Best Trap Shotgun

[littlejake]

I know I am going to get a lot of opinions on this... and I appreciate all who give me their opinion. Back in the 70's, I enjoyed shooting trap at informal meets on Chevron land. I didn't have the best gun for it -- a Rem 870 Wingmaster, 30 inch full choke. Still, I enjoyed it. Now, I'd like to get back into it with a nice shotgun. I'm thinking a Browning Citori O/U, 12 ga, 28 inch with interchangable chokes. I've never shot skeet -- and might want to shoot skeet also.

All opinions welcome -- Little Jake

[tankerman]

Winchester Model 12 Trap

[rg_1111@yahoo.com]

What's your budget?
What shotgun do you shoot the best?
Are you really into Trap?
If you want to brake the bank Perazzi.
Sense your use to a 870. Get a 870 Trap with changeable chokes.

[littlejake]

Good questions rg. I could go as high as $5,000; but would prefer to stay in the $3,000 range. Most of my shotgun experience is with the Remington 870 -- In fact, my defense SG is the 870 Police model.

I guess the answer to "am I really into trap" is -- depends on how well I can point and shoot these days. I know I really enjoyed it back in the 70's; but we never got into serious matches. We would throw doubles -- and that attracts me to a double barrel with different chokes as the second bird needs a longer shot.

Thanks for you responce.. appreciate it.

lil Jake

[CHS]

If you want the BEST. Spend about 6-10K on a Perazzi, or Beretta.

If you want something that will break clays all day long without breaking your wallet you can go with something as simple as an 870 with a 30" trap barrel with a big top rib. Or spend a bit under 2K and get a real nice O/U like a Ruger Red Label or Browning Citori.

I can break clays all day long with my 279$ 28" 870, or my 450$ crappy Mossberg O/U.

I'd love a Red Label or Citori, but I guarantee I won't shoot any better with one. I'll just look better

[rg_1111@yahoo.com]

Jake,
When I asked if your really into trap. What I meant is are you going every week or once a month?
I wouldn't spend a lot of money if your only going once a month.
For me I have hit 25 out of 25 with a single shot Harrison & Richardson,870 Wingmaster,Browning BT99.

I shot a friends Perazzi the gun felt great but didn't hit but 20 out of 25.
Its all about what you can shoot the BEST. You might be just as good with a $600. dollar gun as you are with a $3,000 gun.

[randy]

The best is subjective but for around 1800 bucks you can get a Browning BT99, which is the best gun for the money. To get a better gun than that you will spend alot more money.

[TRAP55]

The "best one" is the one that fits.

[5hundo]

I was just debating the same thing. I'd like to get back into clays. I shot a lot of clays when I was a kid but I sort of got out of it...

That's about the only sport I'll have a change of being successful in competition anymore... (considering how bad my back is jacked up)

I've been checking out some of the prices from Beretta, Browning, etc...

It looks like $4-$6,000 for some of these things!

If you're going to take competition shooting seriously, is it necessary to spend that much for a better weapon? Are the folks that shot for team USA in China using these types of shotguns? (I would assume so)

[TomV]

Anyone have any opinions on the Beretta 68x series ?

Some of the 686's are around 2K.

Thanks

[Thefeeder]

Trap

FYI...Old Belguim Browning O/U 's do not shoot steel shot.

Looks like you have a bit to spend... The Citori fits most anybody of average built. Look for a Lightning Grade VI...better looking and cheeper then the new grade VII....A good mid range priced shotgun with beautiful features..... can send some pics if you wish



Use it for skeet too

[CHS]

If you're going to take competition shooting seriously, is it necessary to spend that much for a better weapon?

Nope! Not at all. Buy as much of a gun as you can afford. With a shotgun, having it fitted properly is the most important thing. These aren't precision rifles. Quality chokes are a good investment as well, to achieve consistent patterning. But you can do very well with an 870, properly fitted, with high quality chokes.

Are the folks that shot for team USA in China using these types of shotguns? (I would assume so)

Yup, but remember, companies like Perazzi and Beretta SPONSOR these people. They don't actually pay for their $10K guns.

[TRAP55]

One of the best deals out there for an O/U is an older used Charles Daly.Miroku made the Charles Daly name of O/U shotguns from 1963 to 1976, same place that made Citori's, Win 101's, and the some of the SKB O/U's. Most are Citori's, but there are some Belgian Superposed floating around. The newer ones are made in Turkey.
Most of these will have fixed chokes. The Trap models will be Full & Full or Full & Imp Mod. A Broadway Trap will have a wider rib, and there is a Browning BT-99 single bbl Trap gun that Daly sold too. The Field grades will be Full & Mod. Skeet models will be choked Skeet & Skeet. The chokes are marked with a stamp on the left side of the bbl breech. Break the gun open and you'll see them.
+ FC (full choke)
++- IM (improved modified)
+- M (modified)
++ IC (improved cylinder
SS SK (skeet)
CYL (cylinder)
On a used O/U check for lock up wear. When the gun is closed up, everything should be tight, and the release lever should be pointing to the right of 6 o'clock. Bores should be clean and shine like chrome. Eyeball down all sides of the barrels for dents or bulges. Run a tack rag, or even a tissue the length of the barrels with your hand. That will let you feel any imperfections.
Check for stock cracks around the forend metal and around the tang and receiver. Pop the forend off and check the metal on the barrels for rust or corrosion from salt wood.
If it has screw in choke tubes, remove both tubes and check for galling or cross threading. When the tube is in tight, there should not be any visible joint line that you can feel with your finger or the tip of a lead pencil.
FIT IS EVERYTHING!
If a shotgun doesn't fit you, it won't matter if it's a Mossberg or a Kolar that you just emptied your bank account on. Close your eyes and shoulder the gun just like you would to take a shot....freeze.....open your eyes. You should be looking straight down the top of the rib without seeing it. If you don't see the front bead, you'll shoot low. If you see the bead and the top front part of the rib, you'll shoot high.
Repeat this several times, shouldering the gun the same way each time.

[mike100]

Best trap gun for the money would be a Browning...

BT-99 trap single- the standard models go for $800-$1400 depending on options and if it is new or used.

or an XT Trap for about $2000-$2500 (doubles gun)

Both of these are made for trap specifically and are built to last. I also sometimes shoot an 870 with a 30" fixed full barrel also, but the trap guns have the right amount of lead to shoot rising targets. My bt-99 added 1-2 birds to my game right away (meaning from 22-23 to 24 and 25's)

[IH8CALAWS]

I'd go with a Beretta or a Browning. around $2k.