I currently use a Winchester Select Energy O/U. As an average shooter if I purchase a higher end gun, will it help improve my scores? For example, is there an advantage of buying a $2000+ Browning or something similar? How important is it to have a better shotgun? Thanks
How much should I spend on a trap gun?
4Clem
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Very well said
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Here's my advice, which is worth the same as everyone else's....(insert cup of coffee joke here....)
Buy the best gun you can afford that won't stress other areas of your financial life. I ended up with a K80 combo but I wasted a ton of money on cheaper guns during the process. I'll never need to buy another gun. Higher end guns tend to hold up better to prolonged use. They also tend to have better triggers. They hold their value better and are easier to sell in a pinch if you need to dump it. They tend to be better balanced. They tend to be modular, meaning if you dislike trap in the future you can swap the trap barrel and stock for a sporting or hunting barrel or you can easily part the gun out for sale. And, get this, they tend to be better quality and just fit and feel better just like everything else in life that tends to cost a little more.
Nothing wrong with a BT99 or a 725 at all. If that's what you can afford, go to town. If you are going to go with a new 725 combo, for a little more you can usually find a decent used premium gun if you look hard enough and have cash to offer.
Buy the best gun you can afford that won't stress other areas of your financial life. I ended up with a K80 combo but I wasted a ton of money on cheaper guns during the process. I'll never need to buy another gun. Higher end guns tend to hold up better to prolonged use. They also tend to have better triggers. They hold their value better and are easier to sell in a pinch if you need to dump it. They tend to be better balanced. They tend to be modular, meaning if you dislike trap in the future you can swap the trap barrel and stock for a sporting or hunting barrel or you can easily part the gun out for sale. And, get this, they tend to be better quality and just fit and feel better just like everything else in life that tends to cost a little more.
Nothing wrong with a BT99 or a 725 at all. If that's what you can afford, go to town. If you are going to go with a new 725 combo, for a little more you can usually find a decent used premium gun if you look hard enough and have cash to offer.
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You have a wide range of trap and sporting guns to select from with many in the $2000-$3000 price range guns that will last and could provide you the fit to allow you to shoot where you are looking. The gun feel and handleability, having much to do with the fit are important to me. Nice wood, engraving, etc. that provide you bling will not do it. I often see shooters with $30k guns who can't break 90.
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Spend your money on shells, if you can find them, A fitting, and trap fees. I've done fine Duluth the same 870TB since 1975. I've had other guns ranging in price to $3K but the biggest winner is old Tibbie.
I would suggest a used premium gun, with as much adjustability as you can find, within your budget.
An adjustable comb, butt plate ,l.o.p, balance weights,.and perhaps. rib[although this last wouldn't be a deal breaker in my opinion but for some it may be.
If you can find a gun with many of these options it will be easier for a reasonably competent stock fitter to get it to shoot where you look.
It may also increase resale value when you quit trap and start shooting sporting![smile]
An adjustable comb, butt plate ,l.o.p, balance weights,.and perhaps. rib[although this last wouldn't be a deal breaker in my opinion but for some it may be.
If you can find a gun with many of these options it will be easier for a reasonably competent stock fitter to get it to shoot where you look.
It may also increase resale value when you quit trap and start shooting sporting![smile]
The most important thing with any gun is reliability, you can’t shoot a good score if you’re worrying that it won’t go bang every time you pull the trigger, The second most important thing is does it fit you, or can it be made to fit you, in that regard I believe the Best Buy today in a shotgun is from Guns Unlimited, Their Citori Special sporting‘s, or the Universal Hi post both come with adjustable ribs, and can be bought with a adjustable stock for under $2700, these guns are solid and reliable, and give you the adjustability you may need to shoot your best, in my lifetime a quality shotgun, that’s not abused can be looked at as a appreciating asset, Good shooting!
I really don't understand the typical responses to these sort of questions...the OP isn't talking about buying a $15-20k gun. He's just asking if he would benefit from upgrading from his Winchester to a $2k Browning.
I completely agree with all the comments regarding gun fit, and that fit is the most important factor when considering a shotgun. But then people go on to say that if it fits good, you can break a 100 straight with a model 1897 (hyperbole).
IMO OP, if you plan to continue competing/enjoying this sport for the long haul, my answer to your question is absolutely you will benefit from upgrading your select and spending more money on your gun. Do your best to shoulder or shoot as many options within your budget as you can, and go from there. Good Luck!
I completely agree with all the comments regarding gun fit, and that fit is the most important factor when considering a shotgun. But then people go on to say that if it fits good, you can break a 100 straight with a model 1897 (hyperbole).
IMO OP, if you plan to continue competing/enjoying this sport for the long haul, my answer to your question is absolutely you will benefit from upgrading your select and spending more money on your gun. Do your best to shoulder or shoot as many options within your budget as you can, and go from there. Good Luck!
I bought a new Kolar Max Trap TA Combo at the Grand. Spend at least as much as I did.
Was it worth it? Did your scores get better?
I agree with those that say buy the best gun you can afford and learn to shoot it. One with adjustable comb and butt pad would be preferable so you can make it fit you and the POI you're comfortable with, not the other way around.
I personally know of a person who was once the assistant of a youth team I coached (until I got tired if his crap and gave the team to him) that owns several guns and cannot shoot any of them well. That's because if he doesn't shoot the type of scores he thinks he can, he immediately changes guns. He would never stay with one gun and learn to shoot it well. Then he passed that way of thinking on to his only son, even going as far as making his son change guns in the middle of an event. And he calls himself a great coach.
Incidentally, when I gave up the team I took my son to another local team and all of the best shooters and respective families followed suit. They didn't want to be around the other guy any more than I did, and not just because of his lack of coaching ability either.
I personally know of a person who was once the assistant of a youth team I coached (until I got tired if his crap and gave the team to him) that owns several guns and cannot shoot any of them well. That's because if he doesn't shoot the type of scores he thinks he can, he immediately changes guns. He would never stay with one gun and learn to shoot it well. Then he passed that way of thinking on to his only son, even going as far as making his son change guns in the middle of an event. And he calls himself a great coach.
Incidentally, when I gave up the team I took my son to another local team and all of the best shooters and respective families followed suit. They didn't want to be around the other guy any more than I did, and not just because of his lack of coaching ability either.
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4CLEM,
get me your mailing address and if you want for free, I will mail you a copy of a super simple trap instruction book I wrote 60 some years ago. and a couple of things about choices...happy to help you out. You can't send a PM, Contact staff with info & I will mail it to you
get me your mailing address and if you want for free, I will mail you a copy of a super simple trap instruction book I wrote 60 some years ago. and a couple of things about choices...happy to help you out. You can't send a PM, Contact staff with info & I will mail it to you
Puablo,
I would like to get a copy of that also. I can't PM you, but you can PM me and I can respond (I believe without infraction of site rules). I will pay you for shipping cost. Kind of like when you buy a chart from T. Jordan.
LOL - No, I did improve, but it is because of shooting more with my new gun. And having a gun that fits me. It is the first gun I ever owned with a cast on the stock. What got better was my enjoyment. Buy as good as you can afford, and don't let anyone tell you it's crazy to spend that kind of money.
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It's the Indian, not the arrow. Well, sort of, no matter how good of an Indian you are, you need a straight arrow with good feathers on it. Also, money spent on a gun is not "spent", it is invested. Most, if not all can be recovered by selling the gun, sometimes even more. Money spent on ammo, practice, etc. is truly "spent", it is never coming back. So spend it "effectively". Practice with a purpose, get quality coaching, etc. Just some of my random thoughts/advice. Worth every penny you paid for it. Haha.
Clay Shooting, Browning 725, Beretta 391, 1100Trap Ruger all weather Red Label
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Mainly, quality of the weapon overall, fit, finish strength, availability of parts and services. I have my Browning for these reasons but I have Beretta's as well for many of the same reasons.
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Well sir, I’ll play. I don’t read his post the same way you and the others do. What’s wrong with owning a 900 sq. ft. House and the other things you mentioned? I could read it that you are reeking with superiority. I see plenty of people at my club that love to shoot trap. They don’t have a lot of money and shoot cheap field guns. Most have smaller houses and drive old trucks. They don’t shoot much as they can’t afford to shoot a lot. Now we have the K and P guns. The poor folks that you apparently look down on can shoot as good a scores as the rich guys. The point is, you don’t have to be wealthy to be good at trap. I read it as he was telling his son you don’t have to be wealthy to be good at trap. I’m 71. I’ve busted my butt to provide for my wife and kids. Only now can I afford a K or P gun. Know what? I shoot Brownings. Good enough for me. I know some folks that took out a second mortgage on their house and a relative got into their 401K to buy their kid a K gun. I’m scratching my head over that one, but it’s their business not mine.
To close this out, we all put our pants on one leg at a time. Money or lack thereof doesn’t make the person. Perhaps I read your post wrong? If so my apologies. Otherwise flame on me!
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Couldn’t have said it or explained it any better. You’re a good man.
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