Do I need 2 different guns for starting Trap/Skeet ?

blueflash

blueflash

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Hello guys, I have recently joined a Gun range, and I am thinking about getting into Trap/Skeet shooting. I kind of have 3 questions.

1. I already own a Baikal MP153 that I use for Waterfowl hunting. Is it a okay gun to start out with for trap/skeet or would I look pretty silly out on the range with a Max-4 camo hunting shotgun? and is the Baikal not a good gun for shooting clays? I know its kind of a cheap gun compared to other Semi's out there, so I really just don't know if its even worth bringing out. I do kill lots of Ducks with it, so it does feel like a good hunting gun, but I don't know if that means anything in the trap/skeet world ?

2. If I end up buying a O/U, is there a purpose built gun that is used for each sport? Basically, what Im asking is, should I determine what I want to shoot...either Trap or Skeet, and then go from there to pick out what gun I should buy, or will any good quality Browning O/U shotgun work well for Trap or Skeet ?

3. What is a better gun to be looking at? a Semi or a O/U ? and what should I consider at the top of my list, and keep around or under the $1000 mark used ? I don't have $3000 to spend on a Beretta right now.
 
If the gun fits you, use it. The fit of the gun is more important than whether its an O/U or a semi. Once you get into it you can pick up something like a BT-99 on the EE for under 1000.00. Hell, I shoot trap with a 300.00 Sportsman 58 and I can miss just as well as the guy beside me with a 3000.00 gun. :D
 
i use my 870 express for skeet trap 5stand sporting clays and 3 gun matches. it's a great gun. It's a good all around do everything gun. and o/u or semi may be better for these sports but it was cheap and it slings lead just like the rest of them. eventually i'll get me a nice o/u i think. all i'm getting at is whats already been said. use what ya got and have fun doin it! see what others use, maybe ask if you can try it out. ask for advice from the greyhars and take it with a grain of salt. but like i said mos timportant is to HAVE FUN. lol
 
Okay guys sounds like good advice. I have shot trap before with a 870 express also, and I actually shot 75% for my first time ever so I doubt that I would of done much better with a Beretta O/U for my first time out. I don't have the 870 no more, but I do find that my Baikal swings very similar, and actually feels a little bit more balanced than my 870.

Anyways, I will give it a try with my Baikal just to make sure that I am liking it before I drop some extra cash on another gun. Since I have joined the Gun Range, I have already gotten hooked on some other shooting sports that I was'nt before I joined the Range and that has tied up some of my extra money. I think I will have to figure out what I like the best and then focus my attention and money towards that. Therefore, I will give the Skeet/Trap shooting a good try to see how much I like it. It sure does look like all of the guys who shoot it really enjoy themselves.

Just curious, since I have already posted a question about a CZ shotgun and have found a type of loveit or hateit type attitude towards it. Is it best to stay away from shotguns that are under the $1000 mark like CZ, Stoeger, Remington SPR, etc, etc. .....or are these cheaper shotgun similar in performance and durability, but just don't have the fit n finish and nice looks of the more expensive guns ?
 
I think the obvious answer is to buy more guns whenever you can. The only you shouldn't be buying another gun is when you are saving $ to buy another gun.

Shoot everyone's gun that will let you. Then save your pennies till you can buy the one that works best for you.
 
I'd determine which you prefer, Trap or skeet, and poke around and see what others are using, and maybe see if you can handle/shoot diff. guns. I don't recommend starting with a pump gun as you are at a decided disadvantage when starting out at Trap doubles and skeet, where a quick second shot is used. A person could get along quite well with an over/under with choke tubes for skeet, sporting clays, and field/hunting. Trap guns are more specialized and have or have provision for higher impact for the rising birds, so make sure you prefer Trap before spending money on a strictly "Trap gun".
 
trap or skeet

Blueflash,
You have received some pretty good suggestions here.As others have said, just hang in there and shoot your hunting gun for both games for a few months.Try other guns of fellow members when given a chance.After a few months of this, you will likely find that you enjoy one game more than the other or have more fun with either the trap shooters or the skeet shooters.
My suggestion then would be to buy a used shotgun which is specific to the game you will shoot most often.I am pretty sure that a good used shotgun will be found that meets your budget constraints.You will likely be well served with an over/under gun for reasons which will become more clear to you over the next few months.Clay targets will probably become an addiction ......they have been so for me for the past 40 + years.

Pete G
 
You say that you aleady have waterfowl gun , right?
I would assume that it has some different chokes if it is in max4 camo.Try that out for trap using the modified choke , and either switch to IC or even keep the modified choke and shoot some skeet with it for a while.
If you have been shooting that gun for a few years you likely will have not too much trouble with it shooting clays - after all, a duck or goose is not ALWAYS at 30 yards , right?:D
You may find you like it, and will start shooting more.
If you want to get another gun for either game, ask if you can try a few out with the members of the club giving you a hand .That way you will have an idea of what you want to shoot.
There are lots of skeet guns and trap guns out there besides the O/U's! :)
Cat
 
Lots of good information above.

My 2 cents ...

Shoot what you have for the time being. Don't get too serious about your scores, just have some fun. Try every gun that you can lay your hands on. Don't be in a hurry to spend your money on a new or new to you gun.

One or two of those guns will "just feel right" in your hands ... shoot them a number of times until you determine your preference.

Gun fit is one of the most important keys to good scores. Adjustable recoil pads and combs can make that gun fit you.

Decide what is going to be the main game that you will shoot and then buy that gun to shoot that game. Use it to shoot the other games, just don't expect it to perform quite as well and remember, just have some fun.

Many shooters are going to a trap style gun as they have a parallel stock and tend to shoot high.

Your first clay target gun won't be your last ...

Never assume anything when it comes to shotguns, check it out. As an example, when buying a used gun check the barrels to see if they have been altered. A friend of mine bought and sold a 3200 "trap" gun and later we found out that the barrels had been modified (fixed chokes) to the point that it was no good as a trap gun.

How much are you going to shoot? Higher end guns will last a lot longer and are built to shoot hundreds of thousands of targets, get rebuilt and then do it again. Entry level guns won't last and are not worth investing the cost of the adjustable stocks into them. If you aren't going to shoot much and you don't need the adjustables, then the entry level gun may work for you.

One of the best trap shooters I know shoots an 1100 and keeps a tool box with spare parts handy. He also knows how to maintain it and almost never has a breakdown on the line. I also know lots of guys that own trap combos that cost in excess of $20,000. Lots to choose from, so don't be in a hurry.

Did I mention, have fun?
 
Agree with much of the above. Run what ya brung. Yours will be just fine and it's unlikely you'll be alone on the line with a camo gun. Open chokes for skeet, tighter for trap.

Instead of thinking about your gun think about you. Learn the fundamentals of the games. Eye hold, stance, foot position, gun hold to name a few. Getting some lessons helps as well. Don't worry about your scores initially just relax and have fun.

Ask a ton of questions. Most target shooters love talking about their guns and don't be surprised if you start showing an interest in someone's shotgun that they won't hand it to you to try.
 
I pretty much agree with what everyone has said here. But I have wondered what the best way to start is ever since I started. The number of times it is brought up here, and other places, suggests no one has come up with the final say about the best way of doing it either. I think it's probably like everyone is saying. You can have fun with just about any legal shotgun using fairly light loads of 7 1/2 or smaller shot. The one thing that I found to be important, apart from gun fit, is being able to get off two shots. Again, not a particularly restrictive approach. If the firearm doesn't allow you to take two shots you will be restricted to trap shooting and there are many good games in addition to trap. Nothing wrong with shooting just trap, of course, but you will likely find yourself changing guns pretty early if you get bitten by the bug. It's also nice to have the potential to change chokes. This might not be necessary in the beginning, but you will likely be doing some changing down the road...again if you get bitten by the bug. The one gun I have familiarity with that is fine gun and that I would eliminate as a first time purchase then, is the BT-99. It is a dedicated trap gun and I really like mine. But every once in awhile I wish I could shoot singles, handicap and doubles with the same gun...again the need for two barrels or semi-auto.
 
Hi,

At first, people are trying skeet/trap to get fit for the hunting season. They bring their hunting gun and that is perfect. But the more they go to the range and meet new people, talk a lot about guns, they don't look at their hunting gun the same way....they look at it and say...it is too heavy, the barrel is too long, it does not look good, it is not fast enough, etc...etc...etc... and then they start beeing mad for a new gun. They are ready to sell the house, the wife and the children for a new $20 000 Krieghoff.........

But believe me; that is not necessary! Stay with the gun you usually use and have fun...that is the purpose of the game: having fun. Keep your money for playing the stock market....

If you really love the game and want to compete, then you could buy a gun made for the specific game.
 
I use a browning Auto 5 3" with 32" barrel with second bead mounted half way up the barrel. Just have to adjust the gun for trap loads and good to go.
 
Wow guys, there is some really good advice here and you guys are telling me stuff that I did'nt know. I did'nt know that dedicated trap guns shoot high. Now that I know that, Im actually more interested into getting involved with skeet. Just because it sounds like it is going to be the closest thing to shooting real birds.

My Baikal is a 28 inch barrel, max 4 camo. Last time I went to the range, I kind of just stood there and watched for a bit, just to get a feel for it. I also wanted to see if it is similar to the sport of golf, were you must use proper manners, and course rules. I just wanted to get familiar with how things are. Anyways, I did see a couple Camo guns out there also so I know it won't be to abnormal for new guys to show up with one.

Everyone sure did seem super nice out there, and I don't think I will have any problem getting involved.

I have one more question though.....Is there a huge difference in 12 and 20 gauge, as far as hitting targets go? I have used 12 gauges my whole life, and I am very used to them, but I just did'nt know if I should specifically look for a 12 gauge, and rule out the 20 gauge? If I happened to come accross a deal on a 20 gauge, I wanted to know if it will be at a disadvantage, compared to a 12 gauge and should only be looking at a 12 guage, when the time comes to buy one? Do all of the successful Skeet shooters use 12 gauge, and 12 gauge only?
 
The idea of shooting a gun that shoots high is not a bad thing more and more skeet shooters are shooting a gun that shoots a little high as well . And a lot more skeet shooters shoot 20ga and smaller as they dont want the recoil of the 12ga . Thay are shooting the 20ga in the 12ga and 20ga comp. . A trap gun to give you a monte carlo stock [adjustable] and 30" barrels with screw in chokes you can shoot all shotgun sports with the same gun .
 
blueflash said:
I have one more question though.....Is there a huge difference in 12 and 20 gauge, as far as hitting targets go? I have used 12 gauges my whole life, and I am very used to them, but I just didn't know if I should specifically look for a 12 gauge, and rule out the 20 gauge? If I happened to come accross a deal on a 20 gauge, I wanted to know if it will be at a disadvantage, compared to a 12 gauge and should only be looking at a 12 guage, when the time comes to buy one? Do all of the successful Skeet shooters use 12 gauge, and 12 gauge only?
Click to expand...

Many of the top skeet shooters do not shoot 12 gauge, instead they shoot 20 gauge in the 12 gauge events. There are good reasons for doing that for them. IMHO you would be better off to buy a good used 12 gauge at the right price. Competitive skeet involves 4 gauges (12, 20, 28 and .410), so if you go that route in the future, you can sell what you have and move into a different set up.

20 gauge is a handicap at trap, for many folks, especially new shooters ... at least that is my opinion.
 
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