Remington 870 for beginner trap shooter
- Thread starter pgrundle
- Start date
If price is a consideration go with a Rem 1100 or 11-87 ... just make sure you get one with a proper trap stock ... not a field model or sporting or anything else ... if you can get one with an adjustable cheek piece ... a basic fundamental of trap is keeping your cheek on the stock thru target acquisition, shot and follow-thru ... if you don't you will throw off the sight picture and hear the word "loss" way too many times. Both of those guns are soft shooters ... if you stay in trap it won't be your last gun but is a great starting point. Good luck.
I do have advice, I hope you read this pgrundle. First I'll let you know I "have" tried shooting trap with a tactical barrel shotgun ( Mossberg 590A1 SPX 20" barrel?) and let me tell you something, it was terrible. You want to shoot trap, you gotta have a long barreled shotgun. I tried a Beretta (I have no idea what model but it was semi and had a really long barrel the kind you hunt with) and that hit 20/25 clay targets that launched outwards from the bunker trap house.
So yes barrel length for me did make a massive difference. If you are just doing some random milk jugs/melon blasting, go tactical. If you want to make the shots count and shooting flying orange clays, go non-tactical long barrel classy 12 gauge that usually has wood stocks on them.
Oh and for the record, it's really expensive shooting trap. Had to pay for ammo and clays too so look out for that and consider your budget. Super lucky the shooting club president lend me a shotgun to try out for the first time. Shooting trap has 2 types, the kind where you throw your own clays manually or by some form of launching machine and you shoot whenever you are ready and the other kind is the one where you are with 4 other people and you need to pay attention to whos turn it is to shoot before you call "pull" into the mic. I found the later a bit more stressful as it forces you to always be aware while a rifle range is the most casual where you shoot whenever you feel comfortable with no time constraints.
So yes barrel length for me did make a massive difference. If you are just doing some random milk jugs/melon blasting, go tactical. If you want to make the shots count and shooting flying orange clays, go non-tactical long barrel classy 12 gauge that usually has wood stocks on them.
Oh and for the record, it's really expensive shooting trap. Had to pay for ammo and clays too so look out for that and consider your budget. Super lucky the shooting club president lend me a shotgun to try out for the first time. Shooting trap has 2 types, the kind where you throw your own clays manually or by some form of launching machine and you shoot whenever you are ready and the other kind is the one where you are with 4 other people and you need to pay attention to whos turn it is to shoot before you call "pull" into the mic. I found the later a bit more stressful as it forces you to always be aware while a rifle range is the most casual where you shoot whenever you feel comfortable with no time constraints.
That's what I did. The first time I was invited out to a shoot, all I had was my 590 shorty (20"). But the organizer said, just bring what you have. I got to try trap and I loved it. Even got to try out a couple of other guns. A week later, I bought a 28" barrelled gun to use. I'll be trying my new gun out on Sunday.
Just have fun.
I started trap with an 870. Great for getting your feet wet. If you really get into it you can buy another gun later and keep the 870 for other uses. I used mine for about 2000 rounds. I decided it worth buying an over under for trap and using the 870 for hunting.
Semi's and over under's are great for doubles. For singles there is no shame in an 870 with a long barrel. Bonus is you wont spent time picking up yer launched hulls or hitting the guy next to you. FYI I use a Warrior semi with a shell catcher installed.
There's lots of trap targets broken with 870's, so no problem getting started with one, especially if it fits you.
They pose a disadvantage for doubles, (IMO) But are otherwise good reliable guns in my experience.
A long barrel with a vent rib and full or mod choke would be a good start.
They pose a disadvantage for doubles, (IMO) But are otherwise good reliable guns in my experience.
A long barrel with a vent rib and full or mod choke would be a good start.
R&R Rancher
CGN Regular
- Location
- Manitoba's Interlake
Yes, it will do fine to get you started. If you want, it would be possible to build it up into a cheap starter gun. Lots of 2-3/4, 30" fixed full choke 870 barrels out there that are useless now for waterfowling, but are great for trap. They should go cheap. A cheap aftermarket monte carlo stock for a scope mounted barrel would give you a nice high point of impact.
Be warned about wanting to upgrade if you like the sport. Seasoned trapshooters say you have yet to buy your last gun.
