Trapshooting has its origins in 18th-century England, where participants aimed at live pigeons released from cages known as “traps.” By the late 1700s, the sport began to evolve, especially in the United States, where shooters faced a row of boxes that would tip or collapse when triggered by a string or wire at the shooter’s command. The challenge was heightened by the unpredictability of which box the pigeon would emerge from. Shooters had two attempts to hit the bird, which had to fall within a designated fenced area to count. If the bird landed outside the fence, it was considered a miss. To level the playing field and intensify competition, a “handicap” system was introduced. This system required more experienced shooters to stand farther away from the pigeon boxes than less skilled participants.

Modern trapshooting still holds true to many of its original principles. Today, an oscillating machine, hidden within the traphouse, launches clay targets upon the shooter’s command. The machine randomly throws the target within a 22-degree arc, and the shooter only discovers the angle when the target appears. Unlike its early form, the shooter gets just one shot, and there is no surrounding fence.

There are three main disciplines in modern trapshooting competitions. The Singles event involves shooting 100 to 200 targets from a position 16 yards behind the traphouse. In the Handicap event, shooters fire at 100 targets from distances ranging between 19 and 27 yards, with their position determined by their past performance, as recorded by the Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA). In Doubles, competitors shoot from the 16-yard line at two targets thrown simultaneously. In both Singles and Doubles, shooters compete within their respective classes, from D up to AAA, based on their ATA-registered shooting percentages.

The Grand American
The Grand American World Trap Championships, spanning over a century, have brought together the finest shooters from the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries. One of the most famous figures in trapshooting history, Annie Oakley—known as Buffalo Bill’s “Little Miss Sure Shot”—made her last public appearance at the Grand American in 1925. Alongside her was “Plinky” Topperwein, an exhibition shooter and wife of renowned shooter Ad Topperwein, both of whom were instrumental in attracting more women to the sport in its early years. The Grand American has also drawn notable figures like composer John Philip Sousa and actors Roy Rogers and Robert Stack, all avid competitors. Before the rise of mass marathon events, the Grand American held the distinction of being the largest participatory sporting event in the world.

The first Grand American took place in 1900 in Queens, New York, with 72 participants. It was among the earliest major tournaments to use clay targets instead of live pigeons. Rolla “Pop” Heikes, a renowned shooter, claimed victory by hitting 91 out of 100 targets from the 22-yard handicap line.

Over time, the Grand American has expanded significantly. In 1924, it found a long-term home in Vandalia, Ohio, where a 100-trap field was established. The tournament remained there for many years until 2006, when it relocated to the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta, Illinois. This state-of-the-art facility boasts 120 trap fields stretching across 3.5 miles, earning it the title of “the world’s largest trap line,” according to the Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA).

Trapshooting Firearms
Given that only one shot is typically allowed (except in Doubles), single-shot firearms have been a staple in trapshooting. The Grand American has showcased the finest single-barrel, purpose-built competition shotguns. Among the most iconic was the Ithaca single trap gun, first introduced in 1914 and later refined into the famous “Knickerbocker” model in 1922. By 1935, six shooters had won the Grand American Handicap using Ithaca shotguns. The company’s highest-grade model was named the Sousa Model, in honor of bandleader and avid trapshooter John Philip Sousa, who was inducted into the ATA Trapshooting Hall of Fame in 1985.

Today, most shotgun manufacturers offer specialized trap models. These guns are among the most refined in the shotgun world, specifically designed for the demands of the sport. Nearly all trap guns are 12-gauge since, unlike skeet, there are no events for other gauges. They typically feature long barrels with improved-modified or full chokes. The stocks are designed with longer lengths of pull, less drop, and higher combs than those of field guns, allowing the guns to shoot 8 to 12 inches high at 16 yards. This setup helps shooters “float” the target above the rib without the barrel obstructing their view. Fully adjustable stocks are now common, as shooters strive for every possible competitive advantage.

Single-shot guns remain popular for Singles and Handicap events, though they often appear unconventional compared to standard field shotguns. Many are built on over/under frames with only the lower barrel, leaving a large gap up to a high rib. This “super-ventilated” rib helps with heat dissipation, which is critical in trapshooting.

Recoil management is another key concern for shooters who may fire 200 to 300 12-gauge shells in a single day. Gas-operated auto-loaders are favored for their ability to reduce perceived recoil by diverting gas to cycle the action. Light target loads are also widely used, along with various recoil-reducing systems such as hydraulic “shock absorbers” built into the stock.

For more information about competitive trapshooting, visit the Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA) website.