Recommended Trap Gun?

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It is easier to shoot an SC gun for Trap, than the other way around. That's why I recommended the 1100 Competition and the a400 Parallel. They are designed to be usable for all clays games, though optimized for none. The O/U equivalent is the Browning CX; There are Trap (CXT) and SC (CXS) versions also. They lean towards their respective diciplines, but are still shootable for all of them. These are an excellent choice for you also; they are the best O/U deal in what you are looking for.

Jim Watson said:
looks like the SC shooters go for "Light Modified" if they are not cranking their choke wrenches like a two dollar watch at each stand.
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:rofl: So true. I just throw the Mod. in and run the whole course with that.
 
Jim Watson said:
I am way out of date on equipment, did my best shooting with an 1100TA versus everything else I could buy or borrow. Do wish I had kept that MT6 doubles gun, though.



With that on your planning horizon, I would get a Sporting Clays version of whatever. Most have adjustable butt and comb you can determine settings for each game. Screw chokes are pretty well standard these days, Mod, IM, or Full for Trap, looks like the SC shooters go for "Light Modified" if they are not cranking their choke wrenches like a two dollar watch at each stand.

I never saw a serious regulation Trap shooter with a 20 ga, much less 28. There was one guy here who got a 20 ga Purbaugh tube for his Broadway to favor his arthritis, but he was not a tournament shooter. These days you would just buy or load a softer 12 gauge.
I think there is a small bore division within SC.
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Not a division, but many sporting tournaments, especially the larger shoots, offer subgauge side events in 20, 28, and 410, as well as 20 and 28 gauge FITASC events. Many of those larger shoots also offer pump and SxS side events too.

As to chokes, I start with a LM/M in my O/U or a LM in my gas gun. I'll use a skeet or Cylinder for something like a 5 yard rabbit and I'll use something like an IM for some 50 yard crosser on edge
 
I’m a casual trap enthusiast (not a competitor), but my Browning Citori CXT improves my game significantly. More than I ever imagined the “arrow” would help.....you know...”It’s the Indian not the arrow”. Pretty sure they don’t come in anything other than 12 though. That being said, my son has the CX and rocks it both at the trap field and skeet. Around $1800-$2000.....comes in 20 as well I think.
 
No argument that you can get a hull catcher of some type for SINGLES but not if you are going to shoot doubles. In my opinion if you are only shooting singles a pump gun can be less expensive as well as very reliable.

Everyone has their own preference. I have a Remingon 1100 with an adjustable comb and high rib as a back up gun for singles and doubles, but also an O/U Combo with an Unsingle Barrel (34") and O/U barrels (32").

Bob
 
George P said:
Was allowed?
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Fish and Wildlife areas, sunflower fields.
Used to be top gun often at two, been doing it since the 80s.

Had some private ground that was good, but opening day ( first two by draw) on state ground was a hoot.

Lots of the old regs are gone or just dont hunt. Newer crop not as cool. Eh, things change. Used to be by sign up, get rhere at 7 am and wait in line til 11. Been by draw for a long while though. Bud or myself, usually drawn.

Last yr we didnt
First time in ages.

Didnt put in this yr. Saving vac days for deer.
Dove opener not on same paid holiday from work ( usually is ).
 
I could grab the 1100 T and some superhandicap lead and hammer a wheat field behind a buds house. Done it before after cut. Field is a mile long and nothing on edges. Low and or wet spots draw em in.
Make for long shots, and a long day. But still fun.

But that 1100 and that much walking is brutal
 
State ground is non toxic shot for migratory so that volume of shooting ( dove ) mandates steel IMHO.

So the old full choke 1100T is a no go.
Last couple of yrs I ran a reg 1100 in synth w an Imp Cyl 26"

Found it a little too short and light. Limited out early.....but prefer a heavier and longer gun.

Like the 1100 T
 
Have a remchoke bbl on my 1100.magnum but it wont cycle steel dove loads.
New bbls are stupid priced.

Sold my last 1100 standard to coworker.
Have an 870 Ive run before

Ideally, find a 28 or 30" remchoke bbl for the 1100 T
 
But allergies, sunburn.....dove hunting is brutal and i cant tolerate bug repellent any more. Do use a Thermacell, helps.

Am older and beat up. Arthritis in spine.
Take a big folding super comfy chair

screw those little " dove stools" LOL.

Comfort is key. Proly shoot 50% of my birds from seated.

Just not wanting to endure the heat and bugs anymore. That, and with the old gang gone.....it just doesnt have the shine anymore.

Been doing it for 35 yrs LOL
 
Several different ways of saying it...someone said Indians and arrows...I heard in golf, 99% of the time it is not the equipments fault....

I will go back to Lee Trevino...who won bets out golfing others using either one club or a Dr Pepper bottle...”Pressure in the Masters...nah...pressure is a $40 skin with $5 in your pocket....”

A man with one gun....
 
Yes, no matter what you decide on, make sure it fits you correctly and that is shoots where you want it to shoot compared to where you are looking.

Certainly not just the equipment, I can miss as many with my Kreighoff as I can with my Browning, but if the gun does not fit you correctly, you will be chasing to compensate.

Bob
 
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FWIW I shot trap w a 20 ga 870 Special Field (21" mod choke).
21-23.
From 16-20 yard marks.
Old timers didn't wear earpro and complained my little gun was too loud.
This the late 80's.

Had a BPS Upland Special 20 at one time, 22" bbl, Inv chokes and buttplate, not pad.
Informal trap, in summer, w T shirt.............that one worked on ya LOL

1100 being heavier and recoil distributed over longer period.............mucho bettero.
 
A lot depends on whether you want to shoot trap for fun or are going to be an actual competitor. I shoot registered Skeet so I am much more formal about shooting skeet than I am about shooting trap which I only do for fun with a few of the guys at the club that don't shoot skeet.
 
Well that sucks; I can see (well, not really) mandating no-tox by water areas, but not for a open ag field.
 
Swing said:
Hey pallies.

So, I'd like to get back into trap shooting. (Ditto sporting clays after I relocate to the southwest, but there is nothing available around here.)

As such I'm looking for a shotgun that is:

  • Over-under.
  • 20 or 28-gauge. (Can go 12, but rather not.)
  • Good quality.
  • Would like to keep it $3,000 or less, though I'm not real sure on the market these days, so if I have to more, no worries.
  • For relatively low round count.
Some offerings from Browning and CZ are interesting.

Suggestions?
Click to expand...

I know it's less than ideal and well under your price range but I used to shoot trap a couple times a month up until a few years ago.. I used a Maverick 88 20ga with a fixed modified choke. I used Estate #6 shot loads exclusively and did fairly well. I hung it up when it got to the point where people didn't want to shoot for money if I was around... I sold that gun to a neighbor that wanted a cheap gun to have for his son to carry grouse hunting. It never failed me in the over 25,000 rounds I put through it in the 5 or so years I had it. Of course I always spent plenty of time cleaning it after every shooting session.
 
George P said:
Well that sucks; I can see (well, not really) mandating no-tox by water areas, but not for a open ag field.
Click to expand...
Hell, even the local sporting clays range got blindsided by an EPA snitch (they "might" drain into a waterway) and now require steel shot. Sucks major.
 
can the club reorient the machines so the shot fall isn't near any drainage areas?
 
Hey pals and gals. Thanks for the recommendations. (Well, those that were on topic.) I'm going on vacation this weekend that will take me into so parts with various places that sells good shotguns, so I'll keep my peepers open.
 
My best is a Beretta 686 Onyx 12 customized stock. My son shoots a 1187 with an adjustable butt plate. My buddy who is Colorado state champion sporting clays shoots a custom Perazzi. about the price of a new car. My Son in law shot a round against him using a $200 870. They both beat me shooting a borrowed A300. Of course My buddy won hands down but it was fun.
 
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