1st Shotgun & Shooting Trap

[1_Grendel]

i picked up a moss 500 combo a week ago and made it to the Prado range this Sunday; had a good time. I went back today; played hooky from work and did 4 rounds/tokens (what do you call a set of 27 clays?)

ok, here are the questions
Sometimes i get hit in the cheek (buy the stock), is this normal?
Is putting a pad on the stock (for the shoulder) a "no-no"?
while on the shooting line i did better than 50% from center to far left but once i moved over to the far right i was lucky to hit 1 in 5,,,why??? i know you probably have to see what i was doing to really help but it really frustrated me.

i found that after my 3 tokens or 71 clays my left arm was very tired; i think i found out why i saw people only shoot 27 clays/1 token then sit down and rest. I would not have thought my left arm (support arm) would be what tired out first i would have thought my right shoulder would give out first.

This seems fun so far, Sunday was the first time i took "my" gun out and shoot at clays. the first and only other time that i shoot at clays, and what got me interested in it, was at the Raahauges Fair a couple of months ago. I can see this get expensive fast.

*edit: I just saw the spelling check=cheek forgive me

[mjsweims]

You are being hit in the cheek(cheek slap) because you are not mounnting the gun properly. Your gun should come up to your cheek tightly and be held there for every shot. Try mounting the gun, tight against your cheek, then moving your head with the gun as you swing. This probably also explains why you were shooting so poorly.
Putting a pad on is ok.
BTW you get 27 birds but only shoot 25 for trap. The extra two are for gun malfunctions (2 allowed per round of 25) or broken birds.
Have you tried patterning your gun? Mount your gun, check your sight on a point on the patterning board and see where your pattern is in relation to your sight point. That way you will know where to point your gun in relation to the bird. Always mount the gun the same way!

[Thefeeder]

><

Congrats on tring a high level shooting skill.....You will get better with practice.

Start with the fundamentals and you will progress a lot faster

Stance, mount, swing, trigger pull and follow through.

If you don't have a mentor to show you....seriously consider a lesson to cover the fundamentals.

Go dust'em!

[kmca]

It's somewhat difficult to find a good shooting instructor. Those that are very good at it, can't necessarily teach and those that can't shoot can teach. Missing those targets as you move to the right is probably because it's easier to push the gun away from your face as you swing to the right. As said above, it's a good bet your gun doesn't fit you, but don't feel bad, most guns don't fit anybody very well.

[1_Grendel]

mjsweims:
Thanks for the check slap. i only experenced it sometimes but did not know why i would get it and not at other times.
patterning your gun: No, that sounds like sighting in a scope. I just pick it up and i have never heard of pattering a shotgun; it makes sense.

Thefeeder
no mentor, i dint know anyone that does trap or skeet. On Sunday i spent about a hour watching people so i could pick up on range "norms/customs" before i ventured into the trailer and picked up my tokens. i honestly did not know whether i was going to shoot skeet or trap i just told the lady in the trailer "the range on the left" she said "trap"

I saw the class in El Monte but the 17th is filled up, i will see if i can make next months class.

thanks

[appagohm]

I purchased a mossberg 500 combo a while back and have loved the gun since, although the standard stock could be a little bit long for a few, if you hold right it shouldn't be a problem. cheek slap can be corrected. Which i can play hooky from work

[1_Grendel]

kmca
i have been reading a bit about "fitting the gun" i think i need to be shown what people are writing about.
And i would not take you up on your bet i think i would lose my money

your description of how it may be more difficult for me to push away from my face has me thinking; i will work on that.

Thanks

[Thefeeder]

><

Here is a good read

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=425953

[1_Grendel]

I purchased a mossberg 500 combo a while back and have loved the gun since, although the standard stock could be a little bit long for a few, if you hold right it shouldn't be a problem. cheek slap can be corrected. Which i can play hooky from work

considering i have only shoot a moss 500 i dont know if another set up would work better. It sounds like if i shot someones 3k gun that did not "fit" me i may not do that much better. Right now i think i need to get this "Indian" to learn how to use the weapon.

i just got hooked when i was at that fair and pick up the shotgun that was price right for something that i did not really know how far i would get into.

Thanks

this sport is fun i have had a blast shooting at moving abjects/clays, much more fun that putting holes in paper.

i have done ISPA and it is fun to move and shoot; i am happy with the money spent.

[1_Grendel]

the rational side of me says i should wait for expert help before i modify the stock to fit me but the bug has bit and i am looking at this (see link) talk me out of it and slow me down. it seems to have all that i am looking for,,, get it or junk it????

http://www.mossbergowners.com/viewtopic.php?f=78&t=999&p=6922#p6922

[kmca]

Don't do it. I would see if you can find a good stock fitter in your area, try to keep in mind that there are a lot of people out there who claim to be stockfitters. There's probably nothing wrong with the stock you have that can't be fixed with a good saw and if it really doesn't fit, bondo or moleskin.

[Donny1]

Do one of the clinics and get some basics covered so you don't learn bad habits.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=329160