My first time at skeet

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campergeek

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I wish this was a thread where I share what a natural shot I am on the skeet field - but it's not. However, I went out for the first time tonight and had a great time nonetheless.

Actually my only motive for going was to warm up for doves next week. Although I'd never shot skeet, I'd seen others do it and thought the birds going side-to-side might give better practice than the outbound birds from a trap thrower. My normal range, a local Conservation Dept. range (Jay Henges) only has trap fields, so after work I headed west to another Conservation Dept. range (August A. Busch Memorial) which offers skeet as well.

Showing up on the range I felt very awkward - kind of like a kid starting at a new school. I got a chance to sit and rest while one group of 5 worked through the course. After that I was welcomed into the next round. The guys I shot with - one whom is a range volunteer - were friends and obviously shot together quite a bit, but they were still welcoming to the newcomer. These guys were good examples to anyone who has an opportunity to get someone started in shooting sports.

I have to take a moment to tip my hat to one in particular - I think his name is Dennis - who seemed to hit anything that flew. I don't think I've ever seen anyone make shooting clay birds look so effortless.

As for me, I learned that I am NOT a natural shot. For some reason I was edgy, kept rushing my shots, couldn't keep my swing smooth, etc. I think a lot of the nervousness came from never having shot skeet before, having no idea (starting out) how many shots to make at each station, etc. Besides that, having 4 experienced shooters behind me watching didn't help. Actually, it did help as they very graciously gave tips to try to help my shooting - which I very much appreciated even if my shooting didn't testify that I was listening. On the trap field I usually hit ~ 50%; today I was hitting closer to 20% although I didn't really keep count.

Despite the misses, I had a great time and certainly hope to get back out soon - next time not just because of dove season.
 
Hey Campergeek

I have to say my first (and so far only) experience with skeet was pretty much along the same lines as your own. Its a completely different game from trap and if you don't really know what to expect its not an easy game to play.

I'll be having a serious play with skeet at some stage, but not until I feel a bit more confident at trap which, in my limited experience, (as he dons his flameproof suit) appears to be somewhat easier.

The other thing I intend to do before I run a full round of skeet is to spend some time at each of the individual stations getting used to each of the target presentations. I'll do 10 or more High 1s and then 10 or more Low 1s and then move onto station 2, etc. That way I'll at least be familiar with what's happening the next time I attempt a full round. The first time up pretty much every target you see is a new presentation. Even if you think you know what to expect its not easy first time around.

I found my first round of skeet to be an extremely humbling experience. It was fun, for sure, but humbling (particularly when one of the guys on my squad ran 50/50). I think I broke about 4 or 5 targets on my first round.

I guess the only way to improve is to put in plenty of practice. You know what they say around here BA/UU/R. :D

Spinner
 
campergeek,

I happy to hear you went out and tried skeet. Skeet is my preference, what I competed in. Although you didn't shoot like you wanted to - you have gained some very valuable lessons and insights from having participated. I'm glad the folks were polite, considerate and spent time with you . Skeeters are not bad folks. :)

I am old school , still think a lot is still going for the old school on many things, especially starting out , learning basics and fundamentals.

Score Better At Skeet by Fred Misseldine - I highly recommend. Explains the history of skeet , gun fit, stance, how to shoot each station and - why one misses at a station. He also has one Score Better At Trap

Bristers's Book , is another good read. I know I harp on this book, the reality is, even though an older publication, this book answers a LOT of questions. Makes no nevermind if one is using a shotgun to Hunt, Shoot Clays, or Defense. The one more knows about the tool - the better they use that tool.

Besides, "Skeeters can do it 25 times in a row - 8 different ways." ;)
 
Have fun while learning, BA/UU/R. A couple things.

Skeet shooters are more social on the field than trap folks, the voice mikes used everywhere in trap cut the chatter.

Both games are good for proficiency. Skeet is mostly sustained lead , trap a swing through lead.Skeet's harder to learn and a hair easier to shoot well. Trap's easier to learn, but the precision needed comes at the cost of a longer learning curve.
 
Campergeek,
I just went out to the trap range for the first time in 25 years and felt the same nervousness about not knowing the protocol. My nervousnes dissolved after downing 19 out of 25 in each of two sessions.
I had just bought the NEF Parner 12 g. and it functioned fine.
I plan to hit the skeet range after a few more trap sessions and then sporting clays.

In skeet, what is the sequence of 25 rounds? Eight stations with high house and low house, singles and doubles?
 
With skeet, like all the other games, there are ways to get better mostly involving stance, foot position, gun position and eye position. It takes practice and a little instruction doesn't hurt either.

It has been said that skeet is harder to learn but easier to shoot while trap is easier to learn and harder to shoot. Both require more concentration than I can muster to shoot competitively so I entertain myself most often with sporting clays.:D

Paul

PS. to sm. No reason to apologize for citing Brister or any of the other older books. Everyone should read them.
 
PJR
Dave

I was one of a few folks that stayed with swing through ( pass shooting ) for skeet. I learned to shoot SG this way my mentors in teaching me skeet said to stay with it. Most versatile. Understand I hunted and like many folks - the clay games were used to better one's hunting skills.

The Skeet competition was serious fun. I did note that quite of the folks that were classed A , couldn't hit a real dove or duck in flight . They could stand there all day long and never miss a clay though.

It seems like one day everyone went to sustained and equipment became more important. The Big Boys were doing it - so it must be "right".

Two kinds of "Big Boys". Take Plaxco for instance , he could shoot - period. He could teach - not everyone can teach. I have dove hunted with Plaxco and similar folks. Watched him take doves - shooting from the hip.

I wanted to instill in myself the basics and fundementals . NO Matter if skeet, trap or hunting.

I guess that is why I became so interested in 5 stand and later Sporting clays.

Yeah I "can shoot" sustained , I prefer Swing Through.

Been known to "snap" a shot at running rabbit or get that bird before it went into th treeline....sometimes clay crittters are sneaky and come out of nowhere....

I wish I could have met Brister, and Misseldine. I know folks that have , and have shot with them. Not just clays , but hunting and other sports.

Old Fella told me Brister "really can paint a live pigeon out of the sky" . Misseldine - always said "good shooters are made - not born"....gee whiz ..."Misseldine takes his quail and ducks so effortlessly - it is a sight to behold".

And both were true gentleman .

That is all I wanted to be ....That is what I try to be. I may only hit 37/50 on a SC dealie....I had a ball tho'. " Well folks - that is how to NOT shoot that station" [ where'd that tree come from anyway?] :p

I remember Plaxco turning around after missing Low 7 once. "Well - you know - no matter how many times you have broken a target before...it is good to miss it once in a while...keeps you from getting all cocky and forgetting the basics...Pull it again will you Steve...this time I'll keep my head down and let it get out a bit...".

Its all good.

Plaxco - Thank you again . I still recall the lessons of pistol , shotgun and rifle you shared. You sir are a true gentleman as well.
 
sm, your message has given me some enlightenment, and perhaps will help me perform better at skeet in the future. Like you, I learned to shoot by swinging through. However, being so unsure of myself yesterday I listened to the advice of the other shooters and tried to maintain the prescribed lead.

Their advice was not bad - the problem is that I haven't yet learned the technique of sustained lead. My natural inclination is to swing through, my mind was busy trying to maintain a certain lead, and the end result was a herky-jerky swing and frantic, rushed, trigger slaps.

The clue should have been that I was doing better shooting doubles (2nd on report) than singles, and I couldn't figure out why. My theory, now, is that I was too able to think about the bird and my swing when there was only one bird, but with two I didn't have as much time to think so I just shot the birds in my natural way. My mind was so wrapped up in trying to learn the game that I don't remember specifically swinging-through on the doubles, but it makes sense that I would fall back into what I'm used to.

I think that the next time I shoot skeet I'll go back to swing-through shooting and see if anything changes. From there I can work on developing my skill in sustained leads. I certainly wouldn't mind becoming a more versatile shotgunner by improving on both techniques.

I'm open to any thoughts on my theory.

BTW, Derm95, having only shot this one time at this one place I don't know if the sequence we shot was typical, but this is what we did (to my best memory):

1: High single, Low single, High-Low double
2: High single, Low single, High-Low double
3: High single, Low single
4: High single, Low single
5: High single, Low single
6: Low single, High single, Low-High double
7: Low single, High single, Low-High double
8: High single, Low single

The 25th shot was used for an option on the first missed shot, or was shot as a 3rd bird on position 8.
 
Paging PJR ....Paging PJR.... where in the devil is that / those thread were you posted the skeet field and the targets please? Could you put them in this thread for us please ? Thank You Sir ! :)

campergeek

I'm no big deal - trust me....I have to live with me....:p Your are very kind , thanks for the nice words.

I may go against the grain here [ like that is un-expected]. I suggest YOU shoot your game.

IF - IF you are accustomed to swing through ( pass through) don't change. Now is not really the time to learn a new shooting method - IMO.

IF - IF you have a gun that fits, you have the basic fundamentals down pat. IF you CORRECTLY practicemounting the gun and dryfiring with the pass through system - you will be fine. Worked for Brister, Misseldine....

YOU use what you know best. Learn the game of skeet. Establish your hold points and foot positions, learn for you what lead ( how far ahead as you pass through) you need to slap trigger. This will I assure you ,make you a better dove / bird shooter.

Moonpie says - there will be a LOT of cussing and excuses from clay shooters , that only shoot sustained lead when the gray missle season opens....seen it too many times...." Now , how does that pass shooting method work again? "

Shot your game. Get the book (s) then I'm looking forward to shooting your hat by proxy - I'd be honored to shoot your hat. :)
 
I snuck out last night between ferrying the kids to practice and shot two rounds of skeet for the first time.
Talk about feeling like a "geek". I really didn't have a feel for swinging a heavy pump gun. Only got 10/25 then 11/25. Guess you have to start somewhere.
 
:confused: sm.... shoot my hat? Forgive my ignorance, but is that a rite of passage, like a flight student getting their shirt tail clipped after their first solo?

If you could see my face right now you'd see a dumb look, much like the one I gave the first time the fellow running the thrower asked if I wanted to "use my option", or when he asked if I wanted doubles "on report".
 
PJR - Yes Thank you for posting the links . I was using another 'puter and didn't have my bookmarks.

Camper- yes a rite of passage. Shoot 25/25 ( straight) and they shoot your hat. This "rite" continues for 50, 75 and 100 straights. Starts all over with the 20, 28 , .410 guns.

500 straight , one gets the hat shot ....and some other fun stuff ;)
 
Good Skeet Gun

Hi, i'm new at this forum and I had a question on skeet shotguns. I looked around the forum and couldn't find much on the subject.I went out to my local gun club with my scout troop for our annual troop shoot a couple days ago and had my first experience with skeet shooting. I've shot with a pigeon thrower a couple times before, maybe once a year if I was lucky. I went to a few of the stations, 7, 4, 1, and 2 if I'm not mistaken, only taking a few cracks at both high and low house with a 12 ga over under. I did really good and the range instructor asked me to shoot a full round with him and his friend. I actually ended up getting a 24/25, missing the low house bird on station 5 because I stopped the gun before pulling the trigger. He wants me to get serious about skeet shooting and I would love to. He lets me to use his extra 12 ga, and I'm seriously looking into my own. I was wondering if you guys could help me out a little on what to look for in a skeet gun or even recomend any guns you prefer. Like I said, I looked around the forum and couldn't find much on the subject. ANY help would be appreciated.

thanks a TON,
Mat, age 15
 
Mat,
Congrats on your first time out! There are a lot of different schools of thought on skeet guns. Long before I got started, we're talking DECADES before I got into skeet, folks were shooting guns with 26" barrels, with the idea that they were easier to swing. Then a bit later Remington 1100s dominated the game for awhile. And sometime between then and now it because acceptable to start with a mounted gun instead of mounting at the call of the target. More recently, there is a trend to use 30" barrels, and some people shoot 32" for skeet. I shoot an SKB 12ga O/U with 30", and personally I like the heavy weight because it forces the swing to continue. Make no mistake, it is not a fieldweight light gun, it's a hefty sucker! I'm 5'10" and I am pretty happy with 30" barrels on my gun. I started with an 1100 with a skeet barrel, and I'd still be using it if I didn't get all set on buying an O/U.

I don't know how tall you are, if you have long arms, and what your recoil tolerances are. I'd recommend a semi-auto because it really cuts back on the recoil and also doesn't have to be so dang heavy.


Actually, scratch that last part! If you show up at a skeet field, and start asking about folks guns, chances are they will volunteer to let you shoot a round with it. After awhile, you will start to develop your own preferences for gun type, barrel length, sights, stock config., etc. Oh, and if you get the chance, be sure and shoot a 28ga, it just might win you over immediately!
 
hey, thanks for the info!

ya, i'm about 5' 5" and any kind of 12ga recoil doesn't bother me at all, but I really appreciate all of your imput

thanks,
mat
 
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