I am a handgun guy but now that I am retiring and will have more time I am thinking of getting active with the local trap shooting guys. Any suggestions for good yet reasonably priced trap guns? Any suggestions on what to look for or stay away from? Thank You in Advance.
What shotgun for trap shooting?
- Thread starter DPAC
- Start date
WisBorn
Contributing Member
A budget range helps and if you have experience in a platform.
dieselchief
Member
winchester sells a trap gun marked sxp trap pump. it has a high rib, monte carlo stock and is cheap in todays world. do not start with any old pump gun, all you will learn is wrong and will have to relearn when you get a proper trap gun. jmho.
,,,,the usual go have fun with whatever doesnt last very long when your scores suck....
,,,,the usual go have fun with whatever doesnt last very long when your scores suck....
Lo-Profile
Member
Browning CXT or Beretta 694 Sporting whichever feels better to you. I personally like Beretta guns.
Either one in 32" barrels.
Any quality pump or semi auto will work, I'd get a minimum of a 30" barrel. Wouldn't discount used guns as well
Either one in 32" barrels.
Any quality pump or semi auto will work, I'd get a minimum of a 30" barrel. Wouldn't discount used guns as well
entropy
Member
Best bet is a used version of the two mentioned. A used regular field model Citori will be fine also if you just want to dabble, and you'll recover most of your money (maybe even make a few bucks) if you decide it isn't for you.
CoalTrain49
Member
I started with my 870 field shotgun. Then a used BT-99. Then a Beretta O/U. Those were the main ones but I can't honestly remember the number of guns I had and sold. Eventually, if you like the game you'll move up to a trap gun. Lots of people I shoot with like the Browning CXT. I do fine with a CX. I wouldn't jump into one of those right away though until you understand the game. It's different than SC and skeet and in my opinion trap guns won't work for those games.
Have fun.
Have fun.
ColtPythonElite
Member
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2011
- Messages
- 10,688
New/used: Browning CXT
Used: Browning Citori Trap
Even though I own sporting models, I use a Citori Trap for trap, 5 stand and skeet. I prefer the parallel comb on trap models for all my clay shooting.
Used: Browning Citori Trap
Even though I own sporting models, I use a Citori Trap for trap, 5 stand and skeet. I prefer the parallel comb on trap models for all my clay shooting.
One of the greatest trap gun was a Rem 870 look at all the records set by Rudy Etchen.
My Ex and her father were magicians with a pump and used them for trap doubles and skeet also.
I shot Win. 101s in competition
My father shot an 870.
My BinL shot a Valmet and switched to a SKB O/U.
My Ex MinL shot and LC Smith trap SxS.
Pick a gun that fits, if your shooting at a club see if you can shoot a round with different styles of shotguns and the bulletin board at the trap club is a great place to find a used trap shotgun as you can usually take it for a test round. There are lots of shotguns that will work. I would stay away from bottom end shotguns, they are looking for a time to fail.
Now when I dabble in clay games and ZZ birds I shoot a pair of Husqvarna Model 51 hammer SxSs.
My Ex and her father were magicians with a pump and used them for trap doubles and skeet also.
I shot Win. 101s in competition
My father shot an 870.
My BinL shot a Valmet and switched to a SKB O/U.
My Ex MinL shot and LC Smith trap SxS.
Pick a gun that fits, if your shooting at a club see if you can shoot a round with different styles of shotguns and the bulletin board at the trap club is a great place to find a used trap shotgun as you can usually take it for a test round. There are lots of shotguns that will work. I would stay away from bottom end shotguns, they are looking for a time to fail.
Now when I dabble in clay games and ZZ birds I shoot a pair of Husqvarna Model 51 hammer SxSs.
If you're going to buy a gun just to shoot trap, get a trap gun. All the shots in trap are rising to some degree, so a dedicated trap gun is set up with a high comb and special rib so that point of impact is higher than point of aim. This allows you to see the target throughout, which is a definite advantage for shooting trap. It's a handicap for anything else.
.38 Special
Member
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2006
- Messages
- 8,452
I'm in the same boat; a handgunner who was recently bitten by the trap bug. For my money - bearing in mind that I've only been doing this for a few months - gun fit is king. A gun that doesn't fit is very hard to hit with, and very frustrating. So if possible, I would first find a coach or experienced gun fitter to show you what proper gun fit is, and then hopefully help find you a gun that works. Second best would be finding a gun with an adjustable stock, or at least an adjustable comb, and then learning how to fit it to yourself.
My primary trap gun is a Browning BT-99 with adjustable stock. Without any adjustments, it is almost perfect. It takes just a little change in the comb to make it just right. For a fellow who wants to shoot trap and nothing else, I recommend one, and they can often be found used for under a thousand dollars (which is cheap for a shotgun!)
My primary trap gun is a Browning BT-99 with adjustable stock. Without any adjustments, it is almost perfect. It takes just a little change in the comb to make it just right. For a fellow who wants to shoot trap and nothing else, I recommend one, and they can often be found used for under a thousand dollars (which is cheap for a shotgun!)
Armored farmer
Member
I would think that a real trap gun could be found on the used racks.
Find one that fits....make or model won't really matter until you get further down the rabbit hole.
1100s
870s
Model 12s
303s
Bt99s
SuperXs
....all will suffice.....if it fits
My favorite all around clay target gun for someone getting started in multiple target games is the 1100 Sporting Competition.
This gun covers the bases until you find your game.
Adjustable stock, tube's, low recoil....fun gun
Find one that fits....make or model won't really matter until you get further down the rabbit hole.
1100s
870s
Model 12s
303s
Bt99s
SuperXs
....all will suffice.....if it fits
My favorite all around clay target gun for someone getting started in multiple target games is the 1100 Sporting Competition.
This gun covers the bases until you find your game.
Adjustable stock, tube's, low recoil....fun gun
entropy
Member
Op, watch this video. It's old but it's still the best demonstration of what a trapshooter sees from the gun. It also demonstrates the basics of stance. Try those, then as you find your way, you can adjust them to what what you think will work better for you.
youtu.be
I have anyone I'm coaching watch this video.
You can Google Shotkam videos too, they show a similar view.
D. Lee Braun: Fundamentals of Trapshooting
Remington's beginner's guide to trapshooting with a gun camera, with D. Lee Braun, Bob Andrews, and Dick Baldwin. Published 1969.
youtu.be
I have anyone I'm coaching watch this video.
You can Google Shotkam videos too, they show a similar view.
DukeConnor
Member
- Joined
- Oct 30, 2016
- Messages
- 1,146
Go hang out on trap night, talk to the shooters. I guarantee they know who is selling a used gun. You may even be able to try before you buy.
Miami_JBT
Member
I second the advice.
Skeet is social, trap is competitive. Some folks get very competitive about trap.
I grew up skeet shooting and did it with a Remington 870 Express 20ga with a 21" barrel. Still have it.
For trap, I use a Browning BT99 or a Remington 870 TB, both in 12ga.
I shoot trap for fun and I never plan on being competitive. For me, just busting clays is relaxing. It is a thing of "I did a round of skeet, now I want to do a round of trap for fun."
What I'm now getting into is Five Stand since the loc range has it.
A good sporting gun can be used for skeet, trap, etc... a trap gun is hard to use for skeet.
Skeet is social, trap is competitive. Some folks get very competitive about trap.
I grew up skeet shooting and did it with a Remington 870 Express 20ga with a 21" barrel. Still have it.
For trap, I use a Browning BT99 or a Remington 870 TB, both in 12ga.
I shoot trap for fun and I never plan on being competitive. For me, just busting clays is relaxing. It is a thing of "I did a round of skeet, now I want to do a round of trap for fun."
What I'm now getting into is Five Stand since the loc range has it.
A good sporting gun can be used for skeet, trap, etc... a trap gun is hard to use for skeet.
entropy
Member
Indeed, that's the gun I bought when I got back into Trap. Harder to find now that Remington is no more, but a good gun to consider. They run about $1000-1500 less than the comparable Beretta A400 MultiTarget.
Jack Ryan
Member
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2019
- Messages
- 969
BEFORE YOU BUY ANYTHING...
Go watch them shoot a couple times and see what they are shooting.
Take a couple boxes of 12 gauge shells with you.
d2wing
Member
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2008
- Messages
- 6,859
If you can, buy from someone that understands fit as fit is the most important. I would avoid really cheap guns as they may not hold up the volume shooting. I shoot best with a Beretta over under, a semi-auto has less recoil and some prefer them. My son shoots a Remington 11-87 with adjustable butt plate, My Grandson a New version Browning A5. The Browning is back bored and has recoil reduction. Ask for advice from the guys you shoot with.
I use the same guns I hunt with as I hunt birds a lot. Others prefer a gun just for trap. I also shot sporting clays as it was more like hunting.
I use the same guns I hunt with as I hunt birds a lot. Others prefer a gun just for trap. I also shot sporting clays as it was more like hunting.
Last edited:
Jim Watson
Member
Visit the club, get acquainted. People will loan you a shotgun to get you hooked.
Then see what is available second hand as shooters upgrade, retire, or die off.
I don't get the "Skeet is social" stuff.
Yes, there are casual skeet shooters, some brought in because they think any clay target game is "skeet".
But I know plenty of dead serious Skeet shooters who lament over a miss. At the high levels, a 400x400 just gets you a ticket to the shootoff.
I was a Trapshooter in my shotgunning period, and yes, we were mostly serious about it. But I tried to avoid the Fast Squad whose aim was to get their 25 targets shot as soon as possible.
The best I ever did was the Southern Regional, squadded with People I Had Heard Of. I was the Church Mouse, intent on not distracting those Important People that I fell back to basics and shot better than any of them. I came out second place Handicap because I lost the shootoff in the third round.
Then see what is available second hand as shooters upgrade, retire, or die off.
I don't get the "Skeet is social" stuff.
Yes, there are casual skeet shooters, some brought in because they think any clay target game is "skeet".
But I know plenty of dead serious Skeet shooters who lament over a miss. At the high levels, a 400x400 just gets you a ticket to the shootoff.
I was a Trapshooter in my shotgunning period, and yes, we were mostly serious about it. But I tried to avoid the Fast Squad whose aim was to get their 25 targets shot as soon as possible.
The best I ever did was the Southern Regional, squadded with People I Had Heard Of. I was the Church Mouse, intent on not distracting those Important People that I fell back to basics and shot better than any of them. I came out second place Handicap because I lost the shootoff in the third round.
I have to agree that trap is more formal, even club trap is more serious all shooters are lined up and shoot one after another, talk and banter are usually fround on. Club Skeet only one shooter is on the peg and banter is common with congrats for clean stand again common, if somebody needs the rest room they can shoot out of turn without a big deal.
On a trap field a squad developes a rhythm and breaking that can disrupt the round, skeet has no rhythm each shooter shoots at his own pace. I'm old school and like to load between the high and low house. Nobody cares.
On a trap field a squad developes a rhythm and breaking that can disrupt the round, skeet has no rhythm each shooter shoots at his own pace. I'm old school and like to load between the high and low house. Nobody cares.
I have to agree that trap is more formal, even club trap is more serious all shooters are lined up and shoot one after another, talk and banter are usually fround on. Club Skeet only one shooter is on the peg and banter is common with congrats for clean stand again common, if she money needs the rest room they can shoot out of turn without a big deal.
On a trap field a squad developers a rhythm and breaking that can disrupt the round, skeet has no rhythm each shooter shoots at his own pace. I'm old school and like to load between the high and low house. Nobody cares
On a trap field a squad developers a rhythm and breaking that can disrupt the round, skeet has no rhythm each shooter shoots at his own pace. I'm old school and like to load between the high and low house. Nobody cares
Other than a Perrazzi MX10, my best scores were with a Remington 1100 Trap that I bought used for $600. Besides the 1100, I shot Mossberg 500, Browning BT-99, Charles Daly Trap o/u, Browning Citori, Beretta Single barrel Trap, Remington 3200 and SKB O/U.
I would recommend to you the Rem.1100. If you decide trapshooting isn't for you, it could be easily sold, or because barrels and stocks are readily available, convert it to Field, Sporting Clays, or Home Defense use.
