Flat vs High

[OofieXD]

What does it really mean when a shotgun shoots "flat"? Is it because of the combination of the stock height and rib? Or is it the barrel itself that shoots flat or high?

The reason I ask is, I'm thinking of buying a sporting gun what would be used about 75% for trap and the other 25% on other games (5-stand and Skeet). Unfortunately, I can only buy a multi-purpose gun for now. So if I buy a "sporting" gun like a 686 Silver Pigeon 1 and add an adjustable comb, can I make it shoot flat or shoot high depending on the comb height?

Thanks,
Ron

[Cuda440]

The comb should be adjusted to fit your body. The position of the comb might affect your point of impact, but ideally you just want to set it once and leave it.

A better option for you might be an adjustable rib, you can change the angle for flat targets, or targets moving up or down.

Most guns are sold to shoot flat, they will center the pattern around the beads point of aim. Serious trap shooters that shoot from the farther positions will often set their rib to shoot above the point of aim, since they're trying to hit the clay as soon as possible while its still as close as possible. But, when the clay is close, it's still rising so you want to aim at the clay and send your shot a little higher to hit where the clay will be.

I have seen a lot of people shoot very well with a standard flat-shooting gun though. It's not much of a disadvantage unless you're a top competitor, and even then it's only advantageous in certain trap shots and its just one more thing to distract you.

[OofieXD]

^Thanks Cuda440. I might just get a sporting gun and learn to shoot trap well with it. That's also true that the more complicated the gun (adjustable comb, rib), the more it can distract me from just getting the fundamentals down.

[Trapdude86]

I've owned adj guns and I never shot them as well as I did non adj guns. You may get as bad as wanting to make an adj right on the line! I did that once and knew it was dump time.
I love 60/40 that means 60% of the shot above the bead and 40% below.

[naeco81]

Just wanted to say thanks for the question and answer. This was informative!

[Iskra]

I've never shot a ribbed gun as well as I do a simple bead. Every shooter is different.

[Thefeeder]

What does it really mean when a shotgun shoots "flat"? Is it because of the combination of the stock height and rib? Or is it the barrel itself that shoots flat or high?

The reason I ask is, I'm thinking of buying a sporting gun what would be used about 75% for trap and the other 25% on other games (5-stand and Skeet). Unfortunately, I can only buy a multi-purpose gun for now. So if I buy a "sporting" gun like a 686 Silver Pigeon 1 and add an adjustable comb, can I make it shoot flat or shoot high depending on the comb height?Thanks,
Ron

Yes....the adjustable comb is used for up and down POI ....and adjusting left and right POI.

With all shotgun shooting.....a consistent mount is key to consistent POI.

Something like changing the amount of cheek weld will also change POI

[OofieXD]

Thanks guys for the input, really cleared things up for me!

-Ron