page_title: Trap shooting
section_title: Arms and equipment
hierarchical_section_title: Trap shooting / Arms and equipment
caption_attribution_description: English: Right side profile, medium shot of William H. Keever as he takes aim down range on Wednesday, September 20th, 2000 in the Men's Double Trap at the Sydney 2000 Olympics. SPC Keever, who finished 12th, is a member of the US Army Marksmanship Unit at Fort Benning, Georgia.
context_page_description: Trap shooting is one of the three major disciplines of competitive clay pigeon shooting. The other disciplines are skeet shooting and sporting clays. They are distinguished roughly as follows, with variations within each group:
  In trap shooting, the targets are launched from a single "house" or machine, generally away from the shooter.
  In skeet shooting, targets are launched from two "houses" in somewhat "sideways" paths that intersect in front of the shooter.
  Sporting clays includes a more complex course, with many launch points.
context_section_description: Trap shooting is typically shot with a 12 gauge shotgun. Smaller gauge firearms (e.g. 16, 20, 28 gauge) can be used, but no allowance is given. Trap shooting is shot at either single or double target presentations. This refers to the number of clay targets which are launched simultaneously.
  Both general purpose shotguns and more specialized target-type shotguns are used in trap shooting, and may be double-barreled or single-barreled. Shooters who shoot all sub-events will often buy a combination-set of a single and double barrel for shooting both singles and double targets respectively. Self-loading (semi-automatic shotguns) are popular for recreational shooting due to the lower perceived recoil and versatility because they can be used for singles, handicap, and doubles. Shotguns used in trap shooting can differ from field and skeet guns in several ways and normally are designed with a higher "point of impact" as the targets are intended to be shot as they rise.
  Trap shooting shotguns can be adjustable. Stocks may have a "Monte Carlo" (fixed, raised "comb") configuration and/or include a comb height adjustment, a butt plate adjustment for length, angle, or both. Trap guns typically have longer barrels of 750–850 mm (30–33 in), possibly with porting and featuring tighter chokes to compensate for the longer distances at which trap shooting targets are broken. The majority of trap shotguns built today feature interchangeable choke tubes as opposed to older guns which used chokes of a "fixed" constriction. Interchangeable choke tubes can come in a variety of constrictions and may use names such as "modified", "improved cylinder", and "full". Trap guns are built to withstand the demands and stress of constant and lengthy repeated use—hundreds of shots in a single day of events, whereas typical field guns are built to be lighter, carried afield, and not shot in such quantity.
  Common accessories include wearing a vest or pouch that will hold at least 25–50 cartridges or "shells" for singles and/or doubles events. Most ranges and clubs require eye and ear protection.
  Shooting glasses may be something as simple as the eyeglasses or sunglasses one presently wears. Specialized shooting glasses typically have interchangeable colored lenses, are adjustable, and designed for high-impact resistance. A spectrum of different colored lenses are offered to compensate for light conditions as well as enhance the color of the target thrown while muting the color of the background. Adjustable glasses allow on-range changes for conditions of light, color, etc.
  Hearing protection also comes in a variety of styles. Dense foam and electronics are used to reduce sound levels. Typical hearing protection is either an "earmuff" (worn over the ear) or an "ear plug" (worn in the ear canal). Some shooters use both simultaneously to gain greater noise reduction (NRR). There are also "ear plugs" molded to the shape of the ear, which can be used for listening to music while shooting.
caption: A competitor at the 2000 Summer Olympics trap shooting with an over/under double-barreled shotgun
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