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Mike AA

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I have been shooting skeet for about 20 years now. I have recently been thinking of getting into trap and getting away from the skeet game. I also have a trap range 5 miles from my house while the skeet range is 40 miles away.

I have a Browning Ultra XS Skeet would this gun work for Trap, or do I need to buy a Cynergy ? I also have a Beretta 391 could this gun be used for a while? I think I know the answers but I would like to confirm my thoughts with some other opinions.

What is the unsingled gun, I see one is an o/u and the other is a single barrel with a very high rib,Can someone explain.

I have tried Trap a few times and found it a lot harder than skeet because of the uncertainty of the targets. I do like that it seems to be a much more serious game, I always found it distracting to be standing on the skeet line while waiting your turn to shoot and having strangers trying to make conversation with you, Its not that Im unsociable but I really like to zone out and get into my game without other distractions.
 
Just about any gun can work for trap. The only thing to remember is that in trap you shoot the birds on the rise. This is the reason that most trap guns are made to shoot high. I might assume that the way your guns fit you they probably shoot somewhat flat. This is no big deal, because all you have to do is swing through the bird and cover it up when you shoot. Personally i think either gun you mentioned will do for now.

The unsingle just stands for under single. Basically it is a single barrel for a double barrel receiver that sits on the bottom rather than the top. The rib is bigger to bring it up to eye level. You find its a love hate thing with these kinds of ribs.

Oh and trap is the perfect zone sport. just make sure you get some huge blinder for you glasses! :lol:
 
Welcome, Mike.

I'm a trap convert, also. I shot a lot of skeet, but succumbed to trap about a year ago, and I find it a much more exciting game than skeet.

For starters, you could probably get away with the Beretta 391. Put a I/M choke in it, cover the bird, and you'll break targets.

For starters, I would seek out a Browning BT99, used. There are lot's of them out there, and they make an ideal first trap gun. You might also consider a Remington 1100/11-87 trap model.

As StrayPellet stated, the under-single is just the bottom barrel of an O/U with a higher rib. It also provides recoil in a more straight-back direction, than the back-and-up with a top single, pump, or semi-auto. You can also get things like adjustable ribs, which add another dimension.

I've shot them all in the past year, and I prefer the under-single.

I will disagree with you about the target variation. All targets rise, moving away from you, and there are only about five different angles. No plethora of angles, as in skeet. The odd thing is, that the longest leads in trap, are just about the same as in skeet (4-4.5 ft), and the shortest have no lead at all. No lead on straight-aways in trap, and no lead on H1, L7, or station 8 in skeet.

The game also moves much faster. A trap squad can shoot a round in about 12-15 minutes; something usually unheard of in skeet.

Now, one other thing. You'll find that trap is addictive. It would probably be cheaper to be hooked on cocaine.

Best,
Dennis
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
ok one other question, What is the purpose of buying the Cynergy unsingled combo ? What if you prefer one barrel and dislike the other ? I think I would like te unsingled barrel with the high rib, Also what is the purpose of the O/U barrel that you get with the combu if you can only take one shot at a time?
 
Mike AA said:
ok one other question, What is the purpose of buying the Cynergy unsingled combo ? What if you prefer one barrel and dislike the other ? I think I would like te unsingled barrel with the high rib, Also what is the purpose of the O/U barrel that you get with the combu if you can only take one shot at a time?
So that if and when you shoot doubles you have the same basic feeling gun. the really high looking rib is basically only taking up the space left by where the top barrel would be.

If you are not interested in doubles or dont have a problem switching back and forthe between guns find a bt-99 they are awesome
 
The unsingle (no d) allows you to have two guns in one package. A lot of Trap guys like the unsingle because it allows you to have a longer sighting plane by having a longer barrel and still keep it balanced considering the weight reduction of one less barrel.

The O/U barrel is for when you shoot doubles.

There are basically three aspects of Trap; Singles, Handicap and Doubles.

Singles is shot from the 16yrd line.
Handicap is shot from farther back. Where is determined by how good you are at singles.
Doubles is a true pair at fixed angles.
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
ok I got it now, I didnt know you shot doubles in Trap. I did look at the BT99 Golden Clays, very nice gun.
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
So to be a well rounded Trap shoooter you need a combo setup. Knowing myself I would definitly eventually want to shoot doubles. Looks like Im gonna need about 5 grand to get setup.
 
when I was shooting and ou I just used my bottom barrel on singles no biggie. yeah if you want to be setup like a pro spend the big bucks hell sometime I threaten to bust out my 870 for trap I still shoot it best of all my guns
 
So to be a well rounded Trap shoooter you need a combo setup.
Not necessarily. You can always get an O/U until you're ready for a combo set-up. I shoot all three trap events with my O/U. I purposely didn't buy a combo. I know exactly how my O/U shoots (patterned both barrels with all of my chokes), it fits me and I don't have to worry about switching barrels back and forth. But that's me.

It's really a matter of preference.

Good luck and welcome to Trap!
 
Don't forget to look at SKB. For under $3k, you can buy a combo with an adjustable comb. I own the 85TSS, and I couldn't be happier.

I resembles the K80. Now, before the "K" gun defenders descend on my head, the SKB is not a "K" gun. I don't pretend that it is. However, it doesn't cost $16K, either. It has features built in that cost extra in most every stock trap gun. It comes with HiViz sights, Graco adjustable comb, Pachmayr recoil pad, and if you want it, Magnaporting. It also has an adjustable rib. It doesnt' get much better than that.

Just food for thought.

Best,
Dennis
 
For the most part, all of your questions have been answered. However, there are a couple of things I think I should clear up.

Handicap is shot from farther back. Where is determined by how good you are at singles.
This is not exactly true. The ATA handicap system is based on previous preformance in handicap, not singles. Everyone (except for sub-juniors) starts off at the 20 yard line. If you shoot a good score from that yard line, they will move you back a yard or a half yard. The farthest back you can get is the 27 yard line, only the best shooters shoot from the 27.

All targets rise, moving away from you, and there are only about five different angles. No plethora of angles, as in skeet. The odd thing is, that the longest leads in trap, are just about the same as in skeet (4-4.5 ft), and the shortest have no lead at all
There would only be about 5 angles if all you did was stand on Post 3, but since you move around behind the machine the angles are constantly changing, and there are really more like 25 angles when you add them up from all the different post. Also, I've never felt like I was 4 ft. in front of a hard right or left. In all fairness, how long a lead is required is something you have to figure out by yourself, and different people see different leads.

Not sure all that made sense, especially the last part, but I'm rushed and can't think of how exactly to word it. :oops:
 
Mike....the boy's have answered your questions well.

One thing I will say about the unsingle, and I have tried 2 of them, is not all shooters can make the unsingle work. In my case it took the second gun to finally learn/get used to the sight pic.(I think)

Those that have shot guns a lifetime were the barrel is incorporated into the sight picture, as in the bead close to the top of the barrel. Seem to struggle with getting used to no barrel in the sight picture, or tend to try and subconsciously include the barrel. Driving the gun up at trigger time. Resulting in shooting over the target. An O/U solves this problem, but makes the gun balance more forward in some cases, also restricts you to a 32" length barrel max.

There are both the original unsingle that is designed to give a rib height of the average O/U and the new high rib models that are even more heads up, with adjustable ribs on the O/U barrels also. Beretta Etchens 687 & 682 gold E , C Guerini - all trap models, Kgun K-80 special, Pgun 2005, any custom add-on barrels like MoneyMakers, ect. The shooter will not crawl the stock on these models, even long neckers. The Bgun (Browning) are the lower profile in the XT (uncertain about the other Browning models).

Whatever you purchase, getting used to the new gun will take a few thousand round. Getting the gun to center on your focus point more complicated with both an adjustable rib and comb. Most shooters will set the comb for sight picture and the POI by rib. Combo's add another barrel to the setting procedure with Pgun, CGgun, and Kgun. Not any of Bguns have adjustable ribs on the O/U barrels.

Good luck and glad to see another trap shooter in our ranks.

Maltzie
 
Discussion starter · #14 ·
Thank you everyone. lots of good information here. Really cleared up some things I have wondered about over the years but were afraid to ask. Im going to the trap range this weekend with the guns I have and see what I can do, hopefully I dont make a fool of myself. Im torn between the BT99 golden clays and the Cynergy. Im going to see what others are using and see if I can talk to some people about equipment.
 
Discussion starter · #16 ·
pendennis , the SKB is a nice looking gun it has the same action as a Weatherby field gun I have. Im going to give that one a look along with the Cynergy and the BT99.
 
pendennis , the SKB is a nice looking gun it has the same action as a Weatherby field gun I have. Im going to give that one a look along with the Cynergy and the BT99.
That would be because SKB made that gun. Weatherby contracted their shotguns out to SKB, and SKB did a great job making the Weatherby's. Personally, I love the SKB's action, and would prefer it over any other action on the market today. Just a jew months ago Weatherby's contract with SKB ended. Fausti of Italy now makes the Weatherby's. I have no clue how good the new Weatherby's are, but the old ones sure are great.
 
Discussion starter · #18 ·
I have used the Weatherby for 18 years, I bought it as a Skeet gun back when I didnt know the difference between a field gun and a skeet gun. I used it for years untill I moved up to a Citouri , then a 682 Gold Beretta, and finally a K80. Knowing that the WBY was made by SKB I would have no problem buying the 85TTR or 85TSS as a first trap gun.

What is the difference between the 2 SKB models I mentioned above, I couldnt seem to figure out the difference on SKB's websight.
 
pendennis said:
Welcome, Mike.

I will disagree with you about the target variation. All targets rise, moving away from you, and there are only about five different angles. No plethora of angles, as in skeet. The odd thing is, that the longest leads in trap, are just about the same as in skeet (4-4.5 ft), and the shortest have no lead at all. No lead on straight-aways in trap, and no lead on H1, L7, or station 8 in skeet.

Best,
Dennis
4 to 4 1/2 feet..............Bullspit.....absolute Bullspit.
 
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