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Posted: 8/15/2001 7:37:19 PM EDT
[#1]
I have never tried it but it sounds like fun . We used to do this on the farm , throw an apple or walnut into the air and shoot it . Now the only shot gun I have is an 18 inch barrel , I am afraid it wouldn't be long enough . |
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Posted: 8/15/2001 7:44:14 PM EDT
[#2]
I'm guessing that you are shooting from the 16 yard line right now. A modified choke from the 16 is acceptable but you if you really would like to know instead of guessing then you need to pattern your shotgun as no two shoot alike and this will give you a rock solid idea where your shotgun is shooting.
Take a piece of cardboard, one large enough to fit a 30" circle on. Place a mark on the cardboard to aim for. Now stand 30 yards away, aim for that mark and shoot. You will see that there is part of the pattern above the mark and part below. It should be at least 50/50. I prefer 70/30 as it allows me to see the target better when it breaks. I don't have to cover the bird. After you know your pattern with the specific choke I would suggest you follow through on all targets, even on quarter angles which are very easy to miss if you don't keep the gun moving. Keep your eye on the rock, your head on the stock and follow through. Foot placement on the corner posts is important also. I cheat on the corners to allow me to cover the hard angles easier. HTH |
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Posted: 8/15/2001 7:51:15 PM EDT
[#3]
Hell art, you are already breaking 21? Think I am gonna hang up my trap gun . . .
Maynard's points are right on. Modified is fine for 16 yards. Once you are doing consistently well, try a full choke. You'll smoke the target on a good hit. When you just break it rather than smoke it, you will get a good feel where your shot pattern's going with respect to the target by watching where the pieces go. Seven and a half is the best overall trap shot size, ounce and an eighth. The cheapo promotional shells from Wally world are fine. Keep the barrel moving. Then try handicap and doubles. Smoke 'em all! |
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Posted: 8/15/2001 8:14:44 PM EDT
[#4]
Chairborne's post reminded me of a few points I missed.
When you pattern your shotgun you are looking for an even pattern with 75-80% coverage inside the 30 inch circle. Test all your choke to see which one patterns the best. Hopefully you won't have any "holes" in the pattern or hot-spots but an even dispersal If the shotgun is shooting low you can add a moleskin pad to the comb to raise the point of impact. Besides keeping the gun moving this is the best advice I can offer you... If you think you can, if you think you can't You're right. I would also recommend Frank Little's "Little Trapshooting Book". |
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Posted: 8/15/2001 8:31:51 PM EDT
[#5]
Worst job I ever had was working at a trap and skeet range when I was 15-16 yrs. old, but it was the most fun I had at the time(until I discovered sporting clays). Anyhow, while I was working for the range a group of folks showed up one day to make a training video. They called it Trapshooting with Ken Robertson. I don't know where you would find a copy of this, but if you can it gives you a gun's-eye view of where and how to position your gun for each station and a lot of tips from the pro's of yesteryear(early '80s, late '70s).
My personal opinion, trap is great but skeet is so much more fun and challenging. Give it a shot. |
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Posted: 8/15/2001 8:35:06 PM EDT
[#6]
When you say moleskin pad...
Do you mean a cheek rest 'kinda thing ? I saw a couple guys with padded leather looking things on the cheek area of the stock. It does seem as if the gun shoots a little low. I usually have to almost cover the clay to hit it. Also, my hits are usually pretty far out, 'cause I'm a little slow chasing the clays. This would explain why I wasn't getting HARD hits on the clays. Most would break into only a few pieces. The goddamn 10 year old kid next to me was busting them into dust. Just a big " POOF " and no clay. Kid was good... I think I'm gonna try the cheekrest idea, and maybe tighten up the pattern with a full choke... Thanks guys !!! |
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Posted: 8/15/2001 8:43:29 PM EDT
[#7]
I shoot trap on my property now with friends neighbors,it is great fun. I reload and built a sit down trap thrower which makes it alot nicer. I also went to the Grand Nationals two times and was high junior one year. It gets into your bloood don't it. Some tips: 1st always check the wind and watch where the targets level off, no need to hold gun on top of trap house if birds are flying high. 2nd. Get yellow shooting glasses and ear plugs, the glasses will make the target stand out more. (1st position) Hold gun what looks like a foot off the left corner of the trap house when aiming down barrel. (2nd position) Hold gun between the left corner and the middle of trap house. (3rd position) Hold gun right down middle of trap house. (4th position) Hold gun between middle and right corner of trap house. (5th position) Hold gun what looks like about three feet off right corner of trap house when aiming down barrel. Remember the wind will change these directions so compensate for it. And you will in the end find your own way through practice. I hope I have given you clear tips. When I shot trap at the range you had to shoot your bird. I hear now a fast right or fast left target can be let go without counting, leading bird on corners may not be necessary if this is true. Good luck and have fun, don't become discouraged,most trappers are a lot of fun and will be glad to help you,so don't be shy ask for help. These tips are for right hand shooters.
One more thing, keep you head down on the stock. |
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Posted: 8/15/2001 8:53:00 PM EDT
[#8]
Quoted: When you say moleskin pad... Do you mean a cheek rest 'kinda thing ? I saw a couple guys with padded leather looking things on the cheek area of the stock. [blue] Yes, that's exactly what I meant. The thicker the pad the higher you will raise the POI[/blue] It does seem as if the gun shoots a little low. I usually have to almost cover the clay to hit it. [blue]Pattern it so you will know exactly where it shoots. I can't stress that enough. It really helps form a picture of where to shoot with your gun. It being a field gun it probably shoots 50/50. Acceptable but a little higher will provide feedback when you break the bird and let you see it as you track it.[/blue] Also, my hits are usually pretty far out, 'cause I'm a little slow chasing the clays. This would explain why I wasn't getting HARD hits on the clays. Most would break into only a few pieces. [blue] Do you shoot with one eye or two? Also the farther out you let them get the less the targets spin and the harder they are to break. With practice you will shoot quicker but for now you are doing great.[/blue] The goddamn 10 year old kid next to me was busting them into dust. Just a big " POOF " and no clay. Kid was good... [blue]Inkballing 'em. No finer feeling on earth than reducing 'em all to a smokeball. We have a 10 year old too that just grinds 'em. Hard to beat young eyes and quick reflexes.[/blue] I think I'm gonna try the cheekrest idea, and maybe tighten up the pattern with a full choke... [blue]Good luck[/blue] |
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Posted: 8/15/2001 9:08:01 PM EDT
[#9]
Whats the difference between "trap" and "skeet?"
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Posted: 8/15/2001 9:27:52 PM EDT
[#10]
JDP they are completely different games.
Trap is shooting at targets going away straight or at angles starting at, usually, 16 yards away unless you're shooting from farther (handicap). Five stations per round, five targets per station. Skeet is the shooter moving around a half-circle at eight different stations, shooting targets that are going away and coming in, and sometimes both on the same turn. More gun movement and closer ranges at skeet. You really have to see each to get a good idea. They are both great fun, but can be frustrating like golf. |
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Posted: 8/15/2001 9:32:01 PM EDT
[#11]
Quoted: Whats the difference between "trap" and "skeet?" Trap is shot from 5 stations, 5 shots from each, mostly straight out in front of you, all coming from the same location(traphouse). Skeet shooting is a little more difficult for me to explain, because it has been a long time, so bear with. I'm sure someone will make the appropriate corrections. Skeet has 6 stations. 4 shots from each. one high frrom the left(?) one low form the right(?) and then a set of doubles highhouse and low house at the same time. The high and low house are set directly across from each other and the stations are in a half circle with the sixth station being at the midway point betwen the two houses. There are only 24 shots in a round of skeet so it is generally acceptable to take one option shot to make up for a miss. I'm sure I left out a lot important things, but I think remembered all of the basics. Since we moved to Az. I haven't found a range to shoot trap or skeet or sporting clays. It is a long way to anywhere from here and I really have not had the time. |
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Posted: 8/15/2001 10:09:40 PM EDT
[#12]
Dragracerart, Welcome to your new job!!!!
Just remember to get the extra trigger when you order your NEW MX-10. You might want to go to a release trigger soon, I have seen guys wait until they become a "B" shooter, really breaks their rhythm getting used to the trigger that late in the game. As for loads, Keep them light. You will find that a light load will break the target and let you shoot a lot longer. As for Patterning your gun, find the load/shell your going to be shooting first, then pattern your shotgun. As far as POA, just make the shotgun shoot were you are looking. My guns shoot 18" high, you might want to start a little lower at first and work up from there. A little trick I have learned over the years when shooting is to watch the house and see if it is trowing targets in a pattern. If the house just threw a hard left, chance are that the next will not be thrown the same. |
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Posted: 8/15/2001 10:15:17 PM EDT
[#13]
Went trap shooting for the first time in July, in So. Cal. Was really a blast, would like to go more often, highly recommended for a fun time.
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Posted: 8/16/2001 5:41:19 AM EDT
[#14]
The evolution of shotgunning:
Trap -> Skeet -> Sporting Clays/5 Stand -> Fitasc. You have a lot of fun and expense ahead of you. [:D] |
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Posted: 8/16/2001 6:08:59 AM EDT
[#15]
The only shotgun I had when I started was my Benelli M1 Super 90 Tactical. You should have seen some of the looks I got shooting trap with a pistol grip stock, ghost rings and a 4 shot mag extension. Oh well. If you can hit it with an 18" barrel, doing it with a 30" barrel is a snap.
Get a lesson. I went to an all day clinic put on at the Pachmayr Shooting Center in SoCal, and learned a lot from two guys who made it look easy. That's where I finally learned to shoot shotgun with both eyes open. I picked up a Browning Citori Lightning and really improved my game by shooting 6 or 8 rounds a week for a while. [Edited to say that you [b][red]suck[/b][/red] for shooting a 17 your first round. I worked at it for a long time before I was in the high teens.] Jarhead out. |
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Posted: 8/16/2001 6:11:48 AM EDT
[#16]
It can be fun especially when there's guys with special little vests and 2000 dollar over and unders with stupid looking engravings standing around while me and my buddy with a beat up mossberg and a beat up 870 are smokin' em. these guys couldn't hit shit!
Course we are trying to do skeet now still learning the lead on those fast-ass things and neither of us can hit anything either at that, and we really don't know the rules so we just move around and one shoots while another hits the button but still damn hard. |
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Posted: 8/16/2001 6:17:57 AM EDT
[#17]
Quoted: Worst job I ever had was working at a trap and skeet range when I was 15-16 yrs. old, but it was the most fun Worst? My cousin is from Reno and used to work at a real "old-school" trap range, he was the bird boy and if a bird was still fluttering when it hit the ground the shooter would pay some sort of fee to the park and he would get signalled and go smash it with a rock before it flailed itself out of the ring! course he did get big-ass tips sometimes from the big-guys for smashing their wounded birds. |
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Posted: 8/16/2001 6:37:14 AM EDT
[#18]
[b]
Worst? My cousin is from Reno and used to work at a real "old-school" trap range, he was the bird boy and if a bird was still fluttering when it hit the ground the shooter would pay some sort of fee to the park and he would get signalled and go smash it with a rock before it flailed itself out of the ring! course he did get big-ass tips sometimes from the big-guys for smashing their wounded birds. I'm sure this will bunch someone's panties. Trap was originally shot with nothing but live birds. "Pull" was yelled when you wanted the puller to yank on a rope and open the "trap" Some of the finer shotguns on todays market are labelled "Pigeon grade" or live bird guns. There are still live pigeon shoots going on in Ohio and Pennsylvania today that I know of but they aren't promoted except by word of mouth and invitations. That's where the big money is in shotgunning. You get two shots at each bird and at some events it has to land in the fenced ring and stay in the ring to count as dead. If it hits the ground and then flys out it is still a "lost" bird. I'm surprised they let him put the pigeons down with a rock. [;)] |
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Posted: 8/16/2001 7:42:56 AM EDT
[#19]
Trap and Skeet are fine. Sporting Clays is even better. But none of these compare to a live bird shoot. I view those little round discs as practise for the real thing. As a kid growing up on a farm, I had access to a pile of squabs to work on my wingshooting. The back 300 had ruffed grouse, hungarians partridges, and geese. Living close to the St. Lawrence River, duck hunting was also within a short distance. I didn't really appreciate how good I had it until I grew up and moved away. If you want a challenge, try duck hunting with an emphasis on pass shooting. Those little Teal will drive you crazy.
Today, I shoot Sporting Clays a bit, mostly to sharpen up my shooting eye. I am fortunate to have a good friend who raises pheasants. He also has a German Wirehair Pointer kennel, and graciously gave me a brown bitch named Kelli a little over 3 years ago. Kelli has already brought over 40 pheasants to hand, as well as a few Chukars. She has also retrieved a few geese for me in water and over land. She will soon be starting her 3rd hunting season. Yep, shooting clays is fun, but to me nothing compares to shooting a brace of pheasants over a beloved dog. |
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Posted: 8/16/2001 9:24:12 AM EDT
[#20]
Yup,I started a few months back. I love it! My low score was a 16, and my high was a 22. I shoot a plain Mossberg 500 using modified in a 28" tube and my reloaded trap favorite- Federal plastic hulls, Winchester primer, 12S3 wads, 1-1/8oz of #8 shot and 22grs of Green Dot. That load really smokes the clays at the 16yd line, and is as cheap as factory ammo from Wally World.
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Posted: 8/16/2001 9:47:02 AM EDT
[#21]
Quoted: I'm surprised they let him put the pigeons down with a rock. [;)] Is that not the normal way? keep in mind this was a combination whorehouse and trapshooting range.[sex] [shotgun] |
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Posted: 8/16/2001 9:49:39 AM EDT
[#22]
I'm partial to skeet shooting mostly because you form a squad and skeet shooters usually talk to each other. Most trap shooters are so serious.
Anyway yes I have shot trap. Sounds like you already have the 16 yard game figured out. When you get a chance try shooting from the 27 yard line. Its FULL CHOKE territory and you will want to use a full load of 7.5s |
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Posted: 8/16/2001 11:51:31 AM EDT
[#23]
Good first rounds! I'm sure it won't be too long before you tire of trap. Also, trapshooters tend to be a little close mouthed and tight assed. Not a lot of fun when everyone's so serious. Besides, trap only prepares you for pheasant if at all. Not much gun movement and pretty repetitious presentations.
Skeet will open up a new world for you. You'll have to move the gun AND your body. More presentations and easier to remain interested. Skeet shooters are also a little more relaxed and interested in helping a new shooter. 5-stand and sporting clays are the tops. Ever changing presentations (every angle imaginable), body movement, close shots, far shots, friendly folks that are REALLY interested in helping new shooters. FITASC? Sporting clays with an attitude. A BAD one. Only for those with high skill levels or low intelligence. [:)] Whatever game remember 3 things: -keep your head on the stock -follow through!! -watch the TARGET Hope this helps. CB |
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Posted: 8/16/2001 12:53:37 PM EDT
[#24]
Claybuster FITASC? Sporting clays with an attitude. A BAD one. Only for those with high skill levels or low intelligence. LOL! I love FITASC, but I'm not saying where I fall in your definition. [;D] Bud P.S. Come down to Texas sometime, and bring your full choke and 7 1/2s. I'll show you FITASC... [:)] |
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Posted: 8/16/2001 1:02:25 PM EDT
[#25]
Quoted: Claybuster FITASC? Sporting clays with an attitude. A BAD one. Only for those with high skill levels or low intelligence. LOL! I love FITASC, but I'm not saying where I fall in your definition. [;D] Well, I'd imagine a little of both. Considering the FITASC fellows I know I'd imagine with a little extra of the former. Either that or an incredibly optimistic view on life as the continued misses tend to draw ones self-image into the dirt. P.S. Come down to Texas sometime, and bring your full choke and 7 1/2s. I'll show you FITASC... [:)] I've met Mr. FITASC on a few occasions. Think I'll stick with nice, close, easy SK/IC standard sporting clays targets. Who knows, though. We might get together for next years Skeet championship in TX and I'll let you buy me a beer, or 10. CB |
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Posted: 8/16/2001 3:06:39 PM EDT
[#26]
Quoted: I'm partial to skeet shooting mostly because you form a squad and skeet shooters usually talk to each other.[red] Most trap shooters are so serious.[/red] Not the guys at my club...[beer] Most of the guys at my club get there an hour early to have a few beers. Sometimes a guy will shoot out of turn, at his buddy's clay, just to screw with him. All in good fun. Definately no arrogance at my club... Everbody is there to have a few beers and bust some clays... Everyone gets along great... |
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Posted: 8/16/2001 3:20:42 PM EDT
[#27]
I started shooting Trap 3 years ago just for fun. Wife started late last year. This year she "took" my Beretta 390. I put a "women's" stock on it and she's hitting 18 of 25. Not bad for a person who 16 months ago HATED guns.
Gerry |
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Posted: 8/22/2001 7:11:04 PM EDT
[#28]
Well guys, I'm 'kickin ass now [:)]
Tonight I shot 3 rounds again... 1st round ... 23 out of 25 2nd round ... 20 out of 25 3rd round ... 21 out of 25 Not bad for only being my 2nd "official" time trap shooting... I tried a different choke, and it made a BIG difference... It's a FULL choke made by Remington, and is knurled on the end for hand tightening. It says "SC5" on it... ...Seems to hit much harder than the modified choke that was in before... ...Still looking for the elusive "perfect round"...[shotgun] |
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Posted: 8/22/2001 7:21:29 PM EDT
[#29]
Quoted: Well guys, I'm 'kickin ass now [:)] Tonight I shot 3 rounds again... 1st round ... 23 out of 25 2nd round ... 20 out of 25 3rd round ... 21 out of 25 Not bad for only being my 2nd "official" time trap shooting... I tried a different choke, and it made a BIG difference... It's a FULL choke made by Remington, and is knurled on the end for hand tightening. It says "SC5" on it... ...Seems to hit much harder than the modified choke that was in before... ...Still looking for the elusive "perfect round"...[shotgun] Outstanding. You might want to quit now. If you keep going there will be no turning back. Next thing you know you will be addicted to sniffing spent Federal Papers.[shotgun] Where are you missing? Call your misses and analyze why you missed the targets. Most likely you are behind the target or over. Great shooting though. Keep it up and you can go win the Grand before they move it from Ohio. |
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Posted: 8/22/2001 7:37:43 PM EDT
[#30]
Most of the shots I missed were just me rushing the shot...
...Pulled the trigger before I had a good bead on the clay. ...Seems I do better at the tough shots... I had a couple that flew hard sideways, so I lead them a little, and expected to miss, but surprisingly I hit them... The ones I missed were straight and true...I think I just shot under them... This is definately an addicting hobby... And, unlike Drag Racing, it doesn't matter how expensive your equipment is, anyone can "win" There's kids there shooting $99 break-open single shot 20 gauges, and they're 'kickin ass... In Drag Racing, usually the guys with the least amount of skill have the most $$$, and all it takes to win races is $$$... That's why my race car sits in the garage while I'm enjoying a new hobby... |
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Posted: 8/22/2001 7:45:36 PM EDT
[#31]
Quoted: The ones I missed were straight and true...I think I just shot under them... There are no straight away targets in trap. They all bend one way or the other. Just a tip. Keep the gun moving. I'm glad you are doing well and enjoying a great family sport. Trap is in a decline and has a net loss of shooters. We need all the shooters we can get but that is across the board for all shooting disciplines. Have you shot any "games" yet? |
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Posted: 8/22/2001 8:32:12 PM EDT
[#32]
I didn't read this thread to inept, so this may have been said. once your getting into it, go full choke. their is a lot of talk about pattern coverage and such, but in the end, I think its what ever works for you. use the full and you will be a more precise shot. you might want to change to improved mod, or even a lesser full(depending on if you use aftermarket chokes) to get a little more spread for competitions, but everyone I know that's done that has ended up just leaving it full and smoking the bird every time. I shoot a benelli M1. some say its not the gun, but my friend (who is a good shooter) used it for the first time and 25 straight. he had dome that before, but not 50 straight, which he did the next round, and then 75. he had never went past 25/25 and the first time he shot an M1 he went 75. my ass the gun doesn't matter. I have some trap pics of me and some friends winning state competitions. I will got those on soon.
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Posted: 8/22/2001 8:36:36 PM EDT
[#33]
oh, i shoot at 2 places. a club and just a place where guys shoot trap. the club, wow, what a bunch of gun-snobs. they are like those asshole golfers that golf at the expensive exclusive country clubs. i shot in the high school divison, and when my team buttspanked all the adult sponsered teams, they got a little pissy about it. i really like the other place i shoot, just show up, they will fill you in on a card whenever you want, you can have a whole squad or just show up alone and get put on a card. its a real loose relaxing place to shoot.
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Posted: 8/22/2001 8:40:01 PM EDT
[#34]
Quoted: ...Still looking for the elusive "perfect round"...[shotgun] be prepaired for some frustration there. i havent got mine yet, but once shot 24 and dropped the LAST bird. that made me ill. |
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Posted: 8/22/2001 8:53:59 PM EDT
[#35]
Quoted: Quoted: The ones I missed were straight and true...I think I just shot under them... There are no straight away targets in trap. They all bend one way or the other. Just a tip. Keep the gun moving. I'm glad you are doing well and enjoying a great family sport. Trap is in a decline and has a net loss of shooters. We need all the shooters we can get but that is across the board for all shooting disciplines. Have you shot any "games" yet? What do you mean by "games" ??? We just take 5 people, each shooting 5 times from 5 different positions... BTW... I took 2 "newbies" to the shoot today... My DragRacing buddy & his 60 yr old step-dad... My buddy used a .410 bolt gun, and his pop used a 1903 side by side 12 guage... They both did pretty well, and said they would shoot again next Wednesday... I think my buddy with the .410 hit 11 of 25... and his pop with the old double barrel hit 17 of 25... Not bad for new shooters... I'm looking forward to doing it again next week... .....Hope there's no ACCIDENTS !!! (Read my other thread???) |
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Posted: 8/23/2001 7:52:50 AM EDT
[#36]
Ah, the "games."
Annie Oakley - Go to the 27 yard line and line up as many shooters as want to play. Shooters 1, 2 and 3 load 1 round each. Shooter 1 calls for the bird, and tries to hit it. If he misses, shooter 2 can try. If [i]he[/i] misses, #3 takes a shot. Anyone who misses is out. Keep going down the line. We play with rules that if the shooter that hits fails to "smokeball" the clay, follow-up shots that break any pieces count as hits and remove the first shooter(s). Scrap - Shoot trap targets from skeet stations 1, 2, 4, 6 and 7. Each shooter shoots 5 times from each station. Coon-Ass Doubles - 2 shooters shoot a round of skeet together. From each station, Shooter 1 shoots at each clay, while shooter 2 shoots at any pieces left from the same station. Similar to our local way of shooting Annie Oakley. Follow-the-Leader - Move around the field calling your shots, which the others have to follow. For example, stand at the 5th post at the 27 year line, and call for a simultaneous High House/Low House pair. Hit the High House before it crosses the center stake, and the Low House when it is less than 3 feet from hitting the ground. There are a lot more, but here are a few to get you started. Bud |
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