Skeet - how to start...

[md2020]

OK... I have my shotgun and now I have time. I have no shells, need to find some. Should I get them at the range, or get my own and show up. I assumine I'll be shooting #8 1oz shells to start?

Should I just call and show up to LA Clays. i'm sure I'm not the first newbie they've dealt with. I'm sure they can just throw me out there at let me do some shooting.

I'm a newbie, just getting started. New to the sport with a new shotgun... my expectations are to have fun and not worry about how many I break right now.

LA Clays is closest to me. I can be there in about 25 mins from my house.

I don't think they are allowing lessons or instructors right now if I read it right. I hope I am wrong about that.

[2Stroke]

Ive never shot skeet, but I want to. I have shot a lot of trap.

Go to LA Clays, shoot some trap. I think its easier than skeet and therefore more fun when you're new.

Other more knowledgeable guys will come around in the morning and give you good advice.

But you cant go wrong with a few rounds of trap. Use 7 1/2 or 8 shot. 1 oz. Gun club or light target loads.

[shovelon]

You go into the office/pro-shop. Tell them you are new to clays and want to shoot either trap or skeet. They will probably steer you to trap as it is a cash cow for them. But anyway ask for some guidance from a range hand. They will show you what to do, how to pull, and if alone set the the skeet button for a delay so you can mount the gun. If you are leaning to skeet like I do you need to stand firm. Trap will use the voice operated pullers and you are in and out of money in a flash. Anyway you may be directed to the public field for skeet and you wait your turn and invariably will be invited to shoot with the old timers. Then you get schooled from them if you say you are new. Most of the time anyway. That is how I got started.

You will need a waist pouch to hold some shells, and to tuck the button controller in. All for profit ranges sell shells.

So where do you live that it takes 25 minutes to drive? There are a ton of ranges all over and my group shoots two to three times a week.

[md2020]

Ive never shot skeet, but I want to. I have shot a lot of trap.

Go to LA Clays, shoot some trap. I think its easier than skeet and therefore more fun when you're new.

Other more knowledgeable guys will come around in the morning and give you good advice.

But you cant go wrong with a few rounds of trap. Use 7 1/2 or 8 shot. 1 oz. Gun club or light target loads.

OK... Trap or Skeet... I just want to shoot right now and get comfortable with the gun

You go into the office/pro-shop. Tell them you are new to clays and want to shoot either trap or skeet. They will probably steer you to trap as it is a cash cow for them. But anyway ask for some guidance from a range hand. They will show you what to do, how to pull, and if alone set the the skeet button for a delay so you can mount the gun. If you are leaning to skeet like I do you need to stand firm. Trap will use the voice operated pullers and you are in and out of money in a flash. Anyway you may be directed to the public field for skeet and you wait your turn and invariably will be invited to shoot with the old timers. Then you get schooled from them if you say you are new. Most of the time anyway. That is how I got started.

You will need a waist pouch to hold some shells, and to tuck the button controller in. All for profit ranges sell shells.

So where do you live that it takes 25 minutes to drive? There are a ton of ranges all over and my group shoots two to three times a week.

I bought a pouch already. Got ear protection and safety glasses too since I use them at the gun range. Don't have any ammo of my own... yet.

I live a few miles west of downtown LA near the 10/110 fwy.

[shovelon]

Am planning on shooting some night clays at Moore and Moore Wednesday night. You are welcome to join us. Just as cheap as trap or skeet and you get a BBQ dinner between 5 and 7pm. They sell ammo as well.

[CWL]

Trap or skeet, start accumulating target ammo NOW! I mean flats (cases of 10 boxes). Don't just show up w/o.

Not just #8 but try #7 1/2 target loads. #7 1/2 is larger and may break clays better with edge hits

Look for the old timers at your range and ask to join them. There will be a few snobs, but most will be very helpful and encouraging of new shooters.

[naz]

Hi OP, if there’s a coach at that club, I think going with a group or private lesson is a nice way to start

Also if you have an “action range” nearby that does multi gun matches, taking their safe competitor course is a good one to too. Moving around and reloading and fast follow up shots is something singles trap won’t allow you to practice

[winston1911]

If you are interested, i am a member of San Clemente Trap and Skeet. We have a monthly shoot on the first Sunday, this weekend. I would be happy to have you on my squad and show you the ropes. We shoot at Prado. We shoot two rounds of Skeet and Three of Trap. Let me know if your interested and I can give you more details.

[870classic]

OP. Welcome to the sport of trap and skeet.

All great advise from the earlier posts and as you will find out most clay shooters are good and genuine people.

As It was said to me when I started trap and skeet shooting...
Skeet is Hard to learn, easy to master. (Consistent targets flying in a preset flight path, but with the occasional doubles thrown in for fun.)
Trap is Easy to learn, hard to master. (inconsistent targets flying in a general area at various horizontal angles)

Once you get beyond the basics, I would suggest, the following shot sizes:
For skeet, I would suggest the use of #8, #8.5 or #9 shot size. The targets are closer in and the use of more shot in a shell (#9) will (generally) provide better results... (More hits) If you have a box of #7.5 and you want to shoot skeet, that will work.

For Trap, I would suggest the use of #7.5, or #8 shot size. The targets are flying away from you and the larger shot will provide hits, even on the edges of the clays (CWL's recommendation)

OP, read all you can about how trap and skeet are conducted. I never mind having newbies on my squad, but I do mind when they do something that even remotely feels unsafe.

... like shoot the ground in front of the house, or shoot the house, or... I hear you there. Been there and seen that.
We have newbies on my squads, and we welcome them. The newbies have a tenancy to interrupt the rhythm of the squad, but everyone is a newbie at one time, so we give them grace and help them to learn the sport/hobby.

Best regards and welcome,
870classic.

[Imageview]

So best first thing to do is take a lesson. Call your local place up and let them know you want to learn. The exact game you find most interesting can come later. Target ammo is still somewhat available, and you'll pay a slightly higher price purchasing it the location but you can figure it out after a lesson. The most important thing is to get shooting.

[whutsup40]

Myself and friends shoot the first 2 weeks of the month at moore/moore shooting sporting clays and the 2nd 2 weeks at L.A clays shooting skeet you are more then welcome to join at either place, just hit me up.

[md2020]

If you are interested, i am a member of San Clemente Trap and Skeet. We have a monthly shoot on the first Sunday, this weekend. I would be happy to have you on my squad and show you the ropes. We shoot at Prado. We shoot two rounds of Skeet and Three of Trap. Let me know if your interested and I can give you more details.

Myself and friends shoot the first 2 weeks of the month at moore/moore shooting sporting clays and the 2nd 2 weeks at L.A clays shooting skeet you are more then welcome to join at either place, just hit me up.

Am planning on shooting some night clays at Moore and Moore Wednesday night. You are welcome to join us. Just as cheap as trap or skeet and you get a BBQ dinner between 5 and 7pm. They sell ammo as well.

Thanks for all the invite guys.

First, I'll take another lesson to get a little more familiar with the gun and the process/etiquette. I'm scheduled for a lesson this Saturday. I actually think this is a good place to start. Then at least I'll know a little, even if I can't hit anything.

Then I hope to take you all up on your offers.

[fish45]

Start with trap, way more fun if you’re starting out.

I average 49/50 in trap and maybe 10/25 in skeet if it gives you an idea of how hard it is.

[Rearsight44]

Hello all,
I too just got back into shooting shotguns and clays. It's been a 45 year layoff. My retort was to trap, simple and learning to shoot with both eyes open. It's going fine. Watched three gentlemen shoot skeet a few weeks ago. Interesting game since the target is moving in a different direction at each shoot station. I want to learn this next. One guy was shooting a 28 gauge. He was good!
My advice is to "just do it" to rip off Nike. The best education is by doing. Don't get caught up with shot size or what gauge or... Just go shoot and learn.
It's similar to what my flight instructor said when I got my private pilot license in 1980. He said "you don't know much even you have this license, what you have is a license to learn."
Shoot well.
GV

[M1NM]

Don't overthink it. Just stand there and yell - PULL