I am thinking about getting into trap shooting. I know about quite a few guns and most are out of my price range. Has anyone used, or know of someone who shoots a Stoeger Condor, or Condor Competition O/U? Also what size shot is normally used for trap and how many drams of powder is the standard?

Any help will be appreciated. I know it is a less expensive gun, but it does look nice.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

Gismo

I am thinking about getting into trap shooting. I know about quite a few guns and most are out of my price range. Has anyone used, or know of someone who shoots a Stoeger Condor, or Condor Competition O/U? Also what size shot is normally used for trap and how many drams of powder is the standard?

Any help will be appreciated. I know it is a less expensive gun, but it does look nice.

If you get serious about shooting trap, you might shoot more shells in a year than most shotgunners fire in a lifetime of hunting. I am not familiar with the Stoeger Condor or the Condor Competition O/U, but durability is a prime concern along with shotgun fit. I have not seen these shotguns at ATA trap competitions, but a few might be there. Personally I would stick with brands that have proven themselves capable of reliable performance for a hundred thousand plus rounds - such as Remington, Browning, Beretta. The Remington 870 and 1100/1187 trap models are excellent guns that are less expensive than the quality O/Us)

The shotgun will not be the most expensive part of trap shooting. I shoot over 10,000 shots a year at trap (including both practice and competition) and many trapshooters shoot more. Entry fees will run about $25 per 100 shot registered competition plus shells (plus options if you "play the money") plus travel. A quality shotgun's cost, although high initially, when amortized over the life of the gun will be low per year in comparison.

Also consider buying a good used gun. Many trapshooters are constantly changing guns and the price difference between a new gun and a good used gun is roughly proportional to the price difference between a new car and a good used car.

Good morning Gismo.

I've never shot trap, but in my younger days chased the skeet thing for a bunch of years. I shot a Remington 3200 competition skeet gun bored skeet and skeet.

This gun performed well and though it was somewhat costly compared to others the price of the gun wasn't much compared to the price of competing.

Heed Irv's words. Look at some of the gunshops that cater to the trap and skeet and sporting clays crowd. As Irv said shooters often change guns and there are some good ones sitting on shelves waiting for a new owner.

Standard trap loads are 1 1/8th oz. and 2 3/4 or 3 Drams Equivalent. There's also some 1 oz reduced recoil loads. I's start with the light loads as you'll be shooting from the 16 yard line most of the time. There's some debate as to whether you can save money by reloading at todays shell prices. Check out your local prices. Your gun club may have better prices than the retailer. In any case, save your empties.

If you plan on reloading for trap, get a progressive press. The production gain over a single stage is significant. The entry level progressive is the MEC 650, but it doesn't resize and I'd prefer the MEC Grabber for a basic progressive. Got one, love it. Of course, if you can afford a Spolar.......

Bye
Jack