About to get into another expensive hobby- Trap Shooting?

[Vasir]

[Thefeeder]

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Look at choosing a Clays gun the same way you chose your favorite handgun gun that you shoot well.......how did you find that handgun that fits just right and hits everything you want to hit?

I can start with all the clay shooting jargon, will that that help or confuse?

[Vasir]

Look at choosing a Clays gun the same way you chose your favorite handgun gun that you shoot well.......how did you find that handgun that fits just right and hits everything you want to hit?

I can start with all the clay shooting jargon, will that that help or confuse?

Lets hear it!


Oddly, my favorite shooting handgun gun is a more recent purchase- HK P7. It just feels right, and the squeezecocker puts my mind at ease that it wont go off 'for no reason' even though my finger is never near the trigger till go time- but im neurotic that way.
Beyond that it just feels right... Its heavyish, reminiscent of my 1911 and its smaller like the p30sk, but because of its weight, its not flailing around after each shot.

[Imageview]

Finding the right shotgun is hard, but worthwhile. Get some lessons, rent some guns if you can. The variations can be subtle but dramatically impact how it shoots for you and minor differences in our bodies makes huge changes from one person to the next.

Try the different clay games too, each one has unique challenges that makes them compelling for different reasons. And that will dictate what feature set on the shotgun you'll look for.

Of you're gonna buy relatively blind, I'd reccomend a gun maker that starts with "b". Simply because resale is much easier if you want to change later. We don't need to marry our first gun, it's just a starting point.

If you post where you're at, there's likely a bunch folks in that area who are more than willing to go shooting with you and give you different perspectives and maybe let you try out their guns.

[tallengnr1]

I started TrapShooting in 2003(?) by buying a Browning 525 (predecessor to the 725 you're looking at). I still have it, but it is used mainly for Sporting Clays. I saw the appeal of having a higher-shooting gun for Trapshooting and soon bought a Browning XT with the adjustable comb. The XT begat a Perazzi MX-15, which begat a Ljutic, which begat my current love-affair, the Kolar Max Trap T/S.

It's a sickness...stay away while you can The worst part about that begat sequence...That Ljutic took me all the way to the 27 yard line in handicap...the day I punched a 98 in handicap to get to the 27 yard line was the day I sold the Ljutic for the Kolar.

It really is a sickness...

[Tarmy]

[md2020]

Now I'll start by saying I don't know and I don't know what I don't know, but I am more than happy to be schooled.

For some time I've been attracted strictly to 'the look' of an over/under (sp?) and have been considering entering into the hobby of trap shooting (or the like).

... I set myself in the 2k-2500 range for a setup to use.

...There was a Citori Citadel? for $1800 and a Beretta something or other for $1950 (but was willing to negotiate).

I am pretty well versed with handguns and have more than several, but in this realm I know next to nothing.

...
Ideally I'd like to buy something I can upgrade and specialize to my taste vs buying a cheapie and replacing it with something else later- I think.

So what ye say?

You seem to be exactly where I was 6-7 months ago. I knew nothing and wanted to get into trap / skeet shooting. I was looking for my first gun.

Now i shoot every couple of weeks cause I have really taken to it.

I've learned a few things

1. Guys who shoot trap/skeet/sporting clays are cool people to be around, they really are. If you find a group of guys to hang with, they will let you try their guns and will share their knowledge with you.

2. I do not believe that there should be a $2500 entry point to this sport. Change and upgrade may be inevitable as you learn.

4. I have a browning 725 sporting and I love it. But I also have a cheap Tristar O/U that makes me smile when I shoot it. One I got for $2200, the other I got for $375 and I like them both.

5. its costs me about $ .75 every time I launch a clay and pull the trigger. My ammo costs are cheaper because I reload. If I didn't, it would cost me at least $ .95 each time time at current prices.

6. If you take to the sport and shoot regularly, your cost to shoot will exceed your cost of the gun within the first year. Let that soak in a bit... seriously...

7. The gun mount and ability to read targets are more important than the actual gun you are shooting.

Find a reliable gun that you are comfortable holding and shooting, then go shoot it. Work on your mount and reading targets. At some point, you'll get to a place where the gun actually matters more.

That's where I am 6-7 months into my process.

Good Luck

[M1NM]

Way back when a bunch of us from work would meet for some trap shooting a couple times a week. I started with a $40 single shot and then bought an 870 and it was fine.
Biggest thing will be cost of ammo if you start shooting 500-1,000 rounds a week. Start loading your own or plan on buying by the pallet to make it affordable.

[RNE228]

If available in your area, try some lessons. Then see if you can try some rentals to find what fits you best.

I did the league at Sac Valley; that was really fun. Combination of Trap, Skeet, 5-stand, and an away shoot for Sporting Clays. As a beginner with an 870 pump, I learned a lot. The folks in the league were great to shoot with. Since then, I moved to a Rem-1100 that works really well for me. Eventually I want to go with a Browning O/U; have rented those at Birds Landing.

The 1100 works really well though, less expensive, and is a really soft shooter.

[Vasir]

Taking a lesson on thursday! Been to multiple gun stores, including big box ones and its becoming a blur to me. On thursday I will use the instructor's 725 but i'm sure he will direct me in the right direction.
What I have noticed is the likes of basspro and Sportsmans warehouse, they are competitive in pricing to online, and as much as I want to help small gun stores by giving them business, they are all A holes and about $600-700 higher; but then cite covid and a shortage for the reason of the price hike...

I appreciate everyone's general advice on getting lessons!

[CWL]

Congrats on deciding to enter the world of trap shooting!

You may think you are good with rifles, pistols & shotguns already, but the moment you try and attempt to hit a 4" disk of clay launched out at ~40 mph... you'll be hooked! Beats putting holes in stationary paper!

$2-2.5k is a "sweet spot" for a really good trap shotgun, you could probably use it for the rest of your life, however, you'll want more and more. It'd be cheaper to just throw your wallet in the air & shoot that!

[jlesser27]

[whutsup40]

Congrats on deciding to enter the world of trap shooting!

You may think you are good with rifles, pistols & shotguns already, but the moment you try and attempt to hit a 4" disk of clay launched out at ~40 mph... you'll be hooked! Beats putting holes in stationary paper!

$2-2.5k is a "sweet spot" for a really good trap shotgun, you could probably use it for the rest of your life, however, you'll want more and more. It'd be cheaper to just throw your wallet in the air & shoot that!

Love it!! Those damn 4 inch clays will drive you nuts and cost you a lot of money!! LOL

[JagerDog]

Something to consider is a gently used Beretta 682. That was Beretta's entry level competition gun. Many world class trophies under it's belt. They sell in your price range.

Or maybe a Browning BT99 until you want to start shooting doubles. They sell at about 1/2 your price range.

Both are built to take 100's of 1000's of rounds and can be tightened up to do it again.

[Dgr1dman]