Newbie at shotguns

[czhen]

Dear Shotguns fans
Iam planning to shoot some skeet o may be trap at my local range could you tell me any aimimg tips since it will be my first time, secondly, what are the rules. Thanks in advance.

CZhen
Fl

Ps.: I promess write about my scores and experiences.

[Black Majik]

Honestly, best thing to do is to stop by your local clay range. Find an instructor and have him/her teach you the art of clay shooting.

I suggest trying out trap and skeet first. I personally find trap easier, then skeet.

Next, sporting clays, wobble trap, 5 stand.

Also, if you dont have a shotgun, take a look at the local gunshops and try some shotguns out. I'd suggest starting with a pump shotgun first.

Pump: Go with the "Big 4". Remington 870, Mossberg 500/590, Ithaca 37, Winchester 1300.

Autoloader: Remington 1100 or 1187, Beretta 391/390, Winchester SX2 etc...

Good luck. :)

[Dave McCracken]

First, one doesn't aim in skeet or trap or most shotgun activities. One points with the eyes focussed on the target, not the sight.

The Archives here have a wealth of info, including the 101 threads I started and many experienced shotgunners have added their knowhow to.

Do get some lessons from a qualified instructor. The advantage this gives is amazing.

Jerry Meyer's book, The Clay Target handbook, gives an overview of all the games and plenty of tips.

And ask away. We all started sometime....

[czhen]

Thank you guys
I will visit my local range anytime soon and I will post my score.

CZhen
Fl

[STiTkacik]

Although I'm new to the sport as well, I would reccomend the Remington 870 also. I am planning on getting one in 12 guage soon.

[Bix]

A decent overview of the games (along with scorecards, etc.) can be found at the bottom of the page here:

http://www.remington.com/targets/sporting.htm

However, as noted, no amount of reading -online or otherwise- will take the place of personal, competent instruction.

[mattw]

everyone sucks at shooting trap or skeet when they first start. I've never seen someone who could just pick up a shotgun and start doing well their first time. If you don't mind paying for an instructor, go ahead. personally i would rather spend the money on ammo and learn things the hard way :D

i just started shooting trap about a year ago and i think i'm decent at that. havent seriously tried skeet yet, looks fun though. definetly start with trap, waaay easier.

[STiTkacik]

Heh, learning things the hard way is more fun sometimes... :D

I would suggest getting someone who knows the sport to show you the ropes. So far, I have learned a lot that way...

[SASS#23149]

I've only watched folks shoot skeet,and i sure don't see where a beginner should use a pumpgun.Isn't there a 'staton' where you have two clays that cross in front of the shooter almost simultaneously? yikes.spooky just thinking about it. :what: :D
for trap,a one shot game,a pump is fine for a while...forever maybe.Prolly even work on doubles for a seasoned shooter.

[mattw]

A pump is just as good as an O/U or SxS shotgun in the hands of an experienced shooter. especially with the low-recoiling birdshot loads used for shotgun games. The idea of the crossing clays is that you are supposed to time your shot so that you bust two with one shot (wait until they cross in the center). it is very tricky, thats why i just like to shoot trap for now :p

[LHB1]

Mattw: "supposed to time your shot so that you bust two with one shot (wait until they cross in the center)"

To what game are you referring? In SKEET you fire doubles from four stations but it is NOT required, legal, nor acceptable to break both birds with one shot when they cross. If you do so, only the first bird is scored as dead and you must refire at both birds with only the result for the second bird being scored this time.
Experienced shooters can and have used pumps for skeet but most shooters these days use semiautos or O/U's for the quick second shot required on doubles.

Good shooting and be safe.
LB

[Bix]

I use my 870 for trap, skeet, sporting clays, and 5 stand. I have about the same hit ratio in each of the games (slightly less in SC due to the constantly varying presentations).

I won't argue that using a double or semiauto will uncomplicate the clay games for a beginner - it will. But don't shy away from a game solely because you run a pump. You will very likely enjoy yourself regardless.

[MSGT9410]

everyone sucks at shooting trap or skeet when they first start

I managed to hit 56 out of 75 on my first time (skeet, havn't tried trap), and it seemed to shock everyone that was around me at the time...Could that be considered good? :confused:


But anywho, my suggestions have already been mentioned here -- for the shotgun, pumps to look at would be the Remington 870 and Mossy 500, and autos look at Remingto 1100s or 1187s.

Again, just remember to focus on the target and not your sights.

[mattw]

LHB1, thanks for correcting me! You know what they say about assumption..

56/75 is awesome for your first try. thats pretty decent, you got over 2/3 of them. a fun game for beginners is to shoot until you miss, then have someone else do the same. very competitive and is a fun way to build skill.

[MDG1976]

I think I broke 3 clays my first round of skeet. A few months of practice and you'll be well into the teens. Clay shooters tend to be very friendly and they'll be happy to give you all the advice you could ever want (and then some).

[Berg01]

I've been into trapshooting now for a year and a half. If you do not already have a gun, get the best target gun you can afford; I shoot a Browning Citori XT, and recommend it highly. You need to practice as often as you possibly can. I agree on the idea of hiring an instructor if time and budget allows. If you cannot get lessons, I recommend the following DVDs, which have been helpful to me; Phil Kiner's Trapshooting Clinic, and Remington Trapshooting. Good Luck!