New trap shotgun fitting

[steve parker]

Just started shooting trap with a buddy and am really enjoying it. Currently using a Browning BPS with a 28 inch barrel. I just ordered a Browning BT99 and will hopefully be ready to shoot with it by the end of the month. It has an adjustable comb and recoil pad.

Since I'm new to all of this I'd like to get the gun set up and adjusted for me by someone that knows what they're doing. I've heard that Dale Tate in Ione does a good job, but can be pricey. Oh, I'm about average size (5'9" 170 lbs.) so I'm hopeful that all existing parts (recoil pad, comb etc.) could be used. Any idea what I'd expect to pay for this type of service? Any other suggestions about getting fitted in Northern California, especially close to Sacramento. Thanks.

[Bill Steele]

You are about 1" short of being an FAA standard male, so unless you have a wingspan like LeBron or conversely a T-Rex, fitting with the adjustable comb and pad should get you close.

An experienced professional will take away all the guesswork, but it also may be something you can do yourself. There are a number of very good YouTube videos on proper gun mount and fitting. Perhaps you can review a few, get an idea how you can know when your mount is working and the fit is bringing the gun up where I is supposed to be, changing the adjustable items should be the easy part, just a thought.

Good luck.

[Sig Marine]

Contact the shooting clubs in your area and ask about qualified trap instructors. Anyone teaching the fundamentals to new shooters should be able to get you set up. If they can't, they shouldn't be teaching so be selective and ask for references/feedback from others they have taught. A good instructor should also get you on a patterning board. Learning to make adjustments in relation to your POA and POI and where your gun shoots is part of the basics. A good instructor will also give you some guidance to proper gun mount, body position at stations, stance, gun and eye holds, leads and follow through. Learning the proper fundamentals first will help you avoid bad habits which can be hard to break.

Also, ask about trap etiquette. Learning to shoot safely in a squad and without disrupting the squad's rhythm will go along way in being able to shoot with others especially if you decide to shoot ATA.

Just a word about safety. I teach new shooters on a regular basis and I have a handgun mentality. Fingers never go on the trigger until the gun is mounted, holds are correct, you're mentally focused and ready to call for the target.

Hope this helps.

Semper Fi...Sig Marine

[mjsweims]

Dale Tate is supposed to be very good and well worth the money being spent, but I don't know how much he charges.

Since your gun will have an adjustable comb practice mounting it, several hundred times and making small adjustments to the comb until the beads are stacked. Make sure your mount is the same every time - this is the most important aspect of shotgun shooting. Then take the gun to a patterning board and see how it patterns. It shouldn't be necessary to adjust the comb side to side. You may want to adjust the height so the pattern coincides with where you want to hit the birds. Then practice a lot.

I have a BT-99 and think it is a great entry level trap gun. Plus it is what I was able to and can afford. Get yourself Full and IM chokes and you have everything you need. What length barrel did you get? Also put a small colored cable tie on the trigger guard or some other identifying mark on your gun - there are a lot of them in the racks at the trap range and it is nice to be able to easily pick yours out.

Have fun.

[steve parker]

Thank you gentlemen for you replies. Very, very helpful.

Oh, and I got the 34 inch barrel model. Thanks again.

[Lead Waster]

I went to TheFeeder's NorCal skeet (not trap) clinic and he helped us out a lot to fit our shotguns to our frames using tape and Dr Scholl's foot pads. Maybe take that clinic? You get to learn a lot about shotgunning, that's for sure (assuming "shotgunning" is a word).

[Thefeeder]

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Since your fairly new at shooting, I would put off a gun fitting for at least 6 months if you shooting 10-12 rounds of trap per month......Let the guys at the range or an instructor help you with gun fit for the time being.

A good gun fitting needs two important elements, first is a consistent
gun mount, second is consistent foot and body position. The fitter will fit the gun according to how you mount ...if you change your mount/ body position after time the fitting will again not be perfect.

For now I would recommend using the money for more time on the range and finding the "good enough" fit. When your breaking 90% or better, consistently, then consider paying for a formal gun fitting.

Have fun out there...and welcome to the addiction