Trap & Skeet Shotgun

Sniffer said:
As someone who has never shot an O/U how does it feel compared to a semi? To be clear I have shot LOTS of semis but nothing with a barrel over 21".

I generally don't like front heavy guns so I am intrigued.

The semi option has less metal out front (single barrel) but is longer overall (owing to the action) which probably makes it feel more front heavy.

The O/U is shorter as it has basically no action but it does have more metal up front owing to two barrels.

When I hear folks say that longer barrels "swing" better it seems upside down to me as I imagine swinging something long and heavy is harder than something that is shorter and / or lighter.

Thoughts?
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Have you looked at these

https://thegundealer.ca/product/caesar-guerini-summit-trap-combo-12gax2-3-4-30-bbl/

I have one that I use for trap doubles but it also works for sporting or skeet the rib and comb are both adjustable so you can get a 60/40 POI all the way up to 100/0 which will cover all shotgun disciplines, they come with 5 chokes 1C, LM, M, IM and LF this one has 7 chokes so I assume a S and F added, they balance nice but are a tad on the heavy side at almost 9 lbs but swing really nice and after a long day shooting you will appreciate the extra weight that soaks up recoil. Anyway just my 2 cents worth.
 
Sniffer said:
As someone who has never shot an O/U how does it feel compared to a semi? To be clear I have shot LOTS of semis but nothing with a barrel over 21".

I generally don't like front heavy guns so I am intrigued.

The semi option has less metal out front (single barrel) but is longer overall (owing to the action) which probably makes it feel more front heavy.

The O/U is shorter as it has basically no action but it does have more metal up front owing to two barrels.

When I hear folks say that longer barrels "swing" better it seems upside down to me as I imagine swinging something long and heavy is harder than something that is shorter and / or lighter.

Thoughts?
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It all depends on the guns. A semi m4 is a brick and an a400l is a dream. Wood vs synthetic. Gas vs inertia and the gas system plays a role in the weight and handling of a semi. The same is true with the ou guns. Material and thicknesses all add up. The beretta ultraleggero is suppose to light. I haven't shot one but they were designed to be light. They have polymer action plates. The 688 is thicker than a 686 to add weight. The width and height of the rib also adds to a ou. Not all ribs are ventilated and an ou generally has 3 ribs. Chokes add thickness and weight as well. 2 barrels 2 chokes.
Gas guns tend to keep most the weight back between the hands or over the supporting hand with only a single barrel sticking past. An ou has more metal passed the support hand but also has the most weight based in the action

Another thing often so overlooked by critics about the balance is they swing an unloaded gun and make their decision about the balance. An overunder the shells are stacked in the action right between the hands where as a semi the weight of the shells pushes the weight further over the support hand. Especially if using longer heavier loads.

Wind effects an ou more than an autoloader or sxs as well
 
Hello,

New to the site / firearms in general. Looking to get started in clays and trying to figure out what to buy for shells. Any reccos? Is there a noticeable difference between steel / lead training loads? I’ve heard “buy cheap stack deep” but I don’t want to buy trash ammo.
 
Pewpewpeew said:
Hello,

New to the site / firearms in general. Looking to get started in clays and trying to figure out what to buy for shells. Any reccos? Is there a noticeable difference between steel / lead training loads? I’ve heard “buy cheap stack deep” but I don’t want to buy trash ammo.
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Gun Club, Top Gun, Challenger target loads are the most common, at most clubs, and they work fine in most shotguns. I shot my first 25 straight with the 410 with Estate loads, which are about as cheap as it gets. Stick with lead ,#8 works for all games, if the targets don't break, it's because you missed.
 
Winchester Super Targets are in the same league as Gun Club, Challenger and Estate target loads.
You don't need to move up to a premium load until you start shooting past 35 yards or more, even then the cheapies will break targets so I only use premium stuff in competition where every target counts. #7.5 or #8 lead is the way to go.
 
Most inexpensive ammo works just fine. I have a few flats of Rem, 3-4 of win, and the same reloaded AA. My ability does not need high end ammo. I still have fun. When it’s on sale buy lots.
 
If you’re new, buy whatever is on sale for the least. I’ve been at this 15+ years and I’m strictly casual/fun - no desire to compete.

I buy what’s on sale, and any old stuff from retired shooters that I find. I’m sure I’ve got ammo older than 20 years. It all works.

This game is expensive enough without falling for a “good” vs “junk” ammo fallacy.
 
Pewpewpeew said:
Hello,

New to the site / firearms in general. Looking to get started in clays and trying to figure out what to buy for shells. Any reccos? Is there a noticeable difference between steel / lead training loads? I’ve heard “buy cheap stack deep” but I don’t want to buy trash ammo.
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Challenger and Score are Canadian, nice to support Canadian companies.

I've never had any issues with gun club or top gun.
 
Got this beauty of a Citori Skeet on trade last month and gonna be posting her up soon I think as running out room lol

26" fixed skeet barrels. She's smooth as glass and so damn beautiful but I'm a Trap guy myself and scored a BEAUTIFUL vintage Remington 870 TC-TRAP with a ported barrel so think that will be my trap gun for now
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I have shot lot's of challenger and score ammo over the years however in the past couple years we have been able to buy Federal Top gun, Estate, Cleaver and Winchester Super Targets cheaper that Challenger and Score, seem's strage given the CDN $$ exchange rate against the USD and Euro plus shipping costs but it is what it is, we buy in bulk through the gun club and bought over 200 flats in 2025.
 
Read the first couple pages and then skimmed - As I'm sure has been stated, something that fits makes all the difference! I trimmed the LOP and had the pad fitted to me to get the perfect "Snowman" when mounted, made my scores enter another level entirely.
Have fun on your journey!
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dak47 said:
Read the first couple pages and then skimmed - As I'm sure has been stated, something that fits makes all the difference! I trimmed the LOP and had the pad fitted to me to get the perfect "Snowman" when mounted, made my scores enter another level entirely.
Have fun on your journey!
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Sounds like a gun with more adjustability would is a safer bet, I kinda figured that would be the case when I saw these:

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If you are near where bigger shoots are held getting a professional gun fit might be a good idea 💡.

I've never had one but through a lot of trial and errors I've figured out what works for me.

There are probably club members that can get you close to what would be a good fit with hight at comb and cast by having you hold the gun and them seeing where your eyes are from the muzzle.
 
Still deciding but leaning towards the A400 Xcel Multitarget to start with.

It is an A400 so will feel familiar and lend itself to getting me time behind a similar ish gun as I compete with in the other dynamic disciplines.

Thinking of starting there and seeing where the journey leads.
 
scot said:
This may be a very stupid question but is sporting clays a completely different discipline separate from skeet??
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Totally different, sporting clays is like golf with a shotgun, up to 25 stations, at least two machines at every station, potentially 50+ machines, with different presentations and speeds at every station. You shoot at targets above you, below you, going straight up, or rolling/ bouncing on the ground. There are up to three different target sizes, and distances can vary from 10 yards, to over 60 yards. Skeet uses two machines in total, shot from 8 stations, targets coming, going, broadside. Trap uses one machine, five stations, all targets flying away from you.
 
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