First time shooting trap. -i suck.

[MEGSDAD]

Shot official trap for the first time today. I sucked. I think i hit 8 out of 25. I go shooting clays with family once in a while and we thow the clays using one of the plastic throwers. There is a huge difference in speed when they are launched from the trap house! was hard to get used to. I still had a ton of fun. I'm hooked.

[EMR]

It's hard isn't it? I follow all the good advice but I still suck too. I'm lucky if I can get half of the clays. But I still have fun! It doesn't help that I only get out and do it once every 3 or 4 months though. So I don't get any practice.

[RamonSJC]

I did trap a few weeks ago for the first time. 11-25 first round. That trap house failed (didn't seem right) it would throw targets weird. They moved us to a newer trap house and I hit 18-25. Seemed easier maybe I just settled down.

[echoThreeOneSix]

I'm gonna go for my first time next weekend. The range officer recommend a 20 GA for my first time with 7 1/2 shot. What say ye?

[bigbearbear]

One thing that might help, is those Winchester AA Traacker shells, comes with black and orange wads that tracks the path of your shots. You won't be able to see the wad most of them time yourself as it is meant to be a coaching aid, but someone standing close to you watching you shoot will be able to tell you where you shots went.

If you can, lock the trap machine so that it throws at a fix angle. Have someone stand next to or behind you, and tell you where your shots are going.

I've found that it helps a lot when I was teaching my wife how to shoot trap.

[jay_cue]

just keep at it. first couple of times I was hitting 8-12. then moved up to 15ish. probably within id say 4-6 months of occasionally shooting maybe twice a month and only 2 rounds I broke into 20's. at the range I go there's a couple great RO's that help out with some tips and help call where you miss.

[hermosabeach]

Do you shoot a fair amount of rifle and pistol?

Many shooters stink initially at skeet, trap and doorking clays as they
stop their swing and don't follow through
They focus on the bead sight.


It is a great sport!!!!

[rvicta]

After a while, you'll also find that you're better at certain stations than others. I can usually hit 5's at 1, 2 and 3 but then I break down at 4 and 5. I can't figure out my timing at the right hand stations shooting off to my left.

[DaveInOroValley]

Just remember keep your head down firm placement in your shoulder. I used to shoot trap every weekend for about 15 years straight and also found that there ended up being one or two shotguns that just fit me and worked well.

Only hit 25 out of 25 maybe 8 or 9 times though so just keep at it. Have to love it when you puff them instead of just break em but either one is a kill.

[anti]

I'm not a pro, but I do decent for a newbie who has only recently gotten back into it; I've gone maybe 5 times so far since starting back up and I'll shoot about 5 or 6 rounds each time out. I'm not going to say I hit 24's or 25's every other time but I do average a 22 or so. Some days more - some days less.

I'm assuming you're using a field gun or sporting gun with a 60/40 or 50/50 point of impact. If you are, then I'd suggest not aligning the beads or stacking in a figure 8 while shooting trap. Because the birds in trap are shot on-the-rise, you want to be able to see the bird as you shoot it; it's difficult to shoot what you can't see. I like to put a little space between both beads so that way I could float the bird above the front bead. I promise your scores will increase quite a bit. And trap doesn't require much lead at all; maybe 1 foot to 1 1/2 feet on the most extreme angles from stations 1 and 5. I've never shot handicap so I can't say the same is true for that, but from what I've been told, it's not as much you'd think even from the 27 yard line. Most people will advise you to visit a patterning board, take three shots at 40 yards from a rest, and see where your gun is shooting. You can always add comb pads or tape, etc. to raise the point of impact if your comb or rib isn't adjustable.

[stphnman20]

You'll get better in due time. Just keep practicing. When I first started, I was hitting maybe 7-8 out of 25. Now i'm up to 22-23. Soon, i'll get 25.

[RamonSJC]

Timing for me was the issue. I would acquire the target but would wait to engage too long. I would try and hit them as they were falling.

ignored the bead and kept both eyes open.

[coy80176]

(Practice)3...

The first time I went was with expectation of missing them all....hitting one to half us great!

Been shooting years and 80+% is my best... It's lots of fun trying to get better

[jbk]

I am by no means a professional. I shoot a 23 average. I got my first 25 a few weeks ago. Best advice I can give quit worrying about it and just have fun. When I hit my 25 I was thinking about what bills I had to pay after I got home. Just worry about being safe on the line. Don't worry about your score. I don't even check my score anymore after the round is over.

Owe and if your really hooked. It's gunna get pricey. Shells, bags, new guns. When I started this year I was perfectly happy with a 870. Then I wanted a semi auto so I got an 1100. Now I pick up my beretta 686 O/U on friday.

[RamonSJC]

I'm on the hunt for a shotgun for trap. I know what I want it's just going to hurt my wallet. I can just dream for now.