First trap/skeet gun advice

[LADave]

Hello guys. I don't have any experience with shotguns other the pump actions. Can you guys please recommend a beginner semi auto or O/U shotgun for trap shooting? Thanks in advance!

[Thefeeder]

Why not just use your pump for clays? Just get a 26 or 28" barrel and your there. If you really want to pratice driving a stick...Skeet or sporting clay doubles is great practice

[billt]

If you are serious about shooting Trap, you will serve yourself much better by purchasing a purpose built Trap gun, rather than trying to shoot Trap with a field gun. Trap shotguns are designed to pattern high. The reason for this is because in Trap the targets are shot on the rise. By having the gun set up to pattern high, it gives a "built in" vertical lead necessary to hit the ascending target. If a Trap shooter waited until the target was at the apogee of it's flight, it would be too far out of range, (40 to 45 yards), to allow for consistent hits. A Trap gun allows you to stack the beads one on top of the other, and hold just under the target, firing as it ascends.

If you shoot Trap with a field gun that patterns at point of aim, you have to cover the target to acquire the necessary vertical lead. Once you do that, you have no idea where the target is. This will cause a lot of dropped targets. This effect becomes even greater when you start shooting at handicap yardages, (17 to 27 yard line). Also, Trap guns are often equipped with very high vented rib barrels to further enhance this feature depending on the shooter, and what his handicap yardage is, along with his shooting style. It is not uncommon for AA Tournament ATA Trap Shooters to run 98 / 100 from the 27 yard line to win top tournaments. This would be all but impossible to achieve with a field gun.

Skeet guns are almost the exact opposite. They shoot point of aim, and have shorter barrels that are choked very loosely compared to the full chokes used by Trap shooters. The general consensus is Trap is easier to learn, but much tougher to master. The reason for this is in Trap you have no idea where the bird is going to go when you call for it. In Skeet you know exactly where the bird is coming from, and where it is going to go. Once you have figured out the established leads your pretty much good to go. I'm making this all sound simpler than it really is, but that's it in a nutshell.

Skeet is always shot from the same distance, and from the same positions. The degree of difficulty is increased by shooting a smaller gauge shotgun. In Trap it is increased by increasing the distance handicap targets are shot from. A guy running 25 straight in Skeet with a .410 is the talent equivalent of a Trap Shooter running 25 straight from the 27 yard line. Either is no easy task, and takes years to achieve, and thousands of rounds.

Trying to shoot Skeet with a Trap gun, or either with a field gun, while certainly possible, is like trying to deep sea fish with a Fly Rod. Fishing rods are the same as much as shotguns in that regard.

[LADave]

Thanks guys!

[CK_32]

Fitment fitment fitment. I can't stress that enough. I'm a clay novis to say the least. But even then it's amazing how low my scores drop if a gun does not fit my well, not to mention after one round my shoulder is done compared to going a full day with out issue on a gun that does fit me much better.

[aippi]

Why not just use your pump for clays? Just get a 26 or 28" barrel and your there. If you really want to pratice driving a stick...Skeet or sporting clay doubles is great practice

The above is good advice for any new endeavor. You may decide this sport was not for you and don't really get into it. Look at all the gym memberships that never get used or boats that sit in yards for years.

Start with a basic pump with longer barrel like an 870, Nova or Mossberg. Try it out for awhile and when at the range you will see the type of guns being used and get good solid advice from the shooters there. People love being asked for advice and most of them will even let you shoot their gun. This way you are testing the gun and you come up with the one best for you.

[trapperjohn]

LA Dave - First, attend one of the upcoming So Cal Shotgun/Skeet clinics shown in the stickies at the top of the shotgun forum. This is invaluable in learning how to properly fit, mount, and shoot shotguns, and is the most fun you'll have for the meager $30 coaching fee. The coaches provide loaner guns as well. If you hurry, you can sign up for this Sunday's clinic.

Once you have an idea of what (fit) to really (fit!) look for (fit!!) in a shotgun, you can better shop for a gun that will work best for you. And you won't waste your money on something that ultimately doesn't work for you.

[JagerDog]

You said you are experienced with a pump, you didn't say what you already own.

A pump on trap is fine. On skeet (doubles) it can be a bit of a handicap.

A "trap gun" and a "skeet gun" are quite different. If you're not shooting in some competition against others, but just yourself, a field gun works quite well. As long as you have screw-in chokes you can shoot any shotgun game and be effective. The difference might be a couple birds per round between a well tuned target gun and a universal field gun. The Indian counts more than the arrows...just a bow that fits.

If you find you really like the game(s), go from there.

[LADave]

I have no idea on chokes and all that. When I said pump I meant home defense mossberg 500 style pumps

[JagerDog]

I have no idea on chokes and all that. When I said pump I meant home defense mossberg 500 style pumps

Chokes affect your pattern and effective range for the existing round. Skeet takes a very open choke and trap takes a significantly tighter choke. Most modern field shotguns have screw-in choke models available if not standard.

Any auto I'm going to recommend is going to cost $1K +/- whereas an O/U will be closer to $2K for new prices. Can drive that down a bit used or no frills models, but I haven't found good value with cheap (brand) guns. Beretta, Browning, Benelli (B guns) are pretty much all good. What kind of budget do you have to work with? Any interest in shotgun hunting?

Can you get to one of the shotgun clinics? That would be a good start. How about a range which rents guns? How about friends with field or target guns? IMHO it's worth buying good guns, but educate yourself first. My advice would be shoot a variety of representative models at a variety of shotgun games with minimal investment. Then buy once, cry once.

[Motosurgeon]

Oaktree has many rentals to try but not everything. Rettings has some nice used options from time to time. I like both skeet and trap and you can do both with the right chokes. If you haven't shot a case in one day, try it before you decide what caliber you are comfortable with. Not everyone can shoot 12 gauge all day. I get a head ache after a case of 12ga sometimes. Trap can quickly become boring depending on your skill level.

[edgerly779]

Forget the idea of a mossberg defender for skeet and trap. Most clubs don't allow short barreled shotguns on the range. rent a gun or hook up with someone who shoots trap, skeet or sporting clays. A decent pump with screw in chokes with min 28" barrel lentgh will serve as good starting shotgun. For familiaization you can shoot at angeles ranges on one of their auto throwers to get used to shouldering the shotgun ,acquiring sight picture,cycling shotgun. You can buy a card that allows you to throw x amount of clay pigeons or bring your own clays.

[CGT80]

The skeet class is a great idea. I have done a few of them. In the past, I shot my dad's pump shotguns for informal clay shooting. It was very fun, so I looked for a semi auto. The Beretta guns were nice, but I liked the way the Benelli Super Sport felt in my hands. It is a great (expensive) gun, but it slapped my face a bit. After using it for a few years, I tried the skeet clinic. I learned a lot and adjusted the shims and comb on the shotgun so it doesn't slap me anymore. I still love the gun and got lucky with that since I hadn't shot that model before buying.

Rent or borrow a few shotguns and do some classes, just to expand your knowledge, skill level, and get a feel for the different models, then buy one. It is more fun to buy first, but sometimes it pays off to have a little experience first.

The SS is a clays purposed gun, but I don't know where it is supposed to pattern. For shooting 3 gun steel targets and slugs, I have to aim low. It seems I either aim right at skeet, or just below as well. That makes me think it impacts high, but it might be in how I hold it. Skeet is fun because you know where the bird will be and there is a lot of movement. The distance is short and the birds move fast. It is challenging, but seemed easier than trap. I am a novice and haven't broke 25 straight in skeet yet, so I don't have any expert advice for you. My thought was that I wanted to buy one shotgun that I wouldn't outgrow or be disappointed in rather than a less expensive one to start and maybe a nicer one later. After skeet, I tried 3 gun. I did learn that the Benelli SS will not take a longer magazine tube, so it has that draw back along with the barrel length for that game. The right choice now, may still not cover your needs down the road, but at least you can try cover all your bases with some research. Good luck with choosing a shotgun!