Getting started with Trap shooting, best gun shop to get advice around Boston?

[*chris*]

I want to start trap shooting and it seems like I need to buy an o/u gun. Any recommendations for a gun shop north of Boston to take a look at various trap guns? There are a few Browning models that I am interested in.

Chris

 

[Chrisg67]

You dont "Have" to get an O/U but its a popular choice.

if you are willing to take the trip to KTP they have a great selection of new and used guns

 

[Panama Red]

Mark at Holliston Firearms has a great selection... www.hollistonfirearms.com

 

[ARV]

Like Chris mentioned, you dont HAVE to get a O/U. They're popular, and they make many trap models with a straight comb. You can get into trap with any shotgun, depending on what kind of trap your shooting. Obviously a single barrel wont work for doubles trap, but any repeater or double barrel would work. I've shot trap with a Charles Daily shotgun I bought at Walmart. The dedicated trap guns with the straight comb make you shoot high, as the clay's are going up and way. Using a regular stock, I just keep my head a little higher on the stock (more on the chin/jaw than by the cheek bone) I find the position repeatable enough to have good results, YMMV.

 

[rep308]

The way to get started is to shoot at a friendly club where people let your try their shotguns. There is no best gun. It also depends on your budget and if this is to be a dedicated american trap gun, or one that you can use for all clay activities. For a dedicated american gun I am partial to the BT-99 which can be had new for $1300 or the Remington 870 trap which can be had for $500.

If you have a spare $10K lying around I really loved the Beretta DT10 I got to shoot at Sparta...

 

[KOMA829]

The way to get started is to shoot at a friendly club where people let your try their shotguns. There is no best gun. It also depends on your budget and if this is to be a dedicated american trap gun, or one that you can use for all clay activities. For a dedicated american gun I am partial to the BT-99 which can be had new for $1300 or the Remington 870 trap which can be had for $500.

If you have a spare $10K lying around I really loved the Beretta DT10 I got to shoot at Sparta...

This. I shoot at my club, used 870's and 1100's, and tried other shooters shotguns, there is always plenty of trap guys willing to let you try their guns. i ended up buying an O/U from a member of my club.

 

[MisterHappy]

The only important thing in a trap gun for a new shooter is findnig a gun that fits, both physically and mentally.

My 12-yo shoots a full-size Winchester 1400, with some degrees of sucess .... Once you get the body mechanics down, it's all in the head.

The best way, as stated above, is to SHOOT a few guns, and find out what feels comfortable, and what breaks the birds. My usual trap gun is a field gun....my lost birds are not the gun's fault! Only once you've found a "fit" should you buy. I've seen people spend big bucks trying to break birds, when a less expensive gun that fits, and practice ( with a bit of advice from someone that knows the game) would work.

As Panama Red mentioned, Mark at Holliston Firearms is an excellent resource - he's held Browning Road Shows in the past where you can test drive several different guns. Give him a call. Tell him MisterHappy sent you!

Hope you enjoy the "Orange Kool-Aid!"

 

[IPSC_DRL]

Good advice above. The best gun to start with is the one you have. (assuming you already have a scattergun) go to a local club and many of the friendly folks will be glad to help you out. I plan to be at Hopkinton on Sunday morning if you want to join me and you can try several guns out. 9:30-1pm. (www.hsasports.com)
You could then stop by Southboro R&G and see Mr. Happy in the afternoon. (They start at 1:00 on Sunday's)

 

[Sniper977]

You dont need an o/u to shoot trap. Shoot what you like and make sure you have the right choke for the yardage. I personally use full choke for all yardages. As mentioned before if you want to shoot doubles then dont buy a single barrel break-action gun. I happen to shoot an o/u browning for trap but started out with an 870 pump then moved to an 11-87 semi-auto. I won two titles at the CT State Trap shoot a while back with the 11-87 so dont let anyone tell you that you HAVE to have an o/u for trap.
I currently have an 870 pump fitted for home defense but if fitted with the full choke i hit just as well with it as my hoity-toity o/u haha. Find something that fits you, get the right choke and some target rounds and go enjoy yourself.

 

[MisterHappy]

The "Shoot what you have" point is well taken.

When one bird out of a hundred makes a real difference to you, then you may need "specialist equipment"

Also...I'm not out there every sunday ( though I am out there all Thursday evenings), but there will always be helpful, knowedgable people (or at least people with opinions!) there to help.

 

[*chris*]

Great, I am in the process of joining the MRA, I guess I will show up with my 12 gauge pump and some shells to see what it is all about. Thanks for the advice.

Chris

 

[jarhead66]

I used to soot a lot of trap. I have owned a lot of high end trap guns. I can shoot none better than my Remington 870 TB trap. It is left handed. I have owned O/U with adjustable stocks, I could shoot them O.K., but, not better than than old 870. It used to really frost some people's a$$ that they got beat by an 870. I figured it out one time that the amount of trap I shot I had put almost 2 1/2 tons of shot through the barrel at 1 1/8 oz loads. My only comment to the O/U guys was "If God wanted me to shoot one of those, he would have made my eyes that way."

 

[MisterHappy]

It's like The Riddle of Steel feom "Conan"

It's the flesh (or brain) not the steel that counts.

And there weren't p!ssed that they got beat by an 870...it's just an easier scapegoat!

 

[Fixxah]

Addeville Farms has some in a case in the pro shop, they make you a better shooter I hear. Some near $100k.

Sent from the Hyundai of the droids, the Samsung Replenish, using Tapatalk.

 

[vellnueve]

Don't screw around with the local stores. Go to 718 Madison Ave in New York and pick up a gun.