Noob to Shotgunning [Archive]

88billm

April 21, 2009, 08:34 PM

I've had a Beretta 1200, 12 ga. auto since '87 & only shot a coupla boxes of shells after I got it. It's been stowed away till now. Since I've just retired I've pulled it out & have shot ~400 shells so far w/a friend. We bought one of those cheap spring-loaded clay throwers you're supposed to sit on the grnd, but my friend has bolted it up to some 2"x2" tubing that we stick in my truck's tow rec'ver. Works ok!
Today I shot 24 out of 25 clays and am wondering if there is any relation to that rig an an actual trap shooting situation? In other words - could I go to a real trap range and hit anything w/this practice?
Also, what is the diff. between trap & skeet?
Thx,
Bill

jlbpa

April 23, 2009, 08:47 PM

Don't know for sure because I haven't shot trap for a long time but I think those spring throwers you speak of don't throw the clay bird as fast a the clay bird goes at a trap range. Plus I'm guessing you stood closer to the thrower than you would stand to the trap house at a trap range thus giving you more time for sighting.

I experienced the same thing. With the full choke tube in my 870 and standing near the spring trap thrower I can just sit on that clay bird until it's perfectly sighted and I can get all but a couple of them. No way could I step up to a trap range and do that. Also, probably I'd be foolish to use my full choke at the trap range.

Geneseo1911

April 23, 2009, 09:45 PM

Bill-
If you can reliably hit the birds from your spring trap, you should do okay at 'real' trap. At a real trap range, the birds will be moving much faster, and you start out 16 yards behind the trap house, so your shots will be much longer. I've taken guys who've never shot before to the trap range and they've hit 50% The theory is the same, just a bit less forgiving.

BTW-you will want to use your full choke so you still have enough of a pattern left to break a target when it gets way out there.

Definitely go & give it a shot. Chances are you'll get hooked.

As to skeet, read here: http://www.scskeet.com/Beginner_skeet/Beginner_Skeet.htm

and welcome to thr