Shotguns and trap question

[ScreaminEagle]

Forgive me for posting this in the rifles section, but we really need a shotgun section.

That being said, I'm going to start shooting trap on Sun mornings. Tomorrow will be my frist time, and I'd like to not suck it up! Any tips would be greatly appreciated. I'm not sure what choke I should be shooting.

I will be shooting my Benelli SBE w/ 28" barrel
I have CYL, IMP, MOD, IMP MOD, and FULL choke tubes

Thanks in advance, Steve

 

[LD375]

Forgive me for posting this in the rifles section, but we really need a shotgun section.

That being said, I'm going to start shooting trap on Sun mornings. Tomorrow will be my frist time, and I'd like to not suck it up! Any tips would be greatly appreciated. I'm not sure what choke I should be shooting.

I will be shooting my Benelli SBE w/ 28" barrel
I have CYL, IMP, MOD, IMP MOD, and FULL choke tubes

Thanks in advance, Steve

I use modified choke in my Beretta :grin: ..it's alot of fun, just lead that clay bird and shoot..if you miss a few, don't worry, i'm sure there well be others there that well help you out for sure..enjoy, and have fun..Lou

 

[BK]

Assuming you will be shooting at the 16 yard line, I think you should be able to get away with modified. The one time I shot handicap, I failed miserably.

As an aside, the most abuse I have ever taken from a gun was a round of trap with my buddy's .410 pump that whacked my cheekbone at every shot. The two boxes of 3" magnum steel loads I shot through my 12 ga. 870 that morning probably didn't help, either.

 

[Polaris]

I would start with modified until you get a bit dialed in and can call your misses. Then switch to full and it will make you a better shooter. Shoot a 1 1/8 oz load of 8's or 8 1/2 if you can find them to fill in that mod. pattern. After you switch to full, a 1 oz load of 8s will crack birds nicely and be softer on your shoulder and wallet.

I could write a lot on this subject, I'd recommend getting a book on the shotgun games.

A few basic pointers will have to suffice. You're not shooting a rifle, don't hold it like one. I see many guys step up to the line, square their feet and lean back as if firing the offhand stage in a highpower match. That is the opposite approach to what you need for scattergunning.

Point your lead foot at the trap house, hold your bead a foot or 2 above the house slightly left of house at station one, slightly right at 5 and midway at 2 and 4. Lean forward slightly, your center of gravity should be over your lead knee.

Follow through is the most important skill in trapshooting. EVERY shot, follow the missed bird or largest piece all the way to the ground until following through on your shot becomes permenatly hardwired in your brain. If you don't do this, you will shoot behind lots of birds.

You tend to need an over lead in trap. Lots of straightaways are missed this way. Pattern your gun, if it balances high you may be good, if balance of pattern is centered you'll need to hold a higher bead or cover rising birds to get hits. Lead on hard crossing station 1 and 5 is about 3', FOLLOW THROUGH.

Good luck

 

[ScreaminEagle]

I would start with modified until you get a bit dialed in and can call your misses. Then switch to full and it will make you a better shooter. Shoot a 1 1/8 oz load of 8's or 8 1/2 if you can find them to fill in that mod. pattern. After you switch to full, a 1 oz load of 8s will crack birds nicely and be softer on your shoulder and wallet.

I could write a lot on this subject, I'd recommend getting a book on the shotgun games.

A few basic pointers will have to suffice. You're not shooting a rifle, don't hold it like one. I see many guys step up to the line, square their feet and lean back as if firing the offhand stage in a highpower match. That is the opposite approach to what you need for scattergunning.

Point your lead foot at the trap house, hold your bead a foot or 2 above the house slightly left of house at station one, slightly right at 5 and midway at 2 and 4. Lean forward slightly, your center of gravity should be over your lead knee.

Follow through is the most important skill in trapshooting. EVERY shot, follow the missed bird or largest piece all the way to the ground until following through on your shot becomes permenatly hardwired in your brain. If you don't do this, you will shoot behind lots of birds.

You tend to need an over lead in trap. Lots of straightaways are missed this way. Pattern your gun, if it balances high you may be good, if balance of pattern is centered you'll need to hold a higher bead or cover rising birds to get hits. Lead on hard crossing station 1 and 5 is about 3', FOLLOW THROUGH.

Good luck

Thanks man. Sounds like you know your stuff. I have the mod choke in the gun now. I'll be shooting AA 7 1/2 shot cause that's what I got. I'll give a report tomorrow. Thanks again to everyone.
Steve

 

[Teknys]

Just relax, you have all the time in the world to make the shot. Previous post is the correct for setup shooting high gun (already on shoulder). I shoot low gun which works for me. Bringing the gun to the shoulder sets up my swing and lead. Most important no matter what is DON'T stop the gun - follow thru.

If you want a faster game, try Skeet or Skeet Doubles. Now that is fun shooting.

 

[BK]

If you want a faster game, try Skeet or Skeet Doubles. Now that is fun shooting.

Yeah... I shot trap for a while, but it seemed more like a social event, rather than a shooting game. I like skeet, but I really like sporting clays. I could see clays cutting into my rifle range time if I was at home more.

 

[ScreaminEagle]

Thanks for you advice guys. I shot two rounds this morning and just had a blast! I think I've been bitten by the bug. That's all i need is another hobby.

Anyway I shot a 17 and a 21. That being my first time, I'm pretty pleased

 

[BK]

Not bad at all!

 

[Polaris]

So how'd ya do? We can't only post the good scores here you know :wink:

 

[JD338]

We used to shoot skrap which was trap from the skeet positions. Low scores were the norm and it seperated the men from the boys. I don't think I ever got more than 15.

JD338

 

[onesonek]

I personally wouldn't go less than mod. ,, swtich to full past the 20yd line. But that's my opinion only.
I shot full on all,,,,,swing, cover, squeeze,,,, they turn to smoke.