Shotgun Shell Catchers

Welshman · Dec 9, 2013

I don't imagine that this will be a particularly long thread, but I know there are folks here that know more than I do.

I've gotten into trap shooting and have just ordered a new gun. It's a Remington 1100 Competition Synthetic, and while I won't know until I get it, I'm guessing I'm going to need a shell catcher. Anyone have any experiences with these things? From what I've read, there are pro's and con's to each, but I'm interested to get your feedback.

Thanks,
Welshman

gwdixon · Dec 9, 2013

I used to use the sheet metal clip-on kind that catches the shell base on exit and holds it on the gun. It might have dropped 1 out of 100 empties.

Oh, don't try to shoot doubles with the clip attached.

Bwana64 · Dec 9, 2013

Are you planning to reload? That would be the only reason to keep your hulls, and it really doesn't pay to reload 12 gauge anymore with the cost of components. Now if you were loading 28 gauge or .410 you could save some money. Anyway if you really want one look here: Shotgun Sports Magazine | America's Leading Shotgun Magazine They always have good quality gear.

AGRIMAN · Dec 9, 2013

We have never them, we just pick them up. All part of the fun.

DutchHenryBrown · Dec 9, 2013

AGRIMAN said:
We have never them, we just pick them up. All part of the fun.

+1

Gary Fowler · Dec 9, 2013

gwdixon said:
I used to use the sheet metal clip-on kind that catches the shell base on exit and holds it on the gun. It might have dropped 1 out of 100 empties.

Oh, don't try to shoot doubles with the clip attached.

What would be the purpose of having such a device if you cant shoot doubles which is a function of skeet. I don't know about trap shooting having never involved myself with it as to whether you have doubles with it or not.
Years ago when I did a lot of skeet shooting, it was just as easy to pick up all your empties after finished for the day and usually came away with more hulls than I shot.

Welshman · Dec 9, 2013

Bwana64 said:
Are you planning to reload? That would be the only reason to keep your hulls, and it really doesn't pay to reload 12 gauge anymore with the cost of components. Now if you were loading 28 gauge or .410 you could save some money. Anyway if you really want one look here: Shotgun Sports Magazine | America's Leading Shotgun Magazine They always have good quality gear.

Well at the place where I shoot, it's not considered proper etiquette to be throwing hulls at the person next to you. That's why I'm looking for a catcher. After I get the gun I may find that it doesn't throw them far enough to be a problem but I wanted to be prepared.

AGRIMAN · Dec 9, 2013

Welshman said:
Well at the place where I shoot, it's not considered proper etiquette to be throwing hulls at the person next to you. That's why I'm looking for a catcher. After I get the gun I may find that it doesn't throw them far enough to be a problem but I wanted to be prepared.

The goal is to dust that bird, I wouldn't give a s&&t about proper etiquette. During a tournament at one of the big ranges in Atlanta, my son got paired with two proper etiquette shooter during a practice round (designer clothes and custom made guns). Every time that old Stoeger fired the shell would bounce off one of those high dollar guns. I couldn't
help but laugh my butt off as after the first round he was 24 of 25 and the proper shooters were 8 and 10.

k0ua · Dec 9, 2013

Most autoloading shotguns I have shot, don't throw the hulls too far anyway. Also a good gunsmith can "tune" the extractor and ejector to adjust where they land and how far to some extent.

Welshman · Dec 9, 2013

AGRIMAN said:
The goal is to dust that bird, I wouldn't give a s&&t about proper etiquette. During a tournament at one of the big ranges in Atlanta, my son got paired with two proper etiquette shooter during a practice round (designer clothes and custom made guns). Every time that old Stoeger fired the shell would bounce off one of those high dollar guns. I couldn't
help but laugh my butt off as after the first round he was 24 of 25 and the proper shooters were 8 and 10.

Well around here, being good and being polite are not mutually exclusive.

Thanks James, that maybe something I'll consider in the future, if necessary, but for now, 15 bucks for a catcher that works is probably the route I'll take.