[Whitlash2U]

Plus and Minus of BT-99

Being as I am new to Trap Shooting (I am sure you have answered this question before) I am curious what the Pluses and Minuses are to the BT-99? I like the feel and weight of the newer BT-99, but am curious about things like new vs. older models, fixed vs. changeable chokes systems, standard stock vs. adjustable combs, etc.. Thanks in advance for your input!! Mike is Pondering a Purchase!!!

 

[W.R.Buchanan]

I too would llike to know the various +/- of these guns.

I know I shot a 24 on my second round of trap with one so I've always been interested.

Randy

 

[Two Dogs]

The BT 99 is an excellent gun for the money...That's the plus...

The Minus is that it will only go bang......

 

[MNGuns]

As stated, the negative is they aren't worth a hoot if you plan to shoot doubles.

The positive is, they are fairly common with many in circulation. They shoot well, and are easy to maintain. They can be had as base models or fancied up like the Golden Clays.

 

[Sky Buster]

Posative- reliable
Negative- Light weight, To much recoil for many shooters.
Buy the older version. The one with the engraved receiver.
The current version is not as well made. Cheapened-up to
try and lower the price. The current gun does not resell as well
as the older gun.

 

[flashmax]

Two Dogs wrote;

" The BT 99 is an excellent gun for the money...That's the plus...

The Minus is that it will only go bang...... "

I agree with both statements. If you want to shoot doubles the BT - 99 is not the shotgun for you. If all you are interested in are Singles ( 16 yard line ) and Handicap ( 17 - 27 yard lines ) then the BT will serve you very well. But like the man said the Minus is that the BT is a Single bbl "Fold Up" Trap shotgun. You would have to be dang quick on the reload to shoot a pair of doubles. HeH.

The "old" BT's with fixed chokes and non-adjustable stocks needed a good Stock Fitter to properly fit the Shotgun to YOU. It wasn't hard to find a Fitter back then. With the invention/standardisation of the adjustable stock and screw in chokes the process is a bit simpler but if you look you will see some -really - strange looking adjustments made to those stocks. Like the Comb set all the way over to the right and all the way to the top of the setting range. That particular Shotgun would both shoot better and be more comfortable to shoot if the person would have his stock "bent" to give proper Cast and Drop but the old-time stockbenders are miles away and harder to find than lips on a chicken sometimes. If you like the adjustable stock and can make it shoot well for YOU then by all means use the Shotgun. If the adjustments make your stock look like a Tinker-Toy assembled by an insane 5 year old then perhaps take the measurements and have a stock made for your Shotgun.

Your Mileage May Vary.

Don Thompson, Littleton CO

 

[Stl Flyn]

There are no negatives of the older BT-99's.

Seeing as you are new to the sport, shoot 16 yard targets only for the first year to get the technique, and timing down. Do this with a fixed, full choke older BT-99, and if you feel the gun is kicking you, install a mercury recoil reducer in the stock, and shoot 1 oz. loads. No adjustments needed, or to fool with, thinking you will shoot better if you adjust this, or that.

All should become routine, and concentrate and follow through on the bird. Once you get the routine down, and used to not thinking when you should be concentrating on the bird, then buy a gun with adjustments on it, so you can mess your mind up thinking that changing everything will help you shoot better. Remember doubt makes the mind think. The last thing you should be doing when you call "pull". LOL

 

[Whitlash2U]

Thanks everyone for the good and bad comments - Just what I like. Now one more question - Sky Buster was the first to mention the older model issue - What is consider the preferable "older models?" Thanks all for the comments - Mike

 

[Stl Flyn]

The Competition models, and before. I preferred the old ones 1972, or so. Just liked that beaver-tail, thin forearm wood. They are a light gun though, and do not have a monte carlo stock. The Competition models (1976-1992, I believe) where slightly heavier, but have the thicker forearm wood, and had a monte carlo stock option.

The new ones are the reintroduction models after 2001.

The good thing about the BT-99's, is there are many of them out there to choose from. Some come up that are barely fired, and can still be obtained for under $1000. Best SBT gun made for the money.

 

[Perazzi_MX8]

Mike, The older models were very well made and had the engraving on the receiver. These were made prior to the new CNC machining requiring many parts to be hand fitted. My experience of the 4 that I have owned over the years, is that they all were very well made. None could interchange barrels or butt-stocks. The ones with fixed chokes are about .725" bores and all the full-choked ones I have ever measured are over .040" choke constriction.


The next generation were Invector choked with (short flush tubes) without back-bored barrels. These give you chance to play around with different chokes and they had the same engraved receiver.


Then came the newer Invector Plus model with a Back-Bored barrel (larger Diameter of about .737"), ported and now even with an adjustable comb. The extended, longer choke of the Invector Plus system seems more preferred by choke tube enthusiast's. The newest version is a good solid gun and is being configured to fit most people by being adjustable and having choke tubes.


I still have and shoot 2 of the older models from the 70's. One is an RP and the other RR and both have fixed chokes, Monte-carlo stocks, engraving, with the competition forends. I'm happy with them and have shot one since 1978 when I bought it new. I made it to the 27 twice with that gun and shot AA class singles.


If I were you I'd look for a good used one. They are good solid well built guns that are often overlooked by many that have never owned one. Buying any used Trap gun at a reasonable price will allow you to recover most if not all of your money if you decide to part with it. A used one can be had for about 800.00 to 1,000.00 dollars on this site. No reason to pay more unless it's like new and has lots of whistles and bells that you fancy. Very few competitors shoot the same gun for singles, handicap and doubles. My advice for a new shooter is, for singles and handicap the BT-99 with the same barrel and choke.


Good Luck ........ Duane

 

[Whitlash2U]

Stl Flyn & Duane - Thanks for your comments - Much appreciated! I am only going to shoot singles and handicap until I get the kinks out, so I will hold my looking to the older (earlier) models from the 70's. Hope I find one soon!

 

[Grevin]

Whitlash - Just a comment from a user of a newer model BT99. I purchased one new with an adjustable comb and have put about 30,000 rounds through it with no problems. The adjustable comb is key in giving you the flexibility to custom fit the gun to your specific requirements. You can spend $800 to $1000 on a thirty to forty year old gun and put another couple hundred bucks into an adjustable comb or you can get exactly what you need new-in-box for just about the same money.

 

[Whitlash2U]

Grevin - Thanks for the comment! Do the BT-99's have any what they talk about on here as "cast off?" Or is this something that requires another custom modification? Any help appreciated.

 

[Redcobra]

Then there is the BT-99 Plus with the adjsutable comb, adjustable LOP and adjustable rib, and a recoil device.

 

[OLD ONE EYE]

May I recommend getting one of the older guns with the invector plus choke systems with the larger forend. The bigger bore shoots softer has an ejector system and ones with adjustable stocks are plentiful. If you find one you like shoot it first if possible and being new have a gunsmith or knowledgeable BT shooter check it over for you. The newer guns are not made as well period cheapened to reduce cost or increase profits what ever no ejector and the forarm bolt has been removed on the new guns and I have seen several break off no engraving. Certainly not junk just not the quality of the older guns. I have 2 a invector plus gun and an older gun that I got use as a back up gun and it was backed bored custom choked and custom Anton stocked that I love for a grand take your time and you will find a winner.
Good luck,
Buddy

 

[Grevin]

Whitlash - The adjustable comb can be adjusted to the right which will give you the ability to apply your own necessary degree of cast-off. The comb can also be adjusted upward to raise point of impact. My experience has only been with the newer model BT-99 so I can only attest to the characteristics of that gun, howver I have found it to be easy to maintain, point well and be very durable. It comes with the Invector Plus choke system in place and, again, can be purchased new with the adjustable comb. Good luck with whatever gun you purchase.

 

[spitter]

The BT99 is great value in a trap shotgun. The semi-beavertail forearm is the square/competition version. If you're buying a gun with choke tubes, pull the tubes to confirm "Invector+"...

Some guns came ported... 34" is the desired traditional length. Older version eject the shells, new versions extract only...

I started with a 32", quickly moved to a 34" (Pigeon/Grade2, fixed full) and also keep a Laminate Nickel version in 34" (Invector+) for my guest gun...

regards all,

Jay

 

[Dustoff]

The triggers sometimes are not the best, but not too difficult correct.

 

[Whitlash2U]

WOW - Thanks everyone for all the great input! I have learned alot from your comments. Now to find one of those 99's to fit me and break clays! Again thanks to everyone that contributed to this discussion. Mike @ 59404

 

[warren]

I have a new BT99 with adjustable comb and I like the way it feels however the trigger made my finger sore and actually I had a knot there. I sent it to Phillips in Texas and told him I wanted one like my XT, he did it for $75 and it worked, no more problems, I shot an 98 with it last week. I'm gonna be using it from now in single and my XT for doubles.

warren