What barrel length for trap?

[m16]

Went to range 107 today at Pendleton and shot trap for the first time, holy crap it was fun.

Did pretty well, considering I took my Wingmaster with a 20" barrel.

I'm looking to get a longer barrel, not sure what length or where a good place is to order one.

Also not sure if I want a vent rib barrel or not.

Suggestions please.

[AAShooter]

I lot depends on the shooter. Many shoot 30" and 32" and some even longer. Given that you are pressing a general purpose shotgun into shooting trap (not ideal), I would go with a 28" or 30" barrel depending on what is comfortable for you. Getting a barrel with removable chokes will give you flexibility. I am assuming you are talking about a 12 gauge.

Generally the vented rib will get you a better sighting plain and all clays guns have vented ribs, often very wide.

If you are serious about clays, you will want to upgrade to a new specialized gun.

Just to be clear you are talking about shooting trap, not skeet or sporting clays.

[DucatiSS]

I am still a newbie at the clay range, but have been doing tons of reading. From what I can tell, 28" is about the shortest you want for trap. I have heard of many people using 30-32" barrels.

IMHO, a vent rib is nice to eye down the barrel. I personally do not use the front bead that much, pretty much point the barrel and shoot. I was using my Rem. 1100 12ga. with a 28" vent rib and I just bought a used Beretta Silver Pigeon 28" 12ga. and I am in the process of picking out some extended chokes.

[RayPDA]

+1 to AAshooter -

personally, I find the 870 with a 30" barrel to be very natural (with me)

I like 30" - 34" personally.

[m16]

Yes sir, I was shooting a 12 gauge today and it was the trap range.

There's a little house maybe 15 yards from the line and the clays were throwing away from us.

I would love to buy a dedicated shotgun but for now I'm looking for an inexpensive way to get into this and my Wingmaster doesn't get used much so I figure a new barrel is a good way to learn.

I didn't even think about chokes, will have to do some research on that.

[AAShooter]

Good article: http://www.chuckhawks.com/shotgun_barrel_length.htm

I definitely prefer a 30 inch barrel for pass shooting ducks or on any sort of trap gun. Some trap guns are sold with barrels as long as 34 inches and 30-32 inch barrels are the most common lengths. This is because trap shooting is a long range game. Standard 16 yard rise targets are typically broken at about 31-36 yards and handicap targets may be broken as far as 45-50 yards from the shooter. The longer barrel allows more precise pointing due to its longer sighting plane and develops greater momentum for a smoother swing. The latter helps shooters to smoothly maintain the proper lead and consistently break targets. The same principles apply to shooting waterfowl at similar distances.

[AAShooter]

Good article: http://www.chuckhawks.com/shotgun_barrel_length.htm

I definitely prefer a 30 inch barrel for pass shooting ducks or on any sort of trap gun. Some trap guns are sold with barrels as long as 34 inches and 30-32 inch barrels are the most common lengths. This is because trap shooting is a long range game. Standard 16 yard rise targets are typically broken at about 31-36 yards and handicap targets may be broken as far as 45-50 yards from the shooter. The longer barrel allows more precise pointing due to its longer sighting plane and develops greater momentum for a smoother swing. The latter helps shooters to smoothly maintain the proper lead and consistently break targets. The same principles apply to shooting waterfowl at similar distances.

[RayPDA]

as far as chokes - I'll be an ornery trap shooter and say, any choke constriction is fine, as long as it's full.

[Thefeeder]

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You have discovered what a lot of shotgun owners have...... nothing is more fun then smoke'n flying clays going 40mph

Since your just starting ......op for a 28" (easy to find length) with removable chokes.

I'm a big believer in usng the same shotgun for new clay sport shooters ...Trap, Skeet, Sporting Clays, 5 Stand all with the same shotgun.

AA is giving spot on good advise also.

" Try to break each and every clay...one clay at a time"

[m16]

That article is a good read, thanks everyone for the input.

I'm looking at the Wingmaster barrels and I see two types - light contour and standard.

Which one is better for a newbie?

They both come with full, modified and improved cylinder chokes.

[kmca]

That article is a good read, thanks everyone for the input.

I'm looking at the Wingmaster barrels and I see two types - light contour and standard.

Which one is better for a newbie?

They both come with full, modified and improved cylinder chokes.

Light contour or standard? Doesn't make that much of a difference, so I'd get whatever is cheaper. I'd get the full choke, I use 32 thousand choke for singles and handicap and 18 and 12 for doubles.

[m16]

Ok, I found a 28" standard contour barrel in stock but it has a 3" chamber.

If I put this barrel in my Wingmaster does that mean I can shoot 3" shells?

I just compared the receiver to my 870P which is made for 3" and I don't see any difference.

The Wingmaster was manufactured in 1968 so I'm pretty sure it's 2-3/4" only.

[.300 Weatherby Mag]

Ok, I found a 28" standard contour barrel in stock but it has a 3" chamber.

The Wingmaster was manufactured in 1968 so I'm pretty sure it's 2-3/4" only.

You can only shoot 2 3/4 shells with that gun, even with a 3" chambered barrel installed.. The benefit of the newer barrel is that you can shoot whatever type of shot you wish, as long its out of a 2 3/4" shell.. For clay shooting, I prefer the standard contour barrel, they are heavier and make it easier to maintain a smooth swing..

[m16]

Alright, thanks for the info.

Looks like I'm ordering a 28", having trouble locating a 30" and some places are saying they've been discontinued even though they are still listed in Remington's chart.

[DucatiSS]

You can only shoot 2 3/4 shells with that gun, even with a 3" chambered barrel installed.. ..

I am still new to trap shooting so please forgive my ignorance, but why is that? I would think that a 3" chamber means it could shoot 3" shells.