Question about Skeet/Trap/Sporting Clays

[Lone_Gunman]

I have never shot any of these three sports formally. I have shot informally from time to time at clay targets launched by a spring powered target thrower. I am not sure how this compares to the throwers officially used in skeet/trap/clays. I would estimate this thrower has a range of around 50 yards. I can generally hit around 80% of the targets thrown with this, and on a good day can do a little better.

How do these kinds of throwers compare to those used for skeet/trap/clays?

What kind of hit percentage do people who have never shot skeet but are not complete newbies get?

 

[Oldnamvet]

Generally the throwers in the trap and skeet houses throw them faster. The presentations are also changing as you go from station to station. As to the scores that people initially get -- impossible to predict. The only thing about them is that they always quickly get better with proper practice.

 

[Ringtail]

I have been told at the skeet range where I shoot that the clays are coming out of the houses at 40 mph. Thats about as fast as a dove, but the clays are easier to hit because they don't take evasive action.

I think you should get you shotgun and a flat of shells, find the nearest skeet range and give it a try.

 

[Oldnamvet]

but the clays are easier to hit because they don't take evasive action

For some real fun challenges, shoot skeet on a windy day. Those little orange frisbees do some unpredictable and interesting things. A good gust will stop one and send it backwards. That sure messes with your lead.

 

[Mr. 16 gauge]

but the clays are easier to hit because they don't take evasive action.

Mine do!

....at least that's my story, and I'm stickin' to it!

 

[Dave McCracken]

Official US trap targets are launched at about 55 MPH. They are regulated for matches with radar guns like the Police use for speeders.

Skeet, I believe are also.

International Trap targets blast out around 85 for some presentations.

Sporting targets are all over the place.

HTH.....

 

[oneounceload]

Dave has it correct, and those used for international skeet and trap are moving at 70mph

to the OP - go to a guin club and try - if they start giving you fits, ask some of the oldtimers - they'll usually be more than happy to help

 

[Zoomer]

For the love of God and all that is holy. Don't ever go out and shoot a real round of skeet with your self described shooting skills.

It will become a full bore addiction. Unyielding.. You WILL find yourself purchasing new "spiffy" over unders, cool shooting vests, shell bags and an endless supply of shells. You will meet some of the funniest shooters at the range, laugh often and wish you could go every day.

If your addiction gets as bad as some (mine included) you will spend countless hours in the basement reloading (at a $ loss in some cases) because you have that much more "faith" in shells made by your own hands.

You will miss a "high six" and get so mad that you shoot that one target 75 times in a row on a skeet field in the rain by yourself.

You will blow a perfect round on a low 7 and be mad for a week.
You will get so good at this game that when you shoot a 23 you will not be happy.

Sometimes however, the stars align....the orange disk seems as big as a basketball, you vaporize into dust, every target that flies and you earn your 100 straight patch....and then you know what you do to yourself? You go and get a .410 to make it difficult again. Cut your losses now and don't play.

 

[Rmac58]

^^Well put!

 

[stiletto raggio]

Trap is a driving range. Skeet is Putt Putt. Sporting Clays is 18 holes of golf.

Proceed with caution.

 

[Virginian]

Nothing beats missing out on that lovely embroidered "100 Straight" patch like missing low house seven at 98. The epitome of "choke". (Anyone know where you can get a 97 straight patch.... cheap?)
The ultimate ego buster I have ever seen is the "Stick Bird" being handled by someone with some atheleticism. The clay pigeons come screaming, yes screaming off the thrower, and if you hit 16 out of 25 I would say you are damned good.

 

[Snarlingiron]

For some real fun challenges, shoot skeet on a windy day. Those little orange frisbees do some unpredictable and interesting things. A good gust will stop one and send it backwards. That sure messes with your lead.

Yep. Sunday at Elm Fork was very windy and erratic. Clays dipping and diving all over the place. Great fun!!

It is particularly fun when one takes a weird dip and you hit it anyway.

 

[k80]

ATA trap targets are thrown at 42 mph, measured with a high power radar gun from the 16 yard line; 44mph if measured from inside the house.

 

[Pete409]

I didn't look it up, but I think that K80 has the speed correct for trap targets. Skeet targets are about the same speed (give or take a couple mph) if I remember correctly.

EDIT: OK, I looked it up just now. Here is a quote from Wikipedia about "Olympic Trap" shooting. The Olympic Trap targets are thrown considerably faster than American (ATA) Trap targets. Here's the quote:

Considerable effort is expended to ensure a perfect fit as the relatively high 100 km/h (62 mph) exit speed of the target allows no time for conscious compensation of a poor fit as it so often can occur in the slower 64 km/h (40 mph) exit speed target games of American trap and skeet

.

 

[k80]

Here's the quote from page 49 of the ATA Rulebook:
"High-power guns (Decatur, Stalker, most “police radar guns” and similar)are to be used at the 16-yard line. The trap oscillation is stopped, and the
target measured is a straightaway. The gun is pointed horizontally. The
correct speed for a singles or handicap target is 42 MPH with a tolerance
of plus or minus 0.5 MPH....Low-power guns (SportRadar, Bushnell, and similar) are to be used at
the back of the traphouse and at the level of the top of the traphouse.
(Holding the gun higher than that will lead to a target which is too
fast.) The trap oscillation is stopped, and the target measured is a
straightaway. The gun is pointed horizontally. The correct speed for a
singles or handicap target is 42 MPH with a tolerance of plus or minus
0.5 MPH....When a radar gun is used from inside the house, the correct speed for
a singles or handicap target is 44 MPH with a tolerance of plus or minus
0.5 MPH."
The NSSA Rulebook doesn't specify target speed, stating on page 27:
"A regular target is one that ...passes within a three-foot circle centered at
a point fifteen (15) feet above the target-crossing
point.... The target, in still air, must carry to a
distance equivalent, on level ground, to 60 yards from the
skeet house when passing through the center of the
hoop, with an allowance tolerance of plus or minus
two yards." That's about the same speed as an ATA target.