Trap Gun Dilemma

Spank:

Just remember, no two patterns are identical .... really, it takes an average of at least 10 patterns (same barrel, same choke, same load) to learn anything of statistical value - and paper patterns are 2 dimensional ! The occasional "hole" in a pattern means very little when you take the length of the shot column into account on a rising and crossing target. Skeet shooters are often heard saying "don't look at your patterns, especially from the 410" ... you might be surprised how you it anything with the little idiot stick !

If indeed you're hitting your targets at +/- 32 yards from 16, (and most experienced Trap shooters do) Modified is more than enough choke with # 8's. By your own admission you jump the odd target ... Modified will likely be a plus for you "Speedy" and you will notice less bottoms and edges shot off. I know it's a hard habit to break, but Full is more of a liability at 16 than it is an asset. I know, I know, if your on, your on ... but what if your off just a little ? Besides, what do you do when you find yourself at 27 ? Targets being broken at 40 yards + is Full choke trritory. Ask the Sporting Clays regulars what choke they prefer for 32 yard shots .... they'll probably answer I/Cyl. or Lt/Mod. !!!

It's hard to get an ol' dyed in the wool Trap shot away from Full at 16 yards, but give it a fair try - and stop worrying about ink-balls. Straights are far more satisfying than 22's & 23's !
 
So I went out this evening. Shooting time was shortened considerably as it was overcast but I managed to slip in three rounds. I decided to try the mod choke. First round managed 22. Next round managed 23 and started to centre the birds better in the pattern. By the third round I have to say I was quite impressed at how crushing a mod choke can be with an ounce of 8's in a light loading. Managed another 23 but was much happier with the breaks in the 3rd 25, got some good smokers actually. Looking forward to Monday evening. Going to leave the mod choke in and keep at it. Really liking this gun. It has nothing to do with dropped targets, those are all end user computer glitches! BTW Beretta boy that is the first time I shot a M choke on trap in 33 years!! Last time was the very first round I ever shot at 19 years of age from my Dad's 870.
 
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Well, there 'ya go !

I have learned considerable through patterning, literally hundreds of pattern sheets over the years.
My biggest surprise was with OEM Beretta Full chokes in my DT-10 at Olympic Trap ...
second shots with 24 gram loads. OMG, some of them get out a long ways ... and still break well.

I'm glad you like the Beretta ... pretty gun ... and I'll just bet that after a few flats through it, you'll like it even more.
I'd encourage you to stay with the Mod. in it for a while. You may surprise yourself !!! :)
 
I am going to stay with the Mod choke for a couple flats at least. I don't know yet that I see an advantage to it but a little more open spread at my average shooting distance should in theory pick me up a target or two even if I mess up a bit and am not centred. I don't see a disadvantage though. I had alot of breaks last night with nothing left but the odd tiny visible piece falling to earth. Glad I decided to take your advice and give it a go. Have to say this is the first Beretta that I have shot that I am confident with and is working for me. I am looking forward to next summers registered season with it. Hopefully I can get a few flats through it before the weather closes our club until spring.
 
With 4 Clubs all within 100 km and all normally open for winter shooting (weather permitting), there's lots of choice here. Where you are, is Saskatoon the next nearest Club ?

I had the same reservations about Beretta initially too. Until I tried a 682 Gold ( not the Gold E, the earlier version) I shot it well, until I got to try an ASE 90. Then the light really came on. Look as I might, I couldn't find one as they had been discontinued and searched for a good used one for nearly two years without results. In 2000 I got hold of a DT-10 made for the European market and haven't looked back since (although I did try 3 different DT-11's).

I think you'll find Modified will work well for you at 16, but you really should pattern it when you get the chance, both with your reloads (if you do reload) and with some good factory stuff. Happy with where your comb is set now ?
 
There is a club an hour south at Macklin. Aside from that not really sure what lays between here and Saskatoon or here and Edmonton?
My comb is right where I want it. The gun comes up into place perfectly each time and the sight picture is exactly how I like it. The gun is VERY comfortable to shoot.
So far all I have put through it is Kent factory ammo. I am really liking the 1 oz @ 1200 fps loads. They are extremely light recoil and very hard hitting. Last night I was out and shot all 24's. The gun is shooting where I am looking and as I practice more that Mod choke is really impressing me. Targets are completely destroyed if I centre them. I only had 1 or 2 breaks/round last night that weren't complete disintegrations. I do not reload any longer so its factory for me. I usually shoot Federal but I am really happy with these Kents and at $75/flat tax in I see no reason to switch any time soon.
 
just out of curiosity, have you tried the O/U barrels yet ? Just curious if the pattern is consistent with the single barrel.

I have convinced my wife that we need to visit Joel Etchen's shop so I can pick out my "keeper" 12 GA (only a 9 hour drive for me). I picked up a used 686E Mono Trap in NB while on vacation in the meantime and, while it's nice, your pictures and the Etchen website means I'm going to blow my shotgun budget once again !!!
 
spank:

Love to see it when a plan comes together ! ;)

I like the Kent 1oz. loads too, and for Skeet, have lately been using their 24 gram / 1250 fps load of 8-1/2s.

BJP: Do it ... you won't be disappointed !
 
I haven't shot the doubles barrels yet. I've mounted them twice just to check out the fit/sight picture and there is no need to adjust the comb with them in place. The sight picture is perfect and I can say the gun sure feels "lively" and very nicely balanced with them in place. I am very happy I went to the 30's instead of 32's. The gun feels like I can get over to the second target with them much easier than I could with 32's. I can say so far I am both pleased and surprised with this purchase. I don't think you'd be disappointed BJP. If you compare these JEG exclusives to others in the same price range I think you are getting alot more gun for your dollar.
 
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