Skeet/Trap Shotgun Question

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thepanda

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I am getting into skeet/trap shooting and I wanted to purchase a shotgun. My university has a club and I'm trying out many of the shotguns, but I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations. I know that, like any other firearm, it is important to get a feel for each gun, but I was wondering if anyone could suggest some good, inexpensive models to try out. What are important features to make sure a shotgun has for these types of sports? Thank you.
 
"Good, Inexpensive"? A pump gun made in the US. Think 870, 1300,500,37.

Skeet targets are busted or missed inside 25 yards. Trap targets at 33 yards plus. Use 9s and a Skeet tube for skeet, Modified or Full for trap with 8s or 7 1/2s. Mine the archives, there's a treasure of info there...

Enjoy....
 
Skeet/trap is not one word, and is not one sport. If you want to do well, you need to specialize, both in gun and approach.

As Dave says, Trap is a medium-long range sport with all shots at outgoing targets and some choke, Mod, IM, or Full, is needed. The target is best shot while still on the rise and a real trap gun has a high stock comb so you can see the target as you break it. A field gun will require that you blot out your view of the target with the muzzle to hit it.

Skeet is a short range game, small shot and little or no choke are right. What he doesn't mention is that doubles are shot in every round of Skeet and that calls for skilled shucking of his favorite pump guns.

I think you would do best to start out on Skeet with a 12 gauge Remington or Beretta auto with screw in chokes, skeet or improved cylinder installed. When you are proficient at Skeet, you can move to Trap with a modified choke tube and a cheek pad to raise your line of sight for the rising targets.

It seems to me to be easier to go from Skeet to Trap than vice versa. I started on Trap and never have quite gotten the hang of skeet.
 
Whichever you decide on,... take it and get it FITTED. This will be the most single important thing to be done.
 
You can do both with one gun nowdays with choke tubes. A pump will probably be the cheapest but will be harder when shooting doubles and a semi-auto will bug the heck out of whomever is shooting next to you.

That leaves you with over/under. While this is usually the most expensive of choices it also seems to be the most popular.

Whichever you decide the gun needs to be well built as you will shoot more rounds in these competitions than you would hunting or anything else.
 
I shot trap and skeet for a few years with my BPS. I know of a couple of guys at the club that use an 870 for both trap and skeet. Both the BPS and 870 are reasonably priced. Ill warn ya.....trap and skeet shooting are addictive.
 
If you're lucky, a production gun will fit you.

Go to the range, chat with people, see if you can try guns. Get your hands on some and see how they feel. Don't get caught up in Perazzi Envy. Perazzis are incredible guns, but good ol' 870s work well for trap, too.

Unfortunately, the gun that wins at skeet will be a PITA to use for trap, and vice versa. You can do it, but it might be frustrating if you start really caring about your score. (After approximately 2 days, you will really care about your score :) )

Fortunately, something like an 1100 can be had with 2 barrels without breaking the bank. Get a shell catcher for trap, and a cheek pad if you want. That's a winning gun for both games.

Start with one barrel, learn the ropes, then start screwing around with the gun.

Unless it doesn't fit you.

I'm lucky: Remingtons and Berettas fit me pretty well out of the box.
 
Kingcreek said:
Many of the Berettas have the advantage of some degree of adjustment of the stock with the shim and spacer provided. Reliability and good looks help too.
Click to expand...

A tad pricey for a student, unfortunately, but I have to say I like Berettas!
 
If you can find a gun with a raised rib barrel, in 28" or 30" configuration, you should be able to shoot both with relative accuracy. I personally prefer an O/U but a Semi might work also. A pump in skeet is not for beginners, but more, for experienced shooters who know what they're doing.

As mentioned, your loads and your chokes will be considerably different, being that your shooting challenges are much different.

For Skeet = Skeet or IC choke and #9 shot.

For Trap (16 Yrd) = Mod or IMod and #8 shot.

For Trap (23 Yrd+) = IMod or Full and # 7 1/2 shot.

How much are you willing to spend? I know Browning makes some nice O/Us like the XS Special or the XS Skeet/XT Trap or even the 525 Sporting that could be used for both and still be very effective.

Edit: I see that you say you want inexpensive. I would look at a used Remington 1100 with two barrels. One 30" Full for Trap and one 26" Skeet or IC for Skeet.
 
It should be pretty easy to find a used 1100 with a 26" barrel. You can buy a skeet choke and a 30" barrel from many vendors, including Cabela's, which has good prices on that stuff, and carries it consistently.
 
I've used an 870 for both Trap and Skeet. Trap is fairly straightforward as long as the shotgun fits. If the factory stock doesn't fit right, there are lots of stock options (no pun intended). Mine has a Wenig New American Style (click on Styles). For Trap, the 870 is configured for Trap with a 30" LC barrel and a Briley extended IM choke.

Skeet takes a bit of practice, but is very doable with a pump -- know what you've got to do and then do it. The first time you take doubles with a pump is very memorable. For Skeet I used a 26" barrel and a Briley extended Skeet choke.

The shotgun that replaced an 870 for Skeet is a Browning 525 Sporting. The 525 fit me perfectly out of the box and scores improved with the first round. All it takes is $$$.

That said, the 870 is a much better overall value considering that it can also be configured for HD with an 18"-20" barrel, with or without an extended magazine. Use #4, #1 or 00 Buck instead of the 7 1/2-9 shot target loads used for Clay. 870 is very adaptable.
 
Last edited:
I have an 870 with an 28" barrel but I noticed most of the trap guns have a 30" barrel What is the advantage of having the the 30 over the 28? Plus if I use a full extended choke will this help?
Thanks for any reply.
 
JD, the longer barrel adds a little weight out there. That helps the swing through inertia.

Yes, an extended choke may help, BUT Full is a bit more choke than needed. I like Full for trap because it keeps me honest. Knowing my pattern is a bit smaller aids focus and one can see more easily where one is hitting.
 
Dave M. Thanks for the info I noticed some of the trap shooters with 28" barrels do not hit some of the clays that get out a ways. But the guys with 30" and 32" seem to hit them. Thank again I think I will try the full extended choke and if I get into the sport will go for a trap gun.
Thanks again
 
The guys with the longer barrels, JD, may have been into it longer or have a deeper commitment.

And as one former state trap champ told me, "It ain't the gun".....
 
jdseven1 said:
Dave M. Thanks for the info I noticed some of the trap shooters with 28" barrels do not hit some of the clays that get out a ways. But the guys with 30" and 32" seem to hit them. Thank again I think I will try the full extended choke and if I get into the sport will go for a trap gun.
Thanks again
Click to expand...

The barrel length doesn't have that much of an effect on the distance a pattern of shot will travel. You can improve the velocity a little but I've seen many guys bust the hell out of the clays from way back at the 27 yard line using a 28" barrel. Your load and choke selection will make a much bigger difference IMHO.
 
Dave I hear what you are saying I would hate to buy a better gun and hit less birds.
 
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