skeet training

[sghart]

Hello neighbors,

I have never been a good wingshot. I admit it. I am now retired and one of the things I want to do is get some instruction in skeet shooting and/or sporting clays. I live in the Sacramento area.

I don't want to invest in a high dollar gun until I know I can actually hit something. I have a Remington 870 and an old Marlin 90 over and under.

Can you guys point me in the right direction? I appreciate all of your suggestions.

And if this is the wrong forum I will gladly move it.

[BOBGBA]

1.) Gun fit is very important, find someone in your area that can help you make sure the gun fits you properly.
2.) Once you have the fit right, practice your gun mount. It has to be consistent and repeatable.
3.) If you can get on a skeet field and start by shooting only station 7 low house, until you've got that station down. It's easier to work on (figure out) 1 station at a time shooting a whole box of shells there as opposed to shooting 2-4 shells at each station and trying to figure out 8 stations.

[Imageview]

Sacramento is a big area, but there's probably a sporting clays course within an hour. My buddy in Folsom goes to camanche hills. Depending on where you are at maybe birds landing is closer, maybe somewhere else. I think if I remember right you're a bit farther north (I sold you a 30-30 handi barrel a while back). Go grab a lesson and get some pointers. I'm gonna be setting up a lesson to get my wife started with shotguns soon at my local course and I'll probably book one for myself at the same time to find out where I need to improve.

Mount and fit are both huge, mount can compensate for an imperfect fit but may train you into some bad habits to unlearn later. I approach clays a lot like Bobga suggests approaching skeet. Just repeating stations/presentations until they become easy or I need to call it quits for the day.

if the 90 feels decent in the shoulder I’d give it a try over the 870. Not that there is anything wrong with an 870, so if that feels better go for it.

[BOBGBA]

Edited post #2, the videos stopped showing up. so I tried a different method.

[sghart]

Thanks for all of your help guys, lots of good info.

[Scotty]

The closest shotgun ranges in Sacramento are Sac Valley and Yolo. Go pay them a visit.

[Revoman]

While i haven't viewed any other video, I can say that Todd Bender has some excellent instructional videos on skeet specifically.
Well directed and great advice from a true champion skeet shooter.
The above advice is also very good.

mike

[RNE228]

There's a Coach that meets out at Coon Creek, just outside Lincoln. I believe there's coaching at Comanche Hills; worth a call.

Coon Creek has Skeet and Trap; a lot of the high school teams practice there.
Comanche has three Sporting clays courses, trap and skeet.
El Dorado has Trap, but not sure if they have any instructors.
Birds Landing might have instruction; they have Sporting Clays and trap/skeet (Birds Landing is a fun Sporting Clays course)
Have only been to Quail Point once; not sure if the have instruction
Haven't been to Rahuages (Dunnigan, not SoCal)

[Bu884]

A great quality over/under will cost you. Because they are made for very high round count. It could be the most expensive gun you own. With that said, get a name brand over/under to start. For around 2k, you will not regret it. It may not be custom fitted. But if you get into skeet, it will set the hook for clay shooting. Then if you want to go deeper into your pocket. Get something you want because you will have a better idea of what you need.
I also am newly retied. I have not spent more on an over/under than I have on my first new car. Or should I say my first house. I have regretted the cheap shotguns. I use them for loaners for first timers now. They never see light of day. My problem is that I fell in love with the .410. Which is so much fun on the skeet field. Good luck
Hope to see you on the skeet field soon

[BOBGBA]

^^
I remember when you got that 410....

[RNE228]

West Coast Shotgun Academy is the one I used for lessons for my nephew. That's the coach that meets out at Coon Creek.916-240-0645
I guess Coon Creek is Golden State Shooting Center now

[sghart]

A great quality over/under will cost you. Because they are made for very high round count. It could be the most expensive gun you own. With that said, get a name brand over/under to start. For around 2k, you will not regret it. It may not be custom fitted. But if you get into skeet, it will set the hook for clay shooting. Then if you want to go deeper into your pocket. Get something you want because you will have a better idea of what you need.
I also am newly retied. I have not spent more on an over/under than I have on my first new car. Or should I say my first house. I have regretted the cheap shotguns. I use them for loaners for first timers now. They never see light of day. My problem is that I fell in love with the .410. Which is so much fun on the skeet field. Good luck
Hope to see you on the skeet field soon

No offense but I don't consider my Marlin 90 a "cheap" shotgun. I will start with my Marlin and if I really enjoy clay shooting then I my invest in a more expensive gun. But for now it suits me.

[squeeze]

If you have not found one yet; try Martinez Gun club. Located just before the bridge. The guy who taught there is very good. Give them a call for a name and #.