Skeet, trap, shotguns in general...HELP!!!

[Lupinus]

So was browsing the guns at the hardware store today while picking up some ammo (and a new guncase, hard plastic case, just big enough for a small gun like my marlin sixty, 10.50 yeahhhh baby ) and noticed they actually were pretty inexpensive with several models pretty well in my budget. I had thought about a shotty before but never really seriously looked into them price wise except for a quick look at the wally world case untill today.

I am thinking of going 20 guage since it would be a little softer on the shouler and therefor could shoot it more.

Any general tips or ideas for me to look out for? I am not looking for anything extra fancy, either a double barrel or a pump most likely. I don't like single shot guns in general and I don't have any practicle reasons to up it to a semi-auto since they were more expensive.

Also, shotgun sports. Trap, skeet, five stand....what the heck is the difference to me in my ignorance they all look pretty much the same. Can someone give me a basic rundown or a link to a website that describes them?

 

[Steve C]

The games:

Trap - This game is shot with full or modified choked shotguns as the distances are fairly long with targets that can still be broken at 80 yards or more. This game replicates what a typical pheasant or quail bird hunter encounters. The clay targets are thrown from a low house that is in front of the shooter. There is a 5 position fan tail type set of shooting stations behind the house and the dificulty is increased by how far away the shooter stands. The yardage is marked and 16 yds is the nearest distance. Shooters are "handicapped" by distance, better shooters shoot further back in the handicap event. All targets travel away from the shooter and are rising. The thrower is constantly moving in a horizontal arc (standard shoot) so the target will leave the house any where along this arc depending upon where the thrower happens to be when the shooter calls "pull". The target however leaves the house at the same angle in relation to the ground. In the international segment of a trap shoot the target varies both in horizontal and verticle angle. A typical trap meet has 16yd targets, handicapped targets, International targets and doubles (two targets at once).

Skeet - This "game" is shot with an open choke shotgun that throws a wide pattern as distances are close. This game replicates typical shooting found in hunting birds like doves or species found in the woods. There are two target houses, a high house and a low house. The shooters locations are changed on the fan tail that sits between these two houses. The targets are always thrown the same in direction and angle. Change of position changes the presentation of the target to the shooter. The last station is in between the 2 houses with the birds comming toward the shooter. Both singles and double targets are thrown but in skeet, doubles come one from each house at the same time.

Sporting Clays - Never shot this game but have seen it on TV. This game tries to simulate hunting a variety of game. Targets are thrown like birds or rolled like a rabbit. Not too sure of the particulars.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Use the advanced search feature here. Type in 101 for title and my name for the author. This will lead you to a series of threads for beginning shotgunners.

As for your queries, US made pump shotguns are a lot of gun for the money. They last forever, can be configured for a variety of missions and can provide food, protection and fun to several generations of your family.

A good overview of most clay games can be found in Jerry Meyer's Clay Target Handbook. However, one trip to a range will show you the differences.

Go to a range nearby, ask some questions and observe. Often a polite newbie will get to try a shot or more. Clay shooters vary as much as other people, but some will take the time to instruct a tyro and get them started.

 

[PJR]

I'd be cautious about the 20 gauge if recoil reduction is the goal. 20 gauge guns are most often lighter and may kick more than the 12. Get a 12 gauge and use 1 ounce target loads.

As for which gun, if the semis are more expensive than the doubles then you are looking at the very low end of doubles. In that case you can't go wrong with a good pump gun with interchangeable choke tubes to start out. A Remington 870 Express is a good place to begin IMHO and if you like the games you can consider other guns.

 

[FrogClan]

Use the advanced search feature here. Type in 101 for title and my name for the author. This will lead you to a series of threads for beginning shotgunners.

Not a beginner but still found them useful and informative reading. Thanks for the effort that went into getting them on-line, and for that nudge in this post that brought them to my attention. You might consider a sticky that is a list of links to each of them, as you did with the TFL threads.

Lupinus, I second JPR's observation. If the doubles you are looking at are that inexpensive they are probably low end. Nothing wrong with owning one, mind you, as long as you know what you are getting. I searched long and hard for a good, affordable double and finally had to settle on one that was nearly 80 years old at a price of close to $300. If you want a good double, that might be the way to go. The big advantage of a double, of course, is getting a different choke on each barrel... open on one barrel for close fast shots, and a little tighter on the other for longer shots.

Most of my shotguns are 12 gauge. I have one 20 gauge and really enjoy shooting it. It is a plain, run-of-the-mill Remington 870 Express picked up at WalMart. It weighs about 1 pound less than my Wingmaster 12 gauge. I would rate perceived recoil in the two guns as about equal. I like the 20 gauge because it is easy to handle (lighter, sure, but the forearm is also slimmer) and I appreciate the extra challenge of slightly less shot going down range.

Check out Chuck Hawk's Shotgun page if you are going to shop around for a good used gun:

http://www.chuckhawks.com/index2c.shotguns.htm

 

[KC&97TA]

I'm new to shooting Trap, but really likeing it, been shooting 20's on average and have been trying my hand at Skeet too, alot of moveing parts there, I'm more into just shooting Trap, Skeet is fun and more challenging and I give it a try from time to time when the Skeet Range isn't busy.

I started out with a S&W 1000, I'm haveing a "Love-Dislike" relationship with it lattely, but the last 2 outings and 100 rounds have gone down perfect. I got it used for a little less than $300 out the door, so it wasn't too expensive, Remmy autos are about the same price in good shape used.

My personal preference is the auto-loader, I don't have to mess with anything, put a few rounds in and go. But it has a gas system that needs to be cleaned and can be a pain in the butt.

One other thing I've began to like is being able to change out the chokes w/o tools, mine stick out the end of the barrel and screw out by hand. I like to start out my first round with a FULL choke and then my second move to a MODIFIED, which some people tell me is back wards. And if I shoot Skeet use the Cyl.

I'm thinking about haveing the bead sites changed out with some kind of orange thing up front, haven't done it though.

I've shot beside guys with $30k guns and guys with Remmy 870's, the O/U seems to be more popular, I think one day I'll move that way just so I don't have to go back and pick up the emptys.

The old guys tell me you can get the job done with any style shotgun, till you're 60 years old, then you need something that will absorb the recoil. They also tell me to keep it simple and that's why so many use a O/U.

 

[BozemanMT]

When I take newbies out, I like to give them a O/U to shoot.
it's very simple manual of arms and more importantly, it allows me and others to see that it's unloaded and open. Harder to do that with a pump.

Also a pump gives a little bit more for people to think about than just shooting the bird.

 

[flashman70]

Agree with Bozeman. I went trap shooting with a friend on Sunday for the (my) first time. Although I have an old High Standard pump at home, I rented an O/U. It made everyone around me at ease and kept things simple for me. Now I'm hooked and have to keep telling myself, "You don't have to have an over/under shotgun!" But those Beretta Onyx look so nice..