Watched trap all day today

[Sven]

I was the trap officer today for 8 hours up at Sunnyvale Rod and Gun Club... sat and watched folks fight the clay pigeons. I kept score in the morning, learned how to operate the thrower, and then at least learned how to replenish the 'birds' and stack the boxes.

Two 'regulars' showed up and shot, and shot... this one guy had what looked like a bionic stock for his shotgun. No wood on the stock... just metal with all these movable parts (a weight, etc)... I was like, 'woah there - space shotgun!'

Some very fun folks out shooting. Didn't see a single person shoot a 25.

100 degrees outside and in, in Northern CA.... the birds were really rising over a thermal just below the station. Interesting to note how the bird shifts in flight in near misses... never saw that before. Judging by the way the bird moves as the shot passes, you can tell how it was missed.

Fun spectator sport!

out,

-s

 

[Dave McCracken]

It's a WHOLE lot more fun as a participant, Sven! Grab an 870 and go get 'em...

That Robostock was probably a Precision Fit Stock. These adjustable thingies are quite the fashion accesory for trapshooters. A recoil system is built in, along with adjustments for everything you can think of. Current price, about $1200. It's a status symbol as well as a fully adjustable stock.

Rocking of the target also occurs when it's hit by one or two pellets and not broken. Les Greevy spent some time at his range picking up unbroken targets and noted many had one or two holes and skid marks on them. The old saw about needing three pellet hits seems to have more truth than rumor.

 

[45R]

Hey Sven-

Wanna go shooting. The 870 is getting hungry again...and I just took her out last night!!! Clay busting is sooo fun!! I still have some clays left from the last shoot!!!


45R

 

[Sven]

45R: Clays left over = sign that we didn't bring enough ammo last time!

Dave: Will do... had an offer to shoot a single-shot Berreta (that was for sale), but the mood didn't strike me.

I took my 'free time' and worked on the reactive targets at 25 yards with my pistol. Shock! Horror! I like shooting pistols AND shotguns! Only joking... just seems that many of the trap guys are 'purely trap guys' and don't shoot pistols/rifles, and vice versa.

 

[Telperion]

Sven, sounds like you had a lot of fun. All this about blasting clay pigeons has me kinda excited. I'll have to come early and try it at the next THR shoot!

 

[Dave McCracken]

I like handguns and rifles too, Sven. I don't shoot handguns all that much anymore, even after the surgery I've trouble seeing the sights. I could still pass a qualifier, but it's not the same.

Busting clays is as much fun as anyone can have fully dressed. The instant gratification of making clays explode is fun and great stress relief.

I know a few trapshooters who shoot nothing else, but by and large most have a variety of firearms.