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The Firing Line
high grade trap guns
Uploaded on January 06, 2010I'm looking for a high grade shot gun for trap shooting.
I'm looking at the Beretta A400, Beretta 391, Benelli Ultra lite, and Winchester SX3. I'm trying to keep the price around or under $1500. I am looking for a auto loader, but would consider a over/under. What else is out there for that price. And which of the above stated guns would be best for shooting trap.
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I looked at a SX3 the other day and thought it felt good, if you want a O/U I would go with the Browning or one of the new Winchesters.
They are pumps, but Browning and Ithaca have purpose built trap guns. The reviews on them are good, and they come in about $600 under your price limit.
Browning XT or a Browning BT-99. You honestly won't see an olympic trap shooter shooting an auto loader. Almost all of those guys shoot break barrels. There is nothing wrong with auto loaders, it's simply that the break opens (of certain models) were designed SPECIFICALLY for trap and often have the best sighting plane for trap. But, there are a few autoloaders that are designed for trap but I'd personally stay away from them.
Forgot, if you can find one look at a Remington 870Classic Trap.
Stay away from anything that isn't a break open. Its worth it to spend the extra money and buy a BT-99 or a similar gun.
I take the opposite position on autoloaders than from what has been posted, but that is IMO. There are more autos today shooting trap than ever before, and that is because of the reduced recoil of the gas operated guns. A Benelli is NOT gas operated, and depends on kick to recycle shells. And if you are talking LIGHT, you are talking more kick. They also want an 8lb gun, or more to reduce the felt recoil. There is also a move towards lighter loads to reduce cost, and the findings of performance are very good for the lighter loads. When shooting doubles, as in sporting clays, you get the option of having two different chokes for ea. shot with an o/u. The 0/u thing is about the wt. of the two barrels creating the momentum, and natural follow through, but many a good trap shooter has shot an autoloader.
Find one that fits you. Might want to go someplace that has guns you can borrow and that can fit the gun to you. You'll be shooting a lot so could end up hurting if the gun doesn't fit. One very fine O/U beat up my cheek so bad that I couldn't shoot for a few weeks.
If you've never shot a Benelli (I love them), the mechanical action takes getting used to. Nice that you don't have to clean a gas system. Ultra-Light will kick a bit. Have you considered other Benelli models?
Have to be able to reload very fast to use a single shot gun for trap doubles, skeet, or sporting clays. O/U are nice because you, and others, know when the gun is safe - action is open, and you can use more than one choke for double games. Don't hesitate to look at used guns - will get more for your money.
Here's another point that should be made. if you are shooting for a good score like the competitors do, you want a heavier gun because they score better. Heavier means the barrel stays on line better, and they naturally follow through better because of the guns wt., especially the barrels weight. That is why many shoot 30" barrels over the shorter barrels although many will shoot a 28" barrel. Lt. guns are for carrying in the field. Trap guns are for shooting, not carrying. Trap shooters want a gun that is at least 8 lbs. I'm a big guy, but older, and I do not want to carry an 8 lb plus wt. gun for an extended length of time in the field.
Nothing better than a fine double barrel.
Good point double barrels are awesome but I have the Winchester XP3 and I can say this gun is a smooth shooting automatic. It swings good and ejects smoothly every time. Either way a solid choice.
For an over and under Browning Citori is a great gun, but it is expensive, however it is competitive with every other gun on the market.
I have a Beretta 391 in 20ga. I love it. It is not the normal trap gun because it is not a double barrel but I love the thing. The AL makes it so there is almost no recoil. I shot over 100 rounds a month ago and it felt like I only shot 25-50.
I remember everyone using fancy trap and skeet guns shooting AAA Skeet and trap for my Father used His Winchester Model 12. Has for Dave Gardner and I, as they practiced, we would be back on the bleachers with our wrist rockets and hit one every blue moon, we would connect and the team would give us dirty looks!
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Browning XT or a Browning BT-99. You honestly won't see an olympic trap shooter shooting an auto loader. Almost all of those guys shoot break barrels. There is nothing wrong with auto loaders, it's simply that the break opens (of certain models) were designed SPECIFICALLY for trap and often have the best sighting plane for trap. But, there are a few autoloaders that are designed for trap but I'd personally stay away from them.
I take the opposite position on autoloaders than from what has been posted, but that is IMO. There are more autos today shooting trap than ever before, and that is because of the reduced recoil of the gas operated guns. A Benelli is NOT gas operated, and depends on kick to recycle shells. And if you are talking LIGHT, you are talking more kick. They also want an 8lb gun, or more to reduce the felt recoil. There is also a move towards lighter loads to reduce cost, and the findings of performance are very good for the lighter loads. When shooting doubles, as in sporting clays, you get the option of having two different chokes for ea. shot with an o/u. The 0/u thing is about the wt. of the two barrels creating the momentum, and natural follow through, but many a good trap shooter has shot an autoloader.
Good point double barrels are awesome but I have the Winchester XP3 and I can say this gun is a smooth shooting automatic. It swings good and ejects smoothly every time. Either way a solid choice.
For an over and under Browning Citori is a great gun, but it is expensive, however it is competitive with every other gun on the market.
I looked at a SX3 the other day and thought it felt good, if you want a O/U I would go with the Browning or one of the new Winchesters.
They are pumps, but Browning and Ithaca have purpose built trap guns. The reviews on them are good, and they come in about $600 under your price limit.
Forgot, if you can find one look at a Remington 870Classic Trap.
Stay away from anything that isn't a break open. Its worth it to spend the extra money and buy a BT-99 or a similar gun.
Find one that fits you. Might want to go someplace that has guns you can borrow and that can fit the gun to you. You'll be shooting a lot so could end up hurting if the gun doesn't fit. One very fine O/U beat up my cheek so bad that I couldn't shoot for a few weeks.
If you've never shot a Benelli (I love them), the mechanical action takes getting used to. Nice that you don't have to clean a gas system. Ultra-Light will kick a bit. Have you considered other Benelli models?
Have to be able to reload very fast to use a single shot gun for trap doubles, skeet, or sporting clays. O/U are nice because you, and others, know when the gun is safe - action is open, and you can use more than one choke for double games. Don't hesitate to look at used guns - will get more for your money.
Here's another point that should be made. if you are shooting for a good score like the competitors do, you want a heavier gun because they score better. Heavier means the barrel stays on line better, and they naturally follow through better because of the guns wt., especially the barrels weight. That is why many shoot 30" barrels over the shorter barrels although many will shoot a 28" barrel. Lt. guns are for carrying in the field. Trap guns are for shooting, not carrying. Trap shooters want a gun that is at least 8 lbs. I'm a big guy, but older, and I do not want to carry an 8 lb plus wt. gun for an extended length of time in the field.
Nothing better than a fine double barrel.
I have a Beretta 391 in 20ga. I love it. It is not the normal trap gun because it is not a double barrel but I love the thing. The AL makes it so there is almost no recoil. I shot over 100 rounds a month ago and it felt like I only shot 25-50.
I remember everyone using fancy trap and skeet guns shooting AAA Skeet and trap for my Father used His Winchester Model 12. Has for Dave Gardner and I, as they practiced, we would be back on the bleachers with our wrist rockets and hit one every blue moon, we would connect and the team would give us dirty looks!
Post a Reply