Sporting Clays Etiquette with Benelli M4?

[eric1972]

I've noticed the clay throwers at Angeles Ranges, and the lady at the counter says that it's 11 cents a clay to use the clay throwers -- you buy them on a swipe card that you put in a machine at the clay throwers.

It looks pretty fun, and I've never done the clay shooting before and was wondering whether it is possible to have a meaningful experience with my Benelli M4 to shoot the clays, and whether that will offend any clayshooters in not using a clay/trap shotgun? Thanks for your thoughts!

[Gunaria]

I say go and have fun. Follow the range rules and don't worry about what any uptights may say or think.

[ke6guj]

It looks pretty fun, and I've never done the clay shooting before and was wondering whether it is possible to have a meaningful experience with my Benelli M4 to shoot the clays, and whether that will offend any clayshooters in not using a clay/trap shotgun? Thanks for your thoughts!

They really get offended when you outshoot them with your tactical gun

But in all seriousness, look at sporting clays like golf, its all about improving your own game with what you have.

[mooster]

I brought my Saiga .410 to trap and skeet back in VA. Got lots of odd looks but it worked out OK.

One thing to consider (and I'm not sure is this is an issue at Angeles as I'm in Northern CA) - some trap/skeet/clay places have a minimum barrel length rule. This is normally due to noise issues. Double check your M4 length is OK with their rules before you head on over.

[AngelDecoys]

Doubt you'll be hassled except for the opposite. Bring extra shells! I wouldn't be too surprised if a few of the 'old fellows' wanted to try out that Benelli M4.

In my experience, the shooting sports are a 'big tent' and people are generally happy to have new faces out having fun.

[rg_1111@yahoo.com]

You will be ok. They might recomend a different shot gun. Just tell them your having fun.

[Baron]

You just need to check their rules...

I was told up here in NORCAL at Livermore Rod and Gun Club, I can't use any shotguns with a pistol grip on the trap range... It has to have a conventional stock. I even email the club and asked, I explained that my 500 does have a stock with a pistol grip. But they told me they have a rule that says "No assault style shotgun, even if it is for decoration only"... then they also told me that the "Rangemaster do have the right to refuse any firearm for any reason".... Needless to say I canceled my membership...

I looked up their rules online and it says nothing about connentional stock, but it guess it's an unwritten rule...

BTW I don't go to Livermore anymore...


So just be sure to ask the lady about their rules when you are there.

[tdo315]

Angeles is fine with that. I shoot my 870 with my Knoxx stock on it there all the time. The old timers with the over unders always get a kick out of it too :-)

[Juliet Lima]

It looks pretty fun, and I've never done the clay shooting before and was wondering whether it is possible to have a meaningful experience with my Benelli M4 to shoot the clays, and whether that will offend any clayshooters in not using a clay/trap shotgun? Thanks for your thoughts!

I've taken my Mossberg 500 with 18 1/2 inch barrel to the range before. No one really said anything. Of course your results won't be as good as if you had a longer barrel. If anyone says anything I would just ignore them. Just enjoy yourself and get better. Someone made a golf analogy earlier. I wouldn't stop playing golf just because I didn't have the top of the line Nike clubs. In fact I have the cheapo Wilson clubs from Big 5, and I still have fun golfing. Same thing for you. Maybe if you shoot enough you may eventually need a nice skeet/trap gun. Until then, shoot what you got.

It's better to shoot what you got than not shoot because you only have a tactical shotgun.

[MrNiceGuy]

Depends.
If you have a "Flag" M4 like mine (heavy combat barrel but fixed choke), I personally can't hit any clays past 20 yards.
If you have the version where you can change your choke then I'd take it out and have fun.

[eric1972]

Thank you everyone for your thoughts.

My M4 has a removable III Modified Choke, which I think is the middle of the road choke. I'd appreciate any thoughts on whether this choke would work for my "fun" clay sporting, or should I remove it completely, or get another choke? I don't mind chasing an entire tube of shells on a single clay when starting out. Thanks again for all your comments!

[ysr_racer]

Where do you live? I shoot at the Angeles range all the time.

[eric1972]

Hey Racer,

I grew up in the S.F. Valley, but now live in West L.A., so, I don't get out there that often these days, probably every other month or so! I would appreciate any pointers you may have for a first time clay shooter (not using a clay shotgun) if you have any. Thanks again!

[MrNiceGuy]

I'm no clay busting expert but I'd say you might want to "pattern your shots" by switching the various chokes you have with the different shells you're planning on using.
By actually shooting a pattern on paper will give you a rough idea on the concentration of pellets that will hit the target using various chokes and shells (i.e. whether your clay will actually break when it gets hit).
That way you'll get a rough idea which choke/shell combo to use at a pre-set distance.
On my M4 my bird shot is all over the place pass 20 yards, I'd be lucky to break the clay even if I actually hit it, usually I'll get lucky and "chip" a clay.
Which is why I got a Wingmaster for busting clays nowadays.

[aplinker]

At Angeles they have clay throwers at the end of the Rifle and the Rifle/Pistol sections where you can shoot clays all alone.

Or you can shoot at the clays area.

I'd suggest starting over by the rifles. You get to pop them off yourself.

A short barrel has a lot of disadvantages for clays.

I'll warn you, shooting clays is as addictive as black rifle disease. You should catch both of them.