[azflyman]

I need something fairly inexpensive to throw some clays. I really have no reliable range in my area. There is one range that actually has facilities but I have never seen anyone there shooting shotguns. They have a short range for rifles and pistols (both the same lane, one table) and clay houses (3) but no activity. So, if I had something to throw clays with it would not be a problem. What's out there that you have used that works well?

TIA,

az

[Dionysusigma]

The most reliable one I've ever used was one called Azrael256. Be wary, though... it tends to demand a fair amount of Shiner Bock after you're done. ;) :D

Taking a friend along, and trading off who does the shooting and who does the throwing, promotes healthy competition and verifiable stories to tell later in the day. In addition, after a while the clays begin to take interesting and unpredicatable flight paths. Keeps you on your toes. :)

[azflyman]

I did a search for the infamous Azrael256 and it lead me to an old thread. Quite a good time it seems. What became of the girl? :evil:

az

[bcuzimisu]

i got one at walmart for 30 bucks that shoots 2 at once or just one. It fits onto a tire rim or can be staked into the dirt. it has a draw string i can fire by tying it to a stake then pressing down on it with my toes. works killer.

[Dionysusigma]

What became of the girl? :evil:

She's still around school, although has moved on to other things. I hear she has the most wonderful girlfriend in the whole world. :o :rolleyes: ;) :cool:

[azflyman]

I hear she has the most wonderful girlfriend in the whole world.
:( Win some, lose some. What did you guys do to her to cause that? :scrutiny: Bad shotgun, bad, bad :p

I was actually looking at the Trius One-Step Trap Clay Target Thrower as it seems to get good reviews and I can use it myself if needed. The Azrael256 is probably too expensive to use whenever I want here is Astoria, OR. :evil:

az

[SASS#23149]

It is great for times when no one is with you.MIne does not throw doubles very well.In fact I dont' think any trap under say a hundred bucks will throw 2 clays 'out there'.Would be too hard to cock I suppose.
We have shot a lot of clays over the Trius,it is very effortless to cock,all the cocking is done when you mash on the peddle.As with all traps,pretty predictible flight path for the most part.Beats the heck out of not shooting though.:)
Do you ever get thru Scappoose? I'd be glad to let you throw a few with mine just to see how she works.

[GoRon]

I have the Trius 1 step

Me too, it is great for shooting alone or if you don't have time to go to a club.

I have had good success throwing doubles with mine. You have to use the clip they provide.

Hard to beat it for around a hundred bucks.

[Larry Ashcraft]

The Trius One Step is great. Steve (sm) bugged me until I got one, and we have a great time with it.

Great entertainment in two ways:

1) Shooting the clays.

2) Watching the skinny guy (me) try to keep his balance when the spring tries to flip him over backwards. :o

Cheapest place I've seen them is at www.midsouthshooterssupply.com

[9mmMike]

I have a Trius One-Step Trap Clay Target Thrower as well and it is excellent for the money. They go on sale for like 79.00 sometimes.
A buddy with whom I shoot got one for himself so we can have two chuckers going - one double stacked and one single so you get a lot of clay in the air and the speeds are way different. When I used to hit the free-range, it was not unusual to be able to show up, unload, shoot & leave whilst the guys next to us were still trying to get their budget throwers nailed to the ground or tire or whatever.
I should have got commisions on all the Trius One-Step's I sold at that range! :)
Mike

[research]

I also looked at the One-Step but it was a bit out of my budget. I have not used one and am not familiar with the spring in the pedal. I bought the basic Trius clay thrower with the pull string. It was only around $53 at Sportsmans Warehouse. The pullers have an eye bolt the pull string is threaded through to be able to release the mechanism no matter where you stand and pull. Instead of threading it through, tie it on and step on the string for the exact same effect as the One-Step. I've done it several times.

I have liked my thrower. It is most useful when by yourself or a dedicated group. Otherwise, the hand throwers are great. With a couple of practice throws you can actually get to launching two clays with that hand thrower (one loaded normally and the other stacked on top). Whatever you do, I would stay away from the Wal-Mart specials. I have seen many in "operation" and can probably throw clays farther and better holding a clay with my toes. No one I know has given it a positive review.

Research.

[ArmedBear]

I've only seen one type of hand thrower, AFAIK, and it's the same one as I bought at Wal-Mart. I haven't used it yet, but I've seen others use them quite well. Like a Chuck-it for dog training, it takes some skill to do it right, no doubt.

Is there another brand or something?

BTW, there's another interesting option, if you have a partner. It's like a big slingshot, made by the same people as make the Hyperdog tennisball slingshots, also for dog training. Those are fun.

[GRP]

If you have some extra time on your hands, you may want to call around to the local clubs. We have two in my area that have just put in all automated systems. They have a buch of serious Lincoln traps that could probably be had real cheap. I'll bet there a clubs in your area that have done the same.

[MacPelto]

A hand thrower attached to the end of a decapitated golf club produces excellent results once you get the hang of it.

Mac

[New_geezer]

Hand throwers are great - they even make them that throw doubles. I have on occassion even stacked an extra clay on top of the loaded clay and got a double throw off. Not very fast, not a lot of separation but you still have to be quick.

RE the Trius One Step - a lot of fun. IIRC mine cost $99 from Cabellas about a year and a half ago

One tip - put some stickyback sandpaper on the throwing arm. Then you can either stack doubles using the clip provided, which throws them fairly close together. But you can also place one behind the other - the sandpaper keeps them from slipping off. This double arrangement throws one clay left and one clay right - pretty challenging.

The sandpaper also lets you place single clays at different spots on the arm so you can vary the throws without having to change elevation.

[9mmMike]

One tip - put some stickyback sandpaper on the throwing arm. Then you can either stack doubles using the clip provided, which throws them fairly close together. But you can also place one behind the other - the sandpaper keeps them from slipping off. This double arrangement throws one clay left and one clay right - pretty challenging.


Excellent tip!

[50 Shooter]

Or you could just pretend you're Tom Knapp http://www.tomknapp.net/ so far my best is 4 at once. The biggest thing is to watch how he throws them, if you just toss them in the air they go where ever they want.

[azflyman]

Thanks for the input guys! I will go with the Trius One Step. Its not too awful expensive and I try to rely on others as little as possible. I am new to the area (1.5 years) and have not found others to shoot with yet.

az

P. S. - I am currently on vacation in the republic of Kalifornia on vacation, first in a couple of years. Sure hope I don't get into anything where they would search my stuff. :evil: I think I would have a bad time.

[New_geezer]

P. S. - I am currently on vacation in the republic of Kalifornia on vacation, first in a couple of years. Sure hope I don't get into anything where they would search my stuff. I think I would have a bad time.


Being in California myself all I can tell you is to make sure whatever you're smoking isn't a cigarette.

[Karbon]

Pay your son or a neighbor kid to throw for you. My uncle used to buy us lunch and we would throw untill he was out. We loved it, most kids do.

Now if they start coiming along on hunting trips and retrieving game, that's going to turn some heads.

[Coronach]

Yeah, really. I thought that's what offspring were for. That and collecting brass or hulls at the end of the session. :D

Mike

[sm]

Mike,
Perhaps YOU can explain that to Larry.

Yes I suggested the kids and grandkids get Larry a Trius One Step.
I told Larry the kids and grandkids were to Police the hulls.
I made mention neighbors and friends would come shoot on his property , have fun, bring the beer for after shooting...

Sandy, his wife stole his 28 ga, Larry had to buy another one for her to steal to get his first one back. Sandy shoots up all the shotgun shells. She keeps the kids and grandkids busy getting stuff out of the garden and canning it.

Larry has a Trius One Step. He has to do all the policing of hulls, reloading, buying clays to keep it fed and at the rate matters are going, his BB Gun is going to be taken away.

Sandy does more than make great salsa, she has them kids, grandkids, and neighbor spoiled something fierce.

Sadie is Larry's only hope. As Adopted Uncle I am trying to get Sadie to help Larry...

Not sure what she said to me the other evening before she said "Kink You" and ran off...

Sandy has been known to shoot from the upstairs bathroom window to take out a varmit.

Larry needs help. :D

[azflyman]

Being in California myself all I can tell you is to make sure whatever you're smoking isn't a cigarette.

Naw, nothing like that, but if they get my .45 or the .380 I would be really pissed and have to do some fast talking to keep free. I always travel with a couple of companions.:evil:

[Grayrock]

Get a partner and one of those red plastic hand throwers and a roll of duct tape and a 4 foot stick or tree branch or such. Tape the cheater bar on to the thrower and let 'em fly. We've played "stickbird" a lot. With the cheater on there, you can really zing the clays out there!!

[mljdeckard]

I guess I need to try the cheater bar. I used the hand thrower, and I am told I throw like "a freakin girl".

I also have the $30 wal-mart one that bolts to the spare tire, and it works, and it's fun, but it's also pretty boring, they fly the exact same place every time.

Cabela's has the new one that looks and works like a wrist rocket, I think I'm going to grab one, they're about $35. Has anyone tried one?

[MEDDAC19]

Hoppes has a spring loaded one with a pull string release, you stake it into the ground for the easiest setup, or it can be mounted. I attach the pull cord to my boot and just slide my foot back to release the clays.

Where you place the clay on the arm allows you to throw extreme right ,extreme left and anywhere in between. The arm can be raised and lowered also. A spring tension knob allows soft throws for beginners and when you tighten it up it will throw them way out there, hard and fast. It will throw doubles, but they can go anywhere.

Mine was only $29.99 and I believe they still can be had at that price. The best method is to have one guy throw and change things up, so the shooter can not anticipate where they will go. I highly recommend it.

[SASS#23149]

I have that one,and it sure makes the game interesting.YOu can even zoom them straight up.!
The tubing doesn't last very long,and so far none of the stores that carry the slingshot carry the tubing.Getting from the maker of the slingshot is spendy,so I"m checking the hardware stores for bulk rols.
the plastic thrower on a golf club can really get interesting as well.:what: