Well.. guess who decided she wanted to be a trap shooter now.

FinsnFur · May 24, 2026, 09:47:27 PM

From baseball, to basketball, to football... now trap shooting.

I asked her if she liked it better then playing ball. She says yes Grampa

I asked Katie if she struggles with the commitment. Constant practice, givin up the weekends, etc.
She says, "no Dad.. she actually has the guns and ammo loaded in the car before I even get home from work.

I love it

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First Tournament today. My lil first year Rookie came in third. I couldnt be prouder.

Okanagan · May 24, 2026, 09:53:06 PM

She looks confident and competent, a winning combo. Third place in first tournament is awesome!

Hawks Feather · **Yesterday** at 03:45:12 PM

Tell her congratulations from your Ohio connection. She does look the part of a professional shooter.

Forgot to ask. What firearm is she using?

Todd Rahm · **Yesterday** at 05:13:02 PM

Jim, this post made my day! Thanks!! Love seeing the younger generation in shooting sports, especially the ladies.

FinsnFur · **Yesterday** at 06:46:46 PM

Quote from: Hawks Feather on Yesterday at 03:45:12 PMForgot to ask. What firearm is she using?

Jerry, Beretta A400 Xcel
While she complained of it's weight a few months ago when starting out, she has quickly gotten comfortable and takin a likin to it.

nastygunz · **Yesterday** at 08:18:54 PM

She'd fit right in here in the motherland!

Hawks Feather · **Yesterday** at 08:38:01 PM

Quote from: FinsnFur on Yesterday at 06:46:46 PM
Quote from: Hawks Feather on Yesterday at 03:45:12 PMForgot to ask. What firearm is she using?

Jerry, Beretta A400 Xcel
While she complained of it's weight a few months ago when starting out, she has quickly gotten comfortable and takin a likin to it.

I have shot a few Berettas and they are nice shotguns. Glad she is enjoying it.

FinsnFur · **Yesterday** at 10:17:18 PM

So give me your personal opinion on the Xcel vs say an over under.
The Xcel belongs to the club, and they are allowed to take them home to practice etc.
Me and her Mother talked about getting her, her own if she wants to stick with this sport.
A lot of the other shooters are using over unders which they own.
Even though I feel like an over under would give a better sight advantage, Im concerned about changing things up for her this far into it. Especially the weight, which I think an over under would be heavier, no?

nastygunz · **Yesterday** at 11:58:52 PM

I would stick with the Beretta. Cheaper, and she's going to be growing, and wait a while and see if her interest continues in the sport.

msmith · **Today** at 06:28:16 AM

I know exactly zero about trap. That being said, that A400 would transfer over to hunting doves, ducks, pheasant, etc. if she ever decided to take up bird hunting.

Just a thought.

Hawks Feather · **Today** at 11:55:18 AM

History: I am the first to admit that I am not a trap shooter. I shot in my early life with a Mossberg bolt gun and had fun. When I moved here I joined the Fish and Game and they had VERY serious trap shooters in the late 70s and early 80s. I went once and was so out of my league that I decided not to continue in the Sunday trap shoots. Then the older shooters passed and so did trap at the club. About 15 years ago when I became president of the club and we started 'fun shoots' before the meetings and at least one other time during the month. I was shooting a Benelli M1 hunting shotgun and as an average I would break about 15, again not great. A friend had a Browning BT-99 and let me shoot it. The raised rib was a plus and I hit more targets. Then about 8 years ago I had the chance to purchase a Browning over/under with sleeves for .410, 20, and 16 gauge for an unbelievable price. My first time shooting it I hit 20 and that has normally been the least that I have hit with that shotgun.

The over/under will be heavier which is both good and bad. The extra weight reduces the felt recoil but is extra weight to hold. The good thing about trap vs hunting is that you are seldom holding the shotgun for very long. There are some much better recoil pads now that can soften the felt recoil for any shotgun. The BT-99 is a great trap shotgun, but is she ever going to want to shoot skeet? If so, the BT just got put in the gun safe and will probably stay there. The over/under can shoot skeet, trap, and be used for hunting.

She is having fun with the club's Beretta, and I would let her continue with it, at least for now. If she continues to love the sport then I would start looking for a replacement and think the over/under would be a good replacement. As for her learning to shoot on the Beretta and having problems changing to a different shotgun, I don't see that as a problem at all. At the club we start kids out on Remington 870s and later on many come back to shoot shotguns that they have purchased or are on loan from friends. They don't seem to have any trouble adjusting. What you are looking for now is her getting the fundamentals down. (Now, if you are older change could be difficult.) The other thing about waiting is that she will continue to grow which mean that the over/under that you buy today will probably need to have the stock shortened to fit her and that will change. There are inserts that will allow it to be extended in the future as long as the stock is the correct length for her when purchased. I have never looked for an over/under with a shortened stock, but I am sure she is not the first youth to outgrow a shortened stock.

I can't emphasize enough that fit and proper instruction are VERY important. While I hold NRA Shotgun Instructor certification, I don't feel that I am that knowledgeable and while good enough to teach safety and beginning instruction, she will need someone with more qualifications than those similar to mine to become proficient.