Trap gun

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Mamertine

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I was in a trap league last summer. I had a good time and plan on doing that again this year. I'm looking for a new shotgun for clay games. I would like to be able to use this gun for trap, skeet and sporting clays. I'd prefer an O/U, but willing to deviate to a semiauto if something wonderful exists. What should I check out? I'd like the budget to be under $1500.
Also I need to point out that I am a tall guy 6'6" and so an adjustable stock (comb and length of pull) is a huge bonus.
I've been to a few stores and I like the feel of both the Brownig Citori and Cynergy.
 
I own a Cynergy Euro Sporting and love it for both Sporting and Skeet. They are, typicallly Browning, a bit barrell heavy, which is fine foor Trap. Given the issues surrounding the Cynergy's intro models and the seeming hatred for the euro Sporting (which has the advantage for you of an adjustable length of pull out to 15" with the Inflex recoil pad), they have not held their resale value well. That's good for you as you may be able to find a 32" adj comb with Influx pad for within your budget. Last year, James Wayne was offering NIB 30 and 32" adj comb models in the $1750 range but they now appear to be up in the $2300 range. Patience in looking for used may well get you a good'un.

I am not a Citori fan, but for Trap, the XT is a good gun. Again, patience may well find you one set up with an adjustable comb.

Finally, for a dark horse, I would have a look round for a Winchester 101/Select Energy Trap. These are the "new" Belgian barreled FN made 101s and they are quite nice. They are lighter than I would like in a high volume target gun, but you're a big fellow, so I doubt that would matter. Here's one that would suit you well (I have nothing to do with the seller BTW):

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=277654710
 
I prefer an O/U since I reload and don't have to worry about picking up my hulls. A 30" barrel with screw in chokes will let you shoot all the various clay games. In your price range, Browning and Beretta seem to be poplar at our skeet range. A lot of newer shooters start off with a good semi like Remington to hold down on cost and make certain they enjoy shooting clays enough to justify a more expensive shotgun.
 
Fit is the most important thing, and between those two Brownings, if one fits, the other shouldn't-- they are very different.

Be advised that there's no one shotgun that will do all of the games well. It might do them all passably and none of them well, or it might do one superbly and they others horribly.

If trap is your game, buy a trap gun. Skeet and sporting guns interchange a little more readily, but trap guns are designed to shoot very high at a rising target and will make shooting the other disciplines with that gun much more difficult.
 
Mamertine,

As your relatively new to the shotgun games and are looking for a single gun with maximum of versatility, I'd recommend something in the Remington autoloader line. I'm specifically thinking of either an 1100 or the somewhat more robust 11-87. There's others to consider, but my experience is limited to Big Green.

The advantage of these two shotguns are found in their relatively low expense. The other advantage, and one of which I partake, is the advantage of the interchangeable barrels. You can park a 30" barrel on it for trap, and switch to a 26 in for sporting clays with literally a twist of the wrist. That's no small thing on shotgun versatility.

The other advantage is in their simplicity of design. With only a minor investment you'll have spare parts a plenty for decades.

Let us know what you decide,
 
although I have a number of target grade O/U's, here is one of my favorite do all guns. It's a 1996 Browning Citori Lightning Sporting Clays 12g/30" with hi-post rib. Great gun for sporting clays and trap. Don't shoot much skeet, but it works well there too...

DSC_0003.png

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I was in a trap league last summer. I had a good time and plan on doing that again this year. I'm looking for a new shotgun for clay games. I would like to be able to use this gun for trap, skeet and sporting clays. I'd prefer an O/U, but willing to deviate to a semiauto if something wonderful exists. What should I check out? I'd like the budget to be under $1500.
Also I need to point out that I am a tall guy 6'6" and so an adjustable stock (comb and length of pull) is a huge bonus.
I've been to a few stores and I like the feel of both the Brownig Citori and Cynergy.
Click to expand...

Ol' Unc has some great guns and got some great deals over the years, but for you in today's market - with a 1500 budget - the Beretta gas gun in one of the configurations, will do the job - 390, 391, A400. By the time you get the gun fitted to you, the extra cost will most likely put the O/U way over your budget
 
if I were shooting a single barrel gun for trap, it would be a purpose built pump. The Browning BPS, Ithaca Model 37 or older Remington 870 Wingmaster trap gun. I see no reason to shoot an autoloader on the trap field. If you want to shoot doubles, get an O/U...
 
If I were shooting a single barrel for trap, it would be something starting at the low end with the BT-99 and going up on the high end towards Ljutic or a Silver Seitz...... just sayin'....;)
 
I love my BT-99. Highest I ever shot with it was a 199. I see no reason to spend extra money for a gun that can fit me so well and and shoot that great. The Browning Citori shotguns are also pretty good at around 2 grand.
 
With a budget of $1500, you're going to have trouble finding something new with adjustable LOP and an adjustable comb. Your options, if you really do want an O/U with those features, are to save more or buy used.

Personally, if I had my mind set on an O/U, then I'd just save a little longer. It took me about a year to save for a Browning Citori Ultra XS, and I am glad I didn't buy something else.
 
Thanks for the input.
I'm thinking I will get a used BT99 for trap (I only ever play singles anyways) and when I play other clay games use my field gun, which I will upgrade at some point to something that fits me better also.
 
I'm also considering the TT-09, but there have been very mixed reviews on that, which makes me a bit cautious.
 
What mixed reviews? Th BT-99 has been a stalwart on the trap singles field for years. If you are trying to compare it to a Ljutic or Silver Seitz, that is one thing, but it rules against just about everything there is under $4000 and for its price, it is hard to beat
 
There are still some Winchester 101 combo sets out there for that price range. Shep at Gunrunner LLC and a guy out of Florida ( Silver Dollar Firearms ) that usually has one to offer. Take the time and a few dollars and get it fitted. It is SO worth the money. By the time you try to fit it yourself, you will have paid more to jerk around with it as opposed to just getting it fitted by a smith.

Me??? Aw, I'm old school, I use a Model 12 for all events. Been shooting it so long, I know it better than I know my wife.
 
beat

My BT-99 has beat $15,000 shotguns.
Click to expand...
You have scored better than other shooters who were using more expensive guns. You don't beat a gun; you beat a man.
A bit picky I am this morning.
Pete
 
UPDATE
Thanks everyone for the input.
I won a used BT-99 on gunbroker.
Now the search begins for a better fitting field gun that I can also use for other clay games, but that's a different thread.
 
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