Trap gun options

Red_Eagle · December 7, 2008, 07:13 AM

I'm looking at getting a trap gun when i leave Iraq this spring. Right now I'm planning on getting a Browning BT-99. Is there anything else in the same price range that I may be over looking?

oletymer · December 7, 2008, 10:50 AM

In that price range it is the best gun available.

zippy13 · December 7, 2008, 10:55 AM

Since you now in Iraq, I'm going to assume that you're young and fit. So, you're also capable of shooting trap doubles (some senior shooters are poorly sighted and/or too slow). The BT-99 is very popular and a great choice for a singles and handicap gun. But, for the fun of shooting doubles, the BT-99 lacks a barrel. Have you considered a trap O/U or a combo?

Be advised, Browning has several trap combo that are "Non-Cataloged" items. Check out Guns Unlimited exclusives, or search the Browning site.

Ruger4570 · December 7, 2008, 12:13 PM

Red Eagle: You will NEVER go wrong with a BT-99. I have had one for many years and I have long ago lost count of how many rounds I put through it, many, many 1,000's. I have NEVER had the slightest problem,FTF, eject. Nothing.
The only downside as Zippy noted is if you want to shoot doubles.
Also, thank for your service. I' m glad our troops don't get the welcome home we did after Viet Nam.

Red_Eagle · December 7, 2008, 12:17 PM

I'd like to get a Browning Citori, unfortunately, club just shoots straight trap. No handicap or dubbles. So I'm looking for a quality single barrel. I dont trust the Spartan and I dont think an NEF / H&R will hold up in the long run. I know I can get a BT-99 for $1,000-1,100. The guys I shoot with have really nice guns, but I can't afford a Merkel or Perazzi.

zippy13 · December 7, 2008, 07:48 PM

Red Eagle, remember in the film Cool Hand Luke, Strother Martin's famous line: "What we've got here is a failure to communicate."
What your calling "straight trap" is shot as two different events. One is where the contestants shoot single targets from the 16-yard line. Depending on you performance, you're assigned a classification. AA, A, B, C... This is commonly known as 16-yard trap, or Trap Singles.
A different game, but shot with the same targets, is Handicap Trap. Instead of having different classes, each shooter is assigned a different distance. As you win tournaments, your handicap is increased.
Doubles, like singles, is shot from 16-yards and round consists of 25-pairs. It's a newer game, and some club's don't throw doubles.

Red_Eagle · December 7, 2008, 10:10 PM

I understand that and I'm sure thats the way our trap team does do it. But on days its open to non-team members, like me, you go in and put your name on a list, and shoot 16 yd singles after the list is full. Its very informal.

olddrum1 · December 7, 2008, 11:22 PM

BT-99 Plus if you can find one. I have one and it is a joy to shoot.

Master Blaster · December 8, 2008, 10:33 AM

Beretta 391, semi auto gas operated, very popular in trap.

BigJimP · December 8, 2008, 12:31 PM

The BT-99 is a very good gun / but like others told you, its a "one trick pony" - and all you can shoot with it is Trap Singles ( no Doubles, Continental trap, Skeet or Sporting Clays).

If you want a dedicated Singles Trap Gun - the BT99 is a ver good choice and a solid quality gun.

A more versatile dedicated Trap Gun ( Singles, Doubles and Continental Trap ) would be the Citori XT with 32" barrels probably.

A more versatile "clay target gun":
a semi-auto in 12ga ( $1,000 - $ 1,800 ), I like the Benelli
an Over Under ( like Browning XS Skeet or XS Special in 30" barrels ) 12ga
a good pump gun, like the Browning BPS in 12 ga ( about $ 500 ).

kentucky_smith · December 8, 2008, 06:57 PM

Beretta 391 Parallel Target or an older 390 Super Trap
Rem 1100 Classic Trap
Rem 870 Trap
Browning BPS Trap

skeeter1 · December 9, 2008, 01:35 AM

Whatever you like best, and whatever fits you best, is what to get. The BT-99 is a fine gun, but as noted above, it's a one-trick pony.

I'm a bit unconventional, and shoot trap with a SxS double with M/F barrels. I just like them best, and I had a smithy install a recoil pad on my trap gun and increase the length-of-pull by 1/2". Not much, but I've shot 25/25 and 96/100 with it. Using the full-choke barrel, I'm no slouch even back to the 27yd line. At the 16yd line, I use the modified barrel. My favorite load is 1oz of #8 over 3-dram-equiv of RedDot.

Double-barrel guns, both S/S and O/U are expensive. Sad, but true.

USA123456789 · December 9, 2008, 09:59 PM

I would go with the BT-99 invector. Personally i havent had any problems with the gun except with the forearm. I put more than 40k rds through mine in 2 years and i had no problems with the pins,springs, or any other internal components. I had these parts replaced annually at the Grand American every year so thats why i didnt have any trouble. If the BT-99 is well taken care of it can last 20 yrs.

It may be made in Japan but those Japanese sure can make one hell of a gun.

I purchased mine in 2005 for $1195 in Cabela's so they should be around the same price now.
DO NOT GO TO CABELA RETAILERS FOR TRAP GUNS. THEY ARE AS CLUELESS AS A TEEN AGED DRIVER ON THE INTERSTATE.

Ruger4570 · December 10, 2008, 01:06 AM

I liked the "one trick pony" line. It is true, but a BT-99 will do the same trick over and over for most all your life with minimal care. They don't have a lot of parts to get out of whack and the BT's lockup is one of the stoutest made.
I think Browning needs that guy, Billy Mays, you know the guy on TV selling everything that would be speachless if they handcuffed him.

Waterengineer · December 10, 2008, 01:17 AM

That Billy Mays dude is THE most annoying person on TV. Does he know how to NOT scream? I swear I will never buy anything he is the spokesman for.

Agreed on the BT - that is the gun to own. It is so simple it doesn't even have a safety.

MaxHeadSpace · December 10, 2008, 02:22 AM

Trap gun is very, very specialized.

First, it needs to be heavy, 34" bbl. high comb. It needs to be able to shoot rounds and rounds of birds and not "shoot loose" -- Not unusual to shoot 200 shells (8 rounds) on a Sunday.

Sights and ribs on trap guns get really arcane. The BT 99 has a nice tapered ramp. I think it has a mid rib bead. I don't think the end bead is able to use different inserts.

Browning BT 99 is the ONLY way to go it its price range. Limitation is that it won't shoot doubles. Browning Citori is the other "standard" gun for trap.

Speaking of "specialized" -- I bought a Citori 425, adj. comb, thinking it was fine for trap. $1500 USED. It has a 28" bbl, and standard trap uses 32" or 34" with 34" preferred. I expect someone to show up with a 36" bbl. any day.

I have a "clays/sporting" gun, "skeet" . . . barrel is too short for trap. It's a GREAT clays/skeet gun! But it's not working for trap because of barrel length.

USED in good shape, 90%, the BT-99 sells for $999 locally. You might find one at the club for less $$$. Ask around at the club! They all have guns at home they're looking to sell!

Gave up the trap shooting after about two months. Figured I was spending $50/$60 each Sunday on birds and ammo. 60 miles round trip to the club, more $$$ on "games" (betting pots), accessories, clothing, shooting glasses.

And I really suck at it.

USA123456789 · December 10, 2008, 05:50 PM

Another possibility for a great beginner gun is the beretta 391 urika
You can shoot doubles with it and it is a great gun over all

true_pair · December 10, 2008, 08:50 PM

Let me start by saying that BT99 is an excellent gun but is it the right gun for you. Gun fit is very important as you are going to want to shoulder the gun with consistency and the easiest way you'll achieve this is by allowing your body to naturally place the gun in your shoulder pocket. A good way to find out if the gun fits is close your eyes and mount the gun while your eyes are closed. Your cheek should be firmly placed on the comb. Open your eyes; if the gun fits you should be looking straight down the rib. Now you can get the stock fitted but that gets very expensive. Also once you start shooing singles and get good at it you are going to want to shoot doubles, the problem you are going to run into is that you have been practicing with a gun that you can't shoot doubles with. I purchased a Winchester select Energy Trap with adjustable comb for around $1500. I love the gun and shoot sporting clays with it as well. Beretta 391 is an excellent choice; you can get a 391 Parallel target for about $1200 391 is also going to be the softest shooting semi auto gun. Also look at Remington 1100 trap. Check out the following link it has very good video on gun fit
http://www.shotgunreport.com/Video/Inst/SRVGunFit4.html

Couzin · December 11, 2008, 03:37 PM

There is an older BT over on HighRoad (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=411549 ) that has a really good price and looks like great condition - maybe you could arrange for it to be waiting when you get back from the sandbox!!!

Red_Eagle · December 13, 2008, 12:43 PM

I looked over the 99 on brownings web site and i may still go with it. But I'm leaning alittle more toward the citori. Maybe a Cynergy if the price difference isn't too great. It'd be nice to have one gun that works equally well for trap and sporting clays, but I dont think such a gun exists.

Couzin · December 13, 2008, 05:14 PM

If you want to shoot sporting clays (or skeet) - go with something that allows the second shot. Citori XT or Citori Ultra XS should do you if an O/U - a Golden Clays is also an excellent choice in semi auto. The XT will allow the 'float' needed for trap but still can be used on a sporting clays field. The Ultra XS is flatter shooting for sporting and skeet. The Golden Clays is a good choice all round - and is an excellent hunter. But, I am biased - I really like my Brownings - they have been berry good to me...

Oh - and you might consider one of the Browning GTS models as well.

December 7, 2008, 07:13 AM	#1
Red_Eagle Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2007 Location: Western NY Posts: 598	Trap gun options I'm looking at getting a trap gun when i leave Iraq this spring. Right now I'm planning on getting a Browning BT-99. Is there anything else in the same price range that I may be over looking? __________________ My Calibers: 22 Hornet, 223 Rem, 22-250, 243 Win, 270 Win, 280 Remington Ackley Improved, 30-30, 308 Win, 30-06, 300 Winchester magnum, 7.62x39mm, 380 Auto, 9mm Parabellum, 38 Special, 357 magnum, 40 S&W, 10mm Auto, 45 GAP, 45 Auto, 12 & 20 Guage

December 7, 2008, 12:17 PM	#5
Red_Eagle Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2007 Location: Western NY Posts: 598	I'd like to get a Browning Citori, unfortunately, club just shoots straight trap. No handicap or dubbles. So I'm looking for a quality single barrel. I dont trust the Spartan and I dont think an NEF / H&R will hold up in the long run. I know I can get a BT-99 for $1,000-1,100. The guys I shoot with have really nice guns, but I can't afford a Merkel or Perazzi. __________________ My Calibers: 22 Hornet, 223 Rem, 22-250, 243 Win, 270 Win, 280 Remington Ackley Improved, 30-30, 308 Win, 30-06, 300 Winchester magnum, 7.62x39mm, 380 Auto, 9mm Parabellum, 38 Special, 357 magnum, 40 S&W, 10mm Auto, 45 GAP, 45 Auto, 12 & 20 Guage

December 7, 2008, 10:10 PM	#7
Red_Eagle Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2007 Location: Western NY Posts: 598	I understand that and I'm sure thats the way our trap team does do it. But on days its open to non-team members, like me, you go in and put your name on a list, and shoot 16 yd singles after the list is full. Its very informal. __________________ My Calibers: 22 Hornet, 223 Rem, 22-250, 243 Win, 270 Win, 280 Remington Ackley Improved, 30-30, 308 Win, 30-06, 300 Winchester magnum, 7.62x39mm, 380 Auto, 9mm Parabellum, 38 Special, 357 magnum, 40 S&W, 10mm Auto, 45 GAP, 45 Auto, 12 & 20 Guage

December 9, 2008, 09:59 PM	#13
USA123456789 Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 2008 Location: Somewhere Posts: 123	I would go with the BT-99 invector. Personally i havent had any problems with the gun except with the forearm. I put more than 40k rds through mine in 2 years and i had no problems with the pins,springs, or any other internal components. I had these parts replaced annually at the Grand American every year so thats why i didnt have any trouble. If the BT-99 is well taken care of it can last 20 yrs. It may be made in Japan but those Japanese sure can make one hell of a gun. I purchased mine in 2005 for $1195 in Cabela's so they should be around the same price now. DO NOT GO TO CABELA RETAILERS FOR TRAP GUNS. THEY ARE AS CLUELESS AS A TEEN AGED DRIVER ON THE INTERSTATE. __________________ You can never have to many hulls but, the man that dies with the most hulls wins USA USA USA USA

December 10, 2008, 05:50 PM	#17
USA123456789 Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 2008 Location: Somewhere Posts: 123	Another possibility for a great beginner gun is the beretta 391 urika You can shoot doubles with it and it is a great gun over all __________________ You can never have to many hulls but, the man that dies with the most hulls wins USA USA USA USA

December 7, 2008, 10:50 AM	#2
oletymer Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2005 Posts: 338	In that price range it is the best gun available.

December 7, 2008, 10:55 AM	#3
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	Since you now in Iraq, I'm going to assume that you're young and fit. So, you're also capable of shooting trap doubles (some senior shooters are poorly sighted and/or too slow). The BT-99 is very popular and a great choice for a singles and handicap gun. But, for the fun of shooting doubles, the BT-99 lacks a barrel. Have you considered a trap O/U or a combo? Be advised, Browning has several trap combo that are "Non-Cataloged" items. Check out Guns Unlimited exclusives, or search the Browning site.

December 7, 2008, 12:13 PM	#4
Ruger4570 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2005 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 2,136	Red Eagle: You will NEVER go wrong with a BT-99. I have had one for many years and I have long ago lost count of how many rounds I put through it, many, many 1,000's. I have NEVER had the slightest problem,FTF, eject. Nothing. The only downside as Zippy noted is if you want to shoot doubles. Also, thank for your service. I' m glad our troops don't get the welcome home we did after Viet Nam.

December 7, 2008, 07:48 PM	#6
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	Red Eagle, remember in the film Cool Hand Luke, Strother Martin's famous line: "What we've got here is a failure to communicate." What your calling "straight trap" is shot as two different events. One is where the contestants shoot single targets from the 16-yard line. Depending on you performance, you're assigned a classification. AA, A, B, C... This is commonly known as 16-yard trap, or Trap Singles. A different game, but shot with the same targets, is Handicap Trap. Instead of having different classes, each shooter is assigned a different distance. As you win tournaments, your handicap is increased. Doubles, like singles, is shot from 16-yards and round consists of 25-pairs. It's a newer game, and some club's don't throw doubles.

December 7, 2008, 11:22 PM	#8
olddrum1 Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Mid Missouri Posts: 807	BT-99 Plus if you can find one. I have one and it is a joy to shoot.

December 8, 2008, 10:33 AM	#9
Master Blaster Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 1999 Location: One of the original 13 Colonies Posts: 2,281	Beretta 391, semi auto gas operated, very popular in trap.

December 8, 2008, 12:31 PM	#10
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	The BT-99 is a very good gun / but like others told you, its a "one trick pony" - and all you can shoot with it is Trap Singles ( no Doubles, Continental trap, Skeet or Sporting Clays). If you want a dedicated Singles Trap Gun - the BT99 is a ver good choice and a solid quality gun. A more versatile dedicated Trap Gun ( Singles, Doubles and Continental Trap ) would be the Citori XT with 32" barrels probably. A more versatile "clay target gun": a semi-auto in 12ga ( $1,000 - $ 1,800 ), I like the Benelli an Over Under ( like Browning XS Skeet or XS Special in 30" barrels ) 12ga a good pump gun, like the Browning BPS in 12 ga ( about $ 500 ).

December 8, 2008, 06:57 PM	#11
kentucky_smith Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 2005 Posts: 173	Beretta 391 Parallel Target or an older 390 Super Trap Rem 1100 Classic Trap Rem 870 Trap Browning BPS Trap

December 9, 2008, 01:35 AM	#12
skeeter1 Senior Member Join Date: April 11, 2006 Location: Northeast Ohio Posts: 3,403	Whatever you like best, and whatever fits you best, is what to get. The BT-99 is a fine gun, but as noted above, it's a one-trick pony. I'm a bit unconventional, and shoot trap with a SxS double with M/F barrels. I just like them best, and I had a smithy install a recoil pad on my trap gun and increase the length-of-pull by 1/2". Not much, but I've shot 25/25 and 96/100 with it. Using the full-choke barrel, I'm no slouch even back to the 27yd line. At the 16yd line, I use the modified barrel. My favorite load is 1oz of #8 over 3-dram-equiv of RedDot. Double-barrel guns, both S/S and O/U are expensive. Sad, but true.

December 10, 2008, 01:06 AM	#14
Ruger4570 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2005 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 2,136	I liked the "one trick pony" line. It is true, but a BT-99 will do the same trick over and over for most all your life with minimal care. They don't have a lot of parts to get out of whack and the BT's lockup is one of the stoutest made. I think Browning needs that guy, Billy Mays, you know the guy on TV selling everything that would be speachless if they handcuffed him.

December 10, 2008, 01:17 AM	#15
Waterengineer Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2006 Location: Aurora, CO and Palm Beach, FL Posts: 863	That Billy Mays dude is THE most annoying person on TV. Does he know how to NOT scream? I swear I will never buy anything he is the spokesman for. Agreed on the BT - that is the gun to own. It is so simple it doesn't even have a safety.

December 10, 2008, 02:22 AM	#16
MaxHeadSpace Junior member Join Date: December 8, 2008 Posts: 129	Trap gun is very, very specialized. First, it needs to be heavy, 34" bbl. high comb. It needs to be able to shoot rounds and rounds of birds and not "shoot loose" -- Not unusual to shoot 200 shells (8 rounds) on a Sunday. Sights and ribs on trap guns get really arcane. The BT 99 has a nice tapered ramp. I think it has a mid rib bead. I don't think the end bead is able to use different inserts. Browning BT 99 is the ONLY way to go it its price range. Limitation is that it won't shoot doubles. Browning Citori is the other "standard" gun for trap. Speaking of "specialized" -- I bought a Citori 425, adj. comb, thinking it was fine for trap. $1500 USED. It has a 28" bbl, and standard trap uses 32" or 34" with 34" preferred. I expect someone to show up with a 36" bbl. any day. I have a "clays/sporting" gun, "skeet" . . . barrel is too short for trap. It's a GREAT clays/skeet gun! But it's not working for trap because of barrel length. USED in good shape, 90%, the BT-99 sells for $999 locally. You might find one at the club for less $$$. Ask around at the club! They all have guns at home they're looking to sell! Gave up the trap shooting after about two months. Figured I was spending $50/$60 each Sunday on birds and ammo. 60 miles round trip to the club, more $$$ on "games" (betting pots), accessories, clothing, shooting glasses. And I really suck at it.

December 10, 2008, 08:50 PM	#18
true_pair Member Join Date: July 24, 2008 Location: Warren County OH Posts: 59	Some more suggestions Let me start by saying that BT99 is an excellent gun but is it the right gun for you. Gun fit is very important as you are going to want to shoulder the gun with consistency and the easiest way you'll achieve this is by allowing your body to naturally place the gun in your shoulder pocket. A good way to find out if the gun fits is close your eyes and mount the gun while your eyes are closed. Your cheek should be firmly placed on the comb. Open your eyes; if the gun fits you should be looking straight down the rib. Now you can get the stock fitted but that gets very expensive. Also once you start shooing singles and get good at it you are going to want to shoot doubles, the problem you are going to run into is that you have been practicing with a gun that you can't shoot doubles with. I purchased a Winchester select Energy Trap with adjustable comb for around $1500. I love the gun and shoot sporting clays with it as well. Beretta 391 is an excellent choice; you can get a 391 Parallel target for about $1200 391 is also going to be the softest shooting semi auto gun. Also look at Remington 1100 trap. Check out the following link it has very good video on gun fit http://www.shotgunreport.com/Video/Inst/SRVGunFit4.html __________________ "Those who would give up essential Liberty to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." BEN FRANKLIN

December 11, 2008, 03:37 PM	#19
Couzin Senior Member Join Date: August 27, 2006 Location: Terrell, Texas Posts: 240	There is an older BT over on HighRoad (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=411549 ) that has a really good price and looks like great condition - maybe you could arrange for it to be waiting when you get back from the sandbox!!!

December 13, 2008, 12:43 PM	#20
Red_Eagle Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2007 Location: Western NY Posts: 598	I looked over the 99 on brownings web site and i may still go with it. But I'm leaning alittle more toward the citori. Maybe a Cynergy if the price difference isn't too great. It'd be nice to have one gun that works equally well for trap and sporting clays, but I dont think such a gun exists. __________________ My Calibers: 22 Hornet, 223 Rem, 22-250, 243 Win, 270 Win, 280 Remington Ackley Improved, 30-30, 308 Win, 30-06, 300 Winchester magnum, 7.62x39mm, 380 Auto, 9mm Parabellum, 38 Special, 357 magnum, 40 S&W, 10mm Auto, 45 GAP, 45 Auto, 12 & 20 Guage

December 13, 2008, 05:14 PM	#21
Couzin Senior Member Join Date: August 27, 2006 Location: Terrell, Texas Posts: 240	If you want to shoot sporting clays (or skeet) - go with something that allows the second shot. Citori XT or Citori Ultra XS should do you if an O/U - a Golden Clays is also an excellent choice in semi auto. The XT will allow the 'float' needed for trap but still can be used on a sporting clays field. The Ultra XS is flatter shooting for sporting and skeet. The Golden Clays is a good choice all round - and is an excellent hunter. But, I am biased - I really like my Brownings - they have been berry good to me... Oh - and you might consider one of the Browning GTS models as well.