• Explore the Exciting Sports of Trap and Skeet Shooting: Discover the key differences and unique appeals of trap and skeet shooting, two of the most popular clay target shooting sports. Learn about their origins, how they are played, and why they remain a staple at American gun clubs.  
• Choosing the Right Shotgun: Get the rundown on the best shotguns for trap and skeet shooting, including top picks like the Beretta DT11 for trap and the Beretta 687 Silver Pigeon III for skeet. Understand what features make these shotguns ideal for their respective sports.  
• Benefits of Shotgun Suppressors: Dive into the advancements in shotgun suppressors, such as the JK SGX 12 and the SilencerCo Salvo 12, and how they can improve your shooting experience by reducing noise, managing recoil, and protecting your hearing during these high-volume shooting sports. 

• Trap vs Skeet Shooting 
• What is Trap-shooting?   
• Best Shotguns for Trap Shooting 
• What is Skeet Shooting? 
• Best Shotgun for Skeet Shooting 
• Difference Between Trap and Skeet 
• Suppressed Shoguns for Trap and Skeet 
• Conclusion 

Trap and Skeet shooting are the most popular shotgun clay target shooting sports worldwide and are common activities at American gun clubs. 

These sports have become wildly popular as they're challenging, entertaining, and great practice if you're also a bird hunter. 

Trap is the more distinguished and popular game; it was invented in England in the 18th century and remains the premier clay target shooting sport today. 

Skeet began in the 1920s here in America, the greatest country in the world, and was designed to be a better analog for duck hunting. 

Trap shooting is a hugely popular clay target shooting sport. In trap, there is one "Trap" or "House" where the targets are sent from, at random angles away from the shooter. 

The shooter is positioned behind the target house, and different stations are arranged in an arc behind the house. 

The trap releases 25 clays per station, for a total of 125 clays per round. The goal is to shoot as many of the clay targets as possible. 

Trap shooting is a widespread shooting sport, so much so that it has been featured in the Olympics since 1900. Most gun clubs in America feature trap shooting, and scattergun enthusiasts can be found on the trap line every weekend around the country. 

The most common trap-shooting guns are single-barrel shotguns chambered in 12 gauge, known for their precision and consistency. 

Shotguns for trap shooting usually feature longer barrels, often 30 inches or more, for increased range and velocity to engage the clays as they fly away. 

The best trap-shooting shotguns include:  

• Beretta DT11  
• Browning Citori 725 Trap  
• Perazzi MX2000  

Skeet shooting is another target clay shooting sport enjoyed by American gun enthusiasts. While popular in the USA because it was founded here, skeet shooting is less popular abroad.  

Skeet was invented partly to practice bird hunting year-round, and we still recommend shooting a Skeet line to get tuned up for duck season.  

In Skeet, there are two target houses at opposite points of a half-circle, one high and one low. The shooter is positioned between the houses, occupying eight different stations. At each station, you'll have 25 targets to shoot. The clays come randomly from the left and right and can be high or low, with occasional "doubles" where both houses release clays at the same time. 

Skeet shooting has also been an Olympic sport. American Vincent Hancock won the 2020 Olympic Gold Medal. 

Skeet shooting guns are double-barrel or pump-action 12-gauge shotguns with 26-28 inches long barrels. 

Skeet requires faster shots and more maneuverability than trap, so shorter shotguns with higher capacity reign supreme in this game.  

The top Skeet shotguns include:  

• Beretta 687 Silver Pigeon III  
• Browning Citori CXS  
• Winchester Model 101  

Trap and skeet are two of the largest sporting clay games in the world, but aside from blasting clays out of the air, the sports are very different: 

• Trap clays fly away from the shooter, while in skeet they travel horizontally in front of the shooter. 
• Trap features one static house, whereas skeet has two houses.  
• Trap targets come out one at a time, while skeet incorporates doubles. 
• Trap shooters shoot from five stations, while skeet shooters shoot from eight stations and shoot more clays per round. 

Lately, there has been significant innovation in shotgun suppressors. 

Modern shotgun suppressors, like SilencerCo's Salvo 12, feature modular designs that allow you to tune the silencer to your firearm to achieve the ideal balance of weight, length, and suppression. 

Shotgun suppressors like the JK Armament SGX 12 even feature swappable choke endcaps, allowing you to dial in the pattern you want for your preferred clay target shooting sport. 

Both Trap and Skeet competitors shoot hundreds of rounds of incredibly loud 12-gauge shotgun shells each match, and that sustained level of noise and concussion could have adverse effects on your hearing over time. 

A suppressor is a great addition to your Trap or Skatet shotgun. It protects your hearing while helping you hit more targets. 

Shotgun suppressors help to tame the recoil of the mighty 12GA and can assist in keeping you on target for follow-up shots, which could be particularly valuable when trying to shoot those tricky doubles. 

In our experience, suppressed shotguns are more fun and pleasant to shoot. Try one out on your next trap or skeet line. 

Both trap and skeet shooting offer unique challenges and pleasures that appeal to clay target enthusiasts. Whether you prefer the straight-away clays of trap shooting or the crossing targets of skeet, each sport requires precision and skill. 

Grab your go-to hunting shotgun and head to your local sporting clays club; it's a fun time and great practice! 

Additionally, consider the use of shotgun suppressors like the SilencerCo's Salvo 12 or JK Armament's SGX 12, which will enhance your shooting experience by: 

• Reducing noise and recoil 
• Protecting your hearing 
• Improving your overall performance 

Whether you're tuning up for bird season or just looking to enjoy a weekend at the range, trap and skeet shooting provide fantastic opportunities to sharpen your shooting skills in a fun and competitive environment.