Trap shooting lesson recommendations?

[KeepItCal]

Hey guys,

I just picked up my first shotgun used at the LGS.

Rem 870 Super Mag 12ga 28" barrel with a cylinder choke

I'd love to try out trap shooting and wanted to ask you guys what do you recommend me doing to get started? I see there are a number of ranges with trap fields but there are some that seem to specialize in it and even provide lessons for beginners. Sounds perfect!

I'm in the SF Bay Area. Any recommendations for beginners? The clinic looks perfect but wasn't sure when the next one would be. Any advice appreciated!

[M1NM]

Go out and watch a few rounds - then step up and do it. If your choke is interchangable go to a tighter one cylinder is too open and won't concentrate the patten at the distance you need.

[bug_eyedmonster]

Hey guys,

I just picked up my first shotgun used at the LGS.

Rem 870 Super Mag 12ga 28" barrel with a cylinder choke

I'd love to try out trap shooting and wanted to ask you guys what do you recommend me doing to get started? I see there are a number of ranges with trap fields but there are some that seem to specialize in it and even provide lessons for beginners. Sounds perfect!

I'm in the SF Bay Area. Any recommendations for beginners? The clinic looks perfect but wasn't sure when the next one would be. Any advice appreciated!

When I get a chance to go back out to Livermore, you are more than welcome to come out and shoot with us. A friend of mine that I shoot with is not on CG, but is a former champ and is nationally ranked. He would be more than happy to get you started. There isn't much to it, but there is a slight learning curve when you first step out there. PM me your number or email address and we can go from there.


Jerry

[KeepItCal]

Thanks! Will get a more suitable choke. Suggestions?

As a complete beginner, will I have any issues getting up to bat on a field? If lessons are absolutely necessary, it would be cool to stop by this week and give it a shot.

[bug_eyedmonster]

Thanks! Will get a more suitable choke. Suggestions?

As a complete beginner, will I have any issues getting up to bat on a field? If lessons are absolutely necessary, it would be cool to stop by this week and give it a shot.

Hopefully this thread will help you with your choke choices:

http://www.shotgunforums.com/forums/trap-shooting/1084-choke-trap.html

It will depend on the range you go to, some will require you to sign in and purchase either a ticket or a coin to start your round off. You can drop in any range to shoot assuming there isn't a league shoot going. The range website will have more answers on that. The majority of people shooting trap should have no problems helping you get off on the right foot. You can buy shells at most ranges or bring your own. You will need either 7.5 or 8 shot target loads.

Otherwise, you'll need eye and ear protection, and either a pouch to carry your shells in, or cargo pants/shorts. Have fun!

Jerry

[jbk]

I agree that you need a tighter choke, I shoot with a modified. Go and watch afew rounds talk to the people there. I have seen may times old timers are more than happy to put their guns down and help beginners. We went trap shooting last night. My friend brought his son with us. Instead of my friend not shooting son he could help his son. An old timer that was there told my friend he would help his son so he could shoot. The old timer had his dusting clays after about 5 rounds. Just go and join in people will be happy to help.

[KeepItCal]

That's awesome to hear. I was getting worried with one of the threads I read about some shooters getting a bit annoyed at new shooters. Just the last thing I want to do is be a burden. Thanks for sharing that.

[jbk]

First time I shot clay a old timer set his gun down to help me. First time my wife went with me the same guy helped her so I could shoot. I have always had good experiences with guy shooting clays being willing to help new shooter. Lol, I'm to the point now it's turned into good sport trash talk but it's all in good fun. Just go have a good time. I'm sure their are people who get annoyed, where I from we have names for those people........---holes

[Thefeeder]

//

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=405000

Come learn the basics.....I'll be listing May dates tommorow night

[Gringo Bandito]

Thanks! Will get a more suitable choke. Suggestions?

As a complete beginner, will I have any issues getting up to bat on a field? If lessons are absolutely necessary, it would be cool to stop by this week and give it a shot.

Most likely, you will be shooting from the 16yard line. Shoot a modified choke to begin with.

[Gringo Bandito]

BTW the Livermore range is open on Tuesday nights and people are pretty cool with offering advice to new shooters.

[bigbearbear]

If you're looking for trap clinic specifically, there's one conducted by Nora Ross (famous trap shooter, check her up on Youtube) in July at the Sunnyvale Rod & Gun club. See here for details: http://www.noramartinross.com/Clinic_Info.html

About your choke: I used Modified choke myself at the 16 yards line. I'm not good enough to shoot handicap yet but possibly tighter chokes might be required once you start shooting handicap.


I shoot trap at these ranges, let me know if you have questions about them:
1. Coyote Valley Sporting Clay. $7 per found for non-members. $6 per round for members. Note that the trap launcher at Coyote Valley is non-ATA standard, it launches clays at faster velocity and has a wider angle of throw. Good for training but can be kick your butt if you're used to the easier ATA ones.

2. Sunnyvale Rod & Gun. $6.50 per round for non-members. $2.50 per round for members. The best trap field in the Bay Area but can be crowded. Lots of expert shooters to watch and learn from.

3. Los Altos Rod & Gun. $5 per round for non-members. There is also a $17 range fee on weekends, $16 on weekdays (Thur and Fri only). There's also a manual trap range, free to use. I don't know how much they charge if you're a member.


Unfortunately, there aren't many trap shooters in this shotgun forum on calguns.net. You might want to check out shotgunworld.com and trapshooters.com, they have a higher number of trap shooters who can answer many of your questions.

[bigbearbear]

That's awesome to hear. I was getting worried with one of the threads I read about some shooters getting a bit annoyed at new shooters. Just the last thing I want to do is be a burden. Thanks for sharing that.

You have every right to be on the trap field, same as the experienced ones. If they don't like it they can go shoot some place else, just ignore them.

So long as you don't do anything unsafe (eg. loading more than 1 shell when shooting singles or loading your shotgun when it is not your turn to shoot) you'll be alright.

Quick tip: Don't bring just 25 shells with you, take along at least 2 extra shells. Sometimes shells will malfunction and you don't want to be "that guy" who held up the squad because you have to run back and grab more ammo.

[Bill Steele]

I think you will find most shooters will be very helpful to a newcomer.

Definitely sign up and attend one of the upcoming clinics (watch for Feeder's posts). It will answer all your questions and set your mind at ease.

Some of the fields around the Bay Area require you shoot steel shot. All the ones I am aware of that require steel (or other non-toxic), sell suitable ammo at the range.

[squeeze]

Buy a mod. No need to spend a lot on it. With lead shot a mod will shoot like a mod. With steel shot it will shoot like a full. So it works well with both.
Sign up ASAP for "The Feeder" skeet lesson. The skill you practice there will help with trap. His class dates are listed at the top of this forum thread. No May dates yet.
If you want to come to Pacific Rod and Gun Club at Lake Merced in San Francisco; I will be glad to help you get comfortable and started. We require steel shot which can be purchased at the club house. With some patience we can probably shoot by our selves. PM me for more info or if you have questions.