When I was in gunsmithing school, there was a smattering of demographics in both age and economics.
I was one of the younger guys, and on the financially-strapped side too. My friend Benny was on the opposite end. Having just reached retirement age, Benny had done quite well for himself in the insurance business. His passion was trap shooting. He even became the North Carolina state champion trap shooter several times. One Saturday afternoon, Benny invited a couple of us to shoot some trap with him. After arriving, I was awestruck–there were more Perazzis , Kolars and more high-end shotguns than I had ever seen in one spot. I’ll never forget Benny taking out his own shotgun which I immediately recognized as a Browning BT-99. Though it was a great gun, that Browning was only a fraction of the price of some of the other shotguns at the shoot.
Humble BT-99
I remember asking him why he didn’t shoot a Perazzi or a Kolar. And I’ll never forget Benny’s reply, “When I can shoot a perfect score with a Browning, why do I need to spend any more.” Benny’s words have stuck with me since those early days in my gunsmithing career.
I once read that shooting-sports are the second most expensive sport in the Olympics, only behind equine [horse] sports. The irony here is that the overall cost of the shotgun is actually the least expensive part. Depending on how much a competitor shoots, it’s the cost of their targets and ammunition over the course of a season that can surpass the cost of the actual shotguns. No doubt, not everyone shoots as much as an Olympian in training, but even for amateurs, it still adds up.
To cut costs, I heeded my friend Benny’s advice and went with a shotgun that fit me and allowed me to hit clays. Last month, I went to the local range for a couple rounds of trap again. I saw some high-end shotguns and I got more than one side eye when I pulled out a Winchester SXP trap gun. I repeated Benny’s words to myself.
Now did I shoot a perfect score?
No, but I shot as well as the other shooters and was overall pleased with my scores.
That shooting session made me ponder affordable (under $1000) shotguns made specifically for trap shooting. Though the options are rather sparse, these shotguns are loaded with features many new trap shooters are looking for.
Savage 555 Trap
The Savage 555 Trap is a single barrel break open shotgun. It very much resembles the BT-99 which my friend Benny shot all those years ago. The 555 has an aluminum receiver, an adjustable height Turkish walnut stock and a raised/ventilated rib. It has a manual safety. Its 30-inch barrel is chrome lined. These Savage trap guns can be purchased in 12 or 20-gauge, and in compact or standard-length models. The guns shipped with full, modified and cylinder Beretta Mobilchoke pattern chokes.
MSRP of the Savage 555 Trap is $769. A great buy on a great gun.
CZ 612 Target
The CZ 612 Target builds off the proven CZ 612 pump-action shotgun. CZ Target shotguns come with a polished glossy blued steel finish and oil-finished select grade Turkish walnut furniture. Moreover, the CZ 612 Target uses the same tuned trigger as the 612 Trap. Its barrel also includes a raised ventilated rib on its 32-inch barrel. Lastly, the barrel ships with extended chokes and a pair of Bradley-style white beads.
The MSRP on the CZ 612 Target is $599. If you are a pump-gun fan, don’t overlook the 612 Target.
Winchester SXP High Grade
The SXP High Grade is actually a new product for 2025. This shotgun features a gloss finished aluminum alloy receiver and can be had with blued steel 30 or 32-inch barrels. Internally, its both chrome-lined and back-bored. The muzzle also makes use of Invector-style chockes. The 5/16-inch trap rib is a bit wider and higher than a standard field SXP to allow the shooter to get on the bird quicker. The TRUGLO fiber optic sight and white mid beads also help. Like many target shotguns, the Winchester SXP High Grade features a 70/30 point of impact. This means 70% of the shot will pattern above the bead. This type of arrangement works excellently with rising targets, which are often encountered in trap-shooting.
Furniture-wise, the Winchester SXP High Grade includes a satin-finished Turkish walnut stock with a high profile trap comb and forearm with traditional checkering. The butt also has an Inflex technology recoil-pad that redirects felt recoil away from the cheek. This is a nice features, as it protects you from a sore cheek after a couple rounds of trap.
MSRP for the SXP High Grade is $599.99.
Winchester SXP Trap
The Winchester SXP Trap has all the features of the slightly more expensive SXP High Grade, but with a plain-jane presentation. However, there’s nothing plain about this shotgun.
Like the High Grade, you can pick 30 or 32-inch barrels. And the SXP Trap’s barrel makes use of the same back-bore technology and Invector choke tubes. The same goes for its beads, sight and rib. The SXP Trap does feature a Monte Carlo hardwood stock and forearm fitted with that same Inflex recoil pad.
The Winchester SXP Trap is a true bare-bones shotgun with plenty of backbone.
Its MSRP starts at $519.99. The money you save on the SXP Trap can buy a couple weeks of shells.
Winchester SXP Trap Compact
The SXP Trap Compact has all the same features as the standard SXP Trap, but in a shorter stock (13-inch length of pull) for smaller-framed shooters. In addition, the SXP Trap Compact can be bought with shorter 28 and 30-inch barrels, both in 12 gauge or 20 gauge.
MSRP for the SXP Trap in 12 gauge is $519.99 while the 20 gauge MSRP is $569.99.
Parting Shots
No matter if your goal is to become a better wingshooter or just shoot an occasional round of trap with your friends, you can buy an affordable shotgun like any of the ones I mentioned–and still have some cash to buy shells and lunch. Remember, the winner always buys lunch.
