Trap & Skeet Shotgun

Don't over think it. Run what you have to start. A semi-automatic with 26-30" barrels and choke tubes is ideal to get started. Learn how the games are played, perhaps get some instruction, find out which game you prefer and then decide what kind of gun would be best. You may find the semi-auto that you now have works just fine.

7.5 shot will be fine too. Most clubs don't allow anything larger and limit the shells to 2-3/4", 1-1/8 ounce, 3 dram maximum.
 
Sniffer said:
Interesting.

My semis are gas operated which typically shoot "softer" than other types of shotguns - is that a factor for these types of competitions at all?
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Yes you can shoot a much larger volume when you are not getting as much recoil. The softer the recoil the less likely you are to develop issues from constantly being pounded. There is a reason many shooters shoot as light of loads as they can and have recoil absorbing sytems on the stocks of their guns.
 
Arietta said:
Don't over think it. Run what you have to start. A semi-automatic with 26-30" barrels and choke tubes is ideal to get started. Learn how the games are played, perhaps get some instruction, find out which game you prefer and then decide what kind of gun would be best. You may find the semi-auto that you now have works just fine.

7.5 shot will be fine too. Most clubs don't allow anything larger and limit the shells to 2-3/4", 1-1/8 ounce, 3 dram maximum.
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Excellent cos I have lots :D
 
the spank said:
Yes you can shoot a much larger volume when you are not getting as much recoil. The softer the recoil the less likely you are to develop issues from constantly being pounded. There is a reason many shooters shoot as light of loads as they can and have recoil absorbing sytems on the stocks of their guns.
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The A400 I just bought (but haven't received yet) has one of those hydraulic dampener systems (Kick Off or whatever).

Looking forward to trying it.
 
I've got both skeet and trap with an 870 pump gun. Is that ideal? No, but it works just fine till you figure out what gun you'd like and can afford.


G_Alan said:
Check with the club you plan on shooting at to see if there is a minimum barrel length restriction. The one club I used to belong to had a 26" min length on the trap, skeet and sporting fields. The club I am at now has a 26" min on the sporting clays field.
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Why on earth would a skeet/trap club have a minimum barrel length rule? You HAVE to be in Ontario ... only Ontario clubs seem to have these ridiculous burocratic rules. :rolleyes:
 
I Dont Care About You said:
Why on earth would a skeet/trap club have a minimum barrel length rule? You HAVE to be in Ontario ... only Ontario clubs seem to have these ridiculous burocratic rules. :rolleyes:
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Just gives the club members who secretly want to be RSO's something to get there panties in a knot over if they see a shorter barreled gun:D
At my current club they just used the Barrel length from the NSCA rule book on sporting clays . I can see on the sporting clays course . When your in the stand with shorter barrels someone could swing past the uprights in the stand.
 
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I say run what you have, 21" is a bit short but it will work for skeet, on thing is check with your club if you can use a shotgun with a barrel that short. Some have a 26" minimum length rule.

At our trap club one fellow shoots with a shortt barreled tactical style shot and hits quit a few targets the breaks aren't amazing bit it a break.

If your really enjoying it and dont want to buy a new gun , you might be able to find another longer barrel.

Lots of options but just enjoy the shooting sports.
 
the spank said:
Yes you can shoot a much larger volume when you are not getting as much recoil. The softer the recoil the less likely you are to develop issues from constantly being pounded. There is a reason many shooters shoot as light of loads as they can and have recoil absorbing sytems on the stocks of their guns.
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I shoot 28 gauge and 410 for 90% of my skeet shooting, I could shoot a couple of flats and not be effected by recoil. Lol
 
Club got back to me - minimum barrel length is 28" so my plan to use what I already have is out the window.

Leaning towards getting a dedicated gun, have looked at:

Beretta 688 Performance 32"

Beretta A400 Xcel sporting 32"

Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus 30" (this would be basically a bigger / longer version of the gun I will be using in IPSC so that might be good - it is also quite a bit cheaper than the other options)

For the A400 Xcel it seems there are at least a couple of versions, one has a much higher rib than the other - what is the deal with that?

For one it states in the description that "The Beretta A400 Xcel Multi-Target 12 gauge (32″) is engineered for peak performance in trap, skeet, and sporting clays". Is this accurate or a "Jack Of All Trades" with compromises for each?

Over / under makes more sense as the OAL is a little less with equal barrel length and it wont spit out hulls so those next to me wont be pissy.
 
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Wow That does seem extreme at 28" .We (Langley) have a 26" barrel requirement and I think that is extreme. They say it is to prevent the mod squad of Tactical guys but what the hay, if they want to beat themselves up imho feel free.
 
reddog said:
Wow That does seem extreme at 28" .We (Langley) have a 26" barrel requirement and I think that is extreme. They say it is to prevent the mod squad of Tactical guys but what the hay, if they want to beat themselves up imho feel free.
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Many clubs have a 24" minimum, because it keeps out the tactical guns, yet allows the shorter barreled youth model shotguns. We have no minimum length, but I did have to turn away a guy that wanted to use a 410 handgun, because our skeet range is not approved for restricted firearms.
 
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I Dont Care About You said:
I've got both skeet and trap with an 870 pump gun. Is that ideal? No, but it works just fine till you figure out what gun you'd like and can afford.



Why on earth would a skeet/trap club have a minimum barrel length rule? You HAVE to be in Ontario ... only Ontario clubs seem to have these ridiculous burocratic rules. :rolleyes:
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It’s not just Ontario, many rangesaccross the country have the same rules.
Primarily it is for safety-- the perception is it's easier (and faster) to get a short gun pointed in a bad direction. Whether that's reality or not is subject to discussion.
Having said that, I’ve been swept by shooters with long barred guns too. The main difference is that short barred guns were not allowed so long barred guns were the only ones there.
 
Sniffer said:
Club got back to me - minimum barrel length is 28" so my plan to use what I already have is out the window.

Leaning towards getting a dedicated gun, have looked at:

Beretta 688 Performance 32"

Beretta A400 Xcel sporting 32"

Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus 30" (this would be basically a bigger / longer version of the gun I will be using in IPSC so that might be good - it is also quite a bit cheaper than the other options)

For the A400 Xcel it seems there are at least a couple of versions, one has a much higher rib than the other - what is the deal with that?

For one it states in the description that "The Beretta A400 Xcel Multi-Target 12 gauge (32″) is engineered for peak performance in trap, skeet, and sporting clays". Is this accurate or a "Jack Of All Trades" with compromises for each?

Over / under makes more sense as the OAL is a little less with equal barrel length and it wont spit out hulls so those next to me wont be pissy.
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If you’ve already decided that shooters who don’t like getting hit by your shotgun hulls are “pissy” then possibly the sport isn’t for you.
 
Yes the A400 multi target will work for trap, skeet and sporting, there are a few guys that seem to do alright with them, totally adjustable for fit and POI the one guy that shot one at our club didn't have a problem with spitting hulls at other shooters, not sure if he had a knock down pin in it but the hulls never made it to the shooter at the next station.
 
My vote between the two is the A400 multi only because I've shot one and was impressed, swing it well and no recoil.

I dont remember where it through the hulls, out front or to the right.
But she'll catcher or a heavy rubber band would work.

Last thing is I've seen its mostly in competition shoots some get annoyed with flying hulls.

Keep us posted on what you get , always interested in what new shooters pick and why.
 
Personally, I wouldn’t change barrels or guns, I would change clubs. Of course that’s easy for me to say as I can do all my shooting both rifle and shotgun in my own yard so I am not beholden to rules that I find unacceptable. The more I read here about other clubs the more I appreciate ours.
 
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