Have any of you actually seen trap score go up by changing shotguns?

[MagnunJoe]

Absolutely 100% yes, the gun can and will influence your score. I gave 3 shotguns for trap, all entry level, because I'm not rich. Here they are and my average scores going back years.
CZ Canvasbag Turkish made 21/25
Beretta A 300 USA made. 20/25
Remington 870 express 17/25
I have managed perfect scores with the CZ and the Beretta.

 

[morcey2]

Then you have not shot those better guns. If what you say was true, then no one would spend $15,000 on a Ljutic or Silver Seitz and they would all be shooting cheap POS pumps. The reality is they don't
When you get serious about competition, then perhaps you will realize that the Mossberg pump is NOT the be all end all.

And, BTW, $3000 is barely at the entry level for serious comp guns in any of the clay disciplines

Just to add to that, the higher end guns are going to last a lot longer. I love my 1300, but I don't think it will last 100,000 rounds without some significant repairs. It might do well for that many rounds, but since the 1300 was discontinued in 2007, some parts have become hard to come by. I _know_ that my Tristar isn't going to last anywhere near what a quality O/U will last but it was basically a free gun and it shoots well.

The 1300 is now mostly a field gun and when the Tristar breaks it will be replaced by a much better gun, but probably not a $15,000 gun.

Something else to consider aside from (but related to) gun fit is patterning. If you have two guns that both fit and have ostensibly the same choke, they may not pattern the same with the same shells. If the actual pattern isn't appropriate for what you're shooting, your scores are going to suffer. When you switch to another gun that also fits, but throws a better/more appropriate pattern, your scores will go up. It could be a sharp forcing cone distorting more pellets resulting in more fliers. Or, in the case of a Winchester Model 12 owned by my grandpa, a choke that was shot-out and patterned closer to a light-modified instead of the full that was marked on the barrel. That's also why you should let a patterning board tell you how the gun patterns, what the gun likes, and if the gun fits.

Matt

 

[Mitlov]

Then you have not shot those better guns. If what you say was true, then no one would spend $15,000 on a Ljutic or Silver Seitz and they would all be shooting cheap POS pumps. The reality is they don't
When you get serious about competition, then perhaps you will realize that the Mossberg pump is NOT the be all end all.

And, BTW, $3000 is barely at the entry level for serious comp guns in any of the clay disciplines

I haven't shot a $15,000 gun, but I've shot a Browning BT-99 plenty in addition to my Browning BPS. It's a nicer experience but it doesn't give me any higher scores.

I'm sure there are people for whom the difference between a $15,000 and $3,000 gun makes a difference in their scores...but I'm sure they're only the top 1% or so of people who shoot trap. For the other 99%, the person, not the gun, is the limiting factor (so long as the gun fits right), and they're not going to improve their scores at all by going to a shotgun with a five-figure price tag.

I'm talking about people who shoot trap as part of local leagues, charity competitions, etc. You seem to be talking about hardcore competitors in national and international competition. I think that's why we're not seeing eye-to-eye.

 

[243winxb]

Trap guns have high combs so they shoot 9" high. The bird is rising, so this helps. Plus you never have to cover the bird with the barrel, always in sight so you dont lift your head. Tho, wind may push the bird down, you will see it. Put a pad on your comb and use 8 shot, 1 oz. A curved Morgan pad on the butt stock can also raise shot pattern. Down load Remington's trap shooting fundamentals handbook http://www.remington.com/pages/news-and-resources/downloads/brochure-downloads.aspx Skeet there also.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

Trap guns have high combs so they shoot 9" high. The bird is rising, so this helps. Plus you never have to cover the bird with the barrel, always in sight so you dont lift your head. Tho, wind may push the bird down, you will see it. Put a pad on your comb and use 8 shot, 1 oz. A curved Morgan pad on the butt stock can also raise shot pattern. Down load Remington's trap shooting fundamentals handbook http://www.remington.com/pages/news-and-resources/downloads/brochure-downloads.aspx Skeet there also.

I down loaded this a few years back and spent a lot of time reading and rereading it. It is quite good and was helpful.