I am 46 years old & new to shooting clays. I just got the opportunity to try it for the first time Tuesday night. I probably only hit 7 or 8 out of 25. I have googled looking for tips or how to videos but thought I would ask here if ya'all could provide me with some helpful links that might aid me in starting to learn how to do this.
Clays Question
- Thread starter Mike J
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I guess I am going to show my ignorance hopper. My friend was just throwing the clays for me with the machine. This isn't anything formal. I have been spending some time with friends that have enough land to be able to shoot there. I saw the thrower & asked about it & they said sure. Would this be closest to skeet?
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
If it's formalized clays of some kind?
Ask one of the range operators to steer you to an experienced shooter who will probably be more then happy to offer you some pointers.
If you are throwing clays in the back forty with some friends?
All bets are off.
Don't listen to any of then unless they consistently break 25 straight every time.
rc
Ask one of the range operators to steer you to an experienced shooter who will probably be more then happy to offer you some pointers.
If you are throwing clays in the back forty with some friends?
All bets are off.
Don't listen to any of then unless they consistently break 25 straight every time.
rc
I apologize for my lack of knowledge about this. I have deer hunted off & on for years & have spent a lot of time on handguns the past few years but I have never bird hunted. I have a Mossberg 500 I bought back in the 90's because I wanted to try turkey hunting but life has always seemed to get in the way & I never quite made it turkey hunting. So other than taking it out & shooting it at a stationary target from time to time the shotgun has just sat in the closet. I thought I should try to get some proficiency with it while I had the chance.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
No need to apologize at all.
Every one of us started somewhere, and it most likely wasn't shooting skeet or trap.
We just need more info on where & what you are shooting clays at?
As I said above, most trap, or skeet, or Sporting Clays ranges have some old hands around who would be more then happy to help you or give you some shooting tips.
rc
Every one of us started somewhere, and it most likely wasn't shooting skeet or trap.
We just need more info on where & what you are shooting clays at?
As I said above, most trap, or skeet, or Sporting Clays ranges have some old hands around who would be more then happy to help you or give you some shooting tips.
rc
About all my friend told me was the more I did it the better I would get at it. He really wasn't interested in shooting but I did get him to shoot at 7 clays. He busted 6 out of 7 & didn't seem to be trying hard. I guess I'm looking for the basics stance, fundamentals etc. I found some stuff on google but I thought someone here might be able to clue me onto something better. We were using a thrower & standing on the edge of a dried up pond. I believe he had it sat to throw as high & as slow as it would throw.
Sentry71
Member
Mike, it sounds like informal trap, from what you have described.
Trap is usually one machine in front of you, throwing within about a 45 degree angle ahead.
Skeet is usually two machines, throwing a set angle - but you move to different stations, basically changing the angle of the clays you are shooting at.
Sporting clays ... I have no experience with, so I won't embarrass myself trying to describe it.
Try this link for a better idea of what the the different "formalized" clay games are.
http://www.nssf.org/shooting/sports/shotgun.cfm
There is a lot of info to wade through out there, but my suggestion would be to search YouTube for Gil Ash or Chris Batha. Both are good instructors, and I learned a lot when I started just from their videos.
Gil: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD5E0503E846D9CE6
Chris: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6324C913529DA397
rc's suggestion of visiting a local range and having someone watch and give experienced advice, is highly recommended.
I'm sure others will be along to give other suggestions, but this is what I've used in the past year to start to learn the clay sports (just started last year myself).
Trap is usually one machine in front of you, throwing within about a 45 degree angle ahead.
Skeet is usually two machines, throwing a set angle - but you move to different stations, basically changing the angle of the clays you are shooting at.
Sporting clays ... I have no experience with, so I won't embarrass myself trying to describe it.
Try this link for a better idea of what the the different "formalized" clay games are.
http://www.nssf.org/shooting/sports/shotgun.cfm
There is a lot of info to wade through out there, but my suggestion would be to search YouTube for Gil Ash or Chris Batha. Both are good instructors, and I learned a lot when I started just from their videos.
Gil: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD5E0503E846D9CE6
Chris: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6324C913529DA397
rc's suggestion of visiting a local range and having someone watch and give experienced advice, is highly recommended.
I'm sure others will be along to give other suggestions, but this is what I've used in the past year to start to learn the clay sports (just started last year myself).
Last edited:
au_prospector
Member
Yup, sounds like you had fun with some informal trap.
RC is 100% correct as usual, however I will repeat a few tips that my dad always tried to instill into me when we shot clays for fun. It might help you get comfortable, but wont make you an expert.
- Lean into your shotgun, that is your stance is slightly forward weak leg in front.
- Look down the plane of the shotgun barrel, you shouldnt see any part of the barrel from above and a vent rib shotgun helps with this.
- When you say 'pull' already have the shotgun raised and pointed in the general direction of where you believe your target will be.
- Lastly, the clay target is to be in focus if that makes sense. I have seen a split picture of a hit/miss clay. In the 'hit' picture, the clay target was in focus and the bead of the shotgun was out of focus. In the 'miss' picture, the bead of the shotgun was in focus and the clay was out of focus.
Have fun!
RC is 100% correct as usual, however I will repeat a few tips that my dad always tried to instill into me when we shot clays for fun. It might help you get comfortable, but wont make you an expert.
- Lean into your shotgun, that is your stance is slightly forward weak leg in front.
- Look down the plane of the shotgun barrel, you shouldnt see any part of the barrel from above and a vent rib shotgun helps with this.
- When you say 'pull' already have the shotgun raised and pointed in the general direction of where you believe your target will be.
- Lastly, the clay target is to be in focus if that makes sense. I have seen a split picture of a hit/miss clay. In the 'hit' picture, the clay target was in focus and the bead of the shotgun was out of focus. In the 'miss' picture, the bead of the shotgun was in focus and the clay was out of focus.
Have fun!
gpb
Member
The previous posts have pretty well covered shooting pointers. Just to add a few points.
If you don't have some shooting glasses get some for eye protection, cheap ones will do fine. Also, get some hearing protection, plugs or muffs.
You stated that you have a Mossberg 500 that you got for turkey hunting. I assuming that it may be a full choke. If it has a screw in choke, you may do better with a more open choke. An improved cylinder may be good for the informal shooting you're doing.
If you don't have some shooting glasses get some for eye protection, cheap ones will do fine. Also, get some hearing protection, plugs or muffs.
You stated that you have a Mossberg 500 that you got for turkey hunting. I assuming that it may be a full choke. If it has a screw in choke, you may do better with a more open choke. An improved cylinder may be good for the informal shooting you're doing.
cloverrleaf
Member
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2012
- Messages
- 5
Here's my 2 cents worth since I just started shooting trap last year and went through what you are going through right now. It's free advice, and it's probably only worth what you paid for it
1) Buy/rent/borrow some good instructional videos that have the shooter wearing a camera close to his aiming eye. This allows you to have the same view as the shooter so you can see what he sees when he breaks the target. I found this very helpful.
2) Pattern your shotgun with different chokes. I'm not a quick shot, so I use an 'improved modified' which is between 'modified' and 'full'. This gives me a tight enough pattern at the distance I hit my targets. My brother-in-law is a quicker shot and uses a 'modified' choke. A pattern that is too spread out may not put enough pellets on the target to break it if it's not dead on. Sometimes you can tell you hit it but if it doesn't break it doesn't count. You can use a 4' x 4' piece of corrugated cardboard with some kind of bullseye or aiming point the size of a clay at the distance you would hit a clay target. Look for the size of the pattern and pay attention to how the pattern is distributed from where you actually aimed. Is the bulk of the shot below or above or centered on where you aimed? You will have to account for this when you aim at the clays.
3) Buy a box of Fiocchi's tracer shells and shoot at night on a lighted range or on an overcast day so you can easily see where you're shooting. Seeing where you're shooting in relation to where the clay actually is can obviously have huge value. This will help you figure out how to lead the target and will answer the question "where did I miss?". These are $18 for a box of 10 so they're not cheap, but that's the price of an education!
4) Work on your natural point of aim. Your feet should be apart approximately the same width as your shoulders. Aim the gun at a stationary target and lower the gun, then shut your eyes and shoulder the gun with a good cheek weld just like if you were shooting, open your eyes. Where the gun is pointed when you open your eyes is your natural point of aim. Compare this to where you aimed when your eyes were open. The difference represents the amount of body twist you built into your original aim point. The natural point of aim is a good starting point for positioning yourself so you're able to easily swing both left or right to hit a flying clay target. There's no point in starting in a twisted position and having to twist your body even more to hit that crossing clay. Remember to always maintain a good cheek weld. My little league coach used to yell "keep your head down!" when we were batting. It's the same thing here.
5) Experiment with shot size, load, power (dram eq.), and brand of shell. I like 1 1/8 oz of #7 1/2 shot at 3 dram eq. I found that since I allow the clay to fly a little farther than the quick shooters, the larger size of #7 1/2 shot maintains better flight and hitting power at distance. I use 3 dram eq because it was the only power that cycled my semi-auto reliably, and just stuck with it when I got my O/U. Many others use #8 shot and/or lower power. Different brands will have different recoil even for the same shot size, load, and power.
Or you could spend $400 an hour for somebody with a British accent who shoots a $32,000 shotgun in a tweed jacket with a flask of Johnny Walker Blue in the pocket to give you lessons!!
Have fun!!
1) Buy/rent/borrow some good instructional videos that have the shooter wearing a camera close to his aiming eye. This allows you to have the same view as the shooter so you can see what he sees when he breaks the target. I found this very helpful.
2) Pattern your shotgun with different chokes. I'm not a quick shot, so I use an 'improved modified' which is between 'modified' and 'full'. This gives me a tight enough pattern at the distance I hit my targets. My brother-in-law is a quicker shot and uses a 'modified' choke. A pattern that is too spread out may not put enough pellets on the target to break it if it's not dead on. Sometimes you can tell you hit it but if it doesn't break it doesn't count. You can use a 4' x 4' piece of corrugated cardboard with some kind of bullseye or aiming point the size of a clay at the distance you would hit a clay target. Look for the size of the pattern and pay attention to how the pattern is distributed from where you actually aimed. Is the bulk of the shot below or above or centered on where you aimed? You will have to account for this when you aim at the clays.
3) Buy a box of Fiocchi's tracer shells and shoot at night on a lighted range or on an overcast day so you can easily see where you're shooting. Seeing where you're shooting in relation to where the clay actually is can obviously have huge value. This will help you figure out how to lead the target and will answer the question "where did I miss?". These are $18 for a box of 10 so they're not cheap, but that's the price of an education!
4) Work on your natural point of aim. Your feet should be apart approximately the same width as your shoulders. Aim the gun at a stationary target and lower the gun, then shut your eyes and shoulder the gun with a good cheek weld just like if you were shooting, open your eyes. Where the gun is pointed when you open your eyes is your natural point of aim. Compare this to where you aimed when your eyes were open. The difference represents the amount of body twist you built into your original aim point. The natural point of aim is a good starting point for positioning yourself so you're able to easily swing both left or right to hit a flying clay target. There's no point in starting in a twisted position and having to twist your body even more to hit that crossing clay. Remember to always maintain a good cheek weld. My little league coach used to yell "keep your head down!" when we were batting. It's the same thing here.
5) Experiment with shot size, load, power (dram eq.), and brand of shell. I like 1 1/8 oz of #7 1/2 shot at 3 dram eq. I found that since I allow the clay to fly a little farther than the quick shooters, the larger size of #7 1/2 shot maintains better flight and hitting power at distance. I use 3 dram eq because it was the only power that cycled my semi-auto reliably, and just stuck with it when I got my O/U. Many others use #8 shot and/or lower power. Different brands will have different recoil even for the same shot size, load, and power.
Or you could spend $400 an hour for somebody with a British accent who shoots a $32,000 shotgun in a tweed jacket with a flask of Johnny Walker Blue in the pocket to give you lessons!!
Have fun!!
I just wanted to post back to this thread to say Thank You to everyone that contributed. I went back & shot some more informal clays this past week. I hit 6 out of ten this time. I know I am no where near where you guys are but at ya'all helped me find a good starting point to work from.
Glad to hear it! One thing i like to tell people shooting clays for the first time is not to over think it. They seem to do better than if they are thinking about a lot of particulars and just bust those clays! Once they hit a few their confidence goes up and start hitting more. Safety first as always.
oneounceload
member
There are a lot of good courses all throughout Georgia, so depending on where you are, some might be good places to get some instruction
Hammerdown77
Member
Harder than it looks, ain't it?
You'll pick it up quickly. My first time out I think I hit like 4 out of 50. It was embarrassing. Next time out, I patterned the shotgun first to see where it was hitting in relation to where I was looking. Then, I stopped trying to use the beads, and just let my eyes guide my hands to the bird. Kinda like hitting a baseball. BINGO. Hit 46 out of 50.
Rifle and pistol shooters, guys who use sights a lot, seem to have a hard time letting go of aiming when they first try shooting shotguns at fast moving clays. You have to trust your subconscious mind and let it guide your hands to the target.
Oh, and don't stop moving the gun when you pull the trigger. You'll miss every time. Follow through! And keep your head down on the stock!
You'll pick it up quickly. My first time out I think I hit like 4 out of 50. It was embarrassing. Next time out, I patterned the shotgun first to see where it was hitting in relation to where I was looking. Then, I stopped trying to use the beads, and just let my eyes guide my hands to the bird. Kinda like hitting a baseball. BINGO. Hit 46 out of 50.
Rifle and pistol shooters, guys who use sights a lot, seem to have a hard time letting go of aiming when they first try shooting shotguns at fast moving clays. You have to trust your subconscious mind and let it guide your hands to the target.
Oh, and don't stop moving the gun when you pull the trigger. You'll miss every time. Follow through! And keep your head down on the stock!
oneounceload
member
These helps explain trap and skeet:
http://www.remington.com/pages/news-and-resources/downloads/brochure-downloads.aspx
download the two PDF files
http://www.remington.com/pages/news-and-resources/downloads/brochure-downloads.aspx
download the two PDF files
jonnyc
Member
I just started trap last fall. All I can say is practice really helps. I got myself a 12ga. Maverick 88 to start, and I can now break 5 of 5 pretty consistently. No need for that $32,000 gun for me! My biggest problem was when they all told me to keep both eyes open. I tried and really sucked. I shoot long guns righty, but I'm left-eye dominant. I now keep my left eye shut tight and I do really well.
Lots of fun!
Lots of fun!
ADKWOODSMAN
Member
Hang in there and have fun shooting clays. Very important to match your choke to your type of clay shooting.
oneounceload
member
You would be better off shooting left-handed then
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Mike J,
One important thing... Don't forget to have fun while shooting. As soon as you take things too serious all the fun goes away and then what good?
One important thing... Don't forget to have fun while shooting. As soon as you take things too serious all the fun goes away and then what good?
interlock
Member
Mikej
welcome to the world of addiction. Forget crack cocaine, crystal meth and heroin. You now have clay shooting addiction. Once you start you just cant leave it alone. Once you start to improve then it really bites.... once you reach a plateau in your performance it will drive you mad.
I love it. But it is quite consuming for me.
steve
welcome to the world of addiction. Forget crack cocaine, crystal meth and heroin. You now have clay shooting addiction. Once you start you just cant leave it alone. Once you start to improve then it really bites.... once you reach a plateau in your performance it will drive you mad.
I love it. But it is quite consuming for me.
steve
jonnyc
Member
I've been shooting stuff for about 40 years, but other than playing with big full-auto weapons in the military, shooting these little clay disks has been the most fun.
Oneounceload - I shoot pistols lefty, but rifles just don't feel right on that side. I write and eat lefty, but bat and throw righty. Guess I'm just a mutt.
Oneounceload - I shoot pistols lefty, but rifles just don't feel right on that side. I write and eat lefty, but bat and throw righty. Guess I'm just a mutt.
oneounceload
member
Nope, just someone who has equal brains.........
If you are new to shooting shotguns, then learn on your left side - it will take a little while and some practice - sure - but in the end, your success will be better and therefore, you will have more fun
DaleCooper51
Member
I agree. Learn to shoot from the left side.
It doesn't take long to get comfortable with it.
jonnyc
Member
Perhaps, but I'm getting 4/5 and 5/5 now with my left eye closed. Not sure if I really see a need to change. I'll experiment next time.
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