trap question

[Johnpl]

Being a newbie to trap, I was wondering how my Remington 1100 Special Field (with it's 23 inch barrel) would do at trap using a Remington Ventilator extended (4 inches) extra full turkey choke tube. I would think the extra barrel length would help, but would this be choked too tight? Right now, I use my 870 with a 28 inch barrel w/ full choke tube. Or should I not be concerned with the 1100's shorter barrel?

 

[TrapperReady]

Try it and see what you think. Personally, I'd prefer longer barrels and less choke. Your 28" 870 with either an IM or Full choke would be just about right for me.

Now, if you are trying to reduce recoil (moving from the 870 to 1100), you can accomplish the same thing merely by using lightly loaded target loads. If you reload, you can do this yourself. If you don't, look around for Winchester stuff. The Gander Mountain around here carries some of the Xtra-Lite shells which are very easy on the shoulder (less so on the pocketbook).

 

[Berg01]

I usually see plenty of 1100s at the gun club where I shoot trap, so go ahead & give it a try! If you get into trapshooting (which is totally addictive!) my guess is you will want another gun eventually. I also agree with using the light target loads in that field grade 1100.

 

[kudu]

Unless your shooting 27+ yard trap, a modified, or improved-modified tube will do you better all around. Basicaly the only thing a longer barrel gives you is the advantage of longer sight plane, which is quite the advantage on a trap range IMO.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Depending on your load and how fast you are in breaking the birds, a Superfull tube kinda caroms between More Than Needed and Too Darn Tight.

Using good hard shot, I can go down to 14 POC (Light Mod) before hits get too chippy.

There's several schools of thought on how much choke we need for 16 yard singles.

One holds we should use just enough to guarantee breaks inorder to maximize spread.

Another, to use plenty of choke to learn to hold tighter on the birds.

I'm a charter member of the second school. This means a few more missed birds at first but,IMO, better technique on down the line.

One local legend uses a turkey choke for practice and an IM for score in registered events.

In your shoes, I'd give the 1100 a try. Let us know how it goes, please...

 

[Spinner]

My trap "coach" uses a O/U choked full and extra full for trap.

He's definitely of the second school of thought outlined by Dave McC, however, he doesn't change his chokes for competition.

I understand the idea of smaller patterns for training to make sure you are more accurate, but in competition I would have thought that the wider spread of a more open choke would be preferable.

Until I can break more targets than he can I'm not arguing with his preferences. A well centred shot from an extra full choked gun obliterates the target .... might be a psychological advantage I suppose .... but I need the widest effective pattern I can usefully get at this stage.

Spinner

 

[Johnpl]

Thanks for the advice. What about the 23 inch barrel length? Do the same qualities that make my Special Field a great grouse gun (quick to mount and swing) make it less than ideal for trap? Should I just opt for a Rem-choked 28 inch barrel? Thanks again for the great info.

 

[kudu]

Even though the barrel is short, I think you will like shooting the 1100 for trap. And there is only one way to find out, BA/UU/R.

 

[Bill B.]

I think you will find that you swing your 28" barrel much smoother than you will your 23". I don't really feel you will notice a difference between the extra full and full choke. Trap guns are made with long barrels to smooth swings and dampen recoil. My single wears a 34" tube and a fixed full choke. I might pickup a few more targets with a Imp. Mod. at 16 yards but don't it very seriously. Trap is more a matter of doing the same thing ever time than trying to gain a extra bird by a more open pattern. Trust me I have spent several dollars trying to buy that extra bird over the years!

 

[Dave McCracken]

John, your 23" barrel will work, but it's not ideal. Trap guns run very muzzle heavy, some to the point of being ponderous.

Don't let that stop you. Use your 1100 often and well. It's a durable shotgun that can handle an immense volume of shooting, and if you do your part, the birds will bust with a satisfying regularity.