First time shooting clays. Need advice.

[Pheonix]

I am going to shoot clays for the first time. I have a Mossberg 500 which came with 3 chokes full, improved cylinder and modified. Which choke do I start with. I have not had a chance to check for paterning (spelling) and will not before I go.

 

[HSMITH]

For sporting clays or skeet put in your IC, for trap put in your Mod. You didn't say what targets you are gonna shoot, but the above is what I use. I shoot in excess of 20K targets a year, so I am not guessing. A cylinder choke would be a good addition to your set for skeet, but otherwise you are pretty well set.

 

[3 gun]

Really depends on the game. IC would be the choice for skeet or 5 stand. Mod or IC for sporting clays. Mod or Full for trap. This is just a general guess/guide. How your gun patterns the load you're shooting this could change the percentage your choke patterns. That percentage (number of shot in a 30" circle at 40 yards divided by the total number of shot in the load) is what makes a choke IC, Mod, or Full. The lower the percentage the more open a choke. Your load could pattern IC even with a Mod in the gun. Pattern the gun and load when you can but for this first trip don't worry about it. Just be safe, follow the range rules/commands and have fun!

 

[Dave McCracken]

Load has as much to do with pattern as choke does. I'd go with the guys suggestions, and use the tighter choke suggested for generic loads and the more open ones with premium target loads.

Use good form, be safe and have fun!!...

 

[El Tejon]

Keep your head down, follow through. Have fun!

 

[Ledbetter]

Get someone to watch you who knows good shooting form from bad. At the club I belong to, the trapmaster is alsways happy to watch a newbie for a few minutes and offer valuable suggestions on form and shooting.

Start with trap, it's simpler and the shooting is faster, so you'll get more practice (less jawing and walking around) in an afternoon. The othere clay sports are fun too.

Don't try too hard. Relax. Point, don't aim.

 

[sm]

Agree with HSMITH and Dave

Main thing is to have fun while you watch and learn...and remember...everybody was were you are at this point in the game. Me, I always get the rising teal...but nobody , I mean nobody can miss a running rabbit as well as I...I do get style points ...I think...( they do give style points--don't they?)

I used 1 1/8 oz of # 8 of extra hard shot, Usually, may bump up to 7.5 on looonngg shots in the wind

Ironic though, I did manage 37/40 with a skeet choked 20 ga O/U on the 5 stand..using AA 7/8 oz #8 skeet loads...got all the rabbits that day (shock!) I missed the easy outgoers...I was 'thinking' on those...thinking about the second shot before I shot the first one on doubles...

Guess I was in the proper mind-set-- had run 75/75 when I decided to see what a 20 would do at 5 stand.

( Fun is a 28 ga at 5 stand )