Semi-Auto Shotgun and Trap Shooting

For as many years I have been shooting this topic comes up every couple of months.  Person with a semi-automatic ejected hulls are hitting the shooter to the right or the shotgun. You have Defenders who justify and the upset shooters who shotgun got dinged.

Usually, the scenario is the shooters is at the first shoot at another club and has no idea what the etiquette is. Been shooting with buddies or the home club not saying anything, happy to see new shooters but not doing the shooter any favors when he/she eventually visits another club.

What the ATA rulebook has to say.

J. SAFETY

Shoot Management may disqualify a contestant for violation of these Rules, and violations may also result in further disciplinary action.

15.All guns used by contestants must be equipped, fitted and utilized so as not to eject empty shells in a manner that substantially disturbs or interferes with other contestants.

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I've seen a semi-auto shooter moved to another squad who could live with it or the person with the hulls being bounced off the shotgun moved.  Usually, it's the semi-auto shooter who is moved as it's not people the shooter normally shoots with.

Might not seem like a big issue but do you really want spent hulls bouncing off your shotgun or head while you're trying to concentrate on your shooting?  If it hits a speaker could make a target go off.

My wife and I both shoot a semi.  I have a shell catcher and she doesn't.  We agreed I would always shoot to the right of her. Turns out her Beretta 300 Sporting does not eject hulls directly to the right, but outward.  No where close to the shooter/pad to the right of her. Always into the grass.

A shell catcher is the answer if your hulls are an issue. If you're lucky you can find an older one that fits your shotgun, and if not.

You may have to move the plate or bend the wire a few times before your satisfied (Birchwood Casey Save it Shell Catcher).

You can try a rubber band. Note the thickness.

Or you can try Nylon Cable Ties or a Ponytail Tie (never tried it myself):

A Remington 1100 with a Trap Barrel has a hull deflector stud weld inside the barrel chamber that deflects shells automatically.  

Off the net:

The Remington trap barrel has a little bump, smaller than a pencil eraser but bigger than a pencil lead, near the top inside of the very back part of the barrel. When the shell is being ejected, this bump or deflector, directs the shell downward instead of outward.

Take your current barrel to a gunsmith and have him drill and solder in a deflector stud for you barrel. If he isn’t sure exactly where to place it, borrow a trap barrel for him to copy. Exact placement of the deflector stud is critical.

Any gunsmith should be able to perform this work. It’s the most basic stuff possible. Just get one that is familiar with Remington autos so he knows where to locate the stud.