Entry Level Trap Shotgun Recommendations

[PraiseDiana]

Anyone got a recommendation for an entry level trap/sporting clays shotgun? I'm looking for an over-under in 12 gauge but no other requirements. The Stoeger Condor Competition looks pretty good for the price (only $620 on Sportsman's Warehouse website).

[mowin]

4 hours ago, PraiseDiana said:

Anyone got a recommendation for an entry level trap/sporting clays shotgun? I'm looking for an over-under in 12 gauge but no other requirements. The Stoeger Condor Competition looks pretty good for the price (only $620 on Sportsman's Warehouse website).

Trap usually is a single shot with a longer barrel.  Clays, obviously a double, pump or auto but with Shorter barrels.  Seen plenty of guys do extremely well shooting one gun for both courses.  Key is how it fits you. How it shoulders and points. Hard to do buying from a catalog. 

Edited May 8, 2023 by mowin

[LET EM GROW]

I have the ATI Cavalry in 28ga. Cant speak for the 12. But its a good entry level gun(same price range), since I was not spending high quality price lol 

[The_Real_TCIII]

Stevens 555 gets great reviews. Ive got one that I havent shot yet but any shooting review from me would be useless lol

[ATbuckhunter]

Look at the CZ Redhead premier. Just a little more than the Condor, but leaps and bounds better

[PraiseDiana]

Thanks all for the suggestions - I will check them out.

Currently I'm using an old Breda over/under with fixed chokes and a 26" barrel - it's a nice hunting gun but not so great for trap.

What do people make of the adjustable comb option on the Stoeger?

https://www.sportsmans.com/shooting-gear-gun-supplies/shotguns/stoeger-condor-competition-polished-blued-12-gauge-3in-over-and-under-shotgun-30in/p/1162251

 

[dbHunterNY]

I don't shoot trap competitively but I know the kids in all the local HS trap teams and those adults who do use a mix of O/U or semi-autos. the most important thing i've been told is how it naturally points and shoots. you should shim the stock for drop and cast if possible and build up or adjust the comb so it it's POI is right. some said to hang an old bed sheet or drop cloth. make a big X or cross hair and then shoot it with the bead aligned and a good cheek weld. it'll shoot a little high or low. sometimes left or right. i've shimmed my Benelli what I could but it always hits high/points low. my cheap mossberg 500 pump points perfect ... for me. i wouldn't use a pump though. any forend wiggle won't be good for consistency.

[Buckmaster7600]

From my experience the little bit more money is more than worth for the CZ’s. Not saying the others aren’t good but from what I’ve handled and shot the CZ is 200$ better.

 

what ever you do do not buy one without handling it! Fit is the most important part of being able to shoot them well.

Edited May 8, 2023 by Buckmaster7600

[Splitear]

One of my friends/volunteers bought an ATI Cavalry. Good looking gun and he loves it. 

[dbHunterNY]

years ago we had a TriStar O/U at our banquet. Never had heard of the mfg so wrote it off as junk but they're out of spain and once i handled it i changed my mind. it seems like a well built solid gun with great fit and finish.

[DirtTime]

On 5/26/2023 at 1:19 PM, dbHunterNY said:

years ago we had a TriStar O/U at our banquet. Never had heard of the mfg so wrote it off as junk but they're out of spain and once i handled it i changed my mind. it seems like a well built solid gun with great fit and finish.

I had a Raptor until last year when I traded it to make an MSR compliant. That was a great shooting shotgun though a bit heavy. They are actually made by Armsan in Turkey the last I knew. I might still replace that shotgun, but in 20 instead of 12.

[dbHunterNY]

16 hours ago, DirtTime said:

I had a Raptor until last year when I traded it to make an MSR compliant. That was a great shooting shotgun though a bit heavy. They are actually made by Armsan in Turkey the last I knew. I might still replace that shotgun, but in 20 instead of 12.

Yup. Headquartered in Missouri and manufactured in Turkey by a reputable manufacturers there supposedly.

[PraiseDiana]

I rented a Beretta Silver Pigeon (not sure which variant) at a sporting clays place last week and liked it a lot. I handled a Browning Citori CXT at a gun store and thought it fit me well. Definitely moving out of the "entry level" price there though.

[Otto]

I have the Beretta Silver Pigeon II.  I like it a lot and shoot fairly well with it.  I’m sure it will hold it’s value too, so if trap doesnt work out, you’d be able to sell or trade it easily..  I also shoot it for skeet.

The Browning BT-99 is $1500 at Cabelas.  This would be used only for trap as it is single barrel.  I’ve seen several of these at trap events and they are usually shot by some of the best shooters. 

[mowin]

15 minutes ago, Otto said:

I have the Beretta Silver Pigeon II.  I like it a lot and shoot fairly well with it.  I’m sure it will hold it’s value too, so if trap doesnt work out, you’d be able to sell or trade it easily..  I also shoot it for skeet.

The Browning BT-99 is $1500 at Cabelas.  This would be used only for trap as it is single barrel.  I’ve seen several of these at trap events and they are usually shot by some of the best shooters. 

My first ever round of trap was with a bt-99+.  I shot a 24.  I was all hyped up to buy one, until I seen the price tag, lol.