starting in trap and skeet

[ysr_racer]

Sure, meet me at Triple B Clays this Saturday at 1:00pm and I'll show you what I know. (I've got guns, ammo, and targets)

TBC is on Rosemead off the 60, just past the 605.

http://www.triplebclays.com/

[Millions-Knives]

i also would like help in shooting those damn clay birds

i go to a place to shoot in sant clarita/saugus in so cal - anyone want to help a fellow shooter get better I appreciate it, thank you

I'll be happy to shoot with you at Oaktree. Shoot me a PM.
They have a minimum bbl length of 24" or 26"... something like that.
I have an extra gun if that's a going to be an issue.

[zenmastar]

Coyote Valley in Morgan Hill is a better bet.

Best skeet fields in the south bay area. However, since the OP lists Sacramento as his residence, Stockton Trap and Skeet Club is much closer and has better maintained fields.

For the OP, if you want to learn skeet, your best bet is to purchase Todd Bender's "Winning with the Fundamentals in Skeet" DVD. I went from about the worst shooter among my skeet friends to an AA NSSA rating on just that one video alone (plus practicing what Todd was teaching in that DVD).

http://bendershima.com/?page_id=14

I do shoot sport clays and love it. However, it is more expensive so I limit myself to once a month for the registered shoots. I've never been able to get into trap for some reason. Trap is very good for practicing rising targets however. It also requires less mobility than skeet or clays. So if you have injuries that make it hard to twist your body, trap may be suited to you.

If you make it out to CVSC (Coyote Valley Sport Clays), and are a safe shooter, legally own a shotgun, and pay for your shells and skeet rounds (25 shots per round at $6/round which I think CVSC charges for non-members), I can show you how to shoot skeet. Just PM me if you like. I mostly shoot on a weekend morning (usually Sunday) and an mid-week evening.

[ysr_racer]

Both my mother and father are instructors. They occasionally do some very inexpensive "clinics" at Birds Landing in Rio Vista. I promise you that a lesson or two will go a long way toward increasing your enjoyment of the sport. They are both very very good instructors. Feel free to PM me if you have questions.

jafount, can you please post their contact info. I had a few emails asking about lessons up north.

[Shotgun Man]

I know you said you're interested in trap and skeet, but consider sporting clays.

I find trap and skeet to be boring, especially trap. Even skeet shooting gets to be so mechanically easy you wonder why you do it.

Sporting clays emulates wingshooting. It is more difficult to hit the targets and improves your skills in the field.

With sporting clays, you get to walk around in semi-forested areas, so it is a nicer experience.

Consider having your buddy launch random sporting clay targets without you calling it, with your shotgun at your side, rather than shouldered-- way more challenging than skeet or trap.

[jafount]

jafount, can you please post their contact info. I had a few emails asking about lessons up north.

Sure. Contact:

Patrick at themastercoach@gmail.com

They will travel from Sacramento to Stockton. I only mention Birds Landing because they have a good working relationship with the owners there and can position new shooters anywhere on the Five Stand field to offer different target presentations.

They can also provide guns if a shooter doesn't have their own, do molded earplugs, etc.

[santamonica9]

you got to go to a range and just practice... like most things in life.

I suggest a place like a place to shoot in santa clarita - super cheap range fee for all day shooting $12.50 and you can bring your own ammo & birds (biodegradable only) go with a buddy so he can yank the string when you yell pull and you can concentrate on your shot!!

almost eveytime i've been to that range there IS a nice shooter who will take some time and give the new shooters some tips - thats how I got better - i'm not saying i'm great but I now can hit most of my doubles and i'm about 80% on my singles.

to get a better grasp on those stats when I started about a year ago out of ten singles I'd hit about three if I really focused. Now out of those singles I'm getting 8/10 or above when focused (key part about it.... concentration & aim)

I hope you enjoy blasting those clay birds I know I have been & good luck

[ROTC sniper]

+1 on A Place to Shoot easy laid back atmosphere and the trap machines are included in your range fees vs having to rent them at some other places. I'm up for anyone that wants to teach....I'd go with Brad this weekend but I'm booked with family stuff but if he can teach next week, I'm definitely in.

[zenmastar]

Consider having your buddy launch random sporting clay targets without you calling it, with your shotgun at your side, rather than shouldered-- way more challenging than skeet or trap.

You should try international skeet rules and pay attention to the boundary markers. International rules are no pre-holds allowed and targets are thrown randomly up to 3 seconds.

The challenge of US skeet rules come from having to shoot for score with 12, 20, and 28 gauge, plus the .410 shotshells. Even with US rules, .410 will make you talk to yourself.

Skeet will hone one's eye skills and quickness better. However, sporting clays will present different types of shoots. I enjoy sporting clays but it is so darn expensive. It is the profit maker at CVSC.

[5150bronco]

Sure, meet me at Triple B Clays this Saturday at 1:00pm and I'll show you what I know. (I've got guns, ammo, and targets)

TBC is on Rosemead off the 60, just past the 605.

http://www.triplebclays.com/

what shotgun you use for beginners?

[ysr_racer]

what shotgun you use for beginners?

5150,

Really, any 12ga or 20ga shotgun with at least a 21" barrel is fine. There's a huge difference between having fun (like us) and a serious competition gun that can cost hundreds to thousands.

Most popular are o/u and semi's, but a pump will work fine too.

[5150bronco]

5150,

Really, any 12ga or 20ga shotgun with at least a 21" barrel is fine. There's a huge difference between having fun (like us) and a serious competition gun that can cost hundreds to thousands.

Most popular are o/u and semi's, but a pump will work fine too.

cool man. thanks. I was thinkin of a wingmaster to start.

[Argonaut]

If you are serious, There is a WONDERFUL Belgian Browning Broadway Trap with chokes in the Private sale section. You would never outgrow it and with the tubes, it would be competitive in any shotgun game. It is a little more expensive than a pump but it will only appreciate and it is one of the rare guns that you can shoot well at several shooting disciplines.

[5150bronco]

cool. thank you. i will take a look. i assume you have used one before?

[Argonaut]

Yes, They are very high quality and you will never be outclassed anywhere. Beware......it will spoil you.......The quality is as good as it gets.