Want to try sporting clays

[entropy]

It wasn't a dog in my case but a first time duck hunter. The first, last and only time I will hunt from a canoe.

 

[Seedy Character]

Sporting Clays was developed and designed to simulate HUNTING situations.

Why would anyone doubt using a pump gun?
The very gun millions HUNT with.

 

[CoalTrain49]

I shot SC a few times with a 12 ga sxs Merkel (IC/mod fixed). Guys were changing tubes and a few had a hard time believing I was shooting the course with a fixed choke bird gun. There were 5 guys in my squad and my score was higher than three of them. Go figure. If you use fixed chokes go with IC or IM.

Originally all of these games were invented to hone ones skill in the field. SC is very diverse in that way and probably comes closer to real field shooting than trap or skeet. Some ranges will configure the traps to throw different presentations but mostly it's a standard setup.

Don't be intimidated by other shooters. It's just a game until you become a serious competitor. Eventually, if you like the game enough you will purchase a shotgun that is more appropriate for the game. Probably an auto loader or O/U with tubes. Hint. An auto loader can double as a field gun very nicely but an O/U is the competitors clays gun. If you don't believe that go to a state championship and take note of the different types of shotguns being used.

Long time bird hunter and occasional clays shooter here.

 

[CoalTrain49]

Sporting Clays was developed and designed to simulate HUNTING situations.

Why would anyone doubt using a pump gun?
The very gun millions HUNT with.

I used to hunt a lot. At one time I probably had 7 shotguns. I sold all but 2 because I no longer hunt or shoot clays. In my safe now is an 870 which I purchased new in 1970 and a 100 year old British sxs with 2.5" chambers. That's after owning and shooting some very expensive shotguns.

So yeah, it's become golf with a shotgun, which is sad IMO.

 

[Weflyfast]

Don't agree one single bit.

No no no..... You are going to shoot for fun....for practice....and to have a good time.....NOT TO COMPETE IN INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION...
...you go shoot a gun you have and can handle safely....ENJOY YOURSELF.... relax and and have a good time.... surround yourself with like people that encourage you and hopefully you will be encouraged to do it more......

 

[Weflyfast]

Remington 1911 is completely right.....

 

[Random 8]

I have shot at clubs/with bad groups like R1911 was replying to way back in the post. Usually in organized trap shooting. I took great joy in running around them with my bone stock field 1100 12ga! We had a certain team at my local trap club. There 2-3 leaders were the bad apples, and the other members were their devoted followers (and mostly employees so they had to be nice to the leaders). They figured it must be a problem with their Citoris and Perazzis that a country hick could show up in dirty Hi-vis from a hard days work and whip them with a stock 1100. They kept tweaking their guns, loads, accessories, techniques, and got progressively less consistent throughout the season. Was a running joke with the rest of the league who were just out there to blow off steam after a hard day's work! They really got mad when I shot a 25 with a borrowed 870 and shells stuffed in my work vest one day when I showed up in the work truck with no time to go home first and get my gear.

In every club, there are some who will shoot off their mouth. Some clubs more than others. Just ignore those ones and do your thing.

 

[Thomasss]

Have you ever tried to chamber a second round and fire it by holding down the trigger and rapidly closing the action? Some pump shotguns fire the second round that way. Some pumps do that and some don't. That can speed up your shooting on a pair.
If I were you now, get someone you trust to watch you shoot. People behind you can many times see how you mount your gun, how you swing the gun, see you on the target where you hit or miss, what part of the bird you hit, front or back; they can sometimes see your pattern. This information is very valuable for improvement.
Also remember you are there to have fun.

 

[Remington1911]

I have shot at clubs/with bad groups like R1911 was replying to way back in the post. Usually in organized trap shooting. I took great joy in running around them with my bone stock field 1100 12ga! We had a certain team at my local trap club. There 2-3 leaders were the bad apples, and the other members were their devoted followers (and mostly employees so they had to be nice to the leaders). They figured it must be a problem with their Citoris and Perazzis that a country hick could show up in dirty Hi-vis from a hard days work and whip them with a stock 1100. They kept tweaking their guns, loads, accessories, techniques, and got progressively less consistent throughout the season. Was a running joke with the rest of the league who were just out there to blow off steam after a hard day's work! They really got mad when I shot a 25 with a borrowed 870 and shells stuffed in my work vest one day when I showed up in the work truck with no time to go home first and get my gear.

In every club, there are some who will shoot off their mouth. Some clubs more than others. Just ignore those ones and do your thing.

You are right, so right. The best way to deal with people like this.

My story is along your lines but with small bore silhouette. There are people there that are just so over the top. Vests with some german gun company on the back along with their name. Scopes that cost more then my car, and patches all over, along with stickers on their car. Then when the wife and I show up with a Remington 553, and a Marlin 25n with a Tasco scope and score better then they did. For some reason their advice did not really flow after that, I am not sure why.

I really don't care if this is your hobby and you go hog wild, more power to you, we all have things we go nutz over. But when your "fun" turns into attitude, and some underhanded comments about my equipment, fella I am going to tune you out, and I will define polite. I did not even have enough "clicks" to do the 100m targets, I was holding over, took a quick look at the wind, and guessed. He could not imagine, or believe me that I could not see the ram. Only looking was going to prove it to him.

Don't ever let humans like this ruin your good time. They are generally unhappy people and only happy when they can "rub your nose" in their superiority. Generally a comment along the lines of, Gee that was not half bad, wonder how much better I would be if I lost the Marlin and bought myself an Anschutz? They are VERY expensive, oh yea they sure are, I have a 22mag, and one in 3006, but I can't play this GAME with those. No you sure can't, and he walks away.

Edit to add, his kid was worse, mid teens I guess I would say. And the attitude just oozed from them.

 

[Seedy Character]

You are right, so right. The best way to deal with people like this.

My story is along your lines but with small bore silhouette. There are people there that are just so over the top. Vests with some german gun company on the back along with their name. Scopes that cost more then my car, and patches all over, along with stickers on their car. Then when the wife and I show up with a Remington 553, and a Marlin 25n with a Tasco scope and score better then they did. For some reason their advice did not really flow after that, I am not sure why.

I really don't care if this is your hobby and you go hog wild, more power to you, we all have things we go nutz over. But when your "fun" turns into attitude, and some underhanded comments about my equipment, fella I am going to tune you out, and I will define polite. I did not even have enough "clicks" to do the 100m targets, I was holding over, took a quick look at the wind, and guessed. He could not imagine, or believe me that I could not see the ram. Only looking was going to prove it to him.

Don't ever let humans like this ruin your good time. They are generally unhappy people and only happy when they can "rub your nose" in their superiority. Generally a comment along the lines of, Gee that was not half bad, wonder how much better I would be if I lost the Marlin and bought myself an Anschutz? They are VERY expensive, oh yea they sure are, I have a 22mag, and one in 3006, but I can't play this GAME with those. No you sure can't, and he walks away.

Edit to add, his kid was worse, mid teens I guess I would say. And the attitude just oozed from them.

Those that think $$$$ will compensate for lack of skill.


Was at pistol range, as I was unloading, waiting cold range; only shooter was a 20-something with a Tec-9, spraying and praying.
He finally went cold and we walk downrange. He hangs his target, with 4 clothes pins, at 7 yards. I staple mine at the 25 yard line.

He walks by bench, when I get back he grunts, "huh, 1911, can't hit **** with those pieces of crap."

Range goes hot. He is reloading his mag.
I take aim, pew, pew, pew, pew. His 4 clothes pins disappear and target floats to the ground.

He puts Tec in case and leaves, quietly muttering.

Play your game, have fun, ignore the *****.

 

[slickshot223]

Have shot SC for ni on 10 yrs, shoot 2-3 times a month, have seen all kinds and makes of shotguns! In my area the Amish are many and they shoot pump guns!! You will do fine shooting the 870!! First time out you will laugh a lot and maybe become a bit flustered, but have fun, it's a great sport!!!
The 16ga will be much more expensive for ammo!!

 

[rg1]

First time shooting sporting clays I used my Beretta 20ga field gun with a fixed modified choke. I was pleased with my results. Felt a little out of place with most shooting special o:u’s but I had fun. Only thing was my old Beretta would not cycle light target loads. I loaded my 1 oz. Field shells first followed by the target shell. Everybody was friendly and helpful!

 

[d2wing]

I would use the 870 but feel free to try one of your other guns. A couple years ago I shot a round with a state champion, he used a $25,000 shotgun, I used a Beretta SA he loaned me and my SIL shot an old 870. We had a ball and my SIL did pretty well with his 870.
Sporting clay is great fun and the intention is that you use hunting guns. When I shot in a league I used O/U and semi-autos but I may have used a pump a couple times. Use whatever you like.
I have never ever seen anyone sneer at anyone's gun. But I imagine there could be places like that. But unlikely in my opinion.

 

[Jim Watson]

Sporting clay is great fun and the intention is that you use hunting guns.

Really?
I have shot a number of matches with rifle, pistol, and shotgun that started out with that claim - "Skeet, the gun game for the game gun" (ca 1926) - but they all ended up with specialized guns and gear tailored to the competition. You gotta be tough to stay in with a standard gun.

I have never ever seen anyone sneer at anyone's gun. But I imagine there could be places like that.

I know of a couple of instances.
There is also Internet Reverse Snobbery: "I beat them old guys and their Krieghoffs with my Mossy."

 

[d2wing]

Really?
I have shot a number of matches with rifle, pistol, and shotgun that started out with that claim - "Skeet, the gun game for the game gun" (ca 1926) - but they all ended up with specialized guns and gear tailored to the competition. You gotta be tough to stay in with a standard gun.



I know of a couple of instances.
There is also Internet Reverse Snobbery: "I beat them old guys and their Krieghoffs with my Mossy."

True enough. I tend to not worry about what other guys do and stay true to my intent, but I certainly agree with what you said. Like you said, soon after someone starts a fun shooting game, somebody makes an equipment race out of it. Kinda takes the fun out sometimes.