Shooting trap for the first time this weekend...

[couch]

I'm heading out with a few friends this weekend to shoot trap. Finally getting into shooting my shotgun. Up until now its mainly been my rifles and handguns. I've never been trap shooting before.

My question is, other than my 12ga, eye/ear protection and ammo, are there any other items you recommend bringing that I wouldn't normally bring to a normal day at the range? Anything specific to shooting trap/clays/etc.

I'm thinking things along the lines of using a dump bag for ammo and things like that. I have a Maxpedition Rolly Polly already that I can use. I don't have a vest or anything though. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

I'm shooting a Benelli Supernova 26" with Federal target ammo from Walmart. Any recommendation on choke?

Thanks!

[alfred1222]

Umm since its your first time i would go IM for the choke, or a trap choke if you have it. One thing to remember is that you need to be able to move when youre shooting trap. you arent shooting from a static position, you have to lead the clay and move with it. Other than that, you're good!!! have a good time

[Mana4real]

Ya, IM or M choke sounds about right. I recommend you take a towel with you to keep in your pocket. My hands sweat a lot, so that helps keep me dry. I keep it in my back vest pocket. I'd recommend a shell carrier/pouch. I'm starting to reload, so I keep all my shells now. I don't know how much shotgun shooting you do, but just remember to have fun. It's always the birds that are right in front of me that I miss. Oh, a good thing to do before you go trap shooting is to read the range rules. There are usually a few key things in there that can help you out. Like only one shell at a time for singles. Action open at all times when not at the line. Turn clockwise when turning around at station 5 as not to point your gun at everyone. Just little things.

Let us know how you do!! Which range are you going to?

[Turo]

Chokes, grab the biggest you have: Cylinder, improved cylinder, or skeet, would be ideal. If you don't have any that size, pick the biggest you do have, modified would make it a little more difficult for you, but is completely doable.

I would highly recommend a bag for ammo, you can find a cheapie at walmart if you're short on time, but really anything you can hang from your waist that will hold a box of shells will do.

My biggest suggestion is to tell you that shooting trap is nothing like shooting rifles or pistols. Because you have moving targets, aiming (or "pointing") is much more of a reflex than anything else. You have to lead your targets. If you get a hard right clay, you need to shoot a foot or more to the right of the target to hit it. Same with hard lefts. The clays that go more away from you require almost no lead, just put your front sight bead on the clay and pull the trigger.

Make sure your cheek weld on your gun is the same every time. It's important because that IS your rear sight. If your rear sight changed places on a rifle or pistol, you'd never hit anything right? So practice shouldering your gun as much as possible before you get out there.

Most importantly, have fun! Being your first time, you might not even hit 6 or 7 out of 25. Don't let that get you down, I've seen people shoot zeros 3 rounds in a row. Just keep in mind that you are out shooting with your buddies and that's the fun part. Hitting your targets is just icing on the cake.

[Ubermcoupe]

Take pictures and have fun, You’ll be hooked.

[BigDogatPlay]

I'm heading out with a few friends this weekend to shoot trap. Finally getting into shooting my shotgun. Up until now its mainly been my rifles and handguns. I've never been trap shooting before.

You'll have fun. It may be frustrating at first and hopefully where ever you are shooting has some instructors who will work with you. I instruct at my club so what follows will be my $0.02 of advice. And Turo has some good pointers on gun mount and cheek weld, hopefully an instructor can fine tune you on the field. Above all.... keep the gun moving; swinging to a fixed point in the sky, stopping and shooting will not break birds for you.

My question is, other than my 12ga, eye/ear protection and ammo, are there any other items you recommend bringing that I wouldn't normally bring to a normal day at the range? Anything specific to shooting trap/clays/etc.

Comfortable clothes and shoes plus a hat of some kind. Might have a cleaning kit handy in the car or your bag. Absolutely, positively have your choke tube key / wrench handy. It can and will come loose and you should check that it's finger tight at the start of every round when before you take the field.

I'm thinking things along the lines of using a dump bag for ammo and things like that. I have a Maxpedition Rolly Polly already that I can use. I don't have a vest or anything though. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Vest isn't necessary. Some people use them, some don't. So long as the bag can hang off your belt or has a belt to go around your waist and doesn't get in your way of shooting it's fine. If you like the sport there is more than enough time down the road to invest in more gear. At my club we require that the shells be carried in something... a bag or vest usually that the shooter wears. Loading from a box of shells on the ground is verboten.

I'm shooting a Benelli Supernova 26" with Federal target ammo from Walmart. Any recommendation on choke?

No tighter than Modified assuming you'll be doing all your shooting from 16 yards (the minimum distance from the house). Modified will give you your best chance to score at this point. If you have Light Modified available, put that in. You could use Improved Cylinder, however when you first get started the tendency will often be that they get out a ways on you and a more open choke like IC will reduce your scoring potential.

Pay attention to the commands of the puller and the squad leader (the shooter who starts the round in the #1 station), relax and have a great time.