Trap starter shotgun

[JagerDog]

omg! gotta love this thread! A good gun is a must, but really, you need to learn how to shoot what ever sport you are shooting! I can take a field gun of any gauge or model and shoot a decent score with it, its all about practice, doesn't matter whether a pump, semi auto or a o/u, but a pump would be my last choice just incase I would want to shoot other games

Ya, all the clay games are mimicking some type of field shooting, so field guns are more than applicable. There are specialty features for specialists in particular games.

I wouldn't consider a specialty trap model until you have your first 25 straight with a field gun. You'll know by then how serious you want to be on trap vs. other games, vs. strictly recreational.

[JagerDog]

If he gets to the point of shooting decent scores on handicap doubles with a pump, it will make him a better shooter. Semiautos and O/Us are for sissies.

Handicap doubles???

[Kingair001]

Handicap doubles???

Yes . . . I'll be the first one . . . ever !

[Kingair001]

I wouldn't consider a specialty trap model until you have your first 25 straight with a field gun. You'll know by then how serious you want to be on trap vs. other games, vs. strictly recreational.

What would you recommend ?

Buddy of mine shoots a 12ga 28 inch CZ Canvasback
He has over 35 k rounds now - not one failure !
Guess he paid $ 499.00 for it

Let's hear some advice

[sd joe]

[Kingair001]

He owns a 12ga Canvasback

Just would love to see and hear what or other trap shooters use

Not all will shoot a 5 k + shotgun . . .

[JagerDog]

What would you recommend ?

Buddy of mine shoots a 12ga 28 inch CZ Canvasback
He has over 35 k rounds now - not one failure !
Guess he paid $ 499.00 for it

Let's hear some advice

I'm speaking to the stock/rib geometry. They (dedicated trap guns) are designed to shoot high so that you can float the bird above the barrel. That works for constantly rising targets. Not so good for crossers. The CZ Canvasback is field stocked, so you more or less cover the bird on rising targets. Dedicated target guns tend to be heavier as well to lessen recoil in extended sessions. As stated, a field shotgun is a good place to start.

There's a lot of good and great shotguns depending on the user, application, ,budget, etc. 35K sounds like a lot, but dedicated target guns can see 10X that. I'm really not a fan of the couple CZ's I've picked up, but if it works for your friend....

On O/U's one selling point of higher grade guns is trigger pull. Both barrels should feel the same and be crisp. Then there's balance, consistent durability and much more.

My personal "target guns" are a pair of Beretta 682 Golds. One Sporting and one X-trap. But I shot a lot of various games and birds when I had one shotgun which is/was a Browning B80. Recreationally, a large percentage of trap shooters shoot the same gun they do in the field.

[LynnJr]

I don't agree with that.
If you want to give trap shooting a try use a dedicated trap gun.
They have the highest stock of any of the clay games.
If you end up not liking trap you can shave the stock down and use it for sporting clays. If you don't like Sporting clays you can shave it down even further and turn it into a hunting stock.

[serper3]

are you really set on shooting trap exclusively and are you just intending on doing it for fun, or do you have any desire to be competitive?

I agree with JagerDog. Don't buy a trap gun as your first gun. buy a flat shooting field gun and spend a lot of time shooting all the clay sports: Trap, skeet, 5 stand, and sporting clays. i think trap is certainly not the best game to make you a better all around shooter due to how similar all shot presentation is. if after some serious time shooting the different games, you decide you want to shoot trap, by all means, get a dedicated, quality trap gun. at that point, you wont want a cheap entry gun anyway. you would want at least maybe a Browning XT trap. you will want to shoot doubles if you are competitive and a pump wont cut it. a lot of trap only shooters can't hit the broad side of a barn door.. if it is not a trap target. dont shoot trap for 5 years and then realize you can't hit a crosser if your life depended on it.

Lynn's advice is very trap oriented obviously.. i wouldnt pigeonhole yourself to only shoot trap with a trap gun. doing stock work to a cheap gun, especially to change the comb profile, is not the most efficient use of funds, to put it mildly. get some coaching, especially if you are struggling. they can help with what gun fitting work might be needed too. PM me if you would like a referral. honestly someone watching you shoot, and making sure your gun at least somewhat fits you, is way more helpful than anything else.

a pump gun makes shooting/learning other games very hard! you don't need to add figuring out how to work the action to the things you need to figure out!!! there are pretty much no people shooting pumps for games that require two shots. the autos are so reliable and cheap now, its a no brainer for a cheap gun when compared to pumps.

having said all that, i like berettas and would get an a300. i hunt with an a400(more money), and like jager, my "target" gun is a 682 gold e sporting. i shoot a lot of 5 stand, sporting clays, and skeet.

[SFgiants105]

I feel like you're gonna want a semi.

A good one will run you about 1,000 but it will probably be the only shotgun you'll ever need, unless you get really into clays and decide to drop 2,000+ on a O/U.

Looks like you can get used Winchester SX2s off Gunbroker for about $600.

[LynnJr]

A replacement stock from Boyd's is $70 for a field gun and much cheaper on E-Bay.
If you want to give Trap a try I would use a Trap gun that's why they sell dedicated trap guns with Trap stocks.
If you want all the clays to go to the exact same spot forget Trap and take up Skeet as you will know where every bird will fly before you leave your car to start shooting.
If you lived closer I would let you shoot a variety of actual Trap guns at the Trap range to give it a try.
For skeet shooting you need a four barrel set or 4 guns and the ability to put up with skeet shooters.
A used 870 Trap will run you $500 and if you don't like it you can put a low field stock on it cheaply or simply sell the gun and recoup all your money.

You can always use a spray can of barbecue paint and paint the entire gun flat back and sell it as a snipery special edition home defense gun for $2000.

[ysr_racer]

The Beretta A300. It will cook you dinner after you're done shooting. Just kidding.

Are those any good?




Buying a dedicated anything when you're first starting out, is a mistake. What's the best shotgun to buy when you're just starting out, it doesn't matter because, YOU'RE JUST STARTING OUT.

[LynnJr]

How dedicated is a 870 pump when for $70 it becomes a field gun?
Same goes for a Remington 1100?

Surely someone in SoCal can take KingAir to the trap range and let him shoot a round of trap?
We do it up here in NorCal all the time. I sent him a free Mec 9000 progressive loader surely one of you guys can let him shoot a round of trap?
What is in the water down there?

KingAir
I will be shooting a 3000 yard match east of Barstow in April. If nobody in SoCal can let you run 25 rounds down a trap gun I will put 5 of them in my truck with free ammo and you can shoot dedicated guns.
You are also welcome to shoot the rifle match free of charge using a dedicated long-range gun.

[Ducky's Dad]

Handicap doubles???

Yes, handicap doubles. Good practice for wild pheasants and chukar without a dog. Also good practice for walk-'em-up late season doves in the desert. Most of you clays guys with with your fancy pants target guns wouldn't understand.

[Daryl Dixon]