Skeet Shotgun vs Trap Shotguns

LarryB

May 12, 2003 09:18

What are the differences?

What are the aiming/sight picture differences?

What is a good entry level gun for skeet or trap. I primarily shoot trap but will eventually shoot skeet.

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  Alpine

  May 12, 2003 10:47

  Any gun that fits you properly. That being said: In trap the birds are rising and going away. A 32" - 34" full choke barrel with a high post rib (so the pattern is above the sight plain) works best. You will be shooting about 40 yards on average.
  In skeet the shots are a lot shorter, 20 yards or less. Shorter barrels about 26" work best bored skeet or cylinder. In skeet an easy pointing gun works well.
  Also there is 5 stand and sporting clays games. A 28" barrel with choke tubes is your best bet for either of these games. Distances will vary from 10 yards to 40 yards with every target aspect you can think of, and some you will not have thought of.
  
  "If you ain't got pictures, I wasn't there."

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  LarryB

  May 12, 2003 11:39

  Alpine,
  Thanks for the reply! I was just looking at:
  1. Browning 525 Sport with a low, flat rib.
  2. Browning Citori XS Trap with a high arched rib.
  3. Browning Citori XS Skeet with a mid-hight arched rib.
  All in 12 ga and either a 28 or 30 inch barrel.
  
  I'm looking for a gun that will allow me to see the target and will put the pattern where I'm looking as opposed to "covering" the target.

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  2xbyu

  May 12, 2003 13:56

  What comes to mind is Remington 1100 or 870 Trap model, and buy a second barrel in skeet model. All trap guns allow the beads to form a figure 8 under the clay bird so you can see the target.
  
  Hope this helps.

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  remroc

  May 12, 2003 14:45

  The problem with using the same gun for trap and skeet other than the choke difference (which is easily solved with choke tubes) is the stock. Trap guns have a straighter stock ( less drop at the comb and heel) so the pattern is higher than the point of aim for the rising targets. Skeet stocks are about the same as field guns. At any rate this is a good excuse to have more than one gun. Of course you could have two stocks and switch them.

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  mark christian

  May 12, 2003 14:55

  It has always been my opinion that a dedicated trap gun is worthless for anything other than trap shooting...and no other gun is as good for trap as a real trap gun. A skeet gun can be used for hunting as well as skeet shooting and is much more useful shotgun. There is no limit to how much money you can spend on guns in these sports and you should be prepared to reload your own shells if you become anything more than a casual shooter in either sport- it gets pricey quickly. I'd pass over purchasing a trap gun unless you are sure that trap is the sport you want to shoot.
  
  Mark T. Christian

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  HappyNanoq

  May 13, 2003 02:06

  I think it's mostly about the choke.
  
  As mentioned, Trap is longer distances and Skeet is fast, shorter distances.
  
  I've found that 28" barrel and a handfull of chokes will get me through a day at both the Trap and Skeet with good results.
  
  Find a weapon that fits you well, and just practise.
  
  Don't think that if you can hit claytargets at 24 out of 25 - that you will be a better hunter. Maybe you will.
  I've seen some good sportsmen at the claytargetting range who can't hit anything at a hunt - and seen old hunters who've been around for years and hit every fowl they shoot at, but can't hit any clays.!!
  
  
  Don't do anything that I've allready done - That'd be just plain STOOOOOOPID.

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  Alpine

  May 13, 2003 05:34

  LarryB: A trap gun will have a high post rib. The rib is higher on the reciever end and lower on the end of the barrel. This causes the two beads to figure 8 for your sight picture, your eye to look straight down the rib. And more importanly the pattern to be (at 40 yards) at least 60% above the rib (some guns 70 to 75%). That way you can see the clay (called floating the bird) when you shoot.
  
  A trap gun will get you those extra targets you might miss, when putting together strings of clean rounds. I went from a maxium of 50 straight, to 200 straight with a quality single barrel single shot trap gun.
  The differance a quality trap gun makes to you, is somthing you have to decide.
  
  "If you ain't got pictures, I wasn't there."

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