Sporting model shotguns

romiogt

romiogt

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Looking to get into trap shooting and I've been researching various shotguns for the purpose. I've read quite a few posts about what makes a good trap gun and spoken to various folks about it as well - needless to say it can be confusing.

Question I have is what specifcally makes a shotgun a "sporting" model? Responses I received included longer barrel length, interchangeable choke tubes, forestock width, heavier weight, ventilated/high rib, adjustable comb, parallel stock, etc.. Issue is I see a lot of field guns that have some of these same features.

So what distinguishes a shotgun as "sporting"?
 
First and foremost, a quality sporting gun is meant to be shot hundreds of times a day. Therefore, some of the wear and tear parts, such as firing pins and springs will be overbuilt. BTW, the same may also be true of quality hunting guns.

A sporting gun will be heavier, because weight is an advantage when shooting clays. therefore, there is no need for weight savings on a sporting gun.

On a sporting gun, the barrels are often ported, to minimize muzzle rise, and facilitate target acquisition on doubles. The barrel will also be longer, for a smoother swing.

Parallel stocks are a feature of trap guns, not sporting guns.

Sporting guns have lighter pull triggers, generally.

Finally, some sporting guns have adjustable combs and LOP.
 
romiogt said:
Looking to get into trap shooting and I've been researching various shotguns for the purpose. I've read quite a few posts about what makes a good trap gun and spoken to various folks about it as well - needless to say it can be confusing.

Question I have is what specifcally makes a shotgun a "sporting" model? Responses I received included longer barrel length, interchangeable choke tubes, forestock width, heavier weight, ventilated/high rib, adjustable comb, parallel stock, etc.. Issue is I see a lot of field guns that have some of these same features.

So what distinguishes a shotgun as "sporting"?
Click to expand...
There are no hard and fast rules and it varies among makers. The differences can be quite minor to quite extensive. A Beretta 391 Sporting is the same basic gun as a Beretta 391 Field except for a wider rib, more choke tubes, different cosmetics and a slightly different stock configuration. Field models are also offered in shorter barrel lengths compared to "sporting" guns.

Beretta field o/us are usually shorter, narrower ribs, lighter and often come with automatic safeties. The auto safeties are a hindrance on a competition gun.

Browning guns show some of the same differences and often have ported barrels, a feature that is undesirable on a field gun.

Ultimately it doesn't matter all that much when comparing guns from the same manufacturer.
 
I have recently taken up the sport of trap shooting and I am getting into Sporting clays and skeet as well. From my time in this sport I have aquired a Beretta 682 Gold E Trap Combo with 32" double barrel and a 34" single barrel. I had a sporting 682 before this gun and the main difference is the angle of the stock. Sporting guns angle down and trap stocks are parallel with the barrel rib. I like the parallel stock a lot for trap because it has helped me get a consistent gun mount and has made me a pretty decent shooter quickly.

I just bought another Beretta 682 Gold E sporting for the skeet field and sporting clays. Usually sporting guns come with a shorter barrel, like 28" to 30". I found one with a 32" barrel and bought it. I personally like the longer barrel for smoother swings. I shoot the 32" barrel on my trap gun and it is really smooth and the hard right and hard left targets.

The reason the trap models are parallel to the rib is because trap guns shoot high and sporting guns shoot flat. If you were to use a sporting gun for trap your muzzle will have to cover the clay in order to hit it. With a trap gun you will see the clay when you pull the trigger. For my trap gun I have it set up so the front bead is touching the bottom of the clay and I pull the trigger. That's on straight away shots of course.

I was looking at the field models for a sporting gun but opted for the competition style gun for a couple reasons but the main reason was the length of barrel. My old 682 sporting was 28" with ported barrels and adjustable comb, I found that gun light and it kicked quite a bit harder then the 32" trap gun.

I made the mistake of buying a sporting gun to shoot trap and I was a little disappointed that I had to cover the clay in order to hit it. It was a little frustrating at the beginning for me. It made sense why the trap gun shoots high really fast.
 
The basic difference is a sporting gun has field stock dimensions simply because sporting clays simulates field shooting condition. This may be accomplished with an adjustable stock that can be lowered or raised if you want to shoot the same gun for ATA trap. As far as porting and other features they are not terribly critical . I personally don't like ported guns . I shoot a Field grade model 21 win and a field grade Rem 3200 and shoot in the upper scores i wouldn't gain any birds with any other models
 
struff55 said:
The basic difference is a sporting gun has field stock dimensions simply because sporting clays simulates field shooting condition. This may be accomplished with an adjustable stock that can be lowered or raised if you want to shoot the same gun for ATA trap. As far as porting and other features they are not terribly critical . I personally don't like ported guns . I shoot a Field grade model 21 win and a field grade Rem 3200 and shoot in the upper scores i wouldn't gain any birds with any other models
Click to expand...

I think the original poster was asking about what distinguishes "Sporting guns" in general, i.e. guns intended to shoot clay targets, be it at skeet, trap, or sporting clays, from "hunting guns".
 
Your question is a little confusing. You say about getting into trap but then ask about what makes a gun "sporting". A dedicated trap gun is the must specialized ( long range and rising targets)of the target guns and a sporting is the biggest comprimise(everything a skeet trap and field gun needs to do).
 
I do shoot 1-2 flats a week and consider my self a hardcore shooter. Usually break 25 trap every week or two.... and if you are looking for a Trap gun, most will get one with higher vent ribs on barrel.
Trap are heavier and sporting are lighter that moves quick.. sportings have less vent ribs then trap..

I wouldnt recomand any shotgun brands for you since everyone will shoot different. When you goto your trap club, Try your members out first. I would close my eyes, slap the gun on shoulder cheek on stock and open your eyes. if your eyes line up with barrel and its sights without wiggle. she is a keeper. it can be $200 dollar shotgun if it fits you. or it can be $6000 one if that works for you.
Bottom line dont just go out buy something you never wraped around your body with because every pull counts and if the gun dont fit well. its a junk. If your using for Field then i wouldnt care if it fit me perfect but for comp shooting, the shotgun better fit u first then anything else.

Try before buying anything in Trap/sporting is my opinion
 
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