One gun for all or purpose-built?

[guyfromohio]

As a kid, I became quite proficient with my Wingmaster at trap shooting. Fixed full choke, 36 inch barrel.... Really a great trap gun. Fast forward 20 years and I've taken an interest in sporting clays, trap doubles, and upland game with plans to shoot skeet soon. The fixed choke and pump action isn't ideal for all of these activities. Over the course of the last four months, I purchased a new Citori Lightning with 26 inch barrels, a used BT-99, and an older Citori with 30 inch barrels and a higher rib (invector chokes pre-dating invector +).

I now have the trap gun, the bird gun, and the clays gun.

Last night, I finally made it to the 16 yard line and only had my 30 inch double with me. I actually impressed myself as I hit far more clays than I had hoped. One of the regulars kindly informed me that I was shooting a skeet gun and not a trap gun. Always one in the bunch.... I found myself thinking that I should continue to shoot trap with the 30 because it will get me used to one gun that I can translate to the clays course, trap doubles and skeet fields.... Actually wouldn't be horrible for Pheasant either.

What are the opinions? Do you better shooters switch guns for different activities or do you try to stick to one? I'm apprehensive about getting practice with the BT-99 and then switching for doubles and not having a comfort level. Just curious. Thank you.


Also..... Does anyone know where I can find invector chokes? Google searches keep bringing up invector plus.


Edit: found invector standards at lgs

 

[Whole Hog]

I'm in the one gun for everything camp. I mostly shoot sporting clays, but shoot trap and skeet when that's all that's available. I've found that switching guns just doesn't work well for me. There are a few exceptions though, I like to shoot the pump gun and 20 gauge events at bigger shoots just for fun, and in the fall I start using my hunting gun to get ready for dove and quail shooting. But I mostly stick to one gun.

 

[cfullgraf]

If you are shooting for fun, shoot what you have and be aware of the limitations.

If you get serious about competing, you will want a gun made for the sport although, you can get started just fine with what you have.

I used to shoot skeet competively so, I have a skeet gun. On occasions, my friend and I will shoot sporting clays for fun. Guess what I shoot?

(While I admire the folks that shoot trap well, the game does not float my boat. That is what makes the world go around!)

 

[Drue]

I shoot trap, skeet and sporting clays with my Beretta 391, changing the choke and ammo between the various courses of fire. I believe that more familiarity and trigger time with one gun is beneficial. If I got seriously involved in any of those games, I might consider getting a more specialized shotgun.

Brownells and Midway carry the Invector chokes.


Drue

 

[oneounceload]

Briley sells Invector chokes.

I prefer a mission-specific gun, because I shoot sporting clays for competition. If you are out just having fun, shoot what you want, not what someone on the trap line mumbles about. Of course, once you start to shoot sporting clays and FITASC, you'll never go back to trap or skeet). And if you want to get ready for hunting, sporting clays is a LOT better in that regard.

If I hit the Powerball, I am off to Brescia to Perazzi to get a few guns ordered - one for pigeons, one for FITASC/Sporting and one for bird hunting (well, maybe two for birds). They would be fixed choke guns with the constrictions suited to the game/quarry and specific load.

Since trap, skeet and sporting are so different, one gun can do OK, but if you are a serious competitor in all three, you will have three different guns with different balance and handling characteristics

 

[guyfromohio]

Thank you for the responses. I guess the best answer is to get just as good with each. I'll shoot the BT-99 and see if I outshoot the double before really deciding. I haven't missed a pheasant with the 26", so I'm less concerned with the field gun.

 

[b.thomas]

Spent most of my life with only one gun ...............usually a pump or auto/12 gauge. Now I have both a auto-loader(1187 skeet) and a pump (Wingmaster), both 12 gauge. OOPS forgot, gotta sxs 20 gauge too?
Getting old, memory's going'!

 

[Sheepdog1968]

I belong to a trap league and just use my Mossberg 500. After a 10 week season, I'm up to 70 percent and sometimes 80 percent when pressure is low. I do ok. A specialized gun won't make me better. I think you are fine with what u r using.

 

[Manny]

I only have two shotguns, both 12 ga, and one, the FN SLP w/ghost ring sights is a defensive piece optomized for use with slugs & buckshot. By default the other, a Browning Cynergy with 30" barrels & synthetic stock (plus a full camo treatment that makes my 'lil redneck soul burst with pride!) that by default is my one gun for any other shotgun use or sport. I only have so much room in the safe and in my budget for shotguns with no desire for more and these two work best for me.

 

[oneounceload]

A specialized gun won't make me better.

Lessons make YOU better, but having a specialized gun for trap that actually FITS you, will make your scores go dramatically up. Those folks who run 100 straights to get into the shootoffs use guns built for the purpose that have been fitted to them.

Again, if you are just starting out, or only shoot a little for fun, shoot whatever floats your boat; but if you decide to go the competition route, you'll soon discover the shortcomings of the "one gun for everything" mentality

 

[Whole Hog]

If you have two Citoris and a BT-99, you're not just starting out or shooting a little bit for fun. If you got the 30 inch Citori fitted to you, you would have a gun that works well for skeet, trap doubles, and sporting clays. Trap singles not so much, but you have the BT-99.

For many years my do-everything gun was a 30 inch Browning 425. My sporting clays scores improved a lot after I had a left hand Wenig New American stock fitted to it, and I rasped and sanded the comb to fit me. I also shot trap and skeet (not registered) fairly successfully with it. Now I'm shooting a high rib, adjustable comb, left hand DT10 that fits me even better, but I can still pick up the 425 and do pretty well with it.

In my opinion, having one gun that feels like a body part is better than having several that don't.

 

[gamestalker]

I don't usually switch, I prefer to stick to one particular 870 WM that is rather old, probably 1960's, that I use for trap, skeet, and sporting clays. I switch barrels on it, depending on what I'm going to be shooting though. But my other 870's don't get neglected by any means, but that one WM I reserve for the range only cause it just feels different / right to me.

So I think this is a personal preference thing in my opinion. If you have one gun that works well for you in every application, then there is no real cause to buy one for each purpose, except the love for more shotguns.
GS

 

[guyfromohio]

After readin through these, I think the BT-99 is the sticking point. I picked up in an AR trade while people valued ARs more than singles. A part of me feels like I have a trap gun, so I should use it for trap.... Adjustable comb, recoil dampening internals, etc... But since trap singles is a small part of my game, I'll need the doubles for trap doubles, SC, Skeet, and hunting.

I think I will probably just shoot the double, get good with it, and let dust accumulate on the BT-99 unless I get to a point of competitive trap. I should be proficient enough with the double by then that I won't worry about the transition. The reality is that trap singles are the easiest to practice (easy as in time commitment, availability, etc..).

Not so worried about hunting as I was 100% with it first time out of the box.

 

[Deer_Freak]

If I like an activity enough that I buy a gun just for that activity I am going to use it. I would ease into the double barrels. You are used to your Wingmaster. I would shoot it enough to keep the game fun. In time you will start leaving the wingmaster in the safe.