How far does your trap machine throw???

Suther

Suther

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Fraser Valley
Im looking to buy a trap machine. Something on the cheaper end of things. I think I have settled on the $60 one from Canadian Tire, because it comes with a 1-year exchange warranty at any CT. So if it breaks and I can't fix it, I'll just exchange it for another. It will see at least 10 boxes of clays (probably more when my friends realize how much fun it can be...) in the next year, so I know I will get my moneys worth even if it breaks.

My big question is about range. With my hand thrower, we seem to get about 40 yards with 'em. This is certainly okay, but farther is always better. It seems finding out how far a cheap trap thrower will go is about as easy as figuring out the square root of 7 without a calculator.

So what do you got? and how far does it go?

The one possible option I am seriously considering other than the one from CT is a trius one step.... But being twice the price and not being able to pick one up locally (Amazon seems like the only option?) makes me lean towards something else.

If anyone has one/has used one, I am specifically interested in how far a Trius 1 step, Trius Bird shooter2, and the cheap Champion and Do-all outdoors models, but really any info about throwing distance for any type of machine is good.
 
I have an Outters Laboratories thrower. It with throw a clay to about 60 yards, maybe a little farther. The legs are meant to sink into the ground to keep it stable when it throws. This doesnt work out very well as there is a lot of momentum, and if you dont keep your foot on the back leg it will pull the legs outta the ground and tip it over. I think if it was mounted to a heavy base it would be way better.
 
Nock the cheap champion off your list .its a pos and not worth bothering with in my opinion . the trius one step is a much better thrower . the do all manual throwers are not bad either we have three of the 3/4 #### saw horse style at my club and they work very well and can be adjusted to throw several different ways . and they throw a 70 yd target no problem .
 
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rembolt said:
Nock the cheap champion off you list .its a pos and not worth bothering with in my opinion . the trius one step is a much better thrower . the do all manual throwers are not bad either we have three of the 3/4 #### saw horse style at my club and they work very well and can be adjusted to throw several different ways . and they throw a 70 yd target no problem .
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Care to elaborate? Do you mean the kind of machine that has a seat for someone to sit on? That are like $250+? Nice to know they can sling 'em good, but certainly out of my price range. If I was to get a Do-All Outdoors one, it would most likely be the Competitor. ($45ish)

While I would prefer a trius 1-step, and its on the to-do list in the long term, I can't really afford it right now. A friend is willing to split the cost of a Champion or Do-All Outdoors one ($45-60ish) but he can't afford to split the $140+ of the 1-step (and really nor can I right now). The plan was to get something cheap now, and save for the 1-step over the next year.

This is why the one from CT is appealing - it has a 1-year exchange warranty (at any CT), so we can just get a new one if it breaks. I also have a welder and I am pretty handy, so I can probably repair it too (or beef it up a bit at home) This seems like a better option than one in that same price range off of Amazon, because if I get crap off Amazon I have to ship it back and stuff - not worth the hassle.

The one other option I was looking at was the Trius Birdshooter II, which is $80 at Wholesale Sports. If it is a significant step up in quality I could be persuaded to get it. Especially if it throws clays farther.


Okay now back on topic...

How far does your trap machine throw? This wasn't even something I considered until recently - I saw a review of a pair of automatic ones and they did claimed 55 and 70 yards, and started to wonder how that compares to the manual ones.
 
The champion I was referring to is the champion high fly a buddy bough one never got a box of targets thrown with it be for it broke . no experience with the do all you mentioned so I can't comment on it . do all does seem to have good customer service as we have had to replace the main spring on the saw horse style after 3 years of extensive use .
 
If you want to be frustrated get a cheap thrower and write off the whole cost as a mistake. Some of those will barely get the clay in the air before it comes crashing down, a hand thrower is better than most of them. As far as I'm concerned the one step is a decent piece of gear, you can run it yourself and I know that it will throw a target out of range. Its not so much a matter how well they stand up at the lowest price points its whether its a total POS or not.

Its a lot like optics. Everyone is required to buy some cheap useless pile of crap that they can throw away before they get what they should have bought in the first place. Its cheaper to pay too much once, than not enough twice or three times.

Probably not what you wanted to hear.
 
Each time you and a friend do any serious shooting you will use a flat of ammo and two cases of targets which is going to cost you $125+++ and you are worried about the cost of the trap machine????????
 
Skip the three legged ones that stick in the dirt. PITA to keep them in the dirt. If you can bolt them to something they might be ok but I tried 2 different ones and the outcome is the same.
Wait and save up a bit longer.
 
salter said:
Each time you and a friend do any serious shooting you will use a flat of ammo and two cases of targets which is going to cost you $125+++ and you are worried about the cost of the trap machine????????
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Well I guess I am just not serious enough then.

We went out today, and between 4 of us we went though about 8 boxes of shells, most of a box of clays, and had a good time. Probably would have shot more, but due to traffic from an accident we were about an hour late getting to a spot to shoot. But we we'rent *just* shooting clays either, I never go out without my .22, and my friend had a few rifles too. Actually thats not true. If I take a bunch of other stuff I may leave the 22, but it always comes if Im just bringing one (other) long gun to focus on.

Seagull said:
Skip the three legged ones that stick in the dirt. PITA to keep them in the dirt. If you can bolt them to something they might be ok but I tried 2 different ones and the outcome is the same.
Wait and save up a bit longer.
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My friend bought the one from Canadian Tire earlier today. Upon using it tonight, I cannot agree more. Except we dont have dirt here. We have rocks. Sometimes a thin layer of sand and gravel on top, but mostly rocks. Nevermind keeping them in the dirt, it doesn't get into the dirt in the first place....

I'll post a review of the machine later. In the mean time, It came with a gap gauge, or gap checker, or something like that. Does anyone know what that is for? Its a small, square, flat piece of metal. Like 1" by 1", 1/8" thick maybe.
 
I use the Do-All outdoors White Wing electric launcher that my daughter bought me. It launches easily 65-80 yards as per their specs. I added the wobbler table that I ordered from Amazon. Very happy with this equipment. I mounted it on the back of a quad trailer.
 
If you have an atv. The the legged one can be strapped to the rack. Set the box of clays on the seat and viola. No bending over. Just stand there and launch. My buddy and I do that at the farm. Works great.
 
crash277 said:
If you have an atv. The the legged one can be strapped to the rack. Set the box of clays on the seat and viola. No bending over. Just stand there and launch. My buddy and I do that at the farm. Works great.
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Here is my set up on the back of the quad trailer which is now a designated trailer. Ample room for the launcher, 2 batteries (1 for launcher, 1 for wobbler), a box or 2 of clays, Empty box for spent hulls and a few dedicated wrenches for adjustment. I plan to bolt it down permanently now that I've got placement of accessories figured out.

 
I've got a winchester automatic with a 270 bird count trap loader. it fires the birds out quit a ways, depending how it is set up, easily 70 yards.
 
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