Shooters, we know that the majority of you have the guns you are planning on shooting this year during the trap season. Although we are not suggesting you all run out and purchase new guns there are a few things to consider before you show up for the first day of shooting.

 

  The number one thing that makes people (especially those smaller in stature) shy away from the shooting sports is felt recoil.

  Although you are all shooting the same shells the amount of felt recoil will vary greatly from shooter to shooter. The two main reasons for this are gun weight and gun fit. 

  When you go to a "gun store" where they sell guns but know little or nothing about gun fit they will sell the customer on a gauge instead of a fit. You may walk out of the store with a 20 gauge "youth model" gun that would make most adults cringe from the amount of felt recoil.

 

  Please don't get caught up in the hype about 20 gauge youth model guns kicking less than the 12 gauge guns, it is simply not true. These guns are light weight, the stocks have small dimensions and the younger shooters cant get their faces close to the stock. All this results in an extremely unpleasant experience for the shooter.

 

 The weight of the gun and the fit work hand in hand on dissipating the energy from the shell to the stock to the shooters shoulder.   

 We suggest consulting one of your coaches before you show up on the first day with a gun that will make the shooter scared to pull the trigger. 

 

  Last year we had shooters go home with bruises on their shoulders, faces, and confidences simply because they were shooting the wrong gun. If you can hold the extra weight of a 12 gauge gun we recommend you do it.

 

 Gas driven Auto loading guns kick the least. A good fitting double gun has a tamer recoil because of the added weight.  Pump guns are a little more harsh on the shooter. 

 Under no circumstances should you show up with a single shot gun with a hammer on the back. Not only are these guns dangerous but they are among the worst for recoil.  Also, under no circumstances will shooters be allowed to shoot guns with release triggers.

Gunsmith Kirk King's thoughts on trap guns.

"Stick with quality brands with an established reputation. Better to buy a quality used gun than a suspect new gun".

Any legal shotgun in safe working order, chambered 12 gauge or smaller, may be used for ATA (our type of) trap shooting.

While field, skeet, or sporting clay shotguns can be used for trap shooting, the dedicated trap gun has features that make breaking targets easier.

The point of impact (p.o.i.) is higher. This means you can "float" the target and not have to cover it (lose sight of the target). We always want to shoot the target before it begins to fall, the higher p.o.i. also helps us hit a rising target.

Trap guns usually have the longest barrels of any shotguns. This can help to smooth the swing, improve sight picture, decrease muzzle blast, and by adding weight reduce recoil.

Because we pre-mount the gun in trap shooting, a longer length of pull (lop) is desirable.

Trap guns usually have less drop at comb and more cast off (for right hander's) than a field gun. The adjustable comb and adjustable butt plate are seen on most serious trap shooter's guns. With them you can achieve the perfect fit usually only found in a custom made stock.

In shot gunning your dominant eye is the rear sight. If your pupil is not centered and level with the rib, your gun will not shoot where you are looking (aiming). Although many people can contort their head, neck, and shoulder to achieve a workable fit, it is more desirable to have a fit that allows a heads up and eyes level gun mount.

Other features to look for are lengthened forcing cones and extended choke tubes. Both of these can lessen shot deformation and improve patterning. Porting can reduce muzzle rise (flip) but at the cost of increased noise. One of the new super soft recoil pads can reduce shoulder pain. Several brands of hydraulic butt plates are also available to reduce felt recoil to the shoulder.

Perhaps the simplest way to reduce recoil is to add weight to the gun. It is not unusual for a trap gun to weigh 9 lbs. There are clamp on barrel weights and mercury filled rods that slip into the buttstock, magazine, or unused chamber (double barrel gun) available for a reasonable cost