DaleCooper51
Member
I've been shooting for many years, but for the most part have stayed away from shotguns due to wrong eye dominance situation. I've had an old wingmaster for a number of years, but it was set up as a slug gun with a scope. Well for my 37th birthday, I got my gumption up and decided to go shoot a round of trap. I borrowed my father's NEF topper deluxe classic and a couple boxes of shells. The first thing I noticed when I pulled up is the rack of shotguns that looked like they cost more than my house.
After signing in, it was our turn to take the range. I started in station 3, not really knowing much and was waiting my turn to shoot. First shooter boom, second shooter boom. Now it's my turn and I shoulder the shotgun waiting for the clay. I waited a little more, then looked around and all the other shooters were standing there looking at me. The gentleman to the left of me came up and I told him it was my first time out. He told me to relax, breath, and you have to call the birds. Ok, I got it now and called the bird, boom, but missed. I was shooting right handed and had to close my dominant eye. Well, my first round I ended up hitting 10 out of 25 and was pretty discouraged, but had already paid for my second round. The gentleman that told me I needed to call the bird, said why not try your next round shooting left handed. My second round of trap went a little better. I knew to call the bird when it was my turn. I ended up hitting 12 of 25 and felt pretty good for the first time shooting trap and first time shooting a shotgun left handed.
I liked it enough, that I went and ordered my own topper deluxe classic. No need to spend much on a shotgun at this point. About a week later, my shotgun came in and I got the call to go pick it up. After doing the paperwork and paying for it, I opened the box and noticed there was no bead sight installed. It was drilled but there was a burr and the bead was never installed. I figured I would have to send it back and wait another week or two for it to come back. The owner of the shop, told me not to worry, tapped the threads and installed a new bead for me. He told me they stand behind what they sell and fixed me up in about 10 minutes. I really have to give Boyer's Hardware in Palmerton PA, and Alan Boyer in particular, my good guy of the week award.
I'm looking forward to next Thursday and shooting my next round of trap. I know that the best way to get better is through practice, but can anyone point me to a resource or provide some pointers to help make my next time out a little more enjoyable? I don't want to practice bad habits and reinforce the wrong things.
regards,
Dale
After signing in, it was our turn to take the range. I started in station 3, not really knowing much and was waiting my turn to shoot. First shooter boom, second shooter boom. Now it's my turn and I shoulder the shotgun waiting for the clay. I waited a little more, then looked around and all the other shooters were standing there looking at me. The gentleman to the left of me came up and I told him it was my first time out. He told me to relax, breath, and you have to call the birds. Ok, I got it now and called the bird, boom, but missed. I was shooting right handed and had to close my dominant eye. Well, my first round I ended up hitting 10 out of 25 and was pretty discouraged, but had already paid for my second round. The gentleman that told me I needed to call the bird, said why not try your next round shooting left handed. My second round of trap went a little better. I knew to call the bird when it was my turn. I ended up hitting 12 of 25 and felt pretty good for the first time shooting trap and first time shooting a shotgun left handed.
I liked it enough, that I went and ordered my own topper deluxe classic. No need to spend much on a shotgun at this point. About a week later, my shotgun came in and I got the call to go pick it up. After doing the paperwork and paying for it, I opened the box and noticed there was no bead sight installed. It was drilled but there was a burr and the bead was never installed. I figured I would have to send it back and wait another week or two for it to come back. The owner of the shop, told me not to worry, tapped the threads and installed a new bead for me. He told me they stand behind what they sell and fixed me up in about 10 minutes. I really have to give Boyer's Hardware in Palmerton PA, and Alan Boyer in particular, my good guy of the week award.
I'm looking forward to next Thursday and shooting my next round of trap. I know that the best way to get better is through practice, but can anyone point me to a resource or provide some pointers to help make my next time out a little more enjoyable? I don't want to practice bad habits and reinforce the wrong things.
regards,
Dale
