Clay target traps...shooter operated. ***Now with Review***

Tim

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any recommendations?

I want a portable trap that can throw doubles and is shooter operated.

If it could be adjustable to throw left, right, high low, ground level, that'd be nifty. Budget less than $200.
 
http://www.cabelas.com/product/DO-ALL-RAVEN-AUTO-THRWR/1835898.uts?slotId=14

I know this is a little over the budget, but hear me out. I had been looking for one myself for several months, trying to find the best one for my money. On purchases like this, I like Cabela's (local store to me) so if it doesn't perform I can take it back without any hassle. While standing in Cabela's looking at this unit on the shelf and scrolling through my phone for prices, I came across the Wal Mart site offering this same thrower for $262. Just then a Cabela's guy walks up and asks if I need help and I asked if they price match and he said yes. He went and got a cart, put it on there, and took me up front and gave instructions to cashier to ring up $262.

This thrower will get it done. It's not a commercial duty unit, but it works for my crowd, and has had a healthy workout. It has a wireless remote and a foot pedal, so you can shoot by yourself. It will throw a clay about 70 yards, and fast too. I later added the wobbler kit, which was about as much as the thrower, but it adds another dimension to shooting, as you don't know where the clay is going.It won't throw doubles, but it does cycle pretty fast.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Do-All-Automatic-Trap-Wobbler-Kit/741415.uts?slotId=7

https://www.doalloutdoors.com/product/ff550-fire-fly-auto-trap-with-carry-bag/

The Fire Fly is the first one I bought (caught it on sale for less than $200), but it's performance leaves a little to be desired. I do use it in conjunction with the Raven for throwing doubles though, and it's good for that. Hope this helps!

Edit: To be honest, I doubt you'll find a shooter operated model under your budget. The only ones I've seen that will throw doubles are manual units, which won't be shooter operated.
 
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If you keep an eye on SVM's Ebay store, they do the $100 Cabelas gift cards for $80. Buy 3 for $240, and you have $300 worth. Then go get your Cabela's to price match for $262, and you have the thing for the equivalent of $230 or so after taxes.
 
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I've borrowed one from a buddy, forget the brand but it's a pretty good one..holds 90 clays. It won't throw doubles though.
The least favorite thing for me, is if you try to get it to throw clays 'higher' instead of kinda straight out ..it'll bind and not load the clays properly. I'm reluctant to place it on a picnic table or what-not to 'throw higher' for safety reasons. I've seen clays bust when the thrower arm try's to launch them.

So we've come up with some games to make it more challenging. My favorite is 'ice the kicker'. After the shooter says pull, the operator has a 5 second window within to launch. Can be right away, or anywhere within that 5 seconds. Doesn't sound like much on paper, but the shooter always starts to lose concentration...looking at the gun, their trigger finger, making sure the safety is off, whatever. That's when I launch. :D Miss ratio is around 70%.

Also, rather than letting the shooter stand in-line with the path of the clay flight, (which they all want to do) make them stand perpendicular to it, which makes them have to swing the shotgun right-to-left as they track the bird. Much harder.

To get a thrower that does all the things I want it to do will probably run me around $700. That's why I don't have one yet. :confused:
Sorry Tim for my lengthy post. I guess what I'm getting at is understand the less expensive ones, while still fun, have limitations that can get kinda boring after awhile. So we've incorporated games into it to ramp up the challenge.
(PS- Wal Mart is the place to buy clays. $6 for a 90 count of the bio-degradable. )
 
There isn't a "common man" affordable thrower that is going to satisfy you. To get something worth having you'll need to step up your money and get a sporting clay grade machine. Even used they average 5 to 750.00 plus a battery. Anything less and it won't keep your interest for long and then we'll see it on here for sale....
 
Since I have no idea if I'm even going to use this thing...I picked up a Trius One Step as a starter. If I get into it and get bored with the simple solution, I'll step up.
 
When you are ready this machine is awesome.
 
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Start saving your nickles, dimes and pennies, skip the mortgage and the car payments and tell your kids that breakfast and lunch are unnecessary meals. Explain to your wife that going to the beauty salon isn't necessary because there's no way she could be any more beautiful. Sell all other guns except your 870 and use the kids red wagon to transport the shells needed into the field, teach the kids how a leaf vacuum can also pick up empty hulls that they can trade for candy, maybe....
 
Start saving your nickles, dimes and pennies, skip the mortgage and the car payments and tell your kids that breakfast and lunch are unnecessary meals. Explain to your wife that going to the beauty salon isn't necessary because there's no way she could be any more beautiful. Sell all other guns except your 870 and use the kids red wagon to transport the shells needed into the field, teach the kids how a leaf vacuum can also pick up empty hulls that they can trade for candy, maybe....

... and remember that you can only refinance your soul once or twice before they catch on and shut you down. Ask me how I know...
 
Since I have no idea if I'm even going to use this thing...I picked up a Trius One Step as a starter. If I get into it and get bored with the simple solution, I'll step up.


Finally got a chance to use the Trius One Step today. What a great choice! Exactly what I was hoping for.

- portable. Super light and no issues at all. Just pick it up and go.
- easy to operate. There is 0 tension on the mechanism when cocking. The spring is tensioned when you step to launch. No bruised, broken, fingers for my kids!
- throws reliably. ~50 clays launched, no failures or broken clays
- adjustable for speed, angle and elevation
- easy 1-man operation. I was concerned about being off balance when launching and shooting, vs having a buddy launch. I've been a lot more off balance shooting birds and bunnies in the field, it's not an issue at all with the trap.


Highly recommended for an inexpensive, light duty, trap
 
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