Shot my first shotgun (trap) this weekend

[gobabygo]

I was at an USPSA pistol match this weekend and afterwards one of the guys in my squad said he had his shotgun and was going to walk over to the shotgun range. Since I've never shot a shotgun before I asked if I could come check it out.

Well, I ended up doing more than that! We got to the range and all the guys there were really nice. One even let me borrow his Browning BT99 (I think that's right) and I ended up shooting 18 of 25 my first time ever! Pretty fun stuff. I then tried out a pump action shotgun (don't remember what exactly it was) and only got 16. And in the last round I again got to borrow that BT99 and shot 21 of 25! Not bad for my 51-75th shots I've ever fired from a shotgun! My shoulder hurts, so I'm sure I was doing something wrong, but it was hella fun.

So of course I've now got the itch to buy a shotgun. After seeing that that BT99 cost over $1000, I'd like to only buy 1 if at all possible just so I can try my hand a little more at trap, skeet and 3-gun. I would think that this would mean a semi-auto shotgun. So basically I think that means that I just pick a shotgun for 3-gun and use that for the other two. Is that right?

 

[kudu]

Sounds like your hooked!

 

[Dave McCracken]

Gobabygo, welcome aboard. Shotgunning is as much fun for many of us that can be had fully clothed. A coupla things....

The Archives here may be the best possible resource for someone gettign started as a shotgunner. The regulars here comprise a few collective centuries of real world experience, and are willing and able to help out newcomers.

The 101 series of threads I've started and the floaters from TFL include much info you may find useful.

Many of us forego the semis for newbies. My choice is the Remington 870, as it is for many others, including almost all Police and Correctional agencies. Durability, reliability, flexibility and usage are legendary.

Others of the Big Four(Winchester 1300/Defender, Mossberg 500-590, Ithaca 37) are also good choices, capable of feeding and protecting families for generations as well as fun.

And these can be had in used condition, oft for less than $250. Decent semis start at $600 or so.

But do not buy a shotgun yet. Look around, try a few your friends own out and see what works for you. Use light loads, something like an oz of 8s will do for now, and have FUN!!

And the only stupid questions are those that do not get asked. Feel free...

 

[Jim Watson]

It will take some doing to shoot 3-gun, trap, and skeet COMPETITIVELY with the same shotgun.

Not that you can't have fun and get good experience, but you broke 21x25 at trap with that BT99 on the second try because it is a TRAP gun, optimized for the target and the target presentation and not much good for anything else. (Although I knew one guy who said his would take a squirrel out of a tall, tall, tree.)

A pumpgun would be a smidgen slow for 3-gun by today's standards, you would have to be an accomplished shucker to get the second shot on skeet doubles with it, and the stock would not be just right for trap and skeet both.

But a pump would be cheap and reliable, and with a sack of accessories and lots of practice, you could use it pretty well for everything. Shoot it in standard form with a skeet or IC choke tube for skeet; use a velcro Meadows pad to raise the comb for the rising trap bird, and a modified or full choke tube; and bolt on the sidesaddle and magazine extension for 3-gun.

An auto could be optioned and swapped around the same way, but would cost more.

Look around and try out everything you can before you buy. Shotgunners are even more helpful than other shooters, it seems.

 

[riverdog]

Digging up all these old posts. I've shot Skeet with an 870 and got both birds when it came time for doubles. It takes a bit of work and practice, but a relative novice can shoot Skeet quite well with a pump shotgun. I would recommend a pump as a first shotgun and starting point. Semi-Autos and O/U's come later. JMHO.

Another good point to the Big Four pump guns is that they can go from light target loads to heavy hunting loads and slugs without changing anything but you choke tube.

 

[gobabygo]

Wow, I can't believe my post was way back in September.

I finally decided to get a Browning Gold Stalker 12ga 28". I haven't picked it up yet but I've already got a bunch of stuff coming from Brownells for it.

I decided to go with an auto because of 3-gun type stuff and I figure that to me, it's probably not going to make a big difference on the other clays games. Thanks for all the great information here, I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Looking forward to hearing about your progress. Good luck...

 

[theCZ]

I've seen 3-gunners using a pump shotgun knock 'em down and pump faster than any of the guys with autoloaders. As far as having a sore shoulder, I'm convinced it's just from you not being comfortable yet with the recoil and handling. Once you get used to the recoil, try shooting with your off-shoulder and tell me if it doesn't get a little tender after a measly 25 rounds!

 

[PJR]

Good choice on the auto.

Although there have been many fine scores shot with pump guns, having to pump on sporting clays doubles is a handicap for the overwhelming majority of shooters.

One note on semis, I see WAY too many semi auto owners at clay ranges wave their barrels all over the place and it's difficult to see that the action is open. This is a very large peeve of mine.

Paul