Browning Shotgun for Trap and/or Sporting Clays

[Bullit]

I intend to purchase a shotgun next spring, primarily for trap shooting. Browning appears to be the brand of choice, but here is my question...

It is quite clear that the single shot BT-99 would make a good trap gun but Cynergy and Citori models are also made in trap versions. Study as I might, I can't figure out what the difference is between the two other than perhaps price.

Is there someone out there who can explain the difference between the Cynergy and Citori product lines?

[Rip Van Winkle]

Is there someone out there who can explain the difference between the Cynergy and Citori product lines?

Looks I suspect.

[Stradawhovious]

Looks I suspect.

And spelling....

[Bullit]

Those are the impressions I am getting. I have seen nothing that would induce me to pay the extra $$ for the Cynergy.

[1911fan]

Do you shoot trap or clays now? If so, spend some time in the club house asking around. that sport is very insular in many ways, and what I as a more sporting shooting guy and carry person know about the nuances of the various models and brands is minute.

The best trap shooter I know uses a 1100 rem and has somewhere north of a half million rounds thru it. He shoots both right handed and left handed, trying to spread the damage to both sides of his body. While break action guns are the hot thing, remember that a gas gun will hit you about 60 % as hard as a break action gun, and that can end up being a lot less wear and tear on your body.

[Bullit]

Re gas guns

As a matter of fact, I have tried a Browning auto and liked it very much. The recoil was less and the trigger was a dream.

BUT - It is embarassing to be scrounging around for your empties afterward. Hence the current preference for a break action shotgun with extractors (not ejectors).

Thanks for the comments!

[MisterOblivious]

Re gas guns

BUT - It is embarassing to be scrounging around for your empties afterward. Hence the current preference for a break action shotgun with extractors (not ejectors).

Tell me about it! I haven't been able to find a shellcatcher that meets my needs so I'm working on some sort of solution. On the plus side, none of the guys I shoot with these days reload which means no more arguing about who is trying to sneak off with my missing AA hulls anymore. A lot of folks are shooting those steel-based hulls that make finding mine so much easier.

[Victoria]

I use one of these on my semi-auto when shooting trap and I really like it:
http://www.tandsshellcatcher.com/

Very easy to load with it in place with minimal practice, and also very easy to grab the shell out after a shot. With a full group for trap, I can unload the spent shell and load a new one and stand around for a while waiting for my next turn. If I take it on and off gently, it does not mar the surface of the shotgun, and it's easy to take on/off. I also wear one of those belted bags that has a pouch for my box of shells and a bigger pouch below for spent shells. I save the spent ones and give em to a friend who reloads.

I don't think I'd be able to shoot trap and have fun with it without a semi-auto (which still leaves slight bruises on my shoulder), and I definitely wouldn't have a team that liked me if I had shells flying at them all the time, so this works perfectly for me, and was relatively inexpensive. I've seen them in stock at (I think) Sportsman's Warehouse.

[Bullit]

Well now you've done it. I thought I had the choice narrowed down to the BP-99 or Citori, but now I definetely have to add a Browning semi-auto to my list.

Great info. Looks like a handy widget to have at low cost.

[Bullit]

Anyone have recommendations for a good autoloader trap shooting gun? I know little about these guns.

In the "under $1500" range. Would that be possible?

[MisterOblivious]

I use one of these on my semi-auto when shooting trap and I really like it:
http://www.tandsshellcatcher.com/

Very easy to load with it in place with minimal practice, and also very easy to grab the shell out after a shot. With a full group for trap, I can unload the spent shell and load a new one and stand around for a while waiting for my next turn. If I take it on and off gently, it does not mar the surface of the shotgun, and it's easy to take on/off. I also wear one of those belted bags that has a pouch for my box of shells and a bigger pouch below for spent shells. I save the spent ones and give em to a friend who reloads.

I don't think I'd be able to shoot trap and have fun with it without a semi-auto (which still leaves slight bruises on my shoulder), and I definitely wouldn't have a team that liked me if I had shells flying at them all the time, so this works perfectly for me, and was relatively inexpensive. I've seen them in stock at (I think) Sportsman's Warehouse.

I've been looking at one of those, but picking up after a round of trap isn't too bad. Most of my hulls are lost in the piles rolling down hills shooting sporting clays so I need something that can catch two of 'em.

Back on topic, I really can't make any great recommendations. The 1100 has served me well ever since I was strong enough to use it. I tried a friend's Beretta (al391?) and it was nice. It's not enough of an upgrade for me to justify the price, but you may want to take a look Bullit. I really, really like the way the Benelli Black Eagles shoulder and handle. They feel like a feather compared to my 1100s but they're really a more of a hunting gun than a sport gun. Can't say I see the need for 3 1/2" shells for trap ya know? Considering the weight and the short-stroke recoil mechanism, they don't recoil too painfully. They're easier to clean than my gas guns, but won't reliable cycle the light loads I use (1oz #8 over 17.5gr RedDot, AA Hull, Win209)

[1911fan]

I was up at Metro in blaine and they have about 20 different guns for rent, some quite nice that you can try if you wish to narrow your search down.

[Rip Van Winkle]

Anyone have recommendations for a good autoloader trap shooting gun? I know little about these guns.

In the "under $1500" range. Would that be possible?

Benelli
Benelli video

[45usp45]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6bKbqSdNEc

video on Beretta Xtrema2 shotgun.
A friend has this shotgun and I have fired it and can say that it reduces recoil more than any shotgun I have fired.

[Bullit]

OK. I am almost there. I can toss the clay out behind my back, pick up the gun off the table and load it. But then the clay has already hit the ground.

But...I don't have a Benelli - that must be the problem.

Thanks, everyone for the great tips!!