.