Entry level Trap Gun suggestions

[offthepaper]

I watched some guys shooting trap at a local range and thought I might like to give this a try. I know a little less than nothing about shooting trap, or what I should be looking at in a used shotgun to shoot trap. My questions are about gauge, length, action type, ect. My budget is low. Would it be possible to get someting to shoot Trap with in the $300 range if I look for something used? Can I use a regular, like a Mossberg 500"? Or are there good reasons not to use that type of SG for Trap?

thanks

 

[dicty2004]

Trap is mainly a 12 gauge game. I saw people using all kinds shotgun for trap (even tactic type with 18" barrel, pistol grip, and no stock) . Mossberg 500 should be a good entry point. I started with a WM Rem 870 express, 28" barrel and mod choke. Most experienced shooter would suggest you use full choke. I think for beginner, 26" or 28" is better choice than 18 or 20" barrel. Don't worry too much about equipment, just give it a try and have fun. If you like it, save your pennies and invest in a specialized trap gun.

 

[bigalexe]

Word of advice from a real newb to the sport is dont start out with a full choke for trap or skeet unless you are shooting from the 25 line. I went out with a Mossberg 500, 26" Barrel and a full choke and was missing everything on the 16 yard line. We took out the full and put an improved cylinder in and it greatly improved my success. The thing with just starting is that you wont be on the birds quick like the experienced guys and if you are up close with a full choke it may not help you having a tight pattern. For me i was getting close to the bird but opening up the pattern with the different choke allowed me to hit the birds.

 

[SeekHer]

• go for an over under--there is a good reason why they dominate the sport...
• otherwise go for a semi auto--recoil reduction is very pleasant...
• a pump is really a bitch after a day of shooting 300, 400 birds!
• most pump stocks don't have the proper stock shape/angle/dimensions for clay sports...
• whatever you get make sure it has inter-changeable choke tubes with or available...
• see if here are other barrels available as well...
• you're really pushing it with your price, borrow or rent something at the range to experiment with until you save up enough money...
• there is a very marked and noticeable difference between a $300 gun and a $1,000 gun as there is between a $1,000 gun and a $3,000 gun...
• the $1,000 will be most likely used and it won't be a Perazzi or a Krieghoff K80

...

 

[earlthegoat2]

WM Rem 870 express

Scratching head.

 

[oneounceload]

Realize that for just starting out, you probably WON'T be shooting 300-400 rounds in a day. For you, your Mossberg with a 28" barrel will do fine for the meantime until you decide if you want to really get into. If that becomes the case, a nicely used BT-99 or similar dedicated for trap would be your next step.

You can also try skeet with your pump - different game. However, utilizing a pump action for the second shot in skeet doubles can not always be successful if your pumping pulls your gun off the target line. But if you decide you like that, a nice O/U or semi will work well there

The same analogy for skeet will work when it comes to shooting sporting clays

good luck, have fun, make sure your gun fits you reasonably close to avoid recoil "slap", and shoot light target loads

 

[FLNT4EVR]

H&R.has come out with a trap gun that is making a good reputation for itself.Go to the H&R website and check it out .A nice looking gun for under $300.

 

[Virginian]

I always suggest a new shooter start out with a good used gun. Then, as long as you take decent care of it, you shouldn't lose a dime if and/or when you decide you want something else. It gives you something to shoot and learn with and time to decide what you like and don't like, and what you think you want long term. It doesn't have to be like it is with women, and cost you an arm and a leg if you change your mind.
Go look at used Mossberg pumps and used Remington 870 Wingmasters, and when you find one that feels okay to you, go for it. There are a lot of them out there because they have probably sold as many of those two combined as everything else put together, and the prices are below your target number because there are so many of them. They will kill it if you put it on target.
Good luck.

 

[Sauer Grapes]

I just kinda started shooting trap myself. Any field gun that fits you will be all you need. I shot with 3 guys Saturday.
One had a 32,000 dollar gun, one had a 5,000 dollar gun and one had a 600.00 dollar gun. I used my Rem. 870 pump from 1974.
We were all within 6 targets of each other. I shot the lowest score.
You don't need the best, you just need a good eye and mechanics. BTW THE 600.00 guy used a trap model 870 pump. He shot the second best score.

Modified choke is plenty for 16 yd. trap. Good luck and have fun!

 

[batex]

I started shooting trap this past fall with a used Remington 870 Wingmaster I bought for $200. It has a 30" full choke barrel...at first, I was hitting in the low teens, but now I routinely get above 20, my best being 23 out of 25. When I shoot, I tend to shoot 3-4 rounds (75-100 shells). I've wondered if this gun was modified choke, could I get my 25? In any case, I stongly believe that shooting the full choke helped me become a better shooter. Since then, I bought a nice O/U sporting clays gun and I can easily hit 22-23 at trap with this gun. Finally, I'll say that I'm still just a casual shooter and sometimes go a month between visits to the trap range.

Bottom line, buy a good, USED gun (I would strongly recommend a used wingmaster 870), make sure it fits well, invest another $200 in a MEC reloader and get to shooting.

 

[Geneseo1911]

Here is my trap gun:

It is also my skeet gun, my sporting clays gun, my hunting gun, and serves sometimes as my home defense gun. I paid two hundred and some odd dollars for it, brand new (of course that was about '98 or so). It's all you need to start. I've never had trouble cycling it for doubles, and have never gotten tired of pumping it on the trap line. It's certainly no worse than breaking open a break action every shot.

I shoot full choke for all trap, but I don't shoot a lot of 16 yd any more. I enjoy skeet more anyway. You don't really even need choke tubes. A lot of guys claim fixed choke barrels pattern better, although if you want to have one gun to do everything, tubes are nice.

BTW, anyone who says pumps are no good is a fool. Of the guys at my club, 3 of the best (the ones who always go home with more money than they brought), shoot a pair of Rem 870's and a model 12 Winchester. It's about getting the mechanics and lead down. Having a gun that fits well helps this, but any gun can be fit around you. A used Mossberg will do you just fine.

I would recommend a fairly long barrel: at least 26" and up. It simply makes moving the gun easier. It sounds counter-intuitive, but with a short barrel it is common to stop moving because it has less mass. A longer barrel is harder to stop, and gun movement is what shotgunning is all about. This matters a lot less in trap, than in skeet, however as there is a lot less movement. A longer barrel will also maximize velocity, and gives a longer sighting plane (although you aren't supposed to be looking at the sights, anyway, but that's another story....)

 

[oneounceload]

Prices of the gun have nothing to do with anything except to those folks who seem to be envious of some who can afford them.....While a good quality gun may account for a target or two, due to fitting better, it is, and has always been, the Indian, not the arrow

you just need a good eye

THAT is just something you're born with

 

[hillbillydelux]

I use an 870 express. Doesnt even have to be a wingmaster. Its all about the fit of the gun. If it points naturally you will most likley be able to shoot it well. After all it is a shotgun. The difference between a $5,000 shotgun and a $300 shotgun is $4,700 dollars.

 

[glenns]

I've been trap shooting since March of this year. Got a used Remington 1100 Trap for $650 and love it. Easy to maintain and a lot of people have knowledge about them.

 

[nulfisin]

Learn How to Shoot It First

You have some good recommendations here. Do not, though, try to shoot a round of trap until you know how to mount and fire your shotgun. Your shoulder and upper arm will tell you this if you make a mistake, but there's no need to make the mistake at all.

 

[Niel4]

I bought a Rem 870 express 18 1/2" home defense gun with removeable choke tubes and a 7 capacity (5 + 2) Magazine.. Decided to try trap and put a turkey choke on it before considering another barrel (quite expensive I might add)....works perfect.

After about 200 rounds I'm hitting 70% of my shots. Now when i go to the range to shoot my pistols I run a quick 50 birds for fun.

You should see the looks I get from the over and under guys...they go away when I hit the clays!

The gun cost me $389

 

[Bill B.]

While you can use a field gun starting out in trap you will hit a lot more targets with a gun stocked and choked for trap shooting. It may be hard to find one in your price range of $300.00 but a used Beretta 303 Trap or a used Remington 1100 Trap is where I would start looking. Both of these guns take snap on shell catchers that keeps them from pelting your fellow shooters with empties. They also help take some of the recoil out with their gas system. The third plus to them is that you are starting out with 2 shotguns that can take you all the way to the winners circle and not really be outgunned. Just remember when looking at used trap guns these have been shot a lot but that isn't a bad thing as both of these shotguns should be good to go for thousands of rounds. Try before you buy and shoot other shooters guns to find out what suits you best before making a purchase. This is just the opinion of someone as they say that has shot the value of a small farm down the barrel of a trap gun ..................

 

[mgkdrgn]

I watched some guys shooting trap at a local range and thought I might like to give this a try. I know a little less than nothing about shooting trap, or what I should be looking at in a used shotgun to shoot trap. My questions are about gauge, length, action type, ect. My budget is low. Would it be possible to get someting to shoot Trap with in the $300 range if I look for something used? Can I use a regular, like a Mossberg 500"? Or are there good reasons not to use that type of SG for Trap?

thanks

I believe in "shootin what you got". When I shot trap in a league, some 20 years ago, I was using a 20+ year old Remington 870 pump, "modified" choke barrel with nothing but a bead on the end. Did well enough to win a couple of trophies at it.

I've just found that there is a trap/skeet place about 25 or so miles from here, so I might get back into it again. What am I going to use? The same (now 40+ year old) Remington 870 .... but now I gots a fancy vent rib barrel for it. ;-)

A good used pump will get you started, and if you buy smart will serve you for many many years as a good HD weapon. If you decide you want to get really -serious- about trap, skeet, sporting clays .. then you can look into more specialized firearms for that. (but that old pump will still be standing HD duty in your bedroom).

Enjoy!

 

[The Deer Hunter]

I watched some guys shooting trap at a local range and thought I might like to give this a try. I know a little less than nothing about shooting trap, or what I should be looking at in a used shotgun to shoot trap. My questions are about gauge, length, action type, ect. My budget is low. Would it be possible to get someting to shoot Trap with in the $300 range if I look for something used? Can I use a regular, like a Mossberg 500"? Or are there good reasons not to use that type of SG for Trap?

thanks

A Mossberg 500 would be fine, however there are many shotguns that can get you started shooting trap in that price range. Brands and model numbers aren't important, what's important is how you like it. So don't just go out and by whatever someone suggests you buy.

You should look for a longer barrel at least 26" in length. A lot of guys shoot with fixed chokes, but having screw-in choke tubes is also something to look for. Magazine capacity is unimportant. Obviously, a Pistol Grip Only stock would be a terrible choice and if you show up on the trap field with all sorts

 

[Frank Ettin]

First, let me mention that I shoot registered trap, i. e., Amateur Trapshooting Association sanctioned competition, and I've coached our club's Scholastic Clay Target Program youth group.

That said, you can really start out with any decent quality shotgun. A Mossberg or used Remington 1100 or 870 or Ithaca 37, etc., would be fine. What's important is that it fit you and "shoots where you are looking." It can also help to build up the comb a little, and there are inexpensive elastic or stick on gadgets that will do that for you. But you want a trap gun to shoot a little high, since you'll be shooting rising targets. Most of those gadgets are easily removed so that you can make your gun flatter shooting for field use or skeet.

Also I recommend 12 gauge, a 28 inch barrel and choke tubes. You'll want modified choke from the 1`6 yard line (although improved cylinder will also work). Trap loads are limited to 1 1/8th ounce of shot (and many of us shoot 1 ounce), either 7.5s or 8s, and no more than 3 dram (although 2 3/4 dram is fine), so you don't need 3 inch chambers (although having them makes the gun more versatile).

If you get bit by the bug and want to get serious about trap shooting, then you can start thinking about a special purpose trap gun. But you don't really need one to learn the game and have fun.

 

[Hollywood Marine]

Don't be afraid of a pump. I started with the same model twelve factory trapgun that I've shot for years. I also shoot a super x model 1 factory trap. Either one is deadly on clays if I do my part. Neither gun has ever missed a target, but I have missed many. Good luck and good shooting.

 

[spyder1911]

I shoot a Remington Express 12g with the 28" vent rib barrel. It is a great gun to start out trap shooting.

Edit: Don't believe when people say that a pump will be terrible for trap. Barrel length, choke, shot size, and most importantly shooter skill will be much more of a factor.

 

[MrBill120]

When I was 22 yrs old I used to trap shoot with my 870 Express 12ga, 28" vent rib barrel. My best score was 24 out of 25!!
(I nicked the 25th one but not enough to get the point for it!!)

So, YES you can do well with a basic 870 Express.

(I'm 36 now. And I've only shot trap about 6 times since that day....I'd love to get back into it though...)

 

[wilkersk]

I found a used Remington 1100 Trap model from the '70s for $350.

The gun overall was a little grotty. It looked like it had been overlubricated at some point and then never cleaned.

But, after a throrough cleaning,it looks pretty good. The barrel is a fixed choke that Remington called "TRAP". I'm not familiar with it. But, how can I go wrong. It cleaned up very well. And, I'm told that that particular barrel is favored by Rem 1100 aficionados.

I can't wait to start competing. I've beed shooting IPSC for handgun. But, this is my first experience with competition shotgun.

The big guns have already told me to make sure I get a hull catcher. But, the deflector works great as is. I can't see anyone being dinged by my hulls unless they're just standing in the wrong spot!