Pump for trap/skeet?

C

canis_kuris

New member
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
Location
Ontario
Hi all,

I'm new to shooting. My interests lie mostly in hunting, but to improve myself for waterfowl season I'd like to put some time in shooting trap and skeet.

I have a 12 Ga Remington 870 which I'll be shooting with, but wanted to hear some opinions regarding its usefulness at the range vs an o/u or side-by-side.

Thanks in advance.
 
An 870 will be fine for trap, but it will make it more difficult for a beginner to learn skeet. However, an experienced skeet shooter can do quite well with a pump action.
 
Since you already have it go for it. The reload might make doubles/skeet a bit tougher, but for single trap it should be good to go. Toss a choke in and give it a shot.

An o/u can give a better sight in regards to height, and makes follow up shots a breeze, but you can shoot with near anything.
 
Assuming your Remington 870 is what you plan to hunt with and shooting trap and skeet to improve your skills for the upcoming bird season is your main goal, then yes, by means stick with it. If your plan is shoot competitively then the 870 will simply and most likely be a stepping stone to a semi or an O/U as your skills get better. As Stubble mentioned some experienced shooters can run straights with a pump gun as easy as they can with an O/U, however it will more take time and skill to master shooting skeet with a pump. Myself, I've gone the opposite direction over time, I gave up my last double gun this past spring, all I shoot are pump guns for Trap(Singles, Doubles & Handicap), Skeet(Standard and Double) and 5-Stand, my scores haven't suffered. It can be done, so don't feel the need to "upgrade" to shoot the games. Contact your trap & skeet club secretary, they help you get started. A Remington 870 comes with only a Modified choke, for Skeet you should pick up a more open choke(Skeet or I/C), for 16yrd Trap the Modified will work, however Full choke allows you to step down to lighter 1oz loads and still maintain decent pattern density, it does require more precision on the shooters part but recoil savings are worth it.
 
Many shooters use pumps. Some competitive shoots such as the one I attended last weekend have a specific class for pump guns. Clay target shooting is a great way to keep your skills up in the off season and if you suddenly find that you're enjoying chasing the orange discs more than you'd thought you can consider another gun.
 
Brad Dysinger was a very good Trapshooter with his Winchester Mod. 12 Trap and Barney Hartman ran some pretty incredible Skeet scores with his Winchester Mod. 42
(410) Skeet gun. I've personally run many 25 straights (and a couple of 100 straights) with both a pair of Model 12 Skeet guns in 12 and 20 and a Remington Model 870 over the years. The Remington was also used to win 3 "pump gun only" Sporting Clay Shoots ... one of which the top prize was ... a Remington pump gun ! Shooting Skeet with a pump is not a great disadvantage, even doubles from 3, 4 & 5. As always, gun fit, balance and good technique are prerequisite to good shooting.
 
I shoot skeet with a Remington 31 on occasion. I have never felt handicapped by the action itself, more so by the fixed modified choke. If your model 870 has removable chokes, you should buy a skeet choke. If you are on the bird, it shouldn't matter what choke you use, but using a skeet choke will help break more birds when you are off a bit on your lead.

For trap, I use a modified or full choke depending on the type of trap I am shooting.

Long story short, use the gun you want to hunt with when practicing for hunting. Also, buy a skeet choke that works with steel shot. It will be great for shooting over decoys.

beretta boy said:
As always, gun fit, balance and good technique are prerequisite to good shooting.
Click to expand...

Indeed.
 
I've made arrangements to visit a local trap/skeet range to try out the facilities as a guest. I'm taking my 870 with modified choke on a 28" inch barrel.

Target loads are Remington gun club in shot size #7.5

I was told these are the correct shells for trap.
 
canis_kuris said:
I've made arrangements to visit a local trap/skeet range to try out the facilities as a guest. I'm taking my 870 with modified choke on a 28" inch barrel.

Target loads are Remington gun club in shot size #7.5

I was told these are the correct shells for trap.
Click to expand...

Those will work just fine for trap. When you go to shoot skeet, take note of any shot size restrictions. Typically clay fields have shot size limitations imposed by the CFO most are only authorized to use shot no larger than #7.5 (#7.5, 8, 8.5 or 9 shot is okay). Some skeet fields are only rated for #9 shot so make sure you read the sign or ask.

If you plan to reload, keep those hulls as Remington Gun Clubs are great hulls. If not, someone around the club will likely take them off your hands.

canis_kuris said:
How do I know when to use one choke vs another?
Click to expand...

I made that suggestion as a caution with regards to using chokes with steel shot. Modern chokes are made from good materials so being steel shot rated is typically the norm. You will note that many manufacturers don't make a steel rated choke over "full" constriction.

The purpose of the choke is to adjust the pattern density at a specific range. The more open the choke, the earlier the pattern opens. When you are shooting at ducks over decoys or targets on the skeet field you want the shot pattern to open up fairly quickly in order to increase your odds of striking the target. If you are hunting turkey, you want a tight choke because you are hoping to only hit the neck and head.

There are chokes for everything, but you can get by with the simple flush mount modified (or improved cylinder of you have it) that came with the gun. I'd say if you want to learn to shoot skeet, its best to use a skeet choke. You can buy a cheap flush mount one for around $30.

Randy Wakeman wrote an article called "Straight Dope on Shotgun Chokes" which explains the basics of chokes.
 
Last edited:
canis_kuris said:
I've made arrangements to visit a local trap/skeet range to try out the facilities as a guest. I'm taking my 870 with modified choke on a 28" inch barrel.

Target loads are Remington gun club in shot size #7.5

I was told these are the correct shells for trap.
Click to expand...

Great, most clubs, mine included, are always happy to see new faces, I make a point of working with new shooters to help get them started. If the facility has a 5-stand, make sure to take advantage of it, I've come to find most new shooters to these games benefit from a round of 5-stand with some incoming targets, helps pick up the concept of target lead faster. Then I move them to a trap field and last skeet, skeet is the harder of the games to pick up.

Assuming 1 1/8oz of #7 1/2, if so then you're fine to start out shooting trap. Generally speaking with a more open choke like modified, you are a little better off with #8's pattern density wise.
 
1Oz of #8 = 410 pellets 1 1/8Oz of #7 1/2 = 394, at the 16yrd line the shot cloud density is better with the #8 and the pellets still retain enough energy to break targets efficiently.
 
I'm with berettaboy I've shot many 25-50-75 and a few 100x100 with pump guns. In every gauge skeet is shot in.
Once you get a bit proficient shooting skeet and breaking the target on the field where they should be broke.....there is tons of time to pump it.
Shoot the pump and have fun.!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom