How many rounds per session?

youngun

New member
I kick out 20 rounds, and I'm done....
As my form improves, I'm sure I'll get more in, but don't think I'll ever get up to 2- 300 rounds like with my handgun.

What's a goodly number for practice, say every other w/e?
 
What type of ammo are you shooting? Everyone has different recoil tolerances but 20 rounds does seem a bit low for target ammo and even medium power buckshot. Also if you think that your form might need some work it would do some good to check out this thread. http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11646&highlight=Form

You can find plenty more info here, just do a search in this forum for the word Form and by username Dave McC and you'll get plenty of good (although pro-870 :))advise.

It's also nice to see another pacific northwest gun nut on the forums. Sure you are from Oregon, but I won't hold it against you. Most people consider Portland close enough to be counted as part of Vancouver anyway :).

Sincerely,
Adam
 
Erick nailed it. Shoot what you're comfortable with. And all too often, more rounds can mean mistakes getting grooved in and flinches built.

However,handle your shotgun frequently, not every other weekend. With it KNOWN TO BE EMPTY, of course. Mount it and swing it a few times every day. Have a friend who reloads make you up some dummy rounds, with shot and wad, heavily crimped, but no powder nor primer, and use those to practice loading,unloading,and so on. I suggest using trash hulls way different than your normal loads, like those orange or pink Fiocchis.

Handle your shotgun until it feels natural, shoot it a comfortable amount and use good form. Then one day soon a clay will explode in front of you, you'll note that so did the last 20 or so and it feels as natural as breathing. Or, depending on where you're going with this, you deal swift and certain death to a Q/Tombstone/bowling pin target and realize you're now dangerous to only the right people....
 
Well, I think I've already read most of Dave's stuff (thank you, sir) and have an idea of what to work on [incedentally, I'm also pretty biased toward the 870].

These were buckshot, I forget which, that I bought at the range, though I also shot some birdshot that was considerably lighter.

When I wrote last night, I thought my shoulder was going to be wrecked today.
A wee bit sore, but nothing to talk about.
I'll shoot more next w/e, and not worry so much.
-That's the reason I stopped at the range; didn't want to explain to Da Man that I couldn't work because of shotgun arm!

Adam, sorry, though I am certainly a gun nut (ask the wife), actually I'm from Tennessee.
My wife's in grad school here in Portland, so I'll be around for at least a few years, but then most likely back to Colorado, my real home.
(Let's hope they get "shall issue" laws before then!)

Got our first real snow here yetserday and today.
Feels like winter.
 
You're very welcome, Youngun.

Suggestion....

Vary your routine every couple of sessions. Shoot some clays, maybe some trap, maybe a couple close/sudden Practical COFs. And, for most of this, use light target or field loads. Each "Serious" session should have some "Serious" ammo used, but light stuff is cheaper and easier on you until you're grooved in.

HTH....
 
hehe dave :)

i did some "serious" shotgunning the other day with my 870-i bought some winchester rifled slugs and shot them while my little brothers were shooting 22's and air rifles :)-thier FUN lol-i shot 15 in a row and i actualy felt them unlike the light loads-but it didnt hurt-i went bak into town and got to wrestling practice 10 minutes late ;) lol
 
A definite difference between buckshot and birdshot practice.

I shot 300 rounds yesterday, but it was all 3 dram 1 1/8 oz. 7.5s through a Beretta 390 that fits me like a glove. I could have shot more, but my wallet starts to scream too much at the sporting clays range when I get much over that. :D
 
When my buds and I go out clay hunting, we usually go through 200 shells of genreal purpose Federal or Winchester. It does not seem to matter if there are two or three of us shooting, we always go through the two boxes. Of course the fact that I always bring the ammo (and the clays) and I only bring two boxes may have something to do with this. ;)
One thing for sure though. This winter shooting sure makes the day after easier. A sweater under a coat makes a fine pad. I worry that my form may be suffering as my mount is much less critical (as far as pain infliction goes) under a heavy coat.
Mike
 
A few slugs are a good way to use up some fun targets. Two liter soda bottles filled with water work, so do balloons.

Back in my younger days, my hunting buds and I would roll an old tire with a piece of cardboard in the center down hill and try to hit it. Somehting like that rabbit target at SC, only with slugs. Loser bought the beer. It'd be hard to do that now, with less room.

Old beer cans shot Sundance and Butch style are fun too, try kicking them across a finish line.

Keep it safe, keep it fun, and watch your proficiency climb....
 
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