What over&under shotgun?

[BP88]

I'm looking to buy myself an over and under shotgun for trap shooting. What should I be looking for?

My price range is under a grand.

[5hundo]

That price range is a little prohibitive...

...but for that kind of money, you could get a Stoeger Condor Competition and they'll even throw in a set of 20 Gauge barrels. I've looked at these and IMHO, for the money, you can't go wrong. They're not very ornate (in fact they're fairly plain) but they look fine and I'm sure it's a good gun, for the money.

I wish I would have bought one of these instead of my Spartan...

http://www.stoegerindustries.com/firearms/stoeger_condor_competition_and_combo.php

[BMC]

BP, first I'd look for a used Browning Broadway or Citori or Superposed. They are basically the same gun, just different names over the years. They are probably one of the best all-around O/U you can buy that will last your lifetime. You can pick one up for under a grand. This would be my number one recommendation.
Sliding down the scale, you have several "budget" options. Spartan 310S, Ruger Red Label, so on, so forth. These are budget guns. These $500 type budge OUs are okay if you don't plan on taking the trapshooting serious. If this is an occasional thing, like say once or maybe twice a month, no more than a couple hundred rounds, then you can save a few hundred bucks and buy one like the 310S and use the rest for shells, etc. As an FYI, the budget OUs are very light and consequently kick like a mule. If you go budget, take the time to add weight to the gun. This can be done by adding lead into the stock cavity, barrel weights, etc.

Honestly, your best investment and best bet is to find a used Browning OU for about $800. You will not go wrong. And if you do end up taking trap seriously and shoot more often, you can use the same gun for years and years, and even compete with it.

[BP88]

Thanks for the great replies, guys! I will be keeping my eyes open for a used Browning.

Oh, how do I know what barrel length and choke to use?

[BMC]

That depends on what you run across. There are numerous variations and titles. Basically the Broadway, Citori, Citori Trap, etc are pretty much the same gun, just little tweaks as the years went on. Most of the earlier ones will be fixed mod on the bottom and full in the top. If it has removable chokes it will be labeled as such using the term Invector which is the name Browning uses for their style of chokes. Barrel lengths were available from 26-32. For trap you will want 30" or 32". There are more 30" models available on the market than 32", or so it seems. You'll have to search around. I saw a couple at the last show in Costa Mesa for around $800 which is a good price. That is the lower end of what you will expect to pay.

[BP88]

Thanks, BMC!

[BP88]

Oh, what gauge should I be looking for?

[BMC]

12g

[BP88]

3" chamber?

[BMC]

I believe all of the Browning O/Us only take 2-3/4" shells. The shells you will be using for trap will be that size. 3" is for magnum hunting type loads which are generally forbidden at ranges.

[BP88]

I believe all of the Browning O/Us only take 2-3/4" shells. The shells you will be using for trap will be that size. 3" is for magnum hunting type loads which are generally forbidden at ranges.

Thanks again!

[5hundo]

Oh, what gauge should I be looking for?

12 Gauge, at first....

If you find that you're starting to break 25 of 25 thrown, then you can look into getting a 20 Gauge. Some shotguns have dual barrels so that you can switch Gauges by just switching barrels. Others do not...

[Tallship]

Also, on the issue of shells, there is no reason to beat yourself up shooting heavy loads. Look for 7.5-8 shot, 1 oz loads with a 2 3/4 dram eq charge.

[remington]

If your shooting trap you can shoot any gauge for fun, but for ATA it is 12 gauge only, 2.75 inch shells, 1 1/8 max shot load.

Look for a used Browning Citori Special Trap. They were the model prior to the XT Trap. Go 30 or 32 inch barrels. Adjustable comb is a plus. Longer is better, heavier is better. Second choice would be a Winchester 101, Trap. SKB 85TSS is also a an option as is a Remington 3200. Under grand is tough order.

What matters MOST is does it fit. Any gun will break clays, but if its breaking your face and shoulder you wont like it. Remember that a full ATA trap event is 300 targets (100 single, 100 handicap, 50 pair doubles). Thats alot of pounding. You dont need heavy or handicap loads either. For short yardage 1050 to 1150 FPS , 1oz, 7.5 is fine as Tallship said. Makes you better and with a 10lb gun you barely feel it.


Just my opinion after registering alot of targets.

[BP88]

Thanks for all of the help, guys!