Practicing Trap with Full Choke

[midlife]

I read somewhere that practicing Trap with a Full Choke makes you a better shot. Is this true?

[Epaphroditus]

http://www.briley.com/understandingshotgunchokesabriefexplanationbybriley.aspx

The 'logic' would be that full choke has a tighter pattern in the relevant ranges so it would be harder to be on target.

Barrel length, load and choke type interplay to create a shot pattern profile (patterns versus range). When the optimal pattern density (enough pellets for a 'kill' on target) overlaps with the ranges one find the targets then the shot is 'easy'. At least that is what I keep telling myself.

Practicing with a .410 and salt in your eye will probably also make you better ... pick your poison carefully. Just keep practicing. A good coach helps.

[Trapdude86]

I've heard that before also, OP. I only practice with the choke+ammo that are exactly the same that I'd be using in competition.

[alfred1222]

Heres the thing; shooting with full chokes makes your shooting tighter, because you need to be more "on" the bird in order to hit it. Its good for getting used to a new gun or a new range, but it is NOT good for learning fundamentals. Maybe if you tell us a bit more about your experience and what you are hoping to accomplish, we can help

[mark501w]

I know with the better components a lot of people use modified. I still use use full.

[CSACANNONEER]

If you really want to be challenged why practicing, use a Routledge barreled .22lr shotgun. I've shot a few clays on a skeet range with mine and a few clays at Angeles with the throwers about 5 feet in front of the shooter. But, for trap, I'd probably look for a 9mm flobert chambered garden gun.

[Oneaudiopro]

I only use full for trap. I tried modified and couldn't hit crap so I switched to full and couldn't miss
.........go figure.
.

[mark501w]

Me too.

[wjc]

Running full choke is ok but I tend to have better results with Improved Modified.

Now, if I could only get time to go practice at the range...

[Newshooter]

After a couple of lessons with a hall f fame shooter and shooting with multiple old guys, I follow their mottos of "full and forget it". Yes, I even shoot full for both shots on doubles.

[mjsweims]

As long as you are able to identify the cause for missing birds shoot full for practice. As you get more competent you will knock down more and more birds because you know where you should be pointing when you pull the trigger. When you shoot in any competition go IM or M up to 21 yards and full for longer handicaps - the POI of your pattern will remain the same as long as you use the same velocity load.

[midlife]

As long as you are able to identify the cause for missing birds shoot full for practice. As you get more competent you will knock down more and more birds because you know where you should be pointing when you pull the trigger. When you shoot in any competition go IM or M up to 21 yards and full for longer handicaps - the POI of your pattern will remain the same as long as you use the same velocity load.

Thanks!