Tried trap shooting and want to get a suitable gun for it.

Gnome75

Gnome75

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Like I said I tried actual trap shooting the other day for the first time and really enjoyed it.

I used my pump shotgun which worked just fine but I want to get a break action any way. I am looking at an inexpensive break action because I am not going to get serious into trap shooting because I also shoot other guns. If I do get serious about it down the road I will invest in a decent O/U

I was thinking picking up a decent shape Cooey single shot shotgun and probably putting on a recoil pad on it. I would be satisfied only shooting singles because I need a lot of practice before I would have any success in anything else anyway

I also know that tradex has many inexpensive side by side for not much more than a Cooey would cost. With a SXS I could at attempt doubles, skeet and five stand. In theory any way. I don't care about winning, just doing it for fun.

What is the better option for my situation?
 
Shoot 100 rounds through a single shot and see how your shoulder feels. As with all shotguns, get one that fits you and learn to shoot that one well.
 
Zedbra said:
Shoot 100 rounds through a single shot and see how your shoulder feels. As with all shotguns, get one that fits you and learn to shoot that one well.
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I am aware of how my shoulder would feel. Hence the putting a butt pad on it

Buying one and getting good with it is the plan. Just not sure if one or two barrels is better
 
The choices you make now will affect you down the road if you stick with it. In trap the body knows it’s going to take a hit shortly after a bird is called for almost exactly at the same time every time. A flinch is hard to wash off.


The best trap guns are trap guns a used bt99 is sort of worth what a used bt99 goes for at a certain point you will get almost or more of your money back.

Of course having a gun that fits is important but point of impact is very important.

Good luck hope to see you out and shooting.
 
Save your $ and buy something thats going to keep you from getting beat up, sore and frustrated. I have heard this same thing so many times in the 35+ years I have shot trap than I care to count. Buying something not suited to the task whether it be for fun or competition will not serve you well in either capacity and only lead to you developing very bad shooting habits or giving up entirely. Keep using your pump until you have a few $ set aside for the gun you really want. A recoil pad on a cooey is not going to cure the issue of getting beat up by a 5 pound gun or serve you well in a capacity to improve before moving up just because it’s a break action which you are ultimately seeking.
 
Most sxs's are meant as hunting guns, that is to be carried a lot and shot a little, and are built light for the task. A purpose built trap gun will be heavier and that will soak up a lot of recoil by comparison, that's important when shooting a couple of hundred rounds per day. I would recommend a used Bt-99, you can shoot it for a few years and probably sell it for what you paid.
 
Trap shooting is not for the faint of wallet. A bottom budget gun would be a Winchester 101, IMHO. I've been out of the game for a few decades, see what the regulars shoot, buy what they shoot. Don't buy a used trap gun, too many potential issues, unless you find an old not to abused 870 or Model 12 Trap, perhaps.

I think Perazzi still makes a decent trap gun. Kreighoff is another well known name.

I had a Beretta 301 trap, it gave me at least 5 hits every round, it was magic. For skeet I had a Russian MU8 with Tula chokes, same as what they used in the Olympics.

I used a SXS, a Browning BSS in 20ga, and unless you are into making life difficult for yourself, I wouldn't do it.

Perhaps some current competitors can chime in, but I think you should plan on 3 to 5 Large for a shotgun and about 5 Large a year for expenses. i went through about 10 Large in 3 years, and that was back in the late 70's. Luckily I wasn't very good, it was easy to quit. I just couldn't afford to run with the big dogs.

Sporting clays is probably more do-able for the ordinary person, and it's fun.
 
Falconflyer said:
Most sxs's are meant as hunting guns, that is to be carried a lot and shot a little, and are built light for the task. A purpose built trap gun will be heavier and that will soak up a lot of recoil by comparison, that's important when shooting a couple of hundred rounds per day. I would recommend a used Bt-99, you can shoot it for a few years and probably sell it for what you paid.
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That should work.
 
nitro-express said:
Trap shooting is not for the faint of wallet. A bottom budget gun would be a Winchester 101, IMHO. I've been out of the game for a few decades, see what the regulars shoot, buy what they shoot. Don't buy a used trap gun, too many potential issues, unless you find an old not to abused 870 or Model 12 Trap, perhaps.

I think Perazzi still makes a decent trap gun. Kreighoff is another well known name.

I had a Beretta 301 trap, it gave me at least 5 hits every round, it was magic. For skeet I had a Russian MU8 with Tula chokes, same as what they used in the Olympics.

I used a SXS, a Browning BSS in 20ga, and unless you are into making life difficult for yourself, I wouldn't do it.

Perhaps some current competitors can chime in, but I think you should plan on 3 to 5 Large for a shotgun and about 5 Large a year for expenses. i went through about 10 Large in 3 years, and that was back in the late 70's. Luckily I wasn't very good, it was easy to quit. I just couldn't afford to run with the big dogs.

Sporting clays is probably more do-able for the ordinary person, and it's fun.
Click to expand...

I will mention to Roberta next time I see her that she still makes a decent gun lol.
 
Well - If you like trap, you'll really like skeet, 5 stand and sporting clays. A single shot just doesn't cut it in so many ways - a realization you'd make on your own if you went down this path. So stick with your pump (adequate for all disciplines, if you have removable chokes), or step up to a semi or O/U. Tight on money, get a used Weatherby (semi), or a Baikal (semi or single trigger o/u) for ~ 450$.
Report back to us after a few rounds with your new gun, for further shooting advice and therapy...
 
Look for a SXP trap model. A pump gun so you will be familiar with it's operation. I picked up mine used off the EE here for under $500.00. It fits me and with the rotary bolt recoil is soft. For the price if you had to cut into the stock to get it to fit it still would come in way under the cost of a used Browning. Use what you save to shoot.
 
Your pump gun with a really good pad on it will do just fine to start out in Trap.
You have to decide if you are shooting recreational Trap or have a competitive streak in you. Lots of guys shoot Trap, Skeet and Sporting clays, primarily to improve their shotgun skills before hunting season.
You can shoot a Cooey single shot and break lots of birds, but you are handicapping yourself and setting yourself up for flinch with such a light gun. I do shoot a Cooey single with a Limbsaver pad for Black Powder Trap, as do a lot of guys in our club.
I cannot recommend a cheap over/under double less than a Browning Citori or Beretta Silver Pigeon. whichever fits you better. Lesser guns are unlikely to stand the high round count, and have other issues too, like heavy triggers. You should be able to find a really nice Citori with fixed full and modified chokes for $900 to $1000 which would last the rest of your lifetime, and still be a legacy to pass down. For Skeet you need more open chokes so ....a gun with choke tubes is much more desirable.
I can do pretty well at Trap with my field grade Model 12 Winchester with full choke plain barrel, but if I was doing it regularly the gun would soon wear a really good recoil pad.
 
Saskbooknut beat me to it. The Cooey is a poor choice for all the reasons already listed. A BT99 is a great trap gun and it will hold its value as will any older Browning Citori. If I were you I would shoot my pump gun until I decided what I wanted to do. I shoot trap for fun with a number of ancient Remington pump guns and they work fine but I use my Perazzi when I compete. Buy ammo. not fancy guns until you decide what you want to do.
 
What is your budget? PM me if you want to look at some entry level over unders that you will not lose money on. Something like a minty Beretta s55 will not break the bank and you will still be shooting quality.
 
if your going to shoot it and a steady hobby - Perazzi (you can custom fit it to yourself)

I went to consistent 23/24s when I switched. Kinda pricy but its a main hobby for an old guy <-----------

Previously I gained 4-5 birds going to an old Citori.
 
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Yes I am on a budget. I was looking at a cooey because of the price. I am willing to move to the 300 range but that's about it.

Very annoying having people come in and tell me to just go drop 1000 on a gun as if its no big deal
 
Best to stick with your pump gun then. The Tradex Spanish guns c/w fixed chokes, double triggers, and poor metallurgy would be a waste of your valuable funds.... Alternatively, you could borrow a decent gun from your more affluent friends at the shooting range.
 
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