Trap Gun Recommendation

[JerryX]

I've been shooting trap for a couple of years now and have always borrowed a friend's gun (a BT-99). My friend is moving out of state and I'll need to buy my own gun.

I'm not that familiar with the market -- what's a good gun for a beginner-intermediate trap shooter? Up until now, I've only shot singles, but am thinking about trying doubles so I probably want a double barrel gun.

My budget is around $4000 (so obviously I'm not going to be looking at Perazzi's any time soon) -- what are some good brands/models to consider?

[oldwilly51]

used browning xt trap unsingle is the ticket.

[RayPDA]

Just throwing stuff out there:

Used Perazzis can be found in your price range - MX-3, MX-3 specials, early MX-8s, MT-6s...Will depend on condition, barrels, Stocks, etc...

Caesar guerini has some Summit models in or under your budget

Can't go wrong with a beretta 682 in any number of trap configurations. Also look at Joel etchens 686/687 combos.

The new beretta 692 is available in trap versions.

Browning XT, 725 trap, etc


Want an auto?
Beretta A400 parallel
Fabarm xlr5
Older beretta 303s,390s, 391s

Remington 1100 competition synthetic
....

See what's out there, shoot/try as many as you can, get what you like and feel, if it don't feel right, get it fitted, etc...

Good luck, have fun, let us know what you get!

[GeorgeGeorgerson]

For me, this is a difficult question. I shot competitively for 4 or so years with a Remington 1187 and was able to do pretty well, but I noticed that I jumped a few birds when I switched to a Rottweil O/U (I can't in good conscience reccmmend getting one because they're really hard to find but I swear by mine).

That said, I've been outshot by an older fellow in dark aviators with two different types of gloves and a bolt action 20 gauge and red dot sights, so I think you can honestly get good with anything if you put in the time. O/Us have treated me the best though. I feel kind of dumb for not keeping track of the different guns people have used but trap's a very individual game, I guess.

[JerryX]

Any place in the Bay Area likely to have trap shotguns in stock that I can go and look at? All of the local gun stores I've been in either don't carry shotguns at all, or if they do they're carrying the "tactical" stuff.

[Thefeeder]

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Try Guns Fishing and Other Stuff, Coyote Valley Sporting Clays, Birds Landing Sporting Clays.

I don't know if the two clay shops have "Trap " specific guns...but a good selection of O/Us and semi target and hunting guns.

You can also look over the for sale posts at the ranges you go to.

[Chewy65]

used browning xt trap unsingle is the ticket.

He needs a double barrel gun for doubles, unless you meant an unsingle with a matching double barrel. Do they have them? Listen to Ray. I am not the shooter that he is, but I have a lot of fun with a Citori XS Skeet for trap and skeet. Still, I wonder if the Browning is a bit heavy for me. The 725 is touted as shooting more like a Beretta. Whatever you do, shoot several before making up your mind. I don't know where in Cali you are located, but if you are near a club with a good renal program look into it. If you are near Triple B Clays go there on a slow day. Unless they have changed, you pay one fee and can check out any demo gun one at a time.

Sorry. I see you are in the Bay area. I know little of it.

If you do want to go with a Browning, the 725 Trap in 32" is nice. For $4K I would look deeply into CG.

[cudakidd]

I have two Perazzis, lifetime guns that hold their value...

Here is the simple answer, first find what gun fits you best. That makes the choices easier to narrow down.

Next, do you reload, I got tired years ago chasing hulls and O/U solves that problem. If not a semi auto can be in the mix...

All the trap shooters I know use O/U. Period. Some older guys use the Old Model 12s for pot shoots as well...

In your price range the Caesar Guerini is a wonderful gun and very high quality...

Do you plan to shoot only Trap? The trap ribs tend to be higher and they are normally set up for rising birds and you want a 60/40 split on shot pattern.

Skeet, sporting clays would make the choices more dependent on a more generic choice that can be used for both.

[Chewy65]

I have two Perazzis, lifetime guns that hold their value...

Here is the simple answer, first find what gun fits you best. That makes the choices easier to narrow down.

Next, do you reload, I got tired years ago chasing hulls and O/U solves that problem. If not a semi auto can be in the mix...

All the trap shooters I know use O/U. Period. Some older guys use the Old Model 12s for pot shoots as well...

In your price range the Caesar Guerini is a wonderful gun and very high quality...

Do you plan to shoot only Trap? The trap ribs tend to be higher and they are normally set up for rising birds and you want a 60/40 split on shot pattern.

Skeet, sporting clays would make the choices more dependent on a more generic choice that can be used for both.

60/40 for trap? Many shoot skeet with a 60/40 and that was close to my skeet guns POI out of the box. Some, but many want much higher spreads like 80/20 or even more.

[Tom-ADC]

I was going to say a Browning BPS Trap gun but its $3300 under your budget.

[cudakidd]

60/40 for trap? Many shoot skeet with a 60/40 and that was close to my skeet guns POI out of the box. Some, but many want much higher spreads like 80/20 or even more.

60/40 means he can shoot some skeet too, and even sporting clays...

[bug_eyedmonster]

Another way you can shop for a shotgun is to visit a trap range and take a look at what others are shooting. Ask questions, look at the "for sale" signs posted around the range, there is always a board with some ads on them. I've had people ask about my shotgun just because it's not very common, and I always offer people to try it out. Don't buy a shotgun without at the very least holding one first. Fine tuning can always make any shotgun fit, but it can cost alot more than you think.


Jerry