[dougkn]

I just started shooting trap and I'm looking for a few recommendations for a trap shotgun. I have a Mossberg 500 pump but I'm looking for a over/under. I plan on using it for trap and pheasants etc.
Not looking to break the bank so under $1000.

thank

 

[Axiom]

I started with a Rem 870 trap as a teenager, gift from grand dad. Had all kinds of semi-autos, over & unders, and single barrel trap guns. I found the gun I grew-up with, I shot better scores. It's all about what you are most comfortable with shooting, not what somebody else says you should use ......

 

[wkuban]

Sounds like you want a field gun instead of a trap gun, big difference. I've shot a little trap with bird guns, more with an 870 trap gun, recently an 11-87 trap gun. So far better scores with the 870. The 11-87 and I don't mesh, don't know why.
A trap gun is, to me, only good for trap but might be the ticket for pheasants, I've never hunted them. I think you can find a used O/U Citori for 1000.00, prolly not a trap gun tho.

 

[Twistofer]

Have you looked at the Franchi? The Affinity is in your price range. For a few bucks more the Instinct can also be yours which is a fine O/U.

Swing a few different guns. I am cautious about some of the Turkish made guns...the Savage Stevens 555 felt good but has a problem with firing both barrels at once. Mine had to be sent back and I'm waiting for the replacement.

 

[ba49]

I have shot trap for many years and I would recommend a used Ithica-SKB or an SKB Trap model if you want an o/u for less than $1000. Probably the best starter trap gun is a used Browning BT99 or BT100. They are VERY dependable and can be bought with changeable choke tubes for under $1000 used and if kept in nice shape you can always get your all money out of them if you upgrade or decide trap isn't for you. BUT they are a single shot break open. No matter which gun you get you will need choke tubes for hunting and trap if you wish to do both with one gun.
Also if you want a multipurpose gun for trap and field I would recommend a sporting clays model over a field gun. It will be fine for hunting but much better for trap shooting than a field gun.

 

[bwinters]

I would look at the cz turkish over unders. Good quality and good price.

 

[mauser9]

Lots of guys at my club use O/U. Nice but pricey usually. Been shootin my 1100 TB for years. Gun is more capable than me. I need practice

 

[Petrol and Powder]

Sounds like you want a field gun instead of a trap gun, big difference. I've shot a little trap with bird guns, more with an 870 trap gun, recently an 11-87 trap gun. So far better scores with the 870. The 11-87 and I don't mesh, don't know why.
A trap gun is, to me, only good for trap but might be the ticket for pheasants, I've never hunted them. I think you can find a used O/U Citori for 1000.00, prolly not a trap gun tho.

I think wkuban hit the nail on the head. A dedicated trap gun is kind of a special animal. A good field gun can stand in as an informal trap gun but it doesn't always work well the other way around.
Trap guns are designed to shoot rising targets and are often single shot affairs unless you're shooting doubles.

Because trap generally requires only a single shell in the gun at a time, a repeater or double barrel isn't necessary. Other shotgun sports such as Skeet do require two shells in the gun. I've seen many trap rounds won with single shot guns or Remington 1100's loaded with a single shell at a time.

As for a good over & under for less than a $1000, that's not impossible but it may not be the best use of your money. I might lean towards a good field gun and maybe not even an over/under in that range. You might actually get more gun for your money if you don't go with an over/under type.

If you want a gas operated repeater, the older Beretta 390 series guns are hard to beat for reliability. A good used one can be found for under a $1000.

If an inertia operated gun is more to your liking, the Benelli is the way to go.

As for a new over & under, there are some on the market that might fit your price range but most of the new over & under guns that list for less than $1K are not ideal for field guns. You might be able to find an old Browning Citori for under $1K but be careful, those guns often have had a lot of use.

I'm very partial to Beretta when it comes to O/U shotguns but they are not cheap.

Take your time and think about what you really want to use the gun for. You may be happier with something that's not an O/U.

If you really want an O/U gun, consider saving your money up and getting the one you want to carry in the field forever.

Good Luck.

 

[sam wheeler]

There's a lot of real good advice in this thread. I took the tour of shotguns and wound up with a sporting OU. Seems to be a good fit for all the games (at least for me) and wouldn't be out of place on a hunt. It really came down to how well I can shoot. I do better shooting just one gun vs. having dedicated guns for each purpose. If you go my route, you don't need to go only with an OU. Good OU's start about double your price range. There are some exceptions already noted. Used is always a good way to go. But you can find a good semi auto and save a bunch. I'd recommend a Beretta 391 if you can find one which shouldn't be too hard. My BIL had a great AL391 but traded up to a Benelli Supersport at twice the cost. The Beretta was a better shooter IMHO. If you really want a trap gun a BT99 would be my first choice. I recently sold a real nice Beretta Silver Pigeon XTrap single for your price. That guy got a nice gun for the money. It just wasn't for me.

But always remember. A shotgun is highly individual and what fits and works for me might not for you. Shoulder many and shoot whatever you can before you choose.

One more point in favor of a semi: the stocks are adjustable. You could get a great shooter but realize it doesn't quite fit right. Being adjustable could save you.

But if you do insist on an OU. Save up for a Beretta. The current Silver Pigeon simply cannot be beat. There is a huge gap between that and any lesser price OU. And you could spend 2 or 3 times more and not get a better gun (prettier maybe but not necessarily better). Get the sporting model or you will be constantly working the safety before every shot. It's an advantage in the field but a nuisance on the trap or skeet range.

 

[Petrol and Powder]

Sam Wheeler wrote, " I do better shooting just one gun vs. having dedicated guns for each purpose."

Reminds me of a wise man that told me, "Beware of the man with one gun, he probably knows how to use it !"

Sam gave good advice and is very perceptive. A BT99 is a good trap gun. A Beretta 391 is an excellent all around shotgun. A Beretta O/U is an outstanding gun. Shotguns are individual tools. If you decide to go with an O/U, save up your money and get ONE and only ONE shotgun.

 

[dougkn]

Thanks everyone...I was looking for a starting point and a few tips and I'm more of a shotgun rookie. I'll do some looking at the stores and talk to the guys at my club.
Appreciate the help!

 

[Twistofer]

Thanks everyone...I was looking for a starting point and a few tips and I'm more of a shotgun rookie. I'll do some looking at the stores and talk to the guys at my club.
Appreciate the help!

They might even let you shoot a few rounds through their guns. Some clubs do have guns that you can rent or try. If so, just treat them like they are your own.

 

[Petrol and Powder]

If you can find a copy of the book, "Shotgunning, trends in transition" by Don Zutz; I can highly recommend reading it.

You can get a used copy for less than $7.00
http://www.amazon.com/Shotgunning-T...=UTF8&qid=1458851263&sr=1-8&keywords=don+zutz

That book is old but the information is still valid.

The fit of a shotgun is important. The weight and balance is important. Take your time and get what suits you. It's better to spend a little more and get one shotgun that you use for decades than to bounce around from gun to gun.

Some shotguns are well proven to be able to stand up to years of service and tens of thousands of rounds. That is important because once you find that "perfect" gun that fits & clicks, you don't want it wearing out or breaking.

Good Luck and Enjoy the hunt !!

 

[sam wheeler]

They might even let you shoot a few rounds through their guns. Some clubs do have guns that you can rent or try. If so, just treat them like they are your own.

Thanks PaP for the kind words.

Good advice Twistofer. Shotgunners tend to be amiable folk...quick to share their experience. Many would be glad to let you shoot a few rounds. Heck, I held onto a couple of guns from my tour just to have as loaners or trial guns. If I can help someone find the right gun, I am happy. So PM me if you're gonna be in NE OH on a Sunday morning. Beats church.

 

[JohnB]

One of the members suggested looking at the Turkish made CZ, I would say steer clear of them, if you're wanting a trap gun. I had a CZ side by side which I wanted for sporting clays, big mistake. I've mentioned this in the forum before so I won't go into the details. If you're interested, PM me and I will tell the whole story, but suffice to say, I couldn't wait to trade it in and get what I could for it.

 

[RugerFan1911]

My favorite trap gun.....the "new" Ruger Red Label with 30" barrels. Don't know if you can find one for under $1,000. When they first started making the Red Label again about 3 years ago the goal was to make an affordable AMERICAN o/u. MSRP was $1400 as I recall. I got mine for about $1100.

It's my understanding they've stopped making them again and the "new" guns are now hard to find...and cost several hundred more.

I've been VERY happy with mine.

 

[sam wheeler]

^^^ I've had decent luck with CZ but JohnB's advice is sound. Trap, skeet, etc. guns see a lot of rounds so they really need to be durable vs. a field gun. Best to keep that in mind. I've been interested in the CZ OU but have no reports on their reliability. I just checked the SKB website thinking that might be an affordable option. But too close in price to Beretta IMHO.

I know this is a Ruger forum so I will be kind. There are mixed reports on the Red Labels. There are probably other options in the used market at the same price point that have more established reputations.

 

[Petrol and Powder]

I'll also acknowledge that this is a Ruger forum so I'll tread lightly.

The old Ruger Red Label in 20ga was a very good gun.
I saw an old 20 gauge Red Label, I think it was a late 1970's model, that went many, many tens of thousands of rounds and is probably still going today. That gun was only cleaned when it failed to eject empty shells and yet never failed to fire.
I never warmed to the 12ga. Red Label, it just doesn't have good proportions for my liking. I'm sure the 12ga models are just as strong as the 20 ga. models but they never felt right to me.

The Beretta O/U are excellent guns and while not inexpensive, they are a one time purchase. If I was in the market for a 12 ga. O/U, I'd save my pennies and wait for a Beretta.

 

[JohnB]

I should have said it, but when I traded in my CZ, I bought a Berretta and I love it, serves both purposes, pheasant hunting and sporting clays.

 

[Ranger Tom]

I'll also acknowledge that this is a Ruger forum so I'll tread lightly.

The old Ruger Red Label in 20ga was a very good gun.
I saw an old 20 gauge Red Label, I think it was a late 1970's model, that went many, many tens of thousands of rounds and is probably still going today. That gun was only cleaned when it failed to eject empty shells and yet never failed to fire.
I never warmed to the 12ga. Red Label, it just doesn't have good proportions for my liking. I'm sure the 12ga models are just as strong as the 20 ga. models but they never felt right to me.

The Beretta O/U are excellent guns and while not inexpensive, they are a one time purchase. If I was in the market for a 12 ga. O/U, I'd save my pennies and wait for a Beretta.

I've seen a few recommendations in this thread about purchasing a Beretta, be careful. I had a 686 Onyx and it kicked the crap out of me.
Not recoil-wise, the comb of the stock walloped my cheek. Tried a few remedies to no avail. Bought a Browning Cynergy and love it. Gun fit is very good and no more cheek slap. I guess what I'm trying to say is, if at all possible, try the gun before purchasing.