Need some help with Skeet !!!

[ceh383]

Originally Posted by shovelon

Think I will play the blind squirrel too. 3 guys split $3k last week after the Bonanza.

I might also, but the pot will be nowhere that much tomorrow

[W.R.Buchanan]

OK Shot an 11,13,15, then back to11 today.

Got good coaching from Tom Wong. Learning more about where I'm making the mistakes, and how to avoid them.

Getting better every time out. I hit 4/6 on 3,4,5 on the 3rd round.

My main faults are raising up off the gun, and getting behind the bird.

These will take some time to overcome but I at least know what I'm doing wrong and can call it correctly each time I do it.

Randy

[whutsup40]

Stick with it and it will come to you!!!

[Tom-ADC]

Sure wish we still had skeet in San Diego, used to shoot Miramar and Target Tossers couple times a week got my grandson in the high 20’s when in High school now 36 years old.
I miss it.

[W.R.Buchanan]

OK I am really making some headway. During Skeet Practice I shot a 18 today!

Made all 6 shots at 3,4,5 getting the leads down pretty well in that zone.

Main problem has been raising up off the gun, and when I stay down hard on the cheek weld I hit the targets.
Today in my 2 rounds of practice. All highs 1-4 then lows 567 Then on the other round the opposite Lows then Highs. I made every shot on the field at least once and several times I made it 4 times in a row. On 2 hi I just shot it 4 times instead of hi,lo, and double. same on 6 lo.3/4 on that one.

It was a good day and I felt very encouraged and got some good attaboys from the crowd!

Making some good progress on this Skeet Game!.

Randy

[squeeze]

Originally Posted by W.R.Buchanan

OK I am really making some headway. During Skeet Practice I shot a 18 today!

Made all 6 shots at 3,4,5 getting the leads down pretty well in that zone.

Main problem has been raising up off the gun, and when I stay down hard on the cheek weld I hit the targets.
Today in my 2 rounds of practice. All highs 1-4 then lows 567 Then on the other round the opposite Lows then Highs. I made every shot on the field at least once and several times I made it 4 times in a row. On 2 hi I just shot it 4 times instead of hi,lo, and double. same on 6 lo.3/4 on that one.

It was a good day and I felt very encouraged and got some good attaboys from the crowd!

Making some good progress on this Skeet Game!.

Randy

Looks like you are making progress. Identifying mistakes is a good start. Often shooters will stop swinging the gun when they pull the trigger: causes the shot to be behind the clay; which does not stop. Learn to swing the gun and follow the clay all the way to the ground. If you have hit the clay; still follow one of the pieces all the way to the ground.
.................................................. .......................................
I have two unused trap shooting books/manuals for sale. See my posting here:
https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/...0#post26822520

[Thefeeder]

Free lesson:

Dont ask why you missed a target

Ask how do you hit the target you missed

The first questions does nothing to help you hit a target

As Squeez mentioned following the target or pieces is a good drill

[whutsup40]

Originally Posted by W.R.Buchanan

OK I am really making some headway. During Skeet Practice I shot a 18 today!

Made all 6 shots at 3,4,5 getting the leads down pretty well in that zone.

Main problem has been raising up off the gun, and when I stay down hard on the cheek weld I hit the targets.
Today in my 2 rounds of practice. All highs 1-4 then lows 567 Then on the other round the opposite Lows then Highs. I made every shot on the field at least once and several times I made it 4 times in a row. On 2 hi I just shot it 4 times instead of hi,lo, and double. same on 6 lo.3/4 on that one.

It was a good day and I felt very encouraged and got some good attaboys from the crowd!

Making some good progress on this Skeet Game!.

Randy

It really can be frustrating at times, But progress is a good thing!! Hang in there!!

[W.R.Buchanan]

Yes Tom Wong has been a big help. He has been coming up for practice on Thursdays and has mind of taken me under his wing. He is an excellent Coach that knows to balance tips with praise when you do something right.
I enjoy shooting with him.

Randy

[W.R.Buchanan]

Scored a nice DL366 in .410 yesterday. Got a good deal on it and made a new friend who I think many of you already know. Bob Brengle

Anyway I can now load .410's in a more expedient manner which will allow me to shoot it more.

My whole goal with Learning Skeet is to learn with my 12 ga. and then transition to the .410. Lots of people can run 25 or 50 strait with a 12 or 20ga., but few can do it with a .410,,, and that is my goal.

Good thing about my CXS is that it will work for Sporting Clays too, so in a while I'll get to that game as well.

And thanks to "Bobgba" for putting me onto the loader!!!. and to the Bob who sold it too me as well..

Randy

[ceh383]

Originally Posted by W.R.Buchanan

Good thing about my CXS is that it will work for Sporting Clays too, so in a while I'll get to that game as well.

When you are ready for Sporting Clays let me know...

[JagerDog]

Any hunting gun makes for a good SC gun. SC actually helped autos come back into the target games.

[ceh383]

Originally Posted by JagerDog

Any hunting gun makes for a good SC gun. SC actually helped autos come back into the target games.

I don't agree with this. A light weight fixed breech gun may be perfect for hunting, but the same gun can beat you up after a round of Sporting Clays.

[JagerDog]

Originally Posted by ceh383

I don't agree with this. A light weight fixed breech gun may be perfect for hunting, but the same gun can beat you up after a round of Sporting Clays.

A typical hunting gun is 7'ish#.


Just saying they'll all work for SC. There's no unique feature. The game is designed around hunting presentations. 100 rounds, 10 rounds at a station with a significant break between isn't a superhuman feat.

[ceh383]

Yes, they will work, not denying that at all.

Example:
Browning 725 feather 12ga lists at 6lb 7oz
Browning 725 Sporting 12ga lists at 7lb 11oz

That 1.25lb difference will be felt in recoil. If you go out 2 ~ 3 times a year, sure, use the light gun. If you shoot 2 ~ 3 (or more) times a month, get the proper tool for the job.
They make Sporting guns heavier than hunting guns for a reason...Don't they?

[JagerDog]

Originally Posted by ceh383

Yes, they will work, not denying that at all.

Example:
Browning 725 feather 12ga lists at 6lb 7oz
Browning 725 Sporting 12ga lists at 7lb 11oz

That 1.25lb difference will be felt in recoil. If you go out 2 ~ 3 times a year, sure, use the light gun. If you shoot 2 ~ 3 (or more) times a month, get the proper tool for the job.
They make Sporting guns heavier than hunting guns for a reason...Don't they?

Has nothing to do with the "sporting". A citori "hunter" weighs the same. Browning silver field (comp stock)...same. Citori Lightning a tad more (book weight).

Personally, I'm not a fan of aluminum framed (feather) O/U's as I don't like the balance. Don't see many at the range or afield though. Aluminum framed autos gimmee more.

100 rounds a few times per month isn't where recoil aversion sets in IME. 500 in a week, or even a day, different answer and that doesn't have that lull between stations.

[ceh383]

Keep in mind, I did say...

Originally Posted by ceh383

A light weight fixed breech gun may be perfect for hunting

Same weight gun, same actual recoil.

[JagerDog]

Originally Posted by ceh383

Keep in mind, I did say...

Same weight gun, same actual recoil.

And mine followed "my CSX will work for clays". They all work.

Would you be happier if i said "all but uberlight field guns are quite suitable for a weekly round of clays"?

[ceh383]

Of course they all work, but some do work better than others

[whutsup40]

My FNH sporting gun is 8.1 and it shoots nice!

[JagerDog]

Originally Posted by ceh383

Of course they all work, but some do work better than others

Oh geez.

Whether you're shooting 100 shells at skeet, trap or clays, 100 rounds is 100 rounds. It has NOTHING to do with being a "sporting clays" gun. Clays has a longer dwell time, reducing recoil fatigue.

Yes, "target" guns tend to be on the heavier side and some field guns see significant weight reduction. Some of that weight can come from being more robust to give a good service life in high volume shooting. But a 725 field and a 725 sporting are (book) within a few ounces. Gun to gun (wood) can vary more than that. The field gun is just more plain. 5200 rounds per year is not even close to being "high volume" when discussing what these are designed to. That's "active recreational" level.

Fit is going to be a larger factor. Shoot 500/day like a competitor and a pound might be quite significant.

[ceh383]

Originally Posted by JagerDog

Yes, "target" guns tend to be on the heavier side and some field guns see significant weight reduction.

Oh geez.

This was my point.

Lighter guns WILL have MORE recoil and are not as well suited for clay target games. A heavier "Target" gun is the better tool for the job. Pretty simple, really.

[W.R.Buchanan]

Guys you are thrashing around over the weight of guns. I can shoot 200 rounds in a day easily with my A5 Tactical gun or A5 Hunting gun, or Ithaca M37 or even one of my Mossberg 500's.

The reason for this is not the weight of the gun. It is the ammo I choose to shoot! I use nice recoil pads as well.

I shoot my Reloads which are AA hulls with 18 gr of Green Dot and 1 1/8 oz. of shot. These loads generate about 1150 to 1200 fps in any of those guns.

I just loaded 60 Lee 1 oz. Slugs into 60 AA hulls using the exact same formula, and will shoot them at a 3 gun shoot this weekend. I also can load 00 Buckshot into these shells for the same performance.

In short any of you could shoot these in any gun and not feel a thing.

It's the ammo guys and everyone here reloads their Shotgun Shells, so you can do it too.

The trade off in gun weights is that you still have to lift the gun up every time you want to shoot. Gun Lifts are what is fatiguing you more than the difference in recoil.

Randy

[JagerDog]

Originally Posted by W.R.Buchanan

Guys you are thrashing around over the weight of guns. I can shoot 200 rounds in a day easily with my A5 Tactical gun or A5 Hunting gun, or Ithaca M37 or even one of my Mossberg 500's.

The reason for this is not the weight of the gun. It is the ammo I choose to shoot! I use nice recoil pads as well.

I shoot my Reloads which are AA hulls with 18 gr of Green Dot and 1 1/8 oz. of shot. These loads generate about 1150 to 1200 fps in any of those guns.

I just loaded 60 Lee 1 oz. Slugs into 60 AA hulls using the exact same formula, and will shoot them at a 3 gun shoot this weekend. I also can load 00 Buckshot into these shells for the same performance.

In short any of you could shoot these in any gun and not feel a thing.

It's the ammo guys and everyone here reloads their Shotgun Shells, so you can do it too.

The trade off in gun weights is that you still have to lift the gun up every time you want to shoot. Gun Lifts are what is fatiguing you more than the difference in recoil.

Randy

It's funny. I have 2 Beretta 682 Golds. A Sporting and a Trap. In theory, VERY similar guns. The sporting has 28" barrels and the Trap has 30 barrels. Trap has a slightly raised rib. I never put them on a scale, but the trap gun weighs considerably more with a bit more and very dense wood. When I have the trap field to myself, the pace is fast enough that it can be rather fatiguing. FWIW, I shoot everything "low gun".

All I was TRYING to say is a "sporting" gun and a "field" gun have basically the same geometry, unlike many modern trap guns designed to shoot high. There's absolutely no reason one should feel their hunting gun isn't perfectly capable on a clays course. Different mfg's and different grades will add "features" to designate a gun as "sporting". The most prolific being extended chokes. Beretta drops the auto-safety on "target" guns. Go up a notch or two and you get into adjustable this and that which would be more nuisance than asset in the field.

[ceh383]

My main gun weighs 9lb, I have no issues with fatigue after a couple hundred shells.
My backup gun weighs 8lb 2oz, there is a noticeable difference in recoil and it does induce a small level of fatigue.

BTW, the reloads I shoot are 1oz @ 1250.

[JagerDog]

Originally Posted by ceh383

Oh geez.

This was my point.

Lighter guns WILL have MORE recoil and are not as well suited for clay target games. A heavier "Target" gun is the better tool for the job. Pretty simple, really.

Your point was to extend my comment (field guns being applicable to clays) into some extreme that wasn't there.

There's nothing "magical" about a "sporting" gun. Often it's a logo and extended chokes added to a "field" gun.

And no...a 7'ish # gun won't "beat you up" in 100 rounds per week if it fits decently and you're of "average" recoil tolerance.

There's ways to add weight if that's an individual's preference.

[ceh383]

No, you said

Originally Posted by JagerDog

Any hunting gun makes for a good SC gun. SC actually helped autos come back into the target games.

I disagree with this. A sub 7lb fixed breech 12ga does not make a GOOD clay gun. Can they be used, yes they can. Are they the best/proper tool for the job, no they are not.
Now if you are a hunter and shoot clays as practice for hunting season, yes, shoot your hunting gun. Makes perfect sense.
If you don't hunt and want to shoot clays, a sub 7lb fixed breech gun is not the best choice.

If you can't understand this...

[JagerDog]

Fine. Don't bring your field gun to a SC club. Let your husband do it.

[ceh383]

It looks to me like your reading comprehension skills are lacking.

[Bakerloo]

Originally Posted by JagerDog

There's nothing "magical" about a "sporting" gun. Often it's a logo and extended chokes added to a "field" gun.

My 686 Sporting has a vented mid rib. That's magic in itself.

[Imageview]

I have a short barrel 12 gauge h&r topper with synthetic stock that has got to be the nastiest thing I’ve ever shot. Of course it weighs around 5 lb dripping wet. Tested it with some 2 3/4” 12 pellet 00 buck and it was certainly an eye opener, recoil felt a but like shooting hot 45-70+p loads out of a 7-8lb rifle. Have shot a cz double 20 that was listed at just under 6lbs and it wasn’t particularly pleasant either.

I shoot clays to get better at shooting birds, so using my hunting guns makes the most sense to me. Even if they are light by clay shooting standards. Practice with the tool you want to get better with. If I were more focused on clays than feathers, then a heavier gun would make more sense. Although to be frank when I’m prepping for waterfowl season and hauling my a400 around the clays course I miss the lighter gun.

[JagerDog]

Originally Posted by Bakerloo

My 686 Sporting has a vented mid rib. That's magic in itself.

Absolutely! Both my 682’s as well.

The BL2 doesn’t even have a mid rib.

Of course I can tell a recoil difference with the light’ish guns. But with target loads they aren’t punishing. Now dropping down to the Benelli Ultralight….100 rounds can take its toll. But that’s a pretty unique case.

[W.R.Buchanan]

Guys none of this has anything to do with "MY" quest to become an expert Skeet Shooter!

I shot with a guy yesterday that had a new K20. He couldn't afford the 3 bbl set so he got Briley Tubes in 28 and .410. They didn't work right from the factory so Briley had the gun for the last 3 months til they got it right.

He shot the .410 tubes yesterday and shot a 22 and 23 right next to me. Biggest difference is that he has been shooting skeet for years.

But what one of the others guys said holds true. If you're on, you're on, and it doesn't matter if you are shooting a 12ga or a .410.

I just got tooled up with a Hornady DL366 in .410 last Saturday. So I can load .410's much faster now and since they only use half the shot my 12's use I can shoot more.

Randy

[Bakerloo]

So are you going to move on to the .410 now, or get the skeet game figured out with the 12GA first?

[JagerDog]

Most of us no longer shoot 9/8 at skeet in 12g. Give 3/4 or 7/8 a try.

[W.R.Buchanan]

Originally Posted by Bakerloo

So are you going to move on to the .410 now, or get the skeet game figured out with the 12GA first?

I will shoot both. I just want to get the game down with the 12 ga. first and then work on the .410.

I also have Two A5's I want to shoot, and an Ithaca M37. I want to get good with all of them.

Randy

[ceh383]

Originally Posted by W.R.Buchanan

I will shoot both. I just want to get the game down with the 12 ga. first and then work on the .410.

When you think you have it down with the 12, tighten up the chokes to dial it in a little better.

When it comes to the .410, do yourself a favor, DON'T pattern them. That's a rabbit hole you don't want to dive into.

[fecalguns]

Originally Posted by ceh383

When you think you have it down with the 12, tighten up the chokes to dial it in a little better.

Good point! When I was shooting skeet three years ago I was using skeet chokes for some time. I was averaging 23-24 almost every game with the skeet chokes. The mod chokes dropped my average down to 20-21 for a while as I started shooting sporting clays and wanted to keep the chokes the same for both games.

This was when I was using a 686 sporting or the A400. Both guns worked for me very well at the time.

[W.R.Buchanan]

Choking down is a good idea. My CXS patterns tight as it is, I have a Cylinder Tube in the bottom barrel and a Skeet Tube in the top.
At Skeet Ranges I'm about 20". Hi1 is almost a rifle shot if I get it before the center stake. Hi8 is definitely a rifle shot as the bird is only about 5 yds. above me. I get that one 80-90% of the time. But go figure I miss lo 7 a lot. And that can be embarrassing! I know exactly what that shot looks like, but sometimes my body doesn't do what I tell it to, and I shoot over or under it.

I'll get it, just a matter of time!

I'm shooting a 3 gun at Winchester Canyon tomorrow and the shotgun stage is 27 rounds with 2 slugs at the end. I'm shooting my A5 with Rifle Sights which I can do!

The targets aren't moving!!!!

Randy