Trey Veston
Member
I've posted a few threads here about my adventures in learning how to shoot trap. My first session was with a custom Ruger Red Label from the early 90's with a straight stock. I did two sets and got a 12 and a 16. I then showed up with a Browning Sweet Sixteen A5 in 16ga and got a dismal 10 on my one and only set.
Then I showed up with the Sweet Sixteen again, along with a Browning Superposed 12ga once owned by Jack O'Connor. I got a horrible 11 with the A5 and a 14 with the Jack O'Connor gun.
The Ruger seems to be the one I shoot the best with, and being 12ga, the shells are easy to find, and I have probably a couple thousand of them in storage. So, the Ruger will be my huckleberry.
But, many folks opined that the Ruger simply won't hold up to the rigors of trap shooting. But, I would like to know why, and how can I mitigate the impact, as well as cost of repairs if/when it fails.
The Ruger automatically fires from the top barrel when loaded, and the safety is also automatically engaged. During my first shoot, I had to develop a muscle memory to disengage the safety before each shot. I've heard that using the bottom barrel is better to ensure longevity, but also may impact the aiming for clays?
I can learn to switch the safety to off and to select the bottom barrel before each shot, if needed.
I shoot trap once a week, and only do two sets, or 50 shells. If I went every week, that is about 2600 rounds a year. That seems pretty low for rounds that are light trap loads? How many years could I use the Red Label? If it fails, what breaks and is it repairable?
I really know hardly anything about shotguns and what wears out, so looking forward to more info from the braintrust on here.
Then I showed up with the Sweet Sixteen again, along with a Browning Superposed 12ga once owned by Jack O'Connor. I got a horrible 11 with the A5 and a 14 with the Jack O'Connor gun.
The Ruger seems to be the one I shoot the best with, and being 12ga, the shells are easy to find, and I have probably a couple thousand of them in storage. So, the Ruger will be my huckleberry.
But, many folks opined that the Ruger simply won't hold up to the rigors of trap shooting. But, I would like to know why, and how can I mitigate the impact, as well as cost of repairs if/when it fails.
The Ruger automatically fires from the top barrel when loaded, and the safety is also automatically engaged. During my first shoot, I had to develop a muscle memory to disengage the safety before each shot. I've heard that using the bottom barrel is better to ensure longevity, but also may impact the aiming for clays?
I can learn to switch the safety to off and to select the bottom barrel before each shot, if needed.
I shoot trap once a week, and only do two sets, or 50 shells. If I went every week, that is about 2600 rounds a year. That seems pretty low for rounds that are light trap loads? How many years could I use the Red Label? If it fails, what breaks and is it repairable?
I really know hardly anything about shotguns and what wears out, so looking forward to more info from the braintrust on here.