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sgmnorth

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Hello all,

I'm new to shooting, and tbh I never even shot a firearm. I'm very intrigued by shooting trap. Went to the gunstore to buy an inexpensive shotgun as it's my first and was told I would need to buy one of the 3 big b over unders to join a club in the GTA. I dunno if this guy was trying to make a sale or just being a ####.

Does it actually matter the length of the barrel, the action and the brand?
 
sgmnorth said:
Hello all,

I'm new to shooting, and tbh I never even shot a firearm. I'm very intrigued by shooting trap. Went to the gunstore to buy an inexpensive shotgun as it's my first and was told I would need to buy one of the 3 big b over unders to join a club in the GTA. I dunno if this guy was trying to make a sale or just being a ####.

Does it actually matter the length of the barrel, the action and the brand?
Click to expand...
A huge question that could take pages to answer. My suggestion is to contact your local trap club and see if they offer coaching and loaner guns. Try a few and talk to the guys. Some people like a semi auto ( eg 1100), many like over/ under, some shoot single shots ( eg bt99). Even pumps like the iconic model 12 trap. 28" and above works, some like full, some modified, brands like the 3Bs helps for quality of build and longevity re action wear.

Fit is absolutely essential.
 
Sounds kinda sketchy to me. Check out CZ’s line of o/u shotguns. Work just as well as the “B” line and are half the price.
 
The higher end guns are built to withstand the rigors of shooting thousands of rounds a year for a life time
Cheap entry level guns are built for the occasional shooter and will most likely not hold up long term.
That doesn't mean a cheaper priced gun can't go the distance. It's about the materials used and the action design and the recoil distribution
If you are wanting to shoot the occasional round of trap for fun any gun that meets your ranges requirements will do. Don't let some old timer tell you you can't use a pump gun or semi auto. Be polite and get a shell catcher if you use a semi auto. Not everyone tolerates empty hulls bouncing off their gun
A beretta or browning would be best but not needed. They both fit and feel differently. Beretta are shallower in the receiver while brownings are deeper. Browning will likely have nicer wood and better finish if that's important to you
If you have a local club go out and talk with shooters. Most will be nice wough to let you shoulder or even shoot their guns to see what you like and what feels comfortable to you
If your goal is to compete in trap and get serious about it you will end up with a higher grade gun. It's just the way it is whether you start there or progress thru several cheaper alternatives
I've won many local tournaments with a variety of pumps semis sxs and ou guns

The cost of ammo and clays will out run the cost of the gun

There are many other brands that hold up well that don't have the brand recognition as browning and beretta but those 2 are the most recommended because they are at the top
 
First you can shoot trap with what ever gun you want (there are a few exceptions) but I'd go to a different gun store (he was being both things) and shoulder a different ones to see what fits the best. If you want to hunt with it, go with a field model,

If you just want to shoot clays look at something with some adjustments, most newer semi auto will have shims to get it where it feels the best.

Then go and have fun., That's what shooting clays is all about.
Practice get coaching if you can, watch some videos but don't get overwhelmed.
There's a good one on YouTube, trapshooting with Frank Hoppe it's older vid but still good information.

Keep us updated on what you choose and how you make out of the field.
 
Guy at your LGS was probably trying to make a sale, but also be an ass.

Yes, everyone will probably suggest you buy one of the 3 B’s (Beretta/Benelli?, Browning) even pre-owned—but anything with a barrel over 28”, preferably a break action, and a traditional stock—should be welcome at a Trap range.

If it’s not, the you might want to reconsider shooting there.

As has already been stated here, get something that fits.
Or something with enough adjustability. Or, budget for the installation of an adjustable comb and butt plate.

If shooting a semi-auto, get a shell catcher, or be ready to have shooters dislike you.
Also get a pouch for hulls. The range appreciates this.

Learn what works for you, and what doesn’t. You certainly don’t have to spend top dollar on everything..

Do you need to shoot Winchester AA ammo? Probably not.
I tend to shoot whatever’s on sale, but also have preferences and know what ammo I consider junk and would never shoot (ironically, both are usually the same price at the big box stores 🤷).

Learn the rules, and make every round count as practice. It’s never just for fun (especially at today’s prices).
Shoot tournaments, to be used to the feel of competition.

Good Luck!
 
I would suggest contacting a few of the Trap clubs that are close to you and simply asking for some guidance and possible opportunities to try. They will be your best source and can provide every answer you can have a question for and you will need to introduce yourself to them eventually anyway. Utoobe can only provide biased info. You are clearly intelligent and humble. A perfect newbie IMO. They will love you. Cheers
 
Some clubs have rules about minimum barrel length , but that is about it for telling a person what shotgun to use. While the B guns are a good place to start, they aren't the only brands that will stand up to long term, higher volume shooting.
 
brybenn said:
The higher end guns are built to withstand the rigors of shooting thousands of rounds a year for a life time
Cheap entry level guns are built for the occasional shooter and will most likely not hold up long term.
That doesn't mean a cheaper priced gun can't go the distance. It's about the materials used and the action design and the recoil distribution
If you are wanting to shoot the occasional round of trap for fun any gun that meets your ranges requirements will do. Don't let some old timer tell you you can't use a pump gun or semi auto. Be polite and get a shell catcher if you use a semi auto. Not everyone tolerates empty hulls bouncing off their gun
A beretta or browning would be best but not needed. They both fit and feel differently. Beretta are shallower in the receiver while brownings are deeper. Browning will likely have nicer wood and better finish if that's important to you
If you have a local club go out and talk with shooters. Most will be nice wough to let you shoulder or even shoot their guns to see what you like and what feels comfortable to you
If your goal is to compete in trap and get serious about it you will end up with a higher grade gun. It's just the way it is whether you start there or progress thru several cheaper alternatives
I've won many local tournaments with a variety of pumps semis sxs and ou guns

The cost of ammo and clays will out run the cost of the gun

There are many other brands that hold up well that don't have the brand recognition as browning and beretta but those 2 are the most recommended because they are at the top
Click to expand...

What would your recommendation for barrel length if I wanted something for both skeet and trap? I was thinking of getting something in the middle like 30” to shoot skeet with IC or FC and shoot trap with IM or FC. Will that work?
 
twiki said:
Guy at your LGS was probably trying to make a sale, but also be an ass.

Yes, everyone will probably suggest you buy one of the 3 B’s (Beretta/Benelli?, Browning) even pre-owned—but anything with a barrel over 28”, preferably a break action, and a traditional stock—should be welcome at a Trap range.

If it’s not, the you might want to reconsider shooting there.

As has already been stated here, get something that fits.
Or something with enough adjustability. Or, budget for the installation of an adjustable comb and butt plate.

If shooting a semi-auto, get a shell catcher, or be ready to have shooters dislike you.
Also get a pouch for hulls. The range appreciates this.

Learn what works for you, and what doesn’t. You certainly don’t have to spend top dollar on everything..

Do you need to shoot Winchester AA ammo? Probably not.
I tend to shoot whatever’s on sale, but also have preferences and know what ammo I consider junk and would never shoot (ironically, both are usually the same price at the big box stores 🤷).

Learn the rules, and make every round count as practice. It’s never just for fun (especially at today’s prices).
Shoot tournaments, to be used to the feel of competition.

Good Luck!
Click to expand...

What would your recommendation for barrel length if I wanted something for both skeet and trap? I was thinking of getting something in the middle like 30” to shoot skeet with IC or FC and shoot trap with IM or FC. Will that work?
 
cosmic said:
Getting a membership at a club proximate to the GTA can be challenging. Not much sense buying a gun if you cant use it. Perhaps one of the forum members can offer to take the OP as a guest to their club???
Click to expand...
OMG that would be incredible. I live near the one in cookstown. I wonder if I could tour the place if I dropped in
 
I think showing up on a shooting day can be a good way to meet the right people for any club I'd like to join. It is however a good idea to show up with some kind of personal protection (eyes N ears) in case you get a tour. Mind you I've only been to smaller clubs but always keen to meet fellow shooters.
Get your info from the horses mouth instead of a salesman.
 
sgmnorth said:
Hello all,

I'm new to shooting, and tbh I never even shot a firearm. I'm very intrigued by shooting trap. Went to the gunstore to buy an inexpensive shotgun as it's my first and was told I would need to buy one of the 3 big b over unders to join a club in the GTA. I dunno if this guy was trying to make a sale or just being a ####.

Does it actually matter the length of the barrel, the action and the brand?
Click to expand...
A couple years ago I picked up a cheap Beretta here. https://intersurplus.com/search?q=beretta&options[prefix]=last

I spent a week, took it all apart, cleaned and lubed the action, reblued the barrels & for a few 100 bucks I got the best shooting skeet gun I own. It's light and has a good kick to it, So I added a nice leather slip on which makes a good bit of difference. I found an extra set of barrels on the same site with a different choke setup, so purchased that for under $200, and now I got barrels sets to swap with different t chokes. This thing shoots absaloutley amazing for what I got invested in it.
 

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I’m relatively new to Trap, got in to it about 18 months ago. I started with a good entry level over/under Churchill 812 (28” barrel)in the $1k range and it has worked very well as a starter. I’ve probably put somewhere around 3 thousand rounds thru it so far, but now I have the itch for a higher end O/U lol. I’m in the Fraser Valley and shoot at 3 different clubs, Chilliwack, Abbotsford and Agassiz. None of them have barrel length restrictions. In the last 6 weeks or so I have shot a cheap Winchester SXP pump(28”), a 20 gauge BPS pump(22”), a 20 gauge Tristar Viper G2(26”), my Churchill O/U, and last night I shot a VR-66 Semi auto Tactical shotgun with an 18” barrel and a red dot sight lol, fun stuff 😁
Personally, I prefer the 28” barrel, but all have worked well for me and I enjoy trying different shotguns and actions. My advice would be try different types and find what you like that works for the club and restrictions you will be working with. Good luck in your search, Trap is a lot of fun for sure. I still have to try skeet and sporting clays but I shoot a bunch of different disciplines already and I’m not sure I need any more addictions 😜
 
Zedshawnh said:
What would your recommendation for barrel length if I wanted something for both skeet and trap? I was thinking of getting something in the middle like 30” to shoot skeet with IC or FC and shoot trap with IM or FC. Will that work?
Click to expand...
Sure - in the old days, folks shot skeet with open choked 26 in barreled guns, and trap with 30 in full choked guns. With the advent of choke tubes, people seem to settle on 28 or 30 inch barrels for both disciplines. Getting a gun with the right fit, and in particular the cast, would also be a priority.
Dedicated trap guns typically have raised combs to accommodate a rising bird, these guns are not well suited to skeet, 5 stand, etc.
 
The club is Called Toronto International Trap and Skeet - they have a website and a phone number. Suggest you call them first, as they may only be open for specific times on a weekly basis.
 
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