First time shooting trap...

[1KPerDay]

went out on a windy, cold, snowy morning and had a blast. Shot my Beretta Onyx Pro, which I've only shot a few rounds through before. I shot 19 out of 25 the first round, and vowing to do at least one better the next round, shot 19 out of 25.

Tons of fun, and messes with your head. I started thinking too hard and missing, and then not thinking hard enough and missing. The ones going to the right where you had to really lead them were the hardest for me.

I have had no training other than reading articles and watching videos, so I really don't know what I'm doing. I find I'm "aiming" rather than swinging through the targets.

I have a lot of work to do, and look forward to it.

 

[oneounceload]

If you go Remington's website, you can download a PDF on trap that has hints on hold points, foot positioning, etc.
DON'T look at bead, focus only on the target and do not wait until after it crests to shoot.
You might ask some of the club regulars to watch you shoot to check your stance, hold point, form, follow through, etc.

 

[1KPerDay]

I have a fiberoptic bead on my Beretta... wonder if I should remove it. I have a hard time not looking at the gun. This shotgun thing is like voodoo to me.

 

[oneounceload]

Gil and Vicki Ash are two very well known instructors for shotguns, and especially for sporting clays. They have a saying:
"If the gun must be ahead of the target, and the eyes must be on the target, then the eyes cannot be looking down the gun"

When you think about it, they are correct and the use of those glow worms (rifle-like shooting excepted) only distracts you from focusing on the target.

 

[1KPerDay]

Yeah, I read your sig and have watched a few of their videos. Seems like a really engaging teacher. I'll try taking out the fiberoptic doohickey.

 

[J.R.W.]

It's an addiction. I always held my nose up to trap....until I tried it. Now I'm hooked. I've shot either trap or sporting clays at least once if not twice a week since starting. I'm consistently going 21-22/25 and around 75% on the clays. Gotta find some skeet next.

 

[oneounceload]

When you get tired of regular trap or skeet, try the International style; or when shooting sporting clays, use a low gun mount - that will get you ready for the next step - FITASC...........

 

[samort457]

Posture is a big deal. If you don't lean into it, almost like a boxer when leans into the punch, and limp your shoulders and upper body then you won't hold as near as much accuracy.

 

[fteter]

19 of 25 first time out is pretty doggone good in my book...at least, that's a heck of a lot better than I did my first time out.