Teach me about shooting clay pigeons

[IceMan711]

I've been frequenting some outdoor ranges to shoot handguns and rifles recently, but I've never ventured into the realm of shotguns and clay pigeons. I don't know if it is properly called trap, sporting clays, or skeet, but I was just thinking it would be fun to throw some clays into the air for us to shoot down. It would definitely add another activity for us to do at every range trip, and teach us to hit moving targets.

I don't really know where to start, so here are a few questions I have if you have a moment:

- What kind of shotgun should I get? barrel length? Choke? Sights? Semi Auto? (Something for under $1000 preferably)

- What type of shot do people use for clays? All I know about is what is good for home defense!

- What kind of clay thrower would you recommend? Do the hand held throwers work ok, or should I invest in something better?

- Any other recommendations?

Thanks all.

[CmpsdNoMore]

There's lots to say about the subject, I'll say some and let others fill in with more detailed stuff. If you're interested in knowing the games better I'd recommend seeing if a local clay shooting club had an introductory course.

If you're just doing it informally you can use anything from a single barrel gun to an over-under that's several hundred dollars.
Generally people use longer barrels for trap and shorter for skeet. The longer barrel helps to be more precise in your movements, but a shorter barrel with be easier to swing.

Chokes are really whatever you want and it depends on the distance you're shooting. Modified or Improved Modified are decent for starting. You can use any type of sight, though most use bead sights.

For clays you'll want to use 7 to 9 shot. Target loads save your shoulders a lot of pain if you're shooting a lot.

I'm not too familiar with throwers. Sorry

[Omega13device]

When I started I picked up an Remington 870 off the shelf at Big 5 for around $300. I don't see the need for anything more fancy. Mine is a 12 gauge with a 28" barrel but I'm going to switch to a 20 gauge. You don't need the 12 gauge for clays and the recoil starts to annoy me after 50 rounds.

[Millions-Knives]

Keep an eye on this thread and watch for Ysr_racer (Brad) he'll do you right. He loaned me his Remington 1100 when I tried Sporting Clays for the first time. It's a lot of fun and very challenging. And cost-wise, it's not much different from what I usually pay at an indoor range. $22+tax for 100 shells at walmart, 80+ targets $32+ puts you around 50-70 dollars a meet. That's close or even under my cost of shooting 200 rounds of .45acp at my local indoor at <1 1/2 shooting time. Get a squad up when you go clay shooting and you'll be there enjoying yourself on a weekend for 3+ hours.

[Eroland7]

I have a cheap over/under 12 gauge that i use. Just practice practice practice... Thats all i can say. I am by no means an expert, but i was 100 times better the 4th or 5th time i went, than the 1st and 2nd...

[mikey6717]

Finally, somebody that wants to talk about my area of expertise.
Trap, on a trap field you shoot from 16 yds to 27 yds away from the trap house. So starting out you want at least a modified choke 12 ga moving to a full or extra full to play all the different games available, doubles, bunker, annie oakley, buddy shoots etc.

Skeet, you are working a great deal closer to your target with different presentations, high house and low house, many angles. You will use a faster shorter gun with open chokes. Skeet or improved cylinder. 410 to 12 ga no matter.
Sporting clays is the best of everything. Hunting,trap, skeet etc.
You have targets flying at you, up in front of you, bouncing in front of you.
Any guage,any type of gun, auto or over and under faster, usually to shots at a time. Sorry I've went crazy here Im a shotgunner...

[CmpsdNoMore]

Iceman, where are you located? I know a couple ranges around me will rent shotguns for as little as $10 for the day. if you're thinking about getting something more expensive than a pump, it's a great way to try out a semi-auto or over-under before you buy them.

[IceMan711]

I live in the Los Angeles Area, I was planning on trying it out at one of the private ranges at Burro Canyon.

I am leaning toward a semi auto, as it seems they have softer recoil.

Keep the input coming guys! Link me to a gun!

[CmpsdNoMore]

I just took an intro to clay sports at Project 2000 in El Cajon. I was surprised at how much less the recoil of a semi-auto felt over the pump I used to have.

[Millions-Knives]

Remington 1100 $600-1100, Beretta 391's $700-1800 or Benelli's but Beretta's are reported to have the softest recoil gas system compared to Benelli's inertia-driven system.

[Joe_13]

The games:

http://www.claytargetsonline.com/aboutthegames.php

The gun (Go with semi-auto):

http://hunting.about.com/od/toppicks/tp/tp_autoshotguns.htm

The ammo:
Go with Walmart's Remington or Federal 12 guage, size 7.5 or 8.


Get a second job. Your gonna need some extra dough if you intend to pick up this hobby. It's worse than crack.

[IceMan711]

Remington 1100 $600-1100, Beretta 391's $700-1800 or Benelli's but Beretta's are reported to have the softest recoil gas system compared to Benelli's inertia-driven system.

Is there anything I should be looking for in these guns, like a good "do it all" barrel length? Also, do they all accept chokes or should I be looking at ones that do to expand my options?

[Millions-Knives]

They all have chokes, and usually will include a set when you purchase. Before you go out and buy a shotgun give it a shot first and officially be hooked.

[remington]

Like Mikey, clays are my game as well.

For my two cents, get a 1100 with screw in chokes. The 391's are great I just dont like how light they are. In clays, often times you want a heavier gun to because they point better and slow you down better. Benelli is also a great gun, but only in the 20. Thats just my opinion, which means nothing. The 3 all time winningness trap guns are an 870, Model 12 and 1100. So you don't need a Beretta, Perazzi, K-gun, etc. Some like the Browning Auto as well. You see very few Benelli's on the courses. Mostly, 1100/391 (assuming you dont want a O/U) and alot of 870's.

Remember that because of the reciever length the site plane is longer than a O/U with the same barrel length. About 2 inches. So a 28 inch barrel is like a 30 on a O/U. 28 inch is common and 30 is max for a auto. If you get hooked on trap, then a 32 will be okay. But if you want a double duty gun stick with a 28.

Screw is chokes only. Unless, you get hooked on trap then a full or mod full is all you need. The older 1100 barrels (1970's) have a reputation for patterning better that just about any barrel made, even Perazzi's. Just an FYI. If you can get a Mod in an older barrel that would okay to get you started. Remember that in trap, the distances are known, as is skeet. Skeet works best with a IC or SK choke. Sporting Clays the distances vary and your choke selection may depend on on the course.

I shoot 7.5 on everything. Not to offend the paper target boys and girls, but blowing something up in the air rules. It is addicting. Triple BBB in El Monte has great SC course and trap and skeet. Prado in Chino has trap, skeet and 5 stand. Redlands has trap, skeet and I think 5 stand now. Oak tree used to have a awesome SC course as well.

On last thing. Guns are like shoes and need to fit. A shotgun more so than others or you hammer your face, shoulder and will hate this sport. Make sure you get 1 hour of instruction, at least. The instructor can tell if the gun fits or not and possibly can make adjustments (391's and Benellis's have shims to adjust drop and pull). Pacific Sporting Arms in Azusa is the best I know locally for gun fitting.

Good luck!

[BLC]

I have a Browning Cynergy and its awesome. I havent been out in about 6 months, my gun needs some adjustment and I am not capable of doing it on my own. Something is screwy with my trigger. I have been putting off sending it in because I didnt want to be without it for months, but here it is with 6 months gone anyway.

I am without a doubt still a rookie and to be honest I dont spend much time changing chokes out, I am still trying to get the basics down. Heck, I am having a hard enough time learning to keep both eyes open!

Oak Tree still has a great sporting clay course but they could take better care of it. Many times a thrower or 2 is empty or tossing broken clays. I have never been to El Monte but have been dying to try it.

There is a fantastic instructor out at Moore and Moore, his name is Dan Reeves. This guy can really help the experienced and beginners alike.

Remington is right, blowing up moving targets in the air is the best and is extremely addicting. I dont hunt so these are the only moving targets I have ever shot at.

I have only been doing it a year or so and just reading this thread makes me miss it big time, tht shottie of mine needs to get in the mail.