Any Trap, Skeet, Sporting Clays shooters in here?

I have been gracefully and gradually moving some of my saw funds/ priorities over to shooting recently. It is more $$$ than CAD, but in some ways more rewarding. My dad used to shoot nationals (rifle), and I have not decided where I want to go with this hobby. I can balance both, and will always be into saws... always.
But sure having fun shooting trap! What are you guys shooting, guns, loads etc.? I am shooting a Remington 870 Competition Trap, and absolutely in love with it. Not many were produced, and most guys hold on tight to them. 10+ million 870's were produced IIRC, and right around 5,500 were Competition Traps. Single shot pump gun, kind of a hybrid between a 1100 Trap and 870. Where the factory magazine tube normally is, is a gas system used for recoil reduction. They also had nicer bluing and pretty well figured wood. Looking forward to hearing what you guys have to say..

 

Try 5 stand if you haven't yet. I like my over unders but some guys show up with a pump gun and smoke the birds.

 

The 870 Competition Trap was a production handicap gun. Back bored, tight full choke, it will smoke a bird from the 27- and I mean smoke. I couldn't ask it to be a better gun. Selling one of my others for another I found at the club (870TB) that is setup real nice w/ a cut comb and Gracoil.

 

I've had a Beretta A400 Xplor Unico for a while now but I've only fired it once at the trap range-it was fun. My theory is that I'll use it more in retirement and it'll be a good hobby. I'll get to it soon. A guy at work was into competition, and it was crazy how much he spent for guns.

 

Was into comp ATA for a number of years. Shot all over the north east. Had a number of guns including Perrazzi, K-80 and when I stopped, I was shooting a customized Model 12 Winny Pigeon Grade Trap with hydro-coil stock and release trigger. At the time I quit, the exchange rate between $$$ was making it way too expensive. As well, I was "flinching" like H _ LL and my shoulder was really starting to bother me. Really did enjoy it while it lasted and met alot of great people in my travels. Even got to spend time with the late and great Frank Little.

 

It is a very, very expensive hobby in comparison to others, for sure. Just so much darn fun though... A guy can spend a fortune in guns, but doesn't have to. The big $ ya just cant get around, is gas, reloading supplies and/or shells. There is no question in my mind, there isn't more people in it because of the cost of things- especially around here.

 

That's awesome, you have had some nice pieces for sure...
A guy at the club has a KX-5, man o man what a nice gun. I shot it a month or so ago, real sweet shooter for sure. Another fella has a KS-5. As far as the model 12's.. I love seeing the pumps out there. I am one of the only guys shooting an 870 (which I plan to shoot for a long, long time), but I typically see a few model 12's.
I went to some small club in the middle of nowhere to shoot a program the other night, just about all I saw were Kolars and Ljutics lol. Guys there had some good taste . I would like to find a clean Remington 90-T one of these days, Remington had a hand in the design and Kolar made it (and services them) I guess.

My comp doesn't have a reducer on it, but doesn't seem to need it from the recoil reduction in the chamber. But my other 870 (TB) has a Gracoil, and it works pretty nicely. It shoots a little different than the comp, but is a real nice shooter.

 

Glad you guys are all chiming in on this thread, I like talking this stuff- and definitely like to hear others opinions and experiences on this stuff. I am having a blast doing it, and have met some real fine folks along the way.

 

Due to having moved to a different state I have been out of the game for a couple of years, but for quite awhile I shot sporting clays at least once a week (weather permitting) for a few years. I find trap & skeet to be boring (no offense, to each his own) and 5-stand to be just short of the goal...

My tool of choice is the Ruger Red Label 32" Sporting Clays. My whole life I hunted with a Remington 1100 and when I got mildly obsessed with sporting clays I opted for the only stack-barrel made in the United States. I reload Remington hulls; 8 shot, 1-1/8 oz. rounds. I love it. I miss it...

 

Just so happens I've got one too! Great trap gun. Very easy on the shoulder, making it an all day shooter.

 

That's pretty wild! 10+million 870's produced, and supposedly only around 5,500 of the Comps were made. I wouldn't trade mine for anything.
A good friend of mine has one, and when I laid eyes on it a few years ago.. I was astounded/ intrigued. The figure of the wood, the recoil reduction, etc.
A few years later, I walked in a gun store, and asked if they had any used trap guns for sale. They rattled off a few, and then said 870 Competition- and I knew it was meant to be lol.
My TB came from my local club. It actually has really nice wood. They shoot pretty similar, but the TB has a cut comb, is weighted, and has a gra-coil on the back of it. I will have to toss up a pic here in a bit.

 

SWEET..................................

 

Very nice!

 

Made a couple of bucks with the 870TB last night (gun on the right in the pic). Shot an Annie Oakley at the club, 20 some shooters and made it down to the last few and we split the pot. Had a lot of fun shooting, burned through quite a few shells!

 

Shot like crap tonight :/. Didn't even have fun doing it either, just had an off night I guess. I just dont have fun when I don't shoot well, too competitive for my own good I guess. Rained off and on, hot and sticky out.

 

Any of you Ohio guys want to shoot sometime, let me know. I would like to go down to the Cardinal facility here soon in Marengo (where they have the state shoot)

 

Having been down that road, a word of warning. Walk away for a couple of days and divert your attention. Like golf, trapshooting is 10% equipment, 10% technique and 80% between your ears. Have fun with it. If your like the other 98% of the shooters out there, its only ever gonna be a hobby. Don't pressure yourself to be a pro. Been there, done that............it ain't pretty.