First time shootin' clay...

[barqfox]

So, about a month ago, I finally escaped from PRK, moved to Plano, TX with my company, and have been aching to go shooting again (my guns have been in storage for almost 4 months). This morning, before work, I went to "Backwoods" range out on highway 380 and shot clay pigeons.

Now, I've never fired a shotgun in my life, and have usually stuck to rifles and handguns. This sounded like fun, and one of my coworkers is a shotgunner, so I said what the heck.

I read all of the 101s and a few of the old TFL threads by Dave McC (well, actually, I read all of them) so I could get a heads up on posture and behaviour, etc, and get in a mindset for firing this alien gun in an alien manner (moving targets).

So, I got up on that platform (having no idea what it's called), loaded the shotgun (a 20 ga of unknown brand (I didn't think to check)), and took aim... Shotgun up, finger off the trigger, legs spread, left leg forward a foot, left knee bent, and body leaning into the gun. Flipped off the safety, called "Pull?" in a tentative voice, and heard a dull thunk. A split second later, there was a loud BOOM, and a shower of black particles appeared many yards in front of me. I called "Pull." again, a little more firmly this time, and the BOOM ended with the little black clay frisbee clipped and spun into a million pieces in the grass. I missed the next few, and finally took a break to let my friends have their shots (we only had the one shotgun). Next time up, I missed almost every pigeon. Huh.. Still, it was fun to try!

Next turn, the first shot ended with a shower of clay particles. And then the next. And then the next. And then the next. "Gimme two." I said. "Pull!" I was much more certain this time. The clay on the right exploded, but the left one hit the ground. I repeated this several more times, sometimes hitting one, sometimes hitting both, until my arms were shaking, and another break was necessary. The 4th time at the platform, I shot 9/10 singles, and then went for more doubles. POP POP! Two clouds of clay bits. POP POP POP! Two more clouds. POP! POP POP! One cloud. I couldn't hold the rifle anymore at this point, so I surrendered it, and the group proceeded on to the pistol range, which... I'm sad to say, was compartively boring.

I think I'm in love. I've never done anything quite like shooting those clay pigeons. And though in total I probably missed around 50% of the clay pigeons, it was still FUN!!! I think I'm going to go buy a shotgun tomorrow. But I have a question for you folks who're far more experienced than me... Aside from kick, what is the main difference in result from a 20ga to a 12ga? Should I stick with 20ga as a beginner? Or should I go with a 12ga? Dave McC listed the 'Big Four', and after his stories, I'm very interested in trying out one of these older Remington 870s. What sort of barrel length should I be looking for, as a beginner? I really wish I could try these out, but the clay range doesn't have rentals, and I'm fairly certain the indoor range (Bullet Trap) doesn't allow shot on the lanes. Also, is there a good website or book or something that details clay shooting? Terminology, rules, etc?

I'm sold on shotgunning. I just need a little helpful info.

Thanks!

Tom Rodriguez

edit: I also meant to ask: I have a tendancy to aim down the barrel with my left (non-dominant) eye closed. Is this improper?

 

[sm]

Hey gang...we afflicted another one!!

I gotta run. Real quick though the 12 ga is more versatile. Gun Fit [ of course I'd say that]and proper "gun to shoulder" lessens recoil. Use light loads like 7/8 oz or 1oz...

Do not think about scores or the birds you missed. Only the next bird, one bird at a time. Focus on doing it correctly...scores will come.

The fun gets better, confidence gets better...then you get this problem of stuff multiplying...guns, hulls, reloaders, guns, hulls guns, ...it is a good thing tho'.

 

[kudu]

What sm said, and an auto may be better for a new shotgunner. Go for a 12ga and light loads for targets.

Pump gun will be cheaper and easier to find and will serve you forever probably, but is a disadvantage to new shooters for doubles and games.

It's hard to come up with an all purpose shotgun, but the Rem 870 is certainally close to being one.

By the way welcome to the High Road.

Hey Dave, we hooked another one..haha

 

[Dave McCracken]

Welcome aboard, and welcome to Shotgunland. A coupla things.....

12 gauge ammo is more varied than 20 gauge and often much cheaper.

Despite some minor disadvantages as outlined by kudu, a Big Four pump is a good way to start. Durability and reliability at minimal cost. A name brand auto is also a good choice, but they usually are heavier and more costly.

An 870 is hardly ever a BAD choice...

This cannot be overemphasized. Use light loads to start off.

The common combos with one long barrel with tubes and one short one for slugs and defense enables one to feed and protect one's family while having fun destroying things loudly. A long barrel from 26-30" and a short one from 18.5 to 21" or so is what I think will work for most folks.

Lots of us shoot one eyed. I did and oft still do. Read the thread on eye hand dominance.

You do need your own shotgun. Loaners are nice for a day, but improvement requires consistent equipment. Try out a few and see what works for you.

Practice mounts at home, Do not go for speed, go for smoothness and consistency. When you have those grooved in, speed will show up on its own.

 

[who me]

I love shooting clay pigeons. I'm actually better at shooting clay pigeons than paper targets.

 

[PJR]

Definitely go 12 gauge. I've found the 20s can kick me as much if not more because the guns are lighter.

I would definitely go for a 12 gauge semi. Less recoil than a pump and you can focus on the fundamentals instead of needing to master the additional challenge of remembering to pump between doubles.

A good book to read on clays is Jerry Meyer's, Clay Target Handbook. You can find it here:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...f=sr_1_1/002-0527087-2983204?v=glance&s=books

 

[ysr_racer]

So, about a month ago, I finally escaped from PRK...

Geez, you just left one of the best clays shooting stataes in the USA.

 

[Spinner]

Sounds like you're getting a great deal of good advice here barqfox. I too would reccomend a 12 ga and for a variety of reasons a single barrelled gun is going to be cheaper. A semi-auto will generally have less felt recoil but stick with the light loads to start with anyway. A pump may be more reliable and easier to maintain if you're not familar with shotguns.

I would strongly reccomend Bob Bristers book "Shotgunning; the Art and the Science". Its an older book but it is jam-packed full of pearls of wisdom. Most every question asked on this forum in the last 6 months can be answered in Brister's book (apart from the PGO shotgun Qs ) and he gives good background into why. The book is very easy to read despite the large amounts of technical information ..... he's obviously got a good sense of humour too. I can't reccomend the book highly enough.

I bought my copy 2nd hand at Amazon for US$6 or 7 ..... it cost me more in shipping than for the book itself. Do not be fooled by the price, this book is very, very good .... well worth the money and the time taken to read it.

Spinner

 

[barqfox]

First of all, thanks to every one of you for the helpful advice. I've got a few books on order from Amazon on your recommendations, and I picked this up the other day:

It's a 12 ga Remington 870 Super Mag Synthetic, NIB. I got it for $212. I hope that was at least a fair price. It seems a nice and flexible gun, and can take mag and non mag shells. I added a Mod Remchoke on it. Is that the correct choke to use for trap shooting?

Sadly, my grave shift starts today, so I won't be able to get out to the range until Monday. Ahh well, hehe.

Thanks again, folks!

-Tom

 

[Dave McCracken]

Good deal, now BA/UU/R....

 

[birdv]

I am horrible at shootin' clay. I tend to make up for it in volume of lead. A5 Browning unplugged works just great. I hit my first 10 and there is a pond in East Texas littered with whole clay dics to prove that I went down hill fast. Goodluck and enjoy the sport.

P.S.
I found that gas guns make you burn shells but they are alot of fun.

 

[rust collector]

If you are anything like me, the more you think about your shots, the less likely you are to hit.

I'd recommend a session or two with a pro who really knows his stuff, to avoid common pitfalls and save a lot of "unlearning" later on. Then just practice, practice, practice. It does feel good, doesn't it? Don't try to put in 100 round days until later, however, or you may start flinching and lifting your head off the stock.

Any shotgun can be made to work, but Remingtons seem to fit most folks without a lot of modification. Some, such as Benellis and Berettas, can be adjusted with shims so that they will fit you rather than you having to adapt to them.

And the best thing about clay birds is that you don't have to clean 'em or bite down on a #8 pellet.

 

[Red Label]

I will shoot in the day
I will shoot in the night
I will shoot when its cloudy
I will shoot when its bright
I will shoot clay any day!



I just love to shoot clay and obviously you now do too. It is highly addictive and like golf can take a lifetime to perfect but the passion is in the persuit!