Getting Back Into Trap + Trying Sporting Clays – Stick With a Trap Gun or Change It Up?

ModestDaniel

ModestDaniel

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Hey CGN’ers!

Getting back into trap after a long break. Predominately shot a lot of Singles and Doubles - both recreationally and in comp.

Looking to mix in sporting clays this time around… haven’t shot it before, closest I’ve done is five stand, but I think I’m going to like Sporting Clays a lot.

Trying to keep things simple, but also don’t want to box myself in with the wrong setup. My trap set up is a Beretta S.680 Trap Unisingle 32” barrel (I love it) - I use to use an old Baikal over/under field gun with 2 triggers for doubles :rolleyes:. It shook, rattled, and kicked like a mule, but it did the job since it was my only O/U at the time. It was free, so I used it. :cool: NOTE: If you are selling at Beretta 682 Gold E Trap Combo, I’m interested!

If you were starting over:
  • Would you stick with a dedicated trap gun and make it work for sporting?
  • Or go with something more versatile from the start?
  • Barrel length / choke setup for doing both reasonably well?
  • Worth getting instruction early, or just shoot and figure it out?
Also bringing a couple new shooters into the mix, so trying to set things up the right way from day one.

Every answer and opinion is very welcome!

Appreciate any input. (y)
 
You want a gun that swings fairly quick, some sporting clays targets are much quicker than trap targets. My Blaser F-3 has 32" barrels, but it swings like my Brownings did with 30" barrels. For chokes, I run LM on most targets, only changing to tighter chokes if there are some very long shots, which isn't often, on our course. I prefer a 50/50 pattern or close to it, too high of a POI would be awkward for some presentations.
 
If you've got a double-barrel trap gun start with it to see if you like the game. Trap guns are often set to shoot high and if yours is over 60/40 you may find falling targets harder to hit. FWIW, my sporting gun looks and weighs very much like a trap gun with an adjustable comb and higher rib and is set to shoot 55/45. I like a heavier gun for sporting because it keeps my swing smoother.

Most sporting guns are 30 to 32 inches and IC chokes should be enough for most courses. Think less about choke and more about foot position, gun hold, seeing the target and break point. I'd suggest either instruction or videos on how to shoot sporting which is very different than trap or skeet.
 
Well - The unsingle wont let you shoot doubles in sporting clays, leaving you with the Baikal. Depending on the choke configuration for the Baikal, it may serve you OK. If you want to get serious with sporting clays, or skeet, or 5-stand you'll need a dedicated gun without a high comb. However, an adjustable comb would be nice. (you could use the adjustable comb unit for trap, if needed.)
 
stubblejumper said:
You want a gun that swings fairly quick, some sporting clays targets are much quicker than trap targets. My Blaser F-3 has 32" barrels, but it swings like my Brownings did with 30" barrels. For chokes, I run LM on most targets, only changing to tighter chokes if there are some very long shots, which isn't often, on our course. I prefer a 50/50 pattern or close to it, too high of a POI would be awkward for some presentations.
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Thanks for the feedback. Great information.
 
Arietta said:
If you've got a double-barrel trap gun start with it to see if you like the game. Trap guns are often set to shoot high and if yours is over 60/40 you may find falling targets harder to hit. FWIW, my sporting gun looks and weighs very much like a trap gun with an adjustable comb and higher rib and is set to shoot 55/45. I like a heavier gun for sporting because it keeps my swing smoother.

Most sporting guns are 30 to 32 inches and IC chokes should be enough for most courses. Think less about choke and more about foot position, gun hold, seeing the target and break point. I'd suggest either instruction or videos on how to shoot sporting which is very different than trap or skeet.
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Thanks for the reply Arietta. I am looking for a new O/U as the one that I have needs to retire. I like the idea of something that looks and feels like a trap gun with a 32” O/U barrel, but I also like the flat rib look and 50/50 shot pattern. I agree with the concept of “heavy swings smooth” and great feedback on the focusing on technique before the break of the target. Thanks again.
 
Thanks for the feedback.
cosmic said:
Well - The unsingle wont let you shoot doubles in sporting clays, leaving you with the Baikal. Depending on the choke configuration for the Baikal, it may serve you OK. If you want to get serious with sporting clays, or skeet, or 5-stand you'll need a dedicated gun without a high comb. However, an adjustable comb would be nice. (you could use the adjustable comb unit for trap, if needed.)
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ModestDaniel said:
Love this answer. Love the Berettas myself. Have my eye on a few different guns, but I’m liking the Beretta 690 Sporting 32” barrel set up.
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I just bought a 30" 688 sporting. The 32" is alot easier to find. Its a great gun. Proven 680 series action. Beefed up weight rounded forend manual safety. That laminated stock is heavy and dense. Wide flat rib. Adjustible trigger. Stippling on top of the reciever to reduce glare. Can take beretta weight system. Comes with 5 extended chokes. Its worth looking at. I bought mine for ducks and doves with steel shot but it'll see alot of use for skeet and sporting clays. The 32" swung very nice. I just prefer shorter barrels
 
I choose barrel length on the balance of the particular shotgun. With a Browning CX, 30" would be plenty long, because the barrels are heavier, and they swing slower. My Blaser F-3 Vantage balances totally different, and 32" barrels are definitely my preference.
 
You can shoot all of the shotgun disciplines with a sporting clays gun but a dedicated trap gun is a trap gun and not ideal to use for anything else. A dedicated skeet gun can be used for the other disciplines but might not be ideal either.

Pretty much all of the manufacturers made a sporting gun, if you like Beretta then a 32 inch Beretta a great place to start.
 
Falconflyer said:
You can shoot all of the shotgun disciplines with a sporting clays gun but a dedicated trap gun is a trap gun and not ideal to use for anything else. A dedicated skeet gun can be used for the other disciplines but might not be ideal either.

Pretty much all of the manufacturers made a sporting gun, if you like Beretta then a 32 inch Beretta a great place to start.
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Thanks for the feedback. Can’t wait to eventually find out once I pull the trigger on a sporting gun. In the mean time I’ll be reacquainting myself with Trap singles.
 
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