Stooopid question - trap guns...

[rbernie]

First, a confession - I have never shot skeet or trap. I have only shot at informally thrown clays or (more recently) at tasty little birds.

So riddle me this - why is a trap gun configured with a high rib and high straight comb, and a field gun is configured with a low rib and a 'traditional' comb?

 

[Virginian]

It is so nice to see someone thinking for a change. Usually people want an ideal gun for skeet and trap, which is pretty much an oxymoron.
Trap targets are all engaged while they are rising, The stock and/or rib confiiguration is designed to throw the pattern high; typically 60/40 above point of aim. This way a trap shooter does not have to cover the bird with the barrel to hit it.
Guns for field, skeet, and sporting clays are generally designed so that they shoot center of pattern to point of aim, because the shooter will be engaging targets on multiple flight paths.
There are some excellent shooters who have custom stocks and/or ribs made because they use a highly repeatable stance, usually pre-mount the gun, and they want their gun to shoot something other than center of pattern to point of aim because they believe they are more effective with their specific arrangement. I spoke with a world class European sporting shooter and he was adamant that a 53/47 pattern split was perfect. He said he can get that with a standard stock set up if he just shoots tongue in cheek.

 

[rbernie]

Thanks for the explanation.

 

[ArmedBear]

Really extreme American Trap guns are designed to shoot 70-30, or even higher. Some people shoot nothing but competitive American Trap, so they use a gun designed specifically for it.

With some of these guns (e.g. some Ljutics) you actually "float" the bird, meaning you shoot with it appearing to sit a foot above the bead.

There are, of course, problems with this. If you shoot a gun like this all the time, you will have a very hard time grabbing something like an 870 or a regular field O/U, and hitting anything instinctively with it.

WRT the length and weight, dedicated American Trap guns are designed so that they automatically swing at a certain speed, and sit comfortably near horizontal at the set. Since the targets are thrown to the same height and a regulated speed, this makes them easier to hit.

Again, such a gun is nearly useless for other targets, but it makes hitting 100 straight almost effortless for a skilled trap shooter.

Remember: the hardest thing about American Trap is that most people let their mind wander and get fatigued after a while. The idea is to make the sport into a sort of simple meditation. Set, call, swing, slap trigger, next.

If you're getting the idea that competitive American Trap has gotten to the point where it bears little resemblance to the hunting practice that started it, I believe you're quite right. It's a sport in and of itself.

 

[oneounceload]

Trap guns are also shot from a pre-mounted position, while many sporting clays shooters shoot from a "low-gun" position, (mandatory in FITASC), so their combs and ribs will be different from an American Trap gun. Even International trap guns are somewhat different, especially for Trench, or what we commonly call Bunker. Field guns are shot more lie sporting guns, but have traditionally been "flat" shooting, meaning POI/POA is 50/50 or so. Personally, I like a 60/40 split so I can see whatever the target is just above my rib - helps me keep my eyes focused, and lets me get on the second bird quickly.
HTH

 

[Dave McCracken]

The guys nailed it, but let me add a bit.

Many field guns are set up to shoot a little high, like 60-40. This enables the shooter to see the target all the way through the firing stroke.

I have no dedicated trapguns at present. The 870TB I did have shot quite high even when I mashed my zygomatic arch well into the comb. Call it 70-30, but it did erase targets well. High comb, straight stock.

These days I shoot a more conventional stock, but habituation has me pointing it right most of the time.

British game guns are stocked a little straighter than US guns. incomers,ie driven pheasant give angles where a bit more built in lead is a good thing.

However, to each his/her own. Whatever works....