I finally became a shotgun owner

[Spot77]

Met Norton and Dave McCracken at the trap range today inadvertantly and shot one quick (and lousy) round of trap. Since I've only been twice before, I wasn't TOO worried about it, but I did SO MUCH better the last time I went.



So, armed with a nice fat bonus check from work, I went to Dick's Sporting Goods and picked up a new Rem 870 Express Magnum for $199 (It was on sale for $224 and has a mail in $25 rebate)


The only way to get better is to: BA UU R, according to Big McDave
(BA UU R = Buy Ammo, Use Up, Repeat!), so now that I own my own 870, I should be inspired to shoot more often.

Plus, I feel like a wimp since my shoulder hurts after just one round

 

[Fred Fuller]

Great way to get started- lucky you! Keep it up, make Dave take you on as a project 8^).

lpl/nc

 

[Dave McCracken]

Congrats!! You'll do better next time. How did that pic come out?

I'll be shooting again next Sunday, probably. If you make it, I'll walk you through Shotgun 101. We'll get your form better and work on technique. Once you realize it's not a rifle things'll improve.

 

[BozemanMT]

Once you realize it's not a rifle things'll improve.

the truth of the ages. Man is that true. Takes me a long time to get over that and I still try and aim occasionally

Take lessons. It's expensive but cheaper than ammo. You'll climb up the learning curve much faster.

My buddy (who has never shot anything in his life, ever) and I went and took lessons and of course, he's kicking my butt cuz well, he doesn't have any bad habits. But i just practice more.

Addictive as all heck.

 

[sm]

Spot77

Congrats !

Welcome to the world of shotguns....Be safe, have fun, and you have access to a great instructor.

 

[Norton]

>>>Plus, I feel like a wimp since my shoulder hurts after just one round<<<

Meow.....wifey shot three more rounds after you left and she's not crying.

Congrats on the new purchase.....now I'll have more opportinities to kick your butt

Wife asked tonight...."so if Kerry gets elected and wants to mess with gun purchases, will you buy me a Browning over-under so I can try skeet?"

Well honey....maybe.....wait, I mean of course I will bye "YOU" a Browning for "YOU" to use for skeet........

 

[Spot77]

Dave,
The pic looks great. when I can resize it, I'll post it here.

I can't think of a better way to celebrate a Bush victory than to bust some clays (or miss a few )on Sunday.

I have plans for the morning, but the afternoon looks good......and Norton and I were talking about trying to get over there on Friday for anybody interested.


Looking forward to the lessons!

 

[anapex]

Darn I guess I'll have to go to PGC more often so I can steer new people away from the 870s . In all honesty though I hope you enjoy it, people seem to like em for some reason. And no I'm not an all Winchester guy, in fact I'm being tempted by a Ruger O/U in 28ga! The thing is just so dang small and handy.

Oh I guess now too we need to start planning some more shoots at PGC.

 

[Spot77]

Oh definately.


I have no particular marriage to the 870, but Dave's opinion certainly carries a lot of weight, and the price seemed right (Ya' know, being a poor white boy with kids in private school and all.... )


Plus I stocked up on .45 at Dick's today.....$9.98 a box.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Looking forward to the pic.

You talking Sunday afternoon? I may rearrange my schedule.

 

[anapex]

If you guys are still doing Friday let me know and I'll try and join up.

 

[Spot77]

Looks like tomorrow will be tres' windy (that's the most French you'll ever hear out of me), although I MAY still try to get one round in just to break the new 870 in a little and make sure things are peachy with it.

I think Norton and I might seriously try to get out next Thursday; it's definately gonna' be a shooting day, we just haven't nailed down where yet.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Had trouble getting back to the BB, did go today to shoot a couple rounds in the wind. Major fun.

I'll probably hit a few Saturday AM, then again on Sunday,early. Anyone here is welcome to join me.

 

[Spot77]

...and finally, 6 days later I got to give the new 870 its shakedown cruise.


Beautiful day out; a shame the range closed at 4pm


I shot in the mid to high teens on trap and wobble. WAY too much fun.

There's nothing better than a pair of tall, balding brothers wearing street clothes and shooting $200 guns outshooting the snobs with the full gear and $3,000 shotguns.


"Oh really? Thanks for the advice"

(They key word there is "snobs"; evident by their attitudes; not their choice of gear. No offense meant to those who can afford nicer things than I!)

 

[cslinger]

Plus, I feel like a wimp since my shoulder hurts after just one round

Geez man, you are a pretty big guy and should be able to handle a little bit of light trap load 12 gauge. My wife occassionally runs a few rounds of 3.5 inch magnums through her itty bitty 7 pound Benelli nova and doesn't ever feel the worse for wear. Cowboy up, it's embarrassing.

 

[Spot77]

....and here's a picture from the previous outing. Wow the weather changed fast.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Thanks for posting, Spot.

Folks, for comparison's sake, note that I'm 6-1 or so. Used to be taller, but gravity always wins. Norton is definitely closer to the targets than most of us.

And most of the folks at PGC are NOT snobs. The few that are may just need some education heh,heh....

 

[Norton]

As far as snobs go.....Spot77 was referring to after our first round of wobble that I shot around a 20 or 21, our range partner with his expensive glasses, vest and Beretta who had just shot around a 14 or so was giving me adivce about my 870 being too short, crowding the gun, etc.

I just said thanks....

 

[Spot77]

And most of the folks at PGC are NOT snobs. The few that are may just need some education heh,heh....

Ve must send zem to ze re-edukation camps, ja?


Already jonesing to go again

 

[Spot77]

Geez man, you are a pretty big guy and should be able to handle a little bit of light trap load 12 gauge. My wife occassionally runs a few rounds of 3.5 inch magnums through her itty bitty 7 pound Benelli nova and doesn't ever feel the worse for wear. Cowboy up, it's embarrassing.

Hahaha, I think it was more that Mossberg 500 than anything.

I shot three rounds yesterday, one round with a HEAVY load, and today I don't feel a thing.

Oh, and I was only wearing a thin dress shirt when I was shooting the Mossberg; NO padding whatsoever.


....I'm loving the upgraded THR as much as my new 870!

 

[anapex]

If you really want to feel it the next day Spot I can bring the 5 or so pound 12ga model 59 out with me for you to shoot around with. I don't think it's to bad but lets just say I have more then enough for my own built in recoil pad. I'll probably be hitting PGC this Sunday if anyone is interested.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Spot, I prefer just mentioning quietly that the shotgun that just kicked their butt cost less than their 10 tube set of Briley chokes. The message sinks in....

I'm on Midnights this weekend. I'll shoot today, but can't make it manana...

 

[Spot77]

arg....I have plans already for Sunday.

Paintball season is kicking in and we have to finish clearing our field

 

[anapex]

Darn if only we weren't doing things for my oldests birthday today. And yes I already tried to convince him to want to go trap shooting today

 

[Spot77]

He's about ready for his fist 28 gauge, right?