What guns and ammunition are allowed in trap?
Officials' detail · Penalties, safety and equipment · 3 of 4Any smoothbore shotgun of 12 gauge or smaller may be used, except semi-automatics and pump actions. Cartridges may hold no more than 24 grams of shot, in round pellets no larger than 2.6 millimetres. Magnifying or light-emitting sights, slings, release triggers and compensators are prohibited.
How it works
The gun:
- Type: all types of smoothbore shotgun, "but excluding semi-automatics and pump action shotguns".
- Calibre: not above 12 gauge. Smaller gauges may be used.
- Finish: not camouflage.
- Banned fittings: release triggers; slings or straps; compensators; any sight that magnifies, emits light or enhances the view of the target.
- Chokes: interchangeable chokes are permitted. Changing them, or any properly working part, during a round is not. The glossary explains a choke.
- Porting: allowed within 20 cm of the muzzle.
- Sound condition: barrels, receiver, fore-end and stock must not be cracked, deformed or held together by improvised repairs.
The cartridge:
- Shot charge: not more than 24.0 g, with a tolerance of 0.5 g.
- Pellets: spherical, of lead, lead alloy or another approved material, not more than 2.6 mm across.
- Wad: translucent or transparent. Coloured wads are prohibited, since they could be mistaken for a hit.
- Banned: black powder, tracer, incendiary and other special cartridges. So is any loading that spreads the shot in a special way.
- Inspection: the jury inspects cartridges and may take them from an athlete at any time in the shooting area.
Tricky cases
Can an athlete use a 20 gauge gun?
Yes. Shotguns smaller than 12 gauge may be used.
Can an athlete swap chokes between stations for a longer shot?
No. Changing properly functioning guns or parts, including interchangeable chokes, is not permitted during the round.
What happens if an athlete's cartridges are over the weight limit?
The athlete may be disqualified.
Is a red-dot sight allowed?
No. Devices that emit light or enhance the view of the target are prohibited.
Why the rule exists
The limits make it a contest of shooting and not of equipment. A heavier shot charge or bigger pellets would break targets that a legal cartridge would miss. Two-barrelled guns that open at the breech can be shown to be safe at a glance, which a semi-automatic cannot.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ISSF rules | As above | ISSF 9.4.2; ISSF 9.4.3 |
| Other cartridge breaches | A warning, then a deduction. Coloured wads cost five targets on a repeat | ISSF 9.4.1 (d); ISSF 9.4.3.2 |
| "Over-and-under" | The usual competition gun. The rules do not use the term | C |
From the rule book
ISSF Official Statutes, Rules and Regulations, Edition 2025 (second print 07/2026), Shotgun Rules, rules 9.4.1, 9.4.2 and 9.4.3. Effective 1 July 2026. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: ISSF Rule Book (PDF).