new to the sport, need advice

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kaisAR

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Hello everyone,

Yesterday I went trap shooting for the first time and put 100 rounds through my friends shotgun. It was something I always wanted to do and I had a blast.

I am currently waiting to receive my PAL but would like to pick up my first shotgun specifically for this sport, and have my friend hang on to it for me until the PAL comes. I am left handed and have been looking for a O/U.

As I know nothing about shotguns, can someone please make some recommendations on something that will not break the bank ?

thanks!
 
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Before making a purchase, I would advise you to try skeet or sporting clays, and decide if trap is the only clays sport you want to shoot. A trap specific gun, may not be suitable for the other clays games. If trap is all you want to shoot, a used BT-99 isn't a bad place to start looking, but if you have an interest in the other clays sports, or want to leave your options open, I would be looking at a used Citori or Beretta O/U. Before you make any purchase, do some research on gun fit, as it is important for the clays games.
 
I would not purchase a trap specific gun right off the bat instead, I'd recommend getting a gun set up for sporting clay's because you can shoot any of the disciplines with it including trap, skeet or sporting. My reasoning is that a trap specific gun is set up to shoot a high pattern which makes it difficult to shoot other clay games with. Later on if you decide that trap is your thing then invest in a trap specific gun. If your on a budget then I'd look for a lightly used browning citori or beretta 686/687/682. There's lots of them around, they're very reliable and you can shoot it for a few years and then sell it for pretty much what you paid for it. Have some one help you find a gun that fits you as that's more important than just about anything else.
 
Take all the money you want to spend on rifles handguns and put it all towards shotguns, join a bunch of local clubs in your area.
 
^ I somewhat agree with this post. If you are a hunter one rifle will do the trick. You will never be done buying shotguns. Also don't expect great results from the beginning. You will spend a fortune on shells and learn not to buy them from Canadian tire or such as they get pricey there. Your local gun shop will probably have better deals. Join a club, meet new people and don't act like a know it all and you will love the sport.
 
Also to start out if you need something to google have a look at ATA shotguns they offer all the big boy options at a entry price point, wadhopper on trap shooters forum knows all about them he is young on a limited budget and ruffled a lot of feathers for those that said it couldn’t be done,

Would also be good to get a terry jorden wall chart, Canadian shooter that will send you a pile of information to get started and is considered one of the better shots around.
 
Falconflyer said:
I would not purchase a trap specific gun right off the bat instead, I'd recommend getting a gun set up for sporting clay's because you can shoot any of the disciplines with it including trap, skeet or sporting. My reasoning is that a trap specific gun is set up to shoot a high pattern which makes it difficult to shoot other clay games with. Later on if you decide that trap is your thing then invest in a trap specific gun. If your on a budget then I'd look for a lightly used browning citori or beretta 686/687/682. There's lots of them around, they're very reliable and you can shoot it for a few years and then sell it for pretty much what you paid for it. Have some one help you find a gun that fits you as that's more important than just about anything else.
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Hey!! I have no problem inkballing low 7 targets with my 34” barreled TMS with a #9 choke tube!!! I just hate when they call it lost because there wasn’t a visible piece!! :p
 
Falconflyer said:
I would not purchase a trap specific gun right off the bat instead, I'd recommend getting a gun set up for sporting clay's because you can shoot any of the disciplines with it including trap, skeet or sporting. My reasoning is that a trap specific gun is set up to shoot a high pattern which makes it difficult to shoot other clay games with. Later on if you decide that trap is your thing then invest in a trap specific gun. If your on a budget then I'd look for a lightly used browning citori or beretta 686/687/682. There's lots of them around, they're very reliable and you can shoot it for a few years and then sell it for pretty much what you paid for it. Have some one help you find a gun that fits you as that's more important than just about anything else.
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This is your best advice right here. Don't get wound up buying low end new guns when there is plenty of high end used guns available for the same price. Save your money for targets and ammo. The only way to get good is to shoot a lot. Once you have been shooting for a while and have learned a bit about the sport you can decide what works best for you.
 
There are at least half a dozen good starter guns on the first page of the EE right now including a LH Beretta 692 if you want to spend the money. None of them will be worth much less than you paid for them if you want to sell them later.
 
I'm curious, when you went trap shooting were you shooting singles from 16 yards? If so, and you intend to only shoot singles, then an O/U is not required. There's lot's of options with one barrel that will let you shoot all of the clays disciplines. Like most others have already said, a trap specific gun is pretty limiting if you want to shoot skeet and sporting (it can de done, but a real dedicated trap gun is a pretty specific tool). Don't get caught up in the current "it's gotta have a high adjustable rib if you want to shoot trap" hysteria. Many people (myself included) find they shoot a low rib gun just fine. Also, like most others have said, a "B" gun tends to hold its value so after using for a while, if you decide to upgrade, you'll always have a market for it.

as an FYI; I believe Wadhopper gave up on his Tristar experiment ! He finally got fed up with a constantly broken gun ........................
 
We shot two at a time when I went, I liked it. After looking at clubs in the area etc., trap seems to be one of the more popular clay disciplines where I am (southern Ontario).

I have made a request to use the EE but I am still waiting. Curious whats on there....
 
I'm still waiting to be approved to view the EE, can someone help me with this? How long does it usually take?
 
A decent single trigger sporting capable over and under, with removable chokes is going to cost you about 2K$ new, and about 1.5K$ used. Alternatively you can buy a decent sporting semi for about 900$ used. Or you can buy a decent pump gun for about 600$ used.
All will do the job for skeet, trap, etc. However, some may offer better service for hunting if that venue is on the horizon. Best to sort out your needs before you get into a major procurement.
 
Still havn't been approved for the EE

Can someone give me their opinion on this?

Hotlink deleted by mod.
 
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A decent shotgun but very overpriced IMHO. I don't see anything particularily sporting about it either. Looks like a basic field gun. You can buy them or something similar from Tradex for 400.00-500.00. Don't get me wrong, it would be perfectly fine to get you started but you can buy them cheaper elsewhere. Look in the banner on the top of the page. Lots of inexpensive European O/U's for sale but if they break it might be hard to get parts.
 
I wouldn't know the difference between one worth 400 or 750, so I'm in a bad spot.
Can you be more specific about where might have a better deal? There are many places in the banner.
 
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