maverick 88 security for trap....

[brentn]

We went to the public range the other day in my area and brought my el-cheapo maverick 88 security pump with us. We were doing some target practice and decided to throw up miscellanious items on the ground and hit it with some target loads.
I quite liked it, and when we got back into the city we looked at our local trap/skeet club and had the manager show us around cause it wasn't busy. He showed us trap, talked about prices, shells, rules etc and it looks like a riot! We didn't have any time to shoot but we were just absorbing his information and getting excited for this thursday when we'll come back to give it a go. He told us that he will show us everything and spend some time with us as thursdays are dead.

Anyways I'm not going to bring my maverick 88 as the barrel is too short and he recommended against it. I didn't talk to him about modifying it for the sport in which I made this post.


Its a 4 shot mag model, so I'm thinking of buying a 26+" barrel for it. Since I've been reading online that trap is shot at longer distances than skeet, is it recommended to have a particular choke setup, or non at all?

I know that trap is only one shot at a time, so a pump is not really necessary but I'm just trying to use what I have. In the end I was looking at getting a remington spr100 single shot with a 28" barrel for the sport, would this be a good idea? I really can't see why I would need an over/under for trap as it holds two shots and you only need one, or am I missing something?

Thanks for your help,

 

[Dave McCracken]

Your Maverick with a 26" barrel and a Modified choke will do for trap singles. Handicap may require a tighter choke, but that's a way off.

Lots of us use pumps for trap. Enjoy....

 

[Woodyard]

Pump guns have been used with great success for trap for many years. In fact, the Winchester Model 12 for many years was the standard trap gun by which all others were judged. The club manager was correct in recommending a longer barrel. You'll want at least a modified choke for 16-yard targets, IM or full as you move back to handicap distances. Single shots are commonly used for trap singles and handicap, many of them extremely high $ guns. Of course, they don't work too well on doubles.

 

[brentn]

Thanks for the info, just curious but what do you mean handicap?
Its good to know that I don't have to buy something new, just something worth half as much as a new gun 180$ for a 28" barrel for the 88.

Is a choke even necessary with that length of barrel? I was thinking of running just improved cylinder (IC is no choke right?) but then I'm seeing that there are 'trap' class chokes... maybe someone can tell me the difference?

I really appreciate your help, and I know the questions and the way I'm asking them sound retarded but this is a new sport for me that looks like it could be quite a bit of fun. If you help me then I can do my part and help others down the road.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Trap actually here in the US is three different games using the same field.

Trap singles and doubles are shot from a line 16 yards behind the trap house.

Handicap is shot from 17 to 27 yards behind the house. The distance is determined by score and known ability. Getting to the 27 yard line takes work and time.

Depending on the load you use and how fast you shoot, an IC may be enough choke to give you a killing pellet density at trap singles, but it's pushing things a bit. Most folks use Modified, Improved Modified, or Full for trap.

I use a light Mod this time of year and Mod when it's warmer for singles.

When you get your new barrel it should come with a couple chokes. Experiment with them and ammo to find what works best for you.

 

[toddmog]

pick up a 28" accu choked barrel with modified and full chokes. The barrel will run you about $140 and the chokes are about $15/ea. You could probably get by with the modified for singles from the 16yrd line, but will like the full for handicaps.