Beginner Trap

**Bethzur** · November 27th, 2022, 09:32 PM

What's a good shotgun for beginning trap? I'm thinking maybe going with a 20 ga to make learning a bit easier. I don't want to spend more than $1000.

The Mossberg Silver Reserve Eventide seems decent on paper. Anyone have one?

**bogey1** · November 27th, 2022, 09:46 PM

12ga light loads. 870 is what I started off with. That was a million years ago, things have changed.

**JaySmith** · November 27th, 2022, 10:28 PM

Remington 1187 12ga semi-auto kicks less than a 20ga pump by a long shot. It's been my trap gun for 30 years.

https://store.thegundock.com/product...dw-bs-cyl-bore

**jthrelf** · November 28th, 2022, 12:45 AM

20 gauge will make learning harder (or at least worse scores). Less lead going down range will result in more lost birds.

12 gauge gas operated semi is my preference. I'd look at the Beretta A300 Ultima.

**Bethzur** · November 28th, 2022, 01:55 AM

That's why I asked. I read some conflicting information on learning with 20 vs 12. Less felt recoil is definitely a plus. How reliable are semi-auto shotguns? I believe pump ones are quite reliable from what I heard.

**JaySmith** · November 28th, 2022, 02:39 AM

Originally Posted by Bethzur

That's why I asked. I read some conflicting information on learning with 20 vs 12. Less felt recoil is definitely a plus. How reliable are semi-auto shotguns? I believe pump ones are quite reliable from what I heard.

First, shooting trap is single shot only unless you're shooting doubles. You insert a single shell into the chamber, when then it's your turn you close the bolt. When you fire, the action automatically opens via spring, producing considerably less recoil compared to a pump action gun.

Second, as long as you keep your gun relatively clean, you should have no issues with semi-auto. Same 2 guns, 30+ years, thousands of rounds, and issues are extremely rare, even when shooting doubles. On occasion I load up 5 rounds and unload without issue with the 1187. Even my cheap guns can go 5, 10, or 20 rounds without an issue.

When semi-auto fails, it fails on the second shot, not the first. It's either failure to eject, or it ejects and fails to load the second round. So a failure would only ever come into play in doubles.

**notenoughguns** · November 28th, 2022, 05:05 PM

Originally Posted by Bethzur

What's a good shotgun for beginning trap? I'm thinking maybe going with a 20 ga to make learning a bit easier. I don't want to spend more than $1000.

The Mossberg Silver Reserve Eventide seems decent on paper. Anyone have one?

My wife wore a Silver Resever out in two seasons { 12 gauge } but she goes through a flat a week , all year long ! you're better off with a Browning Bt 99 that fits you , they seem to last forever !