Rain gear for clay shooting

[bigbearbear]

I hate missing my weekend shooting routine when it rains, so wife and I went to Metcalf today to shoot trap despite the rain. On a side note, the entire trap/skeet field was empty, we were the only ones shooting.

I found out that my regular shooting outfit doesn't work very well and being wet is a little uncomfortable. So I want to check if you guys shoot in the rain and what rain gear/wear would you recommend. Thanks.

[-hanko]

I hate missing my weekend shooting routine when it rains, so wife and I went to Metcalf today to shoot trap despite the rain. On a side note, the entire trap/skeet field was empty, we were the only ones shooting.

I found out that my regular shooting outfit doesn't work very well and being wet is a little uncomfortable. So I want to check if you guys shoot in the rain and what rain gear/wear would you recommend. Thanks.

Goretex, U.S. Army.

Cheap (relatively) and lasts forever.

[WartHog]

Isn't it a PITA to have to totally strip your SG's down to clean/lube in order to prevent rust from starting after shooting in the rain? That moisture has to get into all the nooks/crannies and will surely cause rust if you don't.

[Captain Dick]

Yep, would practice in the rain every at every chance since tournaments are held rain or shine.

Take a look at the "Redhead four way stretch" rain gear at Bass Pro Shops, if they still have it. I'm sure there is better, but it's good gear for the price.

[Barbarossa]

I guess that I would shoot in my duck hunting gear.

Columbia and cabelas gortex

[bigbearbear]

Goretex, U.S. Army.

Cheap (relatively) and lasts forever.

Thanks! Why didn't I thought of it earlier? The military has to got this down to a science by now and should have the best value rain gear.

[bigbearbear]

Isn't it a PITA to have to totally strip your SG's down to clean/lube in order to prevent rust from starting after shooting in the rain? That moisture has to get into all the nooks/crannies and will surely cause rust if you don't.

A little, both wife and I use Benelli semi-autos with synthetic stocks and they're very good in the rain. I always lube the gun prior to shooting and since I knew the weather will be wet, I also applied a layers of silicone spray on the outside to let rain water bead off quickly.

Benelli shotguns are also very simply and quick to strip down, very little components to them, so no big deal to strip them down and clean them.

[bigbearbear]

Yep, would practice in the rain every at every chance since tournaments are held rain or shine.

Take a look at the "Redhead four way stretch" rain gear at Bass Pro Shops, if they still have it. I'm sure there is better, but it's good gear for the price.

I guess that I would shoot in my duck hunting gear.

Columbia and cabelas gortex

Thanks, I'll check out those too.

Captain Dick: Interesting, I didn't know tournaments are conducted even when it rains. I guess going out to shoot in the rain isn't a waste of time after all.

[ysr_racer]

Since I live in So Cal, when it rains I stay home

[ceh383]

We even shoot the SoCal Skeet clinics in the rain. The most difficult thing for me in the rain is keeping it off my glasses. A hat of some sort is what I would recommend, as long as it doesn't block your vision...

[-hanko]

Isn't it a PITA to have to totally strip your SG's down to clean/lube in order to prevent rust from starting after shooting in the rain? That moisture has to get into all the nooks/crannies and will surely cause rust if you don't.

You've not shot waterfowl??

My 11-87 is now about 20 years old, it's been soaked more than a few times.

Even with the el crapo black oxide finish, no rust. I use Rig Grease for storage, Tre-Wax paste carnuba over the outside when I take it shooting, and clp inside.

The cleaning is incidental and minor compared to fresh duck or goose.

[Thefeeder]

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For the once in a while use .... Frog Toggs will work. Or for us weather wishers (waterfowlers) ....+1 for Gortex.

[RayPDA]

John Storm Shooting Jackets:

http://www.stormshooting.com/

Beretta:

http://www.berettausa.com/en-us/beretta-waterproof-shooting-jacket/gt453291/

Wild Hare:

http://www.wildhareshootinggear.com/store/p/370-Classy-Clays-All-Weather-Shooting-Jacket-Black.aspx

The above, and those like it, are thin enough to not mess too much with mounting and motion, but can keep you dry/less wet.


ceh383 brings up an excellent point - keeping your glasses clear is an important aspect. I almost always wear a hat (helps me in either rain or shine)

Gloves that are waterproof and or provide extra grip when wet are good too.

If it rains, the guns get some extra oil on the externals and the wood gets waxed; more importantly they get dried, and cleaned, asap.

[Jules]

I'm just wearing Frogg Toggs tomorrow. They're not perfect, but they're thin enough not to affect my hold much and they'll do. They do leak when it's raining sideways really hard though.

[squeeze]

As a person who has spent decades sailing both inshore and off shore-I have found that you pretty much get what you pay for in foul weather gear. It only takes one time of being wet and cold with cheap gear to realize 'damn, why didn't I spend a few more dollars for something that will keep me dry?' Gortex is great but there are different grades of it; from very thin to sort of stiff.
Most gear have a water permeability # somewhere on their label. Many companies have their own breathable/keep-you-dry membranes that work just as well e.g. North Face has Hyvent. My ten year old Hyvent ski pants kept me dry in the rain last week. Same ole rule of 'buy once; cry once' applies here too.