First Time Shooting Trap What am I Doing Wrong?

[cz74]

Catching the clay disk on the fall I scored 18 out of 25, but the instructor said I was doing it wrong, I then shot second round using his way and scored ZERO!

[Aerodude]

I assume you mean that the instructor wanted you to shoot sooner as the clay was rising from the trap house? Your lead will need to include a vertical component where you’ll be shooting higher to catch the clay as it’s rising. It can be more challenging in one respect since the barrel can get in the way of your vision. But your upside will eventually be better and more consistent scores since you’ll be hitting the clays when they’re much closer to you. Others here likely have better insight.

[newbutold]

I shoot so I hit them, sounds like you should do the same.

[Pocket Rocket]

If I were trying to score soon after the clay was launched I’d want a more forgiving choke to provide a wider spread followed by a tighter one for the longer shot. (Assuming this is an O/U)

Almost sounds like that’s what you have for the first shot since you were 18/25 holding out for the drop.

Here’s a chart that I used from another fourm for some info:

https://chokefortrap.com/choke-tube-chart/

[Tarmy]

[44fred]

Some old guy perspective.
No offense but trying to answer this question without seeing you shoot is impossible.
Suggestion…Hit up some seasoned shooters at your range, most would be willing to help. I was lucky enough to have some retired guys help me many years ago.
BTW…Where do you live? Someone here may want to help.

[W.R.Buchanan]

Go shoot Skeet,,, It is more fun.

I shot 24/25 the very first round of Trap I shot with a borrowed gun. I was hooked, Went and bought a $2500 gun, never broke more than 23 with it.
I progressively got worse.

I now shoot Skeet. I generally suck, but I have way more fun doing it. I have 3 guns I can use a 12 O/U, a .410 O/U, and a Ithaca pump which I shot yesterday. More banter goes on at the Skeet field, everybody over at the Trap field is so Serious.
If you suck the worse thing you can be is "Serious" about it!

I made a shot yesterday that got applause from everyone there. Lo 8 on the last round. I was last shooter and I missed it twice and had one more shell in my bag. The trap thru two birds and I got both with the same shot. nobody else had made a double before that.

That Low House Trap throws two birds often, no rhyme nor reason, it is totally random. If you make the shot you get Immediate Applause.

Since I need way more practice with the Pump Gun it was a good way to end off, and we all had a good time!

Which was the whole point ! If there is no money to be won, you had better at least had some fun!

Randy

[Capybara]

18/25 for your first time shooting Trap isn't bad. Agree with the others, without seeing OTS video of you shooting, we can't tell you what you are doing wrong. The most typical problem is not leading the bird correctly. That is shooting above the bird as it's rising, shooting below it if it's falling or leading it left or right. How much lead? It depends on angle, trajectory, speed and which station you are at so no cut and dried answer. To me, Trap shooting is all about the feel, more than doing things precisely like a machine, it's the opposite of target shooting with a rifle and that's what I like about it, it's by far more fun to bust a fast moving clay than to hit a paper bullseye with a rifle but that's just me.

Shooting quickly is a good goal but probably not the best goal for a beginner. As a beginner, your goal should just be to hit birds, then once you are, you can begin shooting quicker. It is true that the longer you wait to hit a bird, the harder it is to hit them. You need a decent trap shooter or instructor to stand right behind you and observe what you are doing and they will be able to likely see where your pattern is going and why you aren't connecting. All of the normal shooting rules apply, squeeze, don't jerk the trigger, breath smoothly, practice the movements so that your swing is smooth, shoot "through" the bird, in other words, keep moving the gun after you shoot, just like a golf swing.

There are no lack of YouTube Videos and books on how to shoot Trap well, I would check out some videos and buy a book. I learned how to shoot clays largely from just doing it but also I have the Gun Digest Book of Trap and Skeet Shooting 3rd edition by Chris Christian https://www.amazon.com/Digest-Book-T...s%2C847&sr=8-4 which I really like and it taught me a LOT about the finer points. Very good book.

[shovelon]

Go shoot Skeet,,, It is more fun.

I shot 24/25 the very first round of Trap I shot with a borrowed gun. I was hooked, Went and bought a $2500 gun, never broke more than 23 with it.
I progressively got worse.

I now shoot Skeet. I generally suck, but I have way more fun doing it. I have 3 guns I can use a 12 O/U, a .410 O/U, and a Ithaca pump which I shot yesterday. More banter goes on at the Skeet field, everybody over at the Trap field is so Serious.
If you suck the worse thing you can be is "Serious" about it!

I made a shot yesterday that got applause from everyone there. Lo 8 on the last round. I was last shooter and I missed it twice and had one more shell in my bag. The trap thru two birds and I got both with the same shot. nobody else had made a double before that.

That Low House Trap throws two birds often, no rhyme nor reason, it is totally random. If you make the shot you get Immediate Applause.

Since I need way more practice with the Pump Gun it was a good way to end off, and we all had a good time!

Which was the whole point ! If there is no money to be won, you had better at least had some fun!

Randy

Randy, you made my day! Clubhousing a low 8 is insane.

Funny you mention that skeet is more fun, and Sporting Clays is like a modified skeet game with some "Trap" shots included. But yes skeet is way more fun.

I have been taking some Fitasc lessons and this is what the coach emailed me this morning knowing I love skeet.


Yesterday I was coached on the skeet field and then did 50 shots on the sporting course. I already made progress.

[shovelon]

18/25 for your first time shooting Trap isn't bad. Agree with the others, without seeing OTS video of you shooting, we can't tell you what you are doing wrong. The most typical problem is not leading the bird correctly. That is shooting above the bird as it's rising, shooting below it if it's falling or leading it left or right. How much lead? It depends on angle, trajectory, speed and which station you are at so no cut and dried answer. To me, Trap shooting is all about the feel, more than doing things precisely like a machine, it's the opposite of target shooting with a rifle and that's what I like about it, it's by far more fun to bust a fast moving clay than to hit a paper bullseye with a rifle but that's just me.

Shooting quickly is a good goal but probably not the best goal for a beginner. As a beginner, your goal should just be to hit birds, then once you are, you can begin shooting quicker. It is true that the longer you wait to hit a bird, the harder it is to hit them. You need a decent trap shooter or instructor to stand right behind you and observe what you are doing and they will be able to likely see where your pattern is going and why you aren't connecting. All of the normal shooting rules apply, squeeze, don't jerk the trigger, breath smoothly, practice the movements so that your swing is smooth, shoot "through" the bird, in other words, keep moving the gun after you shoot, just like a golf swing.

There are no lack of YouTube Videos and books on how to shoot Trap well, I would check out some videos and buy a book. I learned how to shoot clays largely from just doing it but also I have the Gun Digest Book of Trap and Skeet Shooting 3rd edition by Chris Christian https://www.amazon.com/Digest-Book-T...s%2C847&sr=8-4 which I really like and it taught me a LOT about the finer points. Very good book.

For a long time my hold point was just above center of the trap bunker on all stations. Then someone said "hey, you are on the left of the bunker so move your hold point to the left corner. And at center station hold in the center of bunker. When on right hold at right corner of bunker." That bought me a few more broken trap targets.

[JagerDog]

Not much to go on, but........

My guess is you're shooting below the birds taking them earlier. On a field stocked gun, you need to "cover" the bird on rising targets.

You just happened to have a good sight picture (target above barrel) as the birds started to drop.

Increasing distance increases difficulty (doubly so if there's wind, angles, etc.), so I'd try to get away from taking them late. And choke appropriately for the distance. Generally, modified choke should function well from the 16-22 yard line.

[Scratch705]

I like taking the clays late while they are at peak or just starting to fall. This is mostly cause my reaction sucks so i can barely get on the clay during the rise. Ha.

Plus it is more fun to me to hit the far clays. My buddies and me would compete to see who can break clay at the furtherest and lowest

[squeeze]

Catching the clay disk on the fall I scored 18 out of 25, but the instructor said I was doing it wrong, I then shot second round using his way and scored ZERO!

Sounds like you are into the chase them down then shoot em mode. Force yourself to shoot more quickly. You will improve. Do not aim! Stare at the clay. If your gun fits you???? then you'll break a lot more 'cause your gun will go where your eyes a looking.
....................................
I have two unused trap shooting books/manuals for sale. See my posting here:

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?p=26822520#post26822520

[Tarmy]