Is an 18inch barrel to short for trap and skeet?

I find it funny how I have been reading that guys give "pros" run for there money with lower quality guns saying they broke 15-22/25. well if you go to an actual trap shoot and watch the Master class shooters the real "pros" run 100, then another 100 then go to a shoot off which usually lasts a couple rounds, I wonder how 22/25 compares to those scores... I am no pro by any means especially at trap generally only 20-23 is where I sit, but just because someone shoots a high end gun doesn't mean they are a "pro", they usually just have money.

Pardon on using the word pros I meant to say the guys that think they are hot stuff
 
I tried one of my Ithaca riot guns on the trap range. Honestly I got a whole 4 out of 25. Meh.....never again.

BTW, I used my IC 26" barrelled M37 Ithaca Featherlight in 20 gauge on the skeet range on the very same day. It showed some promise!
 
Wow so many assumptions. Let me paraphrase. Practice up shooting clays in the pits. That will gain you experience (practice makes perfect). Then you can walk in with a short barrel $500 gun and bust as many clays as a 5k gun. I don't know why you would quote my post and rant about buddies trap and regulation trap.

You do know that the longest regulation "trap" (not skeet or sporting clay) shot is 47 yards right (clays hit the ground at 50 yards). And that the average singles shot is 25 yards. Could you be blurring the three disciplines into one? Because they are very different indeed in which they are thrown both direction speed and distance.

Just saying if you want to slice hairs :)

Actually it is this........for Regulation ATA Trap anyways............

E. FLIGHTS AND ANGLES
Singles targets shall be thrown not less than 49 yards nor more than 51
yards. Distance measurements are on level ground in still air. Targets
shall be between 8 feet and 10 feet high, when 10 yards from Point B.
The recommended height is 9 or 9 1/2 feet. The height at a point 10 yards
from Point B is to be understood to mean height above an imaginary
horizontal straight line drawn through the post and Point B. (See Diagram
II) (See also the alternative to setting by distance - setting by speed - in
Section F, following.)
Target height may also be set based on the height of the target at ten
yards as measured above the level of the trap arm in the house rather
than the height as measured from the number 3 shooting station. This is
the recommended procedure at facilities where the installation of traps in
the houses is inconsistent as to height.
Point B is defined as the intersection of a line measured 1 foot 6 inches
from the outside vertical wall (farthest from the shooting stations) of the
trap house and the centerline of the trap house. Please review Diagram I
on page 55. If the trap machine manufacturer specifies a dimension other
than 1 foot 6 inches, that dimension may be used in construction of the
trap house. Clubs constructing new trap house and fields should use the
same point B measurement as their existing fields to keep all fields as
consistent as possible, provided the same trap machines are being used.
In Singles shooting the trap shall be so adjusted that within the normal
distribution of angles as thrown by the trap, the right angle shall not be less
than 17 degrees measured to the right of center (3BF), and not less than
17 degrees measured to the left of center (3BF), with a total angle between
outside target limits of not less than 34 degrees. (See Diagram II) Trap
machines shall be adjusted so as to throw not less than equivalent angles.
Where terrain allows, a visible stake may be placed on the centerline of the
trap on the arc of a circle that has a radius of 50 yards and its center is Point
B (Point F, Diagram II). To help in determining legal angles, stakes may be
47
47
placed on the arc of a circle that has a radius of 50 yards and its center is
Point B.

One stake should be placed where a line drawn through Point A
and Point B intersects this arc and another stake placed where a line drawn
through Point C and Point B intersects the arc These lines and stakes will
assist in determining the required angles, but it is to be understood that the
angle specifications apply when the target is from 15 yards to 20 yards from
the trap rather than where the target strikes the ground. However, no target
is to be declared illegal unless it is significantly outside normal parameters
(e.g., more than 10 degrees outside normal).
In doubles shooting, targets shall be thrown not less than 44 yards nor
more than 46 yards. Distance measurements are on level ground in still
air. Targets shall be between 8 feet and 10 feet high when 10 yards from
point B. The recommended height is 9 or 9 1/2 feet. The height at a point 10
yards from Point B is to be understood to mean height above an imaginary
horizontal straight line drawn through the post and Point B (See Diagram
II). The trap shall be adjusted so the angle of target spread is not less than
34 degrees. (See the alternative to setting by distance - setting by speed
- in Section F, following.)
Target height may also be set based on the height of the target at ten yards
as measured above the level of the trap arm in the house rather than the
height as measured from the number 3 shooting station.
The 17 degree angle will appear to be a straight-away from a point 3 1/2 feet
to the right of post 1; the 17 degree angle will appear to be a straight- away
from a point 3 1/2 feet to the left of post 5. This 17 degree angle
refers to the flight line of the target from the house to 15 or 20 yards out
and can be used for singles, handicap, and doubles targets.

RULES FOR THE USE OF RADAR GUNS AND CHRONOGRAPHS TO SET TARGET SPEED
There are two types of radar guns, high-power and low-power. The practical
difference between them is that high-power guns work reliably from the
16-yard line and low-power guns don’t.
High-power guns (Decatur, Stalker, most “police radar guns” and similar)
are to be used at the 16-yard line. The trap oscillation is stopped, and the
target measured is a straightaway. The gun is pointed horizontally. The
correct speed for a singles or handicap target
is a minimum
of 42 MPH,
maximum 43 MPH. The correct speed for the right target of a doubles pair
must be a minimum
of 39 MPH, maximum of 40 MPH.
Low-power guns (SportRadar, Bushnell, and similar) are to be used at the
back of the traphouse and at the level of the top of the traphouse. (Holding
the gun higher than that will lead to a target which is too fast.) The trap
oscillation is stopped, and the target measured is a straightaway. The gun
is pointed horizontally. The correct speed for a singles or handicap target
must be a minimum
of 42 MPH, maximum of 43 MPH. The correct speed
for the right target of a doubles pair
must be a minimum
of 39 MPH,
maximum of 40 MPH. When a radar gun is used from inside the house,

the correct speed for a singles or handicap target
must be a minimum
of 44 MPH, maximum of 45 MPH. The correct speed for the right target
of a doubles pair
must be a minimum
of 41 MPH, maximum of 42 MPH.
A chronograph is to be used as close to the trap as practical and tipped
up at approximately the same angle as the flight of the target. The correct
speed for a singles or handicap target is 67 ft/sec minimum, maximum of
69 ft/sec. To set doubles with a chronograph, set a singles target to 76 ft/
sec minimum, maximum 78 ft/sec. and then switch the trap to throw doubles
without changing the spring tension.
Note: target speed may be set by distance as above or by speed as
determined by a radar gun or chronograph. Target must be set by measured
speed or distance.

Let me know if you'd like the NSSA Regulation Skeet requirements too......but I have never shot or refereed regulation Sporting Clays so you're on your own for that one.;)
 
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Wow so many assumptions. Let me paraphrase. Practice up shooting clays in the pits. That will gain you experience (practice makes perfect). Then you can walk in with a short barrel $500 gun and bust as many clays as a 5k gun.
Better stay in the gravel pit with your fantasies. When facing regulation targets Gravel Pit Rambo gets his ass handed to him 99 per cent of the time and the rest of the shooters don't need $5,000 guns to do it.
 
Better stay in the gravel pit with your fantasies. When facing regulation targets Gravel Pit Rambo gets his ass handed to him 99 per cent of the time and the rest of the shooters don't need $5,000 guns to do it.

Better yet; come on out to our range, and bring plenty of betting money.
 
You do know that the longest regulation "trap" (not skeet or sporting clay) shot is 47 yards right (clays hit the ground at 50 yards). And that the average singles shot is 25 yards. Could you be blurring the three disciplines into one? Because they are very different indeed in which they are thrown both direction speed and distance.
The longest regulation trap shot is more like 65 yards for a 27 yard handicap shooter. And they hit their targets on a regular basis. No reason why you couldn't do that with a 18.5" barrel. You just need a full choke and lots of practice.
 
Nah, the best way to piss off trap shooters is to steal their beer.

Which club are you shooting at? I frequently read on the Internet about the tacticool guys who claim they are hot s**t and all with their badass "shotties." I don't see if very often in real life but then everyone shoots better at the keyboard. :rolleyes:


I run the skeet and 5 stand at rondeau rod and gun in Blenheim. We shoot skeet every Sunday 10 am till about 3 pm. Come out and join us $5 per round for non members.
We even have a few younger guys that shoot bolt actions and lever guns.
 
Too true, I never see tactical shotguns at my club, I've tried someones coach gun once, so whippy, you end up way ahead of the target, then your slowing down to let the target catch up and then you stop the gun and miss for all your effort. :HR:


LOL win/64 for your "Good to have a goal in life" comment

I'd challenge anyone on here with their tacticool shotguns, to a round of skeet and a round of trap, I'll use my great grandfathers lefever SxS choked cyl and super full. Best score out of 50 wins a case of beer of the winner's choosing.

So come on, lets play ;)

I do believe I took you up on that a few years ago. You did beat me but if I remember correctly it was because of the trap!
 
Just realized how old this thread is. I'd also like to throw out an invite to anyone who cares to show up for skeet at my local skeet club. Beginner or pro doesn't matter. Long or short barrel we don't discriminate. PM for directions and times
 
Just realized how old this thread is. I'd also like to throw out an invite to anyone who cares to show up for skeet at my local skeet club. Beginner or pro doesn't matter. Long or short barrel we don't discriminate. PM for directions and times


I am heading out shortly to open up for trap and skeet, at our local club, which coincidentally is at the same city where the OP lives. I encourage any shooters in the area to come out and shoot with us on Sunday mornings at 10 AM. If you aren't a member, I can arrange for you to shoot as a guest once or twice, to try trap and skeet. If you are already a club member, but haven't shot with us, just drop by, and we will have you shooting in short order.
 
Re wrighting the book on trap and skeet shooting . If u are shooting recreational trap or skeet u can use what ever u want if u showed up at a registered shoot with a 18" bbl or less U would not likely be allowed to shoot it has been mentioned of giving pros a run for there money with $500 guns now we are getting into the ridiculas side of this topic u speak of 100 straight or 200 straight it's more like 1000-1200 straight . Wow some of these topics ??? Longest 16yd straight 2166 targets . Longest handicap 27yd 556 here's one for u guys to ponder longest straight doubles 1130 try the doubles game with your $500 steoger These are all documented registered targets. These scores are the extreme best ther ate many shooters that are only off by a couple of targets
 
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The longest regulation trap shot is more like 65 yards for a 27 yard handicap shooter. And they hit their targets on a regular basis. No reason why you couldn't do that with a 18.5" barrel. You just need a full choke and lots of practice.
Need, no, easier...maybe. I've broken my fair share of mini's at 60+ yards with 7/8oz and a Negative choke; they don't generally explode like with a tighter pattern, but an X is an X, and that's why you hunt with dogs.

Lots of practice, that I can most certainly agree with.
 
Wow this is almost unbelievable . Just when u thought the comments couldn't get any more ridiculas someone comes along and proves u wrong.Really Sapper 33 u don't get it
 
You outline that record holders for trap have some unbelievable runs, and that it's a safe bet not one is using a $500 gun with an 18" barrel; all very fair and accurate points. Also a very valid point that showing up for a registered shoot (or even a fair number of ranges) with a short barreled shotgun will not likely go over well; also very valid.

But telling people you "need" to do this or "need" to use that to hit the target is a load of crap.
 
Eight years ago I shot my first trap 25 for 25. Won a few gold medals before that too. Guys with the expensive over unders were pretty surprised. Here it is. 18.5 inch smooth bore slug barrel. Hence my sig line from a great member who I wish was still here. Some misinformation though like buckshot and Humber college.
 
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You outline that record holders for trap have some unbelievable runs, and that it's a safe bet not one is using a $500 gun with an 18" barrel; all very fair and accurate points. Also a very valid point that showing up for a registered shoot (or even a fair number of ranges) with a short barreled shotgun will not likely go over well; also very valid.

But telling people you "need" to do this or "need" to use that to hit the target is a load of crap.

I do believe the long run at 27 yards was done with an 1100 buy Daro Handy he is a nice guy BTW.
He may have shot something else but he is well known for using a 1100
 
It blows my mind that a club might refuse a shooter based on barrel length. Does that really happen? What is wrong with people.

I have shot many rounds of trap and skeet with a 20" barreled Coach Gun. The odd fellow shooter pointed out that muzzle blast was uncomfortable for bystanders, but that was the only feedback.
 
Barrel length has little to no effect on pattern spread. It's the choke in the end that determines the spread. Short barreled tactical guns usually have cylinder choke, which means no choke at all. You'll almost certainly shoot better with a long barrel gun for several reasons (swing weight, sight radius, appropriate choke tube) , but a SBS will hit clays, too. I used to have a 14" Benelli that worked ok up close...but not as well as a 'proper' clays gun.

There are some clay clubs that do not allow 'tactical' shotguns. This may be for practical or snobbish reasons. I don't know.
 
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