Trap vs English vs Field stocks
- Thread starter FatCatsDad
- Start date
Falconflyer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
The field stock is the all around stock and a variation of it is used on sporting clays guns. In sporting clays, as in hunting, there can be targets that are a lot lower than where you are standing as well as targets that are a lot higher. The comb is generally sloped down from the front toward the rear of the stock and this is to compensate for high and low shots. If you shoot at a target lower down than where you are standing, your head doesn't tilt down as much as the barrels might and your face automatically moves back on the comb a bit. When your head moves rearward on the stock it lowers your face and eye to stay aligned with the barrels. Now if you shoot a target that is a lot higher than you are then your face moves ahead and up on the stock to compensate for your head not tilting back as far as the barrels do. In short, a sloped hunting or sporting stock compensates eye height for high and low shots. These types of really high and really low targets are commonly found on sporting clays ranges and when hunting but trap guns and skeet guns shoot at relatively the same target angle on every shot so a sloped stock isn't needed and a parallel comb can be used. Also, you will find that target gun stocks are often heavier than field gun stocks and the extra weight helps to mitigate recoil for long shooting sessions while the lighter field stock is easier to carry all day.
English stocks are generally field stocks and in my opinion are better suited to double trigger guns than a pistol grip stock as they allow you to slide your hand ahead or back to manipulate the triggers better.
English stocks are generally field stocks and in my opinion are better suited to double trigger guns than a pistol grip stock as they allow you to slide your hand ahead or back to manipulate the triggers better.
the spank
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Planet Earth Wearing My Tinfoil Hat
Agreed, well put and I'll add Trap and Skeet are games where a shooter shoots a target with the gun pre-mounted. Higher parallel combed stocks such as these are designed with that style of shooting in mind where field stocks with their dropped combs are designed to be thrown to the shoulder while acquiring an already moving target. I believe Sporting Clays was originally shot that way, low gun but has since changed to allow a pre-mounted gun prior to calling for the target.
Falconflyer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
When I first started shooting sporting clays the rules were that all stations were shot starting from a low gun position. Around about the time when they changed the rules to allow pre mounting the gun which was maybe 20 years ago some manufacturers started advertising parallel combs on sporting clays guns but I'm not sure that they really caught on. High and low targets hadn't changed and it seems that many shooters didn't think they were practical so you don't see many today however what you do see now is adjustable combs so that the shooter can adjust them to the position they prefer.
the spank
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Planet Earth Wearing My Tinfoil Hat
Isn't that the truth...don't even get me started on the rules in ATA having changed to soften the target angles to make it easier or as one of the all time best trap shooters ever, Phil Kiner refers to it as pussying the targets.
Don't think it is all "us" CB I'm a hunter first ,target shooter second but probably am in the minority in my club as most are target shooters first ,hence the need for better scores as you mentioned.I shoot gun down before upland season to the questions of "why do you do that" 
Falconflyer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Sporting clays shooters have gotten quite spoiled in the interest of making it easier to shoot and easier to obtain higher scores. FITASC shooters have been held to a higher standard of difficulty and the sport mimics hunting situations somewhat more realistically. For instance shooters must start with the comb of the gun no higher than 25 cm below the top of the shoulder and cannot mount the gun before the target appears in the air. Also, FITASC shooters are not allowed to shoulder the gun anywhere on the shooting grounds unless they are actually in a stand and shooting at a target so there is no practice mounting before stepping into the stand. The ammo is also limited to 28 gram loads although this doesn't make a huge difference but still it's a small advantage for the target. And your usually allowed full use of the gun on most single targets which is also typical of a hunting situation. Given all these things put together it's a whole different game than Sporting Clays.
Any I digress as this has is starting to diverge away from the op's question a bit.
Falconflyer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Don't think it is all "us" CB I'm a hunter first ,target shooter second but probably am in the minority in my club as most are target shooters first ,hence the need for better scores as you mentioned.I shoot gun down before upland season to the questions of "why do you do that"
I started shooting sporting clays when "gun down" was required and I still use that technique on 90 percent of sporting clays presentations today. I'm also a hunter so the ability to shoot from an unmounted gun is important to me and I cringe when I watch videos of the red hot pro's such as Gebben Miles and others shooting with they're guns pre mounted.
FF did such a good job of answering the question I thought a little topic diversion would be okay.
I didn’t mean to sound like I was complaining. More just an observation. I, in fact, do think it’s funny. Waiting to see what the next game to get invented is. And then watch it evolve.
I didn’t mean to sound like I was complaining. More just an observation. I, in fact, do think it’s funny. Waiting to see what the next game to get invented is. And then watch it evolve.
the spank
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Planet Earth Wearing My Tinfoil Hat
Like you FF I am a hunter first and clay target shooter third...I am a fisherman second, LOL.
Low gun is how I shoot skeet since giving up NSSA skeet in 2005. Registered shooting was taking the fun out of skeet shooting for me, completely opposite of trap where casual trap holds little appeal any longer. I prefer to shoot practice trap in my living room with my wall chart and burn my ammo at registered.
sillymike
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
FF did such a good job of answering the question I thought a little topic diversion would be okay.
.
Well, since we're going off on a tangent... speaking of english stock and field gun... anybody have experience with the BPS Upland Special?
- Often fancied one... and the clean sides would certainly look good with some engraving... and case colored receiver
Falconflyer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
FF did such a good job of answering the question I thought a little topic diversion would be okay.
I didn’t mean to sound like I was complaining. More just an observation. I, in fact, do think it’s funny. Waiting to see what the next game to get invented is. And then watch it evolve.
Naw, I didn't think you were complaining CB and I do appreciate the compliment, its cold and I'm bored and I just go off on a tangent once in a while and well... I digress....
Falconflyer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Registered shooting of sporting clays sure took the fun out of the game for me, these days I shoot for fun and for my enjoyment!
Well, since we're going off on a tangent... speaking of english stock and field gun... anybody have experience with the BPS Upland Special?
- Often fancied one... and the clean sides would certainly look good with some engraving... and case colored receiver
I'm really surprised these gems aren't more popular.
I've owned a few and they do fit well.
Best bet would be to find one with the screw in chokes.
Yup, whenever I shoot skeet it's with my hunting.guns , and it's all from the gun down position and doubles all around, for the same reason.Don't think it is all "us" CB I'm a hunter first ,target shooter second but probably am in the minority in my club as most are target shooters first ,hence the need for better scores as you mentioned.I shoot gun down before upland season to the questions of "why do you do that"
I have sold all.my trap guns except my father's because I only shoot a few flats a year.
All my hunting guns have English stocks, double triggers, and OMG hammers !LOL
Cat
