I’m a beginner at clay shooting. I looking to buy a new shotgun for this purpose, but the sources I’ve seen recommend an autoloading double barrel (side by side or o/u) shotgun for trap shooting. But these are generally a lot more expensive than pump shotguns. Can I just get a pump shotgun for trap shooting?
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January 31st, 2010 at 4:16 am
To answer your question bluntly, yes.
But there is no such thing as an "autoloading double". A double is a double (SxS or O/U) – an autoloader is an autoloader. Most trap models are Over/Under (aside from a couple odd-balls)
Any kind of target model or hunting/field gun will do (sawed offs, and riot guns obviously not a realistic choice for clays).
Trap guns are generally long, heavy, shoot high, and have straight or high Monte Carlo combs on the stock – not to mentioned choked at least Modified, but usually tighter. Skeet and sporting clays on the other hand, tend to use a field-type gun, that shoots flat with a drop comb, and open chokes.
There are actually trap-model pumps. Look for a Remington 870 trap, or an old Winchester Model 12 trap. Many a champion trapshooter won with a pump, be it singles, doubles, or handicap.
Whatever you get, make sure it has changeable chokes and comes with, or is fixed Full, Improved Modified, or Modified for trap.
What you gain with a double (Over/Under) is two different choke contrictions (one in each barrel), no possibility of jams, no cycling, and very fast lock-time.
With an auto or pump you either have to get used to pumping it, or letting it cycle (Remington 1100 semi-auto’s can be very slow and clunky – I can’t shoot one for doubles because I find myself waiting for it to feed the second shell in when I’m going for my second target). Then you have the problem of hitting the next shooter over with your empties (something that does not bother me, but does most people), and the possibility of jams, failure to feed, and the old double chuck on doubles.
Regardless, a pump is a fine choice for trap shooting. They are inexpensive compared to other guns, simple, durable, and work fine.
Once again I suggest looking for a Remington 870 TRAP, Winchester Model 12 TRAP, or even a Browning BPS TRAP. The more you shoot, the more you’ll appreciate the features of a trap specific gun.
January 31st, 2010 at 4:16 am
not sure
January 31st, 2010 at 4:16 am
Don’t see why not, you can still hold numerous cartridges…
January 31st, 2010 at 4:16 am
Yes you can. I have seen lots and lots of shooters use pumps in clay shooting
January 31st, 2010 at 4:16 am
I have seen many clay shooters using pump shotguns with great success. If you can shoot it well, there’s no reason to pay $1000, $2000 – up to $5000 (and more) for a fancy O/U.
Certain competitions may restrict you to loading only two shells. Practice, practice, practice. Just practicing – even if you never compete – is where the fun is. Enjoy.
January 31st, 2010 at 4:16 am
Most of the time yes, most of the time it only limits how many shells you can load.
I shoot sporting clays for fun, with friends.
I have never had a desired to get in to competition, other then for just fun.
In sporting clays I shoot either a pump or an O/U.
D58
Hunting with Rifle, Pistol, Muzzle loader and Bow for over 3 decades.
Reloading Rifle, Pistol and shotgun for over 3 decades.
January 31st, 2010 at 4:16 am
Pumps are fine weapons and with practice could work well for clays. I used a pump for years before I spent the $ for an O/U. My son prefers a pump.
As with any other sport, the more practice the better.
Above all, enjoy.
January 31st, 2010 at 4:16 am
Huh? wait a minute. . ., "an autoloading double barrel"??? I WANT one of those. What a hoot that gun would be!!!
January 31st, 2010 at 4:16 am
Absolutely you can!
Anyone who told you otherwise is a fool. I don’t know where they are getting this "autoloading side by side or over/under" crap from, no such animal exists. Side by sides and over/unders are essentially double shot firearms and that is it. They do however have models that have auto ejectors but none of them will load for you, there is no magazine on the firearm nor do the mechanics of the break open action allow it to function as a semi auto.
January 31st, 2010 at 4:16 am
I think "Autoloading double barrel" is simply missing punctuation….Autoloading, double barrel (SxS or O/U) …
yes, you can use a pump.
Shooting Trap you generally shoot singles only, so Pump, Auto, Double, Single really doesn’t matter. You’ll never shoot more than Doubles, and I’ve never been at a trap range/gun club that would let you load more rounds than the number of targets you are about to be presented.
Skeet, you’ll see one target or two, so ditto any type of gun will be fine, once you’ve had some practice with your pump you’ll be great.
Sporting Clays or similar I’ve likewise never been presented more than two targets at once. A pump will be fine once you’re used to it and can get the second shot off smoothly.
I recommend for a beginner a Mossberg 500 with the 28" Ported, multi-choke barrel, should be available at your nearest gunselling Wal-mart or similar for under $200.
January 31st, 2010 at 4:16 am
yes you can there are people that do it all the time at our club.
esp right before bird hunting season hits, because lets face it nobody is going to take a nice over/under out to beat in the brush.
so yes you can and nobody will make fun of you for shooting with a pump gun we just like seeing new people get in to the sport
when i started shooting skeet i used my rem 1100 but have since upgraded to a Beretta silver pigeon 20 gauge
January 31st, 2010 at 4:16 am
Yes Sir! My friend was state champ about 3 years ago in clay shooting and he used a pump. It shows your more skillful than those semi-auto’s.
Check out my site if you like hunting, fishing, and the great outdoors! http://www.trueoutdoorsmanonline.com
January 31st, 2010 at 4:16 am
If you are in it for fun, use the pump-gun and enjoy yourself.
If you are going to get into serious competition, spend the money to get a good Over/Under shotgun, a Browning Citori or Ruger Red Label being good choices.
Browning also made, or might still make, what they called an automatic double. This was nothing more than a semi-automatic shotgun with a two round capacity. It did not / does not have two barrels.
My personal preference is for SxS doubles, but I’m not a serious trap / skeet / sporting clays shooter. I doubt if one serious competitor in a hundred uses a SxS gun.
Doc
January 31st, 2010 at 4:16 am
Sure. I have a Remington 870 Wingmaster 12 gauge pump that I use for shooting trap.
January 31st, 2010 at 4:16 am
you sure can. I have a mossberg 500 that I hunt waterfowl with and that also what I use to skeet with. Great gun. but if you are just a beginner start with something less expensive, unless you want to keep doing this and then I would highly recommend the mossberg 500 Good luck
January 31st, 2010 at 4:16 am
The BEST for that kind of thing is an over under double barrel. Both barrels are aligned on the same sight line.
Next best is a double barrel. One is slightly off to the left, the other to the right.
Both allow one kind of choke in the first barrel, a second kind in the second, thus giving a better hit rate on targets that change distance.
A pump or semi auto is the third choice. Watch out for old models as you can keep the trigger pulled and it will go off with the second shot as fast as you pump it. You do not want any kind of gun that goes off WITHOUT a trigger pull. Any decent pump or semi auto will allow you to get into the sport and see if you like it.
Do not go spend thousands of dollars on a gun before you decide you like the sport….
Have fun..
January 31st, 2010 at 4:16 am
Use the money getting an over/under. You will regret buying a pump if you really become active. Stoeger makes great starter shotguns.
January 31st, 2010 at 4:16 am
yes, you can, and I would reccommend a twelve gauge.
January 31st, 2010 at 4:16 am
Yes you can, and I don’t believe there is a double barrel auto-loader. Pump action, single shot, or double barrel shot guns are the the most reliable shot guns to buy. They will not freeze up like a auto-loader can in freezing temps.
I know your clay shooting, but some day you most likely will go duck or goose hunting and of course it is wet and cold out (In Canada it is, most times in the fall during hunting season). It really sucks when you take a shot and your gun froze up which stops you from taking a second shot. This has happened to me more then once which made me sell my Auto-loader and now I just use my trusty Mossberg 500 pump action 12 gauge shot gun.
Or Doc Hudson has a good answer
But to each their own