From: ucsd!dcdwest!plb@uunet.UU.NET (Phil Blais)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: Re: Skeet/Trap Guns...Help!
Date: 16 Apr 92 17:55:58 GMT
Organization: ITT Aerospace/Communications Division - West

In article <53244@mimsy.umd.edu> M20069@MBVM.mitre.org (Joseph H. Downing) writes:
#Are there any Skeet/Trap shooters out there?  If so, could you please explain
#the difference between the weapons used for each?
# 
#Thanks in Advance,
#Joe Downing

The following is written from a competitive (ATA) trap shooters point of view
who has only shot skeet recreationally.  Apologies to all the competitive
skeet shooters out there if I mistate any skeet facts. I'm sure I'll
be corrected very quickly (-: 

The primary differences would have to be choke, barrel length, stock/
point of impact and guage.

As regards choke the simple answer is that a TYPICAL skeet gun has far
less choke than a typical trap gun but life is never simple and in reality
alot depends on what game is being played..

In competitive American trap there are 3 different games; singles (16 yards
handicap (17-27 yards) and doubles (16 yards). Serious ATA competition trap
shooters will typically shoot these three games with chokes ranging from
extra full - full (for long yardage handicap) to almost wide open for 16 yard
singles. In doubles, if one uses an over/under gun, the first shot is choked
on the order of improved cyl. - modified and the second modified - full.
These are all approximations and since trap shooters tend to be real picky
about chokes they refer to it in terms of thousandths or points of
restriction as opposed to the generic description. I.E. 40 thousandths
restriction == extra full etc. In skeet shooting the targets are shot at
closer range and therefore less choke is used.

Barrel length varies quite a bit but again the TYPICAL trap gun will have
a longer barrel than the typical skeet gun. Average barrel length for a
skeet gun would be on the order of 26-28 inches. While a trap gun can go
all the way to 34 inches. Barrel length affects primarily swing and pattern.
Since skeet targets are shot much closer in and in some cases at severe angles
how quickly the shooter swings through the target and how wide his pattern is
can really affect his score. The shorter barrel length combined with an open
choke will allow the skeet shooter rapid target acquisition with a pattern
wide enough to break the clay. The trap shooter on the other hand does
not have to deal with angles quite so severe nor close in targets. Trap clays
always go away from the shooter (in skeet they sometimes come towards the
shooter) so the range is constantly increasing. The increased barrel length
along with choke keeps the pattern tighter so that when it finally reaches
the target enough pellets hit the clay to break it (2-3 are enough). A longer
therefore heavier barrel helps smooth out the swing and once the swing is
started inertia helps with the all important follow through (like golf).

Trap guns typically use a stock with a higher comb height than a skeet gun.
Competition trap guns will usaully be fitted with a monte carlo stock or
one with an adjustable comb. The comb height affects the point of impact
and because trap targets are on the rise when shot we want the gun to shoot
high. The advantage of a high shooting gun is that it allows the shooter
to always see the target and allows the pattern to be more or less centered on
the clay by the time it gets there. If the gun shot where it points (flat)
the shooter would have to "cover" the target and therefore lose sight of it.
Most trap shooters prefer to just come up and "touch" the clay with the front
bead and squeeze the trigger. Skeet guns are typically set up to shoot flat
like a field gun with little or no monte carlo. 

As in trap skeet has different variations one of which deals with gauge.
Competitive skeet events typically specify guage i.e. 12, 20, 28 or .410.
To shoot these events the shooter must use the specified guage.
In competitive trap four gauges are legal (12, 20, 28 and .410). Its up to
the shooter which to use. Obviously anything less than 12 reduces the pellet
count and therefore the great majority use 12 guage.

One last little comment - it is said (in trap circles) that the difference
between a trap shooter and a skeet shooter is similar to the difference
between an equstrian and a cowboy (-: just couldn't resist.


-- 
phil blais  N6KXD (ex WD6ETL)    ITT    Aerospace Communications Division
dcdwest!plb@ucsd.edu           DEFENSE    10060 Carroll Canyon Road
						San Diego, CA 92131
						   (619) 578-3080