Want to start clay pigeon shooting. Need basics info from all you experts

[Pinecone]

Trap shooters will probably give you a hard time. They get upset at the most minor things.

Sporting clays people tend to not care. As long as you are not an a**.

 

[trickg]

I don't have much to contribute to this along the lines of "expert" advice, but I know that my Dad and I used to have a really nice time shooting, "bluerocks," as my Dad liked to call them. For us the process was pretty simple - we'd pull up at this place we'd go to, set everything out on the tailgate (we had two MTM 100 round shotshell boxes, full of shells, a box of clay pigeons, one or two shotguns and hand thrower) and we'd take turns throwing and shoot, 10 apiece, loosely keeping score, although as often as not, doing it that way it wasn't unusual to go 10 for 10.

We reloaded shotshells too - we had a pair of MEC Sizemaster presses, so getting more practice ammo was as simple as making sure the powder and shot towers stayed full, and that we had primers and wads.

Again, not expert advice, and certainly not anything along the lines of going to a trap/skeet/clays range, but it sure was a lot of fun.

 

[Scarab]

I don't have much to contribute to this along the lines of "expert" advice, but I know that my Dad and I used to have a really nice time shooting, "bluerocks," as my Dad liked to call them. For us the process was pretty simple - we'd pull up at this place we'd go to, set everything out on the tailgate (we had two MTM 100 round shotshell boxes, full of shells, a box of clay pigeons, one or two shotguns and hand thrower) and we'd take turns throwing and shoot, 10 apiece, loosely keeping score, although as often as not, doing it that way it wasn't unusual to go 10 for 10.

We reloaded shotshells too - we had a pair of MEC Sizemaster presses, so getting more practice ammo was as simple as making sure the powder and shot towers stayed full, and that we had primers and wads.

Again, not expert advice, and certainly not anything along the lines of going to a trap/skeet/clays range, but it sure was a lot of fun.

Not training for an Olympic team so FUN is the order of the day! If it's not FUN I'm not going to continue doing it. And, there is a direct correlation between the number of aloof, pompous, unfriendly douchebags present and the fun-level at an event. Hopefully those types aren't drawn to trap/skeet/whatever shooting.

Scarab

 

[PapiBarcelona]

I did see the trapper girl at Harvey's Cedar in Darlington bark at a guy who was loading way too many shells.

16 yard singles, most people only load 1.

 

[Vile Shadow]

Not training for an Olympic team so FUN is the order of the day! If it's not FUN I'm not going to continue doing it. And, there is a direct correlation because the number of aloof, pompous, unfriendly douchebags present and the fun-level at an event. Hopefully those types aren't drawn to trap/skeet/whatever shooting.

Scarab

Unfortunately, they are.

To the class of people you describe, part of the point of trap shootin' is to let everybody else know that their boom stick is worth more than their car and is therefore better than yours.

 

[fabsroman]

Unfortunately, they are.

To the class of people you describe, part of the point of trap shootin' is to let everybody else know that their boom stick is worth more than their car and is therefore better than yours.

Nope, you have that wrong. They want to let you know that their boom stick is worth more than your car and their car is worth more than your house.

Honestly, you find that kind of BS in almost everything. End of the day, it comes down to finding people that are like minded and good hearted.

There are also the ones that like to rub it in that they shot better than you.

I always like to think "small member, he probably has a ton of debt, and his home life probably sucks."

Then again, that is why I usually try to shoot with my own group when I go out shooting. We already know who the pricks are. lol

 

[PapiBarcelona]

I don't think the behavior of the stereotype is limited to one particular clay discipline like Fabs is saying. Its more obvious I think in this area as trap is most common, I guess because of space and cost.

I've gotten squaded up with quite a few over the top, real serious weekend warrior sporting clay hero's. I try my best to be diplomatic but I'm not really a scorecard guy. Could care less, I keep mental score to know if I'm on it or not. Do my best if I'm marking for someone else

I even had one guy cop an attitude/snarky comments about me not seeing his 1/2 inch chips. Keep it up, I'll mark all your dead targets as 0's when you pass me the clipboard. LOL

 

[fabsroman]

I don't think the behavior of the stereotype is limited to one particular clay discipline like Fabs is saying. Its more obvious I think in this area as trap is most common, I guess because of space and cost.

I've gotten squaded up with quite a few snarky, real serious weekend warrior sporting clay hero's. I try my best to be diplomatic but I'm not really a scorecard guy. Could care less, I keep mental score to know if I'm on it or not.

I even had one guy cop an attitude/snarky comments about me not seeing his 1/2 inch chips. Keep it up, I'll mark all your dead targets as 0's when you pass me the clipboard. LOL

lol - I keep score for myself, and myself only. Lately, I haven't really even been keeping score when I shoot sporting clays. I can tell whether I am doing well or not.

As far as the guy moaning about you missing his 1/2" chips, I would tell him to get more on target so it is clear as day and 20/10 vision isn't needed to catch that flake of dust.

I usually shoot with my dad, brothers, and a friend or two. We know what to expect and we usually have a great time at the range. Yes, we are slightly competitive, but nobody gets bent out of shape when they get beat. We were the same way in sports as we were growing up.

 

[PapiBarcelona]

I try to let all that stuff roll off, but it is fun to bring up on topic that some people just take shooting for fun a little too serious in my opinion.

I don't mind being competitive but keep the 'tude somewhere else, I've been trying real hard to dial way down how I take personal comments.

 

[fabsroman]

I try to let all that stuff roll off, but it is fun to bring up on topic that some people just take shooting for fun a little too serious in my opinion.

I don't mind being competitive but keep the 'tude somewhere else, I've been trying real hard to dial way down how I take personal comments.

Shoot with people you enjoy shooting with or shoot with a bunch of complete strangers that will think twice before giving you any grief. Life is too short to shoot or hunt with people you cannot stand. Same goes for cutting firewood, working on cars, riding bikes, or whatever else you do in life. If somebody is a friend of yours and shooting with them drives you nuts, then have a talk with them about it.

 

[possumman]

Come up to Littlestown F&G this Saturday and give it a shot www.sportingclayandtrap.org

 

[Pinecone]

My experience is that trap shooters are the worst overall. Skeet less so, and most sporting clays people are pretty cool. Not all in each area are like that, but it tends that way. I have shot with cool trap shooters and some d**ks in sporting clays.

My wife and I like to mess with trap shooters. We shoot low gun (gun not mounted to the shoulder). We step out of their timing (trap rounds tend to have a cadence). Just for fun.

 

[STeveZ]

You can find a nearby range here.

http://www.claytargetsonline.com/list.php/MD

Do a little research, maybe call ahead with questions, show up, shoot, let people know you're new to clay shooting and enjoy.

There will be experts who will preach to you about all aspects of the sport. Take it in, keep what's useful, discard the rest.

Some may be unfriendly, a lot of ranges have regulars that can be cliquey, that's OK. Someone is almost certain to go out of their way to help you if you ask.

You may shoot poorly at first, that's OK too. The other guys have shot thousands if not tens of thousands of rounds in their lifetime.

Your barrel (length) is not suited to clay shooting. Don't let that stop you but do consider a different barrel or gun if you continue to shoot (I'd suggest a gas-operated Beretta). Also be aware that it will be LOUD and your squad mates probably won't like that. If that's the case acknowledge it, apologize in advance and carry on.

I'm very grateful that I started shooting with a group of experienced & patient shooters who took the time to teach me the finer points of gun safety and range etiquette while keeping it light and fun. I hope you have a similar experience.

 

[possumman]

Oxford Gun Club now has 100 bird sporting clay option --apparently all that lead they recycled paid for a bunch of new traps. I shot yesterday with a father and son - a masterclass shooter and couple of younger guys and a girl for whom this was her first try at sporting clays. All had a good time including the first time shooter who was breaking some by the end. In other words- if you have never done this before -show up - you will be treated nicely and have a good time. Advice is free and some of it is good.

 

[El_flasko]

Oxford is a great time for sure and the 100 round course was great when I went thru with PJ a couple weeks back.

 

[possumman]

Mayberry Game Protective Assn is having a benefit shoot for 4H Hotshots tomorrow starting at 9am 1round of 5stand and one round of sporting clays 75birds total for $25 -- nice course - newbie friendly ---and usually barbecuing burgers and Italian sausages not a bad place to try it out and watch some kids shoot.

 

[rico903]

Not training for an Olympic team so FUN is the order of the day! If it's not FUN I'm not going to continue doing it. And, there is a direct correlation because the number of aloof, pompous, unfriendly douchebags present and the fun-level at an event. Hopefully those types aren't drawn to trap/skeet/whatever shooting.

Scarab

I've only ever shot for fun and it always pissed me off when I would get mated up with a clique group of old nothing else to do wannabes. I would just go to Loch Raven and shoot with whoever I was put with but there is often one douche in the group that is a Nazi. I just laugh and say I didn't realize this was a sanctioned match. If you're in CC I believe there is a trap club just past Liberty Resevoir. I believe they have open shoots Thursday nites. For a good all around experience go to PG County Trap and skeet and shoot trap, skeet and sporting clays to get a feel for the different disciplines. I pretty much stuck to trap because it was the easiest and most enjoyable for me. Give it a try, it's a lot of fun.

 

[Scarab]

Does anyone like the Ruger Red Label O/U shotguns?

Scarab

 

[Augie]

Does anyone like the Ruger Red Label O/U shotguns?

Scarab

Stay away from the Red Label, as far as I know it has been discontinued again. Owners on Shotgun World posted multiple problems and having to send guns back many times.
I would go with a good condition used Browning or Beretta before a new Red Label.
It's a shame as I was hoping Ruger would get it right this time and we would have an option for a low cost quality O/U.

 

[Pinecone]

My take is, good field gun, but not a good gun for clays sports.

Clays sports have you shooting a LOT. A typical day is 50 to 100 or more shots. I have personally shot 250 round days.

A field gun might not shoot that much in a season or even several seasons.