Went Trap Shooting
 

What a blast!

The first time I've shot a gun in 15 years and I had a safe, fun time.

I shot three rounds (25 shots each), my best score was 20 out of 25. My first round I got 5. I switched from an improved to a modified choke and my scores got better. I need to get a full choke. It was 33º and the wind was really blowing. I didn't even think about the cold after my first shot...

Then we headed to the indoor range. I spent the first half hour adjusting the scope on my .22. I also got to shoot my friend's Ruger 22 revolver (first time I ever shot a handgun) and his Uzi (semi-auto version). We weren't allowed to use his AR-15 in the indoor range.

Try Skeet, trap is not as challenging in my opinion.

yeah skeet is much, much harder.

When trap is no longer challenging for me, I will try skeet.

What's the difference?

I'll second that. I shoot a couple of rounds of trap every week I hit 20-25 every round. One week I tried skeet....whole different game. I hit maybe 8 on my first round. They "say" skeet is the easiest once you "get it". Try sporting clays too ..it's like going hunting but all you have to clean when you get home is your gun. The one I go to is like a great walk in the woods. You can even take your dog with you to get him out and used to the gun. Imp. and mod chokes are best for skeet. Full is best for trap. 5 stand is best with an outoloader..etc. Pretty soon you with have a LOT of shotguns.

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Sporting clays is alot of fun! I now spent most of my shooting time at the local indoor range with my Beretta and Sig pistols, but skeet and sporting clays is a hoot and I enjoy it, but there aren't many local places to shoot unless you join an expensive club...

In trap, the targets are launched from a single low house in the center. The pigeons fly away from you. There are five shooting positions in a semi-circle around the house. You shoot five shots from one position, then move to the next position on your right. A full round is 25 shots.

In skeet, there are two houses, a low and a high house to the right and left of the shooting area respectively. Pigeons are launched and fly across the shooting area. IIRC, a pigeons is launched from the low house, then they high house, then both. I'm not sure of the shooting positions in skeet.

my club is $75.00 a year, and they give you an elecltronic key so you can go anytime you like. Of course if you are there by yourself you have to set it up and put it away but it takes no time to set up the trap house.

A couple of tips:
Sight with BOTH eyes. It's not like a rifle or pistol. It's called using a "common eye"
With trap, when you start, aim the gun at the top of the trap house, then call for the bird.
Also with trap, try to obscure the bird with the tip of the barrel rather than use the the sight. If you see it you'll miss it. If you notice trap guns have a very raised rib. That is to compensate.
Once you get used to the pattern the house throws you will be better prepared for where it will be going.
The two end stations are the hardest.

Skeet: There are two houses that hold devices known as "traps" that launch the targets, one at each corner of the semi-circle. The traps launch the targets to a point 15 feet above ground and 18 feet outside of station 8. One trap launches targets from 10 feet above the ground ("high" house) and the other launches it from 3 feet above ground ("low" house). At stations 1 and 2 the shooter shoots at single targets launched from the high house and then the low house, then shoots a double where the two targets are launched simultaneously. At stations 3, 4, and 5 the shooter shoots at single targets launched from the high house and then the low house. At stations 6 and 7 the shooter shoots at single targets launched from the high house and then the low house, then shoots a double. At station 8 the shooter shoots one high target and one low target. The shooter must reshoot his first missed target, or if no targets are missed, must shoot his 25th shell at the low house station 8. This 25th shot was once referred to as the shooter's option as he was able to take it where he preferred. Now, to speed up rounds in competition, the shooter must shoot the low 8 twice for a perfect score.

Skeet: There are two houses that hold devices known as "traps" that launch the targets, one at each corner of the semi-circle. The traps launch the targets to a point 15 feet above ground and 18 feet outside of station 8. One trap launches targets from 10 feet above the ground ("high" house) and the other launches it from 3 feet above ground ("low" house). At stations 1 and 2 the shooter shoots at single targets launched from the high house and then the low house, then shoots a double where the two targets are launched simultaneously. At stations 3, 4, and 5 the shooter shoots at single targets launched from the high house and then the low house. At stations 6 and 7 the shooter shoots at single targets launched from the high house and then the low house, then shoots a double. At station 8 the shooter shoots one high target and one low target. The shooter must reshoot his first missed target, or if no targets are missed, must shoot his 25th shell at the low house station 8. This 25th shot was once referred to as the shooter's option as he was able to take it where he preferred. Now, to speed up rounds in competition, the shooter must shoot the low 8 twice for a perfect score.

So trap and skeet use the same "clay" it's just a different setup.??

Trap is fun.
Skeet is hard.
Skeet is a Scottish word for fck!
:D

Yes, all the shooting games use the same "bird" but different set ups or deliveries. I think "wobble" trap/skeet uses a special bird that looks like a knock off hub, has little wings on each side. Never shot though.

You got that right!

With both games, you want to put the shot where the bird is going to be, not where it was when your brain said pull the trigger! On skeet, you basically shoot the round into the bird on the 1&7 house , but as you progress around the semi-circle you want to lead the bird more at stations 2-4, about 18" to 4-5 feet as you progress one stations 2-4, then reduce the lead correspondingly to stations 5-7. Warmed up and in practice I can get in the 20's on skeet. I also use a tighter (skeet ll choke on the outgoing birds and a skeet I on the incoming birds. You always shoot the outgoing bird, regardless of station first, cause it ain't getting any closer over time. I use a 12 gauge, Browning Sitori over under. Walmarts is a great place to buy shells, I buy 12 gauge 8 shot, 1-1/8 dram shell. I need to go more often, especially since I can shoot for free cause my son works at the range.

Well described Hugh. My "shooter" is an SKB 200E SXS. Although I usually drag an old Lefever or Ithaca along for fun, and to keep the old girls limber. This week I took an old N.R. Davis 20 ga. SXS. Now THAT made it interesting!
I agree Walmart has the best prices and ammo. 100 pack for $16.00 here.

Why are my scores better with paper hulls?

we call the middle stage in skeet here where the clay is incoming "landing it in the boat." If you are really good you can hit the clay directly above you. Disclaimer: You will taste some clay!

On a serious note though, trap is not as technical as skeet. And since I dont have an over and under or a double I can't easily shoot skeet. In my opinion the hardest positions in trap is when you are on the far right and the bird goes to the right. I hate having to pull the gun, I move the shotgun so slow. I do cheat though...I use an 20 gauge 870 "youth". VERY short barrel.

Here is a very indepth read about the differences between skeet and trap

Hugh and Targa,
Either of you two shoot any trap with 410? With 20 gauge I average around 21/25 a round. With 410 I am lucky if I make 10. Makes it pretty difficult.

Yes I have. A guy I used to shoot with has a Winchester 9410. He let me shoot a box through it once. Fun gun. Your right it sure makes it dicey. I grew up shooting a .410 and used to back my Dad up when he was shooting his 12 ga Browning A5! .410 doubles avery pricey these days. Must be because we are all getting too old to swing 12's anymore.