Oh no, another newbie...

N

Noltz

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'Evening sports fans. Would I be wasting my money to buy a single shot full choke H&R for trap? Budget is tight but I really want something full length to shoot with, and to swap barrels on my Norc 870 clone doesn't make financial sense ($150 for a full length barrel or $150 for a H&R gun & leave the shortie at home). I am not in a rush - I'll wait if it's better to let the gun fund replenish more and buy the right gun the first time.

Thanks.
 
I shoot backyard trap all the time with a single-shot 12 gauge from H&R. It's light and easy to get on target but with trap loads not too hard on the shoulder. It's not the greatest quality, but for the price you can practice until you save up and then sell it pretty easily.
 
This past February I signed up for a membership at a local sporting clay club....I started out with a single shot 20 gauge H&R.....it was a RIOT! I threw only singles, and plugged away at them with my single shot H&R. It was a riot, and a great way to start out as I had tonnes of money left over for a large large number of targets and shells.

Recently I bought some over-unders and have started playing with them (I've had a beretta silver pigeon, a beretta 692, and now am playing with a browning synergy)....they are orders of magnitude nicer and yes I break more clays with them, but there was nothing wrong with starting out with the H&R. Expect some snobbish looks from the over under crowd, but taste the happiness when you outshoot them 'cus you've practiced more!

Cheers,

Brobee

ps: PM me if you want to buy either a 20 or 12 gauge H&R, set up with a weight in the buttstock to make long practice sessions easier. Alternatively I could also do a good deal on a minty silver pigeon 20 gauge (cursed be the allure to those nicer guns!).
 
Will a H&R Pardner work and hold to up shooting trap? Most definetely, I've done it, in fact they made an actual trap model for years. However, you will quickly discover that 3Dr.Eq. trap loads and your shoulder won't like shooting 100 targets at a time. The Pardner weighs in at around 6lbs with a 32" barrel, most Target guns are in the 8lbs range or heavier. This is done intentionally to absorb recoil. If you decide to go this way, invest in a limbsaver and make sure the gun fits you and throws a slightly high pattern at 40yrds.
 
Beretta687EELL said:
Do you own any other 12 gauge?
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Yep, a short barrel 870 clone. I had zero interest in trap at the time. Buddy took me out with his 870 and I did alright (17/25). Tried with my own 12ga and 10/25 is the best I've managed but the game is damn fun... so now I'm here :)

Tottenham Gun Nut said:
Worth considering that you can't ever use a single shot for skeet or double trap. If all you ever want to do is singles trap then go for it or save up for a nice BT-99!
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I only have access to a trap range at current, and I find it quite satisfying. The BT is a beautiful gun, but way outside my toy budget.
 
Good to know. Lots of opinions on that. With the short barrel I had to be very quick on the trigger or it was just luck to break the clay. I'm sure I added a few knicks to the trap house. Once I have a proper gun to use I'll have to get some better education on stance & control.
 
If you're serious about trap I doubt a H&R will last for long. Most trap shooters shoot more in a year than most shotgunners shoot in a lifetime. I shot 600 rounds in competition in PG a couple of weeks ago for example. I would spend a little more money on a 1100 or even a decent 870 with a 26-30" barrel. Gun fit is very important. A full choke is fine and very common in trap for a number of complicated scientific reasons. Shooting a lot is more important than the gun you shoot.
 
That's a fair question. I don't know how serious I am. I really enjoy it, and I know my gun is holding me back. I've had the chance to shoot with a proper 870, and did much better with it than my own. I also tried a beautiful Beretta O/U, although only for a handful of shots, but I really liked how that felt. Ideally I'd find some sort of O/U for myself, but I see those are starting around $500. I understand fit is extremely important, but I don't know how to a gun should fit yet. I'm certainly on the up side of this learning curve. If anyone can recommend sites to read or mags / books that they've found particularly helpful, that too would be appreciated.

As for the H&R's longevity, I'm not terribly concerned with that. I bring a lot of new shooters out, and having inexpensive firearms for them to use helps. Even if I bought myself something nicer next year, if a single shot works I'll keep it as a loaner.
 
An H&R Pardner will hold up to Trap duty much better then the shooter behind it will, and far longer than the 870 clone he's currently shooting. That having been said their are better choices for this game.
 
I know some will not agree with me but the Mossberg Maverick Hunter over under is an option if you are on a real tight budget. If you search the web for reviews on it you will not find many complaints. It doesn't have the feel and performance of a Browning or Beretta but is does seem to be a durable gun. Plus you could use it to try skeet or doubles in the future. Some people also like the mean black look of it. Cabela's has them for $439

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Looked up some other videos on the Hunter O/U and other than it lacks ejectors it's pretty much spot on what I'm looking for. Can ejectors be installed or not worth it? I didn't get a reply from the EE lister either. But for $450 I think I'd be a lot happier with that than a single.

Truly appreciate the post, Totten.
 
A single barrel hunting gun will beat you up something fierce, even with target loads. You can pick up ANY kind of a pump gun for $200 if you spend a few minutes on the EE and it will be better suited than a single-shot H&R.
 
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