Today I went trap shooting at a local range with my younger brother, my dad, and some family friends. My dad was concerned because I was bringing a .22 with me to college and wanted to get a shotgun as well because I'm interested in hunting. He was under the impression that I knew nothing about guns, even though I've gotten the Rifle Shooting merit badge as a scout, and know all the rules as well as a great deal of the maintenance stuff involved, and have been hanging out on the forums for a while. He insisted on having his friend show me how to shoot and give me safety lessons and all that. Naturally, I agreed, who'd pass up a free trip to the range (I'd been trying to get to one for ages)? So I got a refresher on the rules and then headed out to the range.
I first tried out my friend's 12 ga. Remington 870 Express, I loved how it felt and it fit me just right. I hit 7 out of the first twenty five clays, then I switched to his Mossberg 500. I hit 13/25 this time, but the gun didnt feel as comfortable, kind of like having the end of a 2X4 up against your shoulder and it fit me funny so I had to hold it a little high up on my shoulder. I stuck with the Mossberg for the last round, since the 870 was my friend's favorite, and this time I managed to hit 18 of the 25 clays. For my first real experience with a shotgun, I think I did pretty well, and I had a blast. I could have done that all day. I plan on getting myself a 870 once I finish moving into my apartment at the end of august.
I had a few questions that only occurred to me afterwards when there was no one around to ask. Is there a way to figure out the patterns various chokes and shell combinations make? I'd really like to see exactly how far the shot spreads and all that good stuff. Also, how can you try out other types of loads? I dont imagine shooting trap with 00 Buckshot would be much fun, and I'd like to get some experience with it and other loads before I try hunting. Thanks guys.
I first tried out my friend's 12 ga. Remington 870 Express, I loved how it felt and it fit me just right. I hit 7 out of the first twenty five clays, then I switched to his Mossberg 500. I hit 13/25 this time, but the gun didnt feel as comfortable, kind of like having the end of a 2X4 up against your shoulder and it fit me funny so I had to hold it a little high up on my shoulder. I stuck with the Mossberg for the last round, since the 870 was my friend's favorite, and this time I managed to hit 18 of the 25 clays. For my first real experience with a shotgun, I think I did pretty well, and I had a blast. I could have done that all day. I plan on getting myself a 870 once I finish moving into my apartment at the end of august.
I had a few questions that only occurred to me afterwards when there was no one around to ask. Is there a way to figure out the patterns various chokes and shell combinations make? I'd really like to see exactly how far the shot spreads and all that good stuff. Also, how can you try out other types of loads? I dont imagine shooting trap with 00 Buckshot would be much fun, and I'd like to get some experience with it and other loads before I try hunting. Thanks guys.
