First time Trap shooting

[09rubicon]

Took my Model 11 and shot trap for the first time today. I have shot clays before with buddies, hand thrown and just for fun, but never scored. I shot 13, 14, and 17 respectively and feel I did well......I think I'm hooked.

[AAShooter]

Impressive start! Congratulations.

[bigbearbear]

Wife and I like it, and we shoot trap on almost all weekends if weather permits.

[Tom-ADC]

You have just crossed over to the dark side, enjoy it its fun and congrats you done just fine first time out.

[09rubicon]

Only shot the 5 stations at 16yds. I'm not sure how you guys do it back at 20+!

[AAShooter]

Originally Posted by 09rubicon

Only shot the 5 stations at 16yds. I'm not sure how you guys do it back at 20+!

Here is the secret:

[Revoman]

Yer a lifer now, I can see a new trap gun in your future....and I ain't a psychic!

[09rubicon]

Yes, I have already been looking at some Berretas.

[sd joe]

Nice shooting.
The Calguns first time average seems to be about 23.

[09rubicon]

Originally Posted by sd joe

Nice shooting.

The Calguns first time average seems to be about 23.

Guess I need some more practice!

[high_revs]

i upgraded to a beretta al391 tekny's from a 870. wish i went with the higher version of tekneys with adjustable comb.

now i'm moving over to a over/under. with the semi, you'll get tired of cleaning the action sooner or later.

Originally Posted by 09rubicon

Yes, I have already been looking at some Berretas.

[sd joe]

Nah Rubicon, you are just honest.
You did better than me my first time out.

[09rubicon]

Originally Posted by sd joe

Nah Rubicon, you are just honest.
You did better than me my first time out.

Thank you. I still need more practice though, I can't seem to hit anything low and right.

[NaClAddict]

Originally Posted by sd joe

Nice shooting.
The Calguns first time average seems to be about 23.

Gotta shoot an 18.5 inch barrel for those numbers!

[RNE228]

Beginner just finishing a fall league; shot trap, double trap, skeet, 5-stand, and skrap(trap for skeet positions; trap box on the skeet range).

Ton of fun; wish I had tried this years ago. I do need to get out on rifle/pistol range though...

[anti]

Originally Posted by 09rubicon

Thank you. I still need more practice though, I can't seem to hit anything low and right.

May be covering the bird with the gun. Float the target. My Ljutic shoots a 70/30 pattern, static, but is about 80/20 with how I adjusted the comb to me. I float the birds about an entire foot.

Leads on hard lefts and rights from post 1 and 5 is only about 1.5 feet. Rest of the birds can essentially just be shot at directly.

Handicap leads are just about the same - only your perception of the field changes from back yardage - it's still the same size but just smaller. Think of it like a movie screen - it's still the same size even if you move back - it only appears smaller.

[AAShooter]

Here is a couple of good brochures on skeet and trap shooting that can be downloaded as a pdf:

http://www.remington.com/pages/news-...downloads.aspx

[anti]

Those Remington brochures are actually pretty good. Hard to beat free, good advice to get you started.

and when you start floating the rising trap targets you'll have much cleaner breaks as the shot pattern is closer to the same axis of travel as the target; you'll get more of the pattern on the target.

[09rubicon]

Originally Posted by AAShooter

Here is a couple of good brochures on skeet and trap shooting that can be downloaded as a pdf:

http://www.remington.com/pages/news-...downloads.aspx

Thank you. Read thru them and some of it makes perfect sense, some of its still greek. Ill read thru them a few more times and see what I can put into practice on the range. I am going to shoot for fun a few more times and if it is still as fun as the first I may seek out a coach.

[ceh383]

Originally Posted by anti

May be covering the bird with the gun. Float the target. My Ljutic shoots a 70/30 pattern, static, but is about 80/20 with how I adjusted the comb to me. I float the birds about an entire foot.

Covering the bird may be required, depends on how it patterns. With a gun that shoots 70/30 or 80/20 yes, float the target. If the gun shoots 50/50 you need to cover it.

Originally Posted by 09rubicon

I can't seem to hit anything low and right

Trap targets are always rising, which is why trap shooters, like anti, set there guns up to shoot a high pattern. If you are getting low targets, it's not typical trap...

[09rubicon]

Yes I realize they are always rising, but some rise much more than others.

[anti]

I see what he's saying. The birds going right on post 5 appear to fly lower but in actuality it's because it's flying more to the side. Not unusual to miss a lot of these targets when starting out; righties have the most trouble with this particular target presentation. Usually when I miss a bird - it's this target. The good news is you can refuse to shoot 2 targets every round of 25 targets in ATA trap; however, it is considered unsportsmanlike to refuse shooting at a target simply because it's a tougher presentation. Usually only the AAA shooters in very long shoot-offs will refuse targets due to fatigue and not "feeling it", but remember, these guys are shooting hundreds of targets straight.

09, they're all thrown at the same arc and speed with minor, unnoticeable differences since there are many variables such as random wind, weather, etc. etc.

Your model 11 is most likely built to pattern 50/50 as it's a field gun. I would advise raising the comb with pads or holding the gun lower in your shoulder pocket if possible. Put about 1/2" of space between both beads and your gun will shoot about 60/40 or a bit more. Put the front bead about a foot below the bird and you'll be alright. Covering the bird is the worst way to shoot trap targets; it's difficult to shoot what you cannot see. I started out with a Citori XS Special which shoots fairly flat since it's a sporting clays gun and it worked just fine. It has an adjustable comb, though, and add-on pads may cause your stock to cast-on a bit which would push your face away.

Every new shooter I have gotten to start floating targets has instantly started shooting higher scores, but your mileage may vary. If you starting shooting trap seriously, consider joining the ATA (link in my sig) and pick up a trap gun.

[ceh383]

Another question, are you shooting one eye or two?
The sight pictures will look different. On the hard right of left, shooting with one eye, give what looks like about 1/4" lead. With two eyes, give what looks like about 1'.
I don't shoot much trap, I prefer skeet, sporting and 5-stand. In trap I find the hardest targets are the straight away ones, where I need to cover the target. Birds to the right or left, it's about proper lead.

[09rubicon]

Originally Posted by ceh383

Another question, are you shooting one eye or two?
The sight pictures will look different. On the hard right of left, shooting with one eye, give what looks like about 1/4" lead. With two eyes, give what looks like about 1'.
I don't shoot much trap, I prefer skeet, sporting and 5-stand. In trap I find the hardest targets are the straight away ones, where I need to cover the target. Birds to the right or left, it's about proper lead.

Both eyes open, always have.

My Model 11 has the factory Lyman compensator with the bead mounted on it, raising the bead about 5/16" off the barrel. I found that I hit more targets by covering them than by floating (assuming by floating you mean the sight picture is the bird just above the bead when pulling the trigger). I dont seem to have too much trouble with getting a good lead on any birds, more so I have a strong tendancy to shoot low. Hence when I started covering the bird I shot 17 v 13-14.

I know a more purpose built shotgun would make a world of difference (like fitting a set of clubs v store bought standards) but that is not in the nearish future (maybe next summer). I would like to maximize use of what I have now and just enjoy the sport. I really enjoy shooting the old Model 11 as not only does it fit my C&R bug, but there is just something really satisfying about taking a 100yr old shotgun and putting it to good use!

Can someone please explain the 50/50, 60/40, etc? I assume your talking about how the shot patterns, but in what way? I am new to sporting shotguns in general, I have always had "Tactical". I know how the choke (Full, Modified, Improved, Etc.) affecs the pattern, but not sure of the fractional distinction you all mention.

I really appriciate all the info you guys are sharing and I promise i'm not dense, its getting absorbed, just trying to figure out how to put it to use.

[Tom-ADC]

I'm going to take my own advice and pick up a Winchester SXP trap gun and start shooting trap again.

[ceh383]

Originally Posted by 09rubicon

Can someone please explain the 50/50, 60/40, etc? I assume your talking about how the shot patterns, but in what way?

These terms indicate how much of the shot pattern is above the point of aim and how much is below. An example would be if your gun shoots 70/30, 70% of the shot is above the POA and 30% is below.

Seeing how you have better hits when you cover the bird, your gun is probably closer to 50/50.

[AAShooter]

To things to add:

1) You will hear that a gun shoots flat. This is the case with most hunting guns and the pattern should be equally distributed above and below Point of Aim (POA)
2) No one wants a gun that shoots lower than 50%/50%.

[09cs]

Welcome to the addiction!