Did my first round of trap shooting today. 12 of 25 on first round and 13 of 25 on second round. I bought a remy 870 express a couple of weeks ago (thought I'd learn on the cheap). For you expert trap shooters out there. I heard that the 870 kicks a bit more than a trap designated gun. Any recommendations for a decent trap gun under $1500 for a future purchase? Btw. I had a lot of fun. This could be very additive.
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Trap Shooting
- Thread starter Mydogmax
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Before you start buying new gun dedicated for trap, get good with the old gun. The gun is but a tool. It will not correct bad shots. Spend the $1500 on trap loads, and maybe a few different chokes for the bbl, then decide if you really need to drop the coin on a dedicated trap gun.
Just my educated $.02......
Just my educated $.02......
I started with an 870 and ended up with a Browning Citori that I used in a weekly handicap league and for hunting.Shot a lot of 23s and 24s with it.
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Dennis The B
US Veteran
First, the proper stock fit is absolutely essential, both to improve scores, and to lower felt recoil. The biggest cause of felt recoil is improper stock fit, both from the stock rise and length of pull.
If you're getting serious about trap shooting, you can find a used Rem 870, or 1100 trap gun that will work, and both of those will shoot high, so you can see the bird going away from you. Your 870 Express is a field gun, and not designed to shoot as a trap gun. The comb is too low, and the bird can disappear below the front bead. If that happens, you can never break it.
You can also probably find a Browning BT99, new or used, which is a great trap gun for the beginner through mid-skilled trap shooter (I know a couple of excellent shooters who still use their BT99's). They come with fixed and adjustable combs, and a good stock fitter can make it feel proper for just a couple of hundred dollars.
I started out with a Rem 870 Wingmaster, found a Sile adjustable trap stock for it, and had the barrel drilled for adjustable chokes. I still have it as a back-up gun.
When I got back into trap shooting in 2007, I hadn't shot it in over 40 years. I got serious in a hurry (I had just retired). After I built up the 870, I decided I needed a break-action trap gun. I went to Jaqua's in Ohio, and invested in a used Perazzi MT6. I used it for about six months, broke my first 25 straight the day I bought it. I went through six more guns before I settled for an SKB 85TSS combo gun. I still have it, and it's had 150K rounds through it, and have only replaced two springs in that time.
If you don't belong to a club that "specializes" in trap, you should consider finding one. Those clubs usually have instructors, folks who can fit stocks, and can be a good source for used trap guns.
Also consider lessons. They'll help build your confidence, and lower the number of birds that hit the ground whole.
The "getting in" cost on trap, skeet, five stand, and sporting clays guns will be roughly $1.5K and up for a dedicated gun, including fitting.
If you ever get the chance to visit Jaqua's in Ohio, you'll go nuts looking at all their trap guns. They have the largest free-standing vault in Ohio, and it serves as their showroom. They have trap guns that run from $400, and going up to $50K, and above. Until a month ago, they had a trap club behind the store.
If you're getting serious about trap shooting, you can find a used Rem 870, or 1100 trap gun that will work, and both of those will shoot high, so you can see the bird going away from you. Your 870 Express is a field gun, and not designed to shoot as a trap gun. The comb is too low, and the bird can disappear below the front bead. If that happens, you can never break it.
You can also probably find a Browning BT99, new or used, which is a great trap gun for the beginner through mid-skilled trap shooter (I know a couple of excellent shooters who still use their BT99's). They come with fixed and adjustable combs, and a good stock fitter can make it feel proper for just a couple of hundred dollars.
I started out with a Rem 870 Wingmaster, found a Sile adjustable trap stock for it, and had the barrel drilled for adjustable chokes. I still have it as a back-up gun.
When I got back into trap shooting in 2007, I hadn't shot it in over 40 years. I got serious in a hurry (I had just retired). After I built up the 870, I decided I needed a break-action trap gun. I went to Jaqua's in Ohio, and invested in a used Perazzi MT6. I used it for about six months, broke my first 25 straight the day I bought it. I went through six more guns before I settled for an SKB 85TSS combo gun. I still have it, and it's had 150K rounds through it, and have only replaced two springs in that time.
If you don't belong to a club that "specializes" in trap, you should consider finding one. Those clubs usually have instructors, folks who can fit stocks, and can be a good source for used trap guns.
Also consider lessons. They'll help build your confidence, and lower the number of birds that hit the ground whole.
The "getting in" cost on trap, skeet, five stand, and sporting clays guns will be roughly $1.5K and up for a dedicated gun, including fitting.
If you ever get the chance to visit Jaqua's in Ohio, you'll go nuts looking at all their trap guns. They have the largest free-standing vault in Ohio, and it serves as their showroom. They have trap guns that run from $400, and going up to $50K, and above. Until a month ago, they had a trap club behind the store.
kozmic
Member
I have a Beretta A-400 Xcel (12 ga., 32" barrel) with "kick-off" it is a ridiculously soft shooter and natural, well balanced pointer. It might be hard to find it under 1500 bucks, but $1650-1700 will buy it. I highly recommend it.
DWalt
Member
Back in my trap and skeet shooting days of 25 years ago, perhaps the best trap shooter I knew used a field-grade Mossberg 500 pump gun. I personally used a Winchester 1200 trap gun. Back in the early days of the mid-1960s, Winchester made both Trap and Skeet versions of the Model 1200. An excellent shotgun which I still have, even though my shotgun days have long passed.
Trap guns have a more straight-line stock than skeet or field guns, less drop at the heel. You can simulate that using a tie-on cheek rest if you desire. Or just get used to the field stock. You'll find that until you get into the rarified air of becoming a consistent 25-straight trap shooter at maximum handicap distance, a field-grade gun with a full choke will work just fine, unless you are into being a showoff, in which case you will need a Perazzi, high-grade Browning or Beretta, or some other "prestige" trap gun.
Trap guns have a more straight-line stock than skeet or field guns, less drop at the heel. You can simulate that using a tie-on cheek rest if you desire. Or just get used to the field stock. You'll find that until you get into the rarified air of becoming a consistent 25-straight trap shooter at maximum handicap distance, a field-grade gun with a full choke will work just fine, unless you are into being a showoff, in which case you will need a Perazzi, high-grade Browning or Beretta, or some other "prestige" trap gun.
Damn Yankee
Member
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My favorite Trap Gun is a Browning (c 1957) Superposed. LOVE IT!
LostintheOzone
US Veteran
Check out what the Olympic shooters are using. Beretta and Perazzi O/U's are well represented. I shot trap for a number of years but never competed for anything but money, no titles. $1500 won't get you a decent O/U. Most people who never reach the big leagues will reach their potential with an auto loader. Beretta builds a number of good trap models. I would go with a Beretta auto loader and forget about the high dollar O/U's. I've seen some very good shooters using auto loaders.
model70hunter
Member
lots of good advice. For trap you need a higher stock. Might find a lace on one or even a trap stock from folks that sell replacement stocks. Some are pretty cheap. You can take it off if you sell or trade the 870.
Like Dwalt I used a Winchester 1200 Trap for a long time, broke my 1st 25 with it. Do not, I repeat do not let others shame you into buying an expensive gun too early. If you become an addict you can try some guns while you are getting better with the 870.
One does not need the most expensive to have fun and compete. Please give that some thought.
I eventually replaced the 1200 with a more properly appointed gun that put the snobs in place but it did not raise my average.
I will give you warning on two other subjects, Skeet and Sporting Clays.
I 1st became addicted to Sporting Clays. After a job move there was not anywhere close to continue.
I started shooting skeet and Trap with friends. It too is addictive.
When I retired to rural Kansas all 3 went out the window. Ya can't teach a John Deere to fling a clay when you yell pull.
I love the stillness and quiet open spaces of rural america, but it is purgatory for those who love to shoot clays.
Gotta sign off now, it's after dark. The chickens will be reporting me to the light marshal.
Like Dwalt I used a Winchester 1200 Trap for a long time, broke my 1st 25 with it. Do not, I repeat do not let others shame you into buying an expensive gun too early. If you become an addict you can try some guns while you are getting better with the 870.
One does not need the most expensive to have fun and compete. Please give that some thought.
I eventually replaced the 1200 with a more properly appointed gun that put the snobs in place but it did not raise my average.
I will give you warning on two other subjects, Skeet and Sporting Clays.
I 1st became addicted to Sporting Clays. After a job move there was not anywhere close to continue.
I started shooting skeet and Trap with friends. It too is addictive.
When I retired to rural Kansas all 3 went out the window. Ya can't teach a John Deere to fling a clay when you yell pull.
I love the stillness and quiet open spaces of rural america, but it is purgatory for those who love to shoot clays.
Gotta sign off now, it's after dark. The chickens will be reporting me to the light marshal.
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Win 12
Did my stint with M-12 Win Trap. My old man got the bug when
I was kid. He always told me that you can only get so good.
Concentration was the key, he had all kind of trap guns. Liked
to show off with old single barrel that had tape and wire wrapped
on it for effect.
Did my stint with M-12 Win Trap. My old man got the bug when
I was kid. He always told me that you can only get so good.
Concentration was the key, he had all kind of trap guns. Liked
to show off with old single barrel that had tape and wire wrapped
on it for effect.
jlrhiner
US Veteran
Don't listen to these mooks.....you must spend everything you have on a trap gun. An 870?!? Pishtosh.
And don't forget the reloader. You'll start out with a cheap little single-stage, just to get the feel. Then Katie-bar-the-door. And then you'll have your kids chained to the reloading bench. (No supper until you load 250 handicap 7 & 1/2's!)
And then you'll start gambling! Annie Oakley's, Follow-the-Leader and Pick-me-up's.
AND THEN THERE'S SKEET!!!!!
And don't forget the reloader. You'll start out with a cheap little single-stage, just to get the feel. Then Katie-bar-the-door. And then you'll have your kids chained to the reloading bench. (No supper until you load 250 handicap 7 & 1/2's!)
And then you'll start gambling! Annie Oakley's, Follow-the-Leader and Pick-me-up's.
AND THEN THERE'S SKEET!!!!!
Yeah Trap can get very addictive but you can have a lot of good times
feeding the addiction. You'll get lots of advice about guns, some of
which will be conflicting but the main point, as which has been pointed
out already, is don't be in a big hurry to spend big bucks. I started out
with an 870 field grade and ended up with a new Ljutic Mono Gun that
I ordered new. When I first started shooting Trap if someone had told
me I would end up paying that much for a Trap gun I would have
laughed at them. You don't have to spend a lot of money on a gun to
do fairly well at Trap but you're not going to see many 100 straight
scores posted by shooters using field grade shotguns. Autoloaders
reduce recoil somewhat and the Rem 1100 has been used by many
good shooters in the Trap versions. But most serious shooters
eventually gravitate toward the break open single barrel dedicated
Trap guns. Your 870 is hurting you because you're not used to shooting
lots of 12 ga shells in one session and you are probably using hunting
loads. Your shoulder will toughen up after a while. I've seen women
in their 60s shoot 400 12 ga shells in one day. You get used to it.
feeding the addiction. You'll get lots of advice about guns, some of
which will be conflicting but the main point, as which has been pointed
out already, is don't be in a big hurry to spend big bucks. I started out
with an 870 field grade and ended up with a new Ljutic Mono Gun that
I ordered new. When I first started shooting Trap if someone had told
me I would end up paying that much for a Trap gun I would have
laughed at them. You don't have to spend a lot of money on a gun to
do fairly well at Trap but you're not going to see many 100 straight
scores posted by shooters using field grade shotguns. Autoloaders
reduce recoil somewhat and the Rem 1100 has been used by many
good shooters in the Trap versions. But most serious shooters
eventually gravitate toward the break open single barrel dedicated
Trap guns. Your 870 is hurting you because you're not used to shooting
lots of 12 ga shells in one session and you are probably using hunting
loads. Your shoulder will toughen up after a while. I've seen women
in their 60s shoot 400 12 ga shells in one day. You get used to it.
