I want to break clay targets

L

lawnboy

New member
I need a new pastime so I'm going to learn how to break clay targets. I'm signed up for a beginner class in about a month. At one time I was fairly competent with firearms. Military background long ago. Very little shooting for last decade but within last 6 months I've taken it up again and now shoot regularly at local indoor pistol range. Trap, Skeet and 5 Stand have always sounded interesting, finally decided to give it a go.

I have a gun. Mossberg 500A 12GA. Black Synthetic. Blued. It came with both a 20in barrel and a 28in ribbed barrel with 2 beads and threaded for screw in chokes. I have a full set of chokes. It has the ribbed, tactical style forearm though. The gun has the long magazine tube, I believe it holds 8 rounds although the dowel that plugs it reduces capacity to 3.

I know it is physically possible to break clay with this gun, rudimentary though it is. My question is, after I've taken the intro class and decided if I like the sport will I find that this gun limits me in some way? What are considerations when deciding whether to stick with pump or go autoloader? Will I hurt my development or fun if I start with pump and then change to auto?

Anything helps.
 
Nothing wrong with a pump.
Some of the best exhibition shotgunners use them.
Folks win with them all the time.
Like the old saying, learn to run what ya' got.
If you really get hooked on the clay games, you will probably wind up with lots of shotguns.
Trap is best with long barrels and straight stocks, skeet is done with something different. and the sporting clay game guys use other stuff.
It's all more the shooter than the gun, anyway.
And pumps don't care what they shoot, while autoloaders can get picky.
That's my take, anyhow.
Enjoy.
 
its all about what feels good to you, try as many as you can get your hands on. The gun is only as good as the shooter... my father at 65 will still school me 9 out of 10 times with his old 870 pump when we go to the range no matter which of my autos is in my hands... no one really misses anymore, but dang that old man is fast!
 
The pump will do fine for you to get into the sport.

The manual action is a shade slower for doubles and a shorter defensive style barrel won't swing quite as well, but I'd start with what you have. Recoil can put a bit of a flinch into you, so I'd seek out some lighter loads.


Once you have some experience, you'll begin to learn what the limitations are and where those limitations are. At that point you can start looking at another gun, be it a O/U or autoloader, depending on the games you are leaning towards (a gun that's great for skeet may have a couple drawbacks for trap or sporting clays/5 stand).
 
For starting out, using the longer barrel, your pump will do just fine, especially for trap singles where you are only firing one round per target one at a time. After experiencing all three games (and sporting clays is 5-stand on a larger scale), start renting/borrowing as many guns at your club as you can. You might determine that a semi is your best bet, or it might be an O/U.

Start slow, don't get discouraged if your initial scores aren't great, maintain positive thoughts and attitudes, and most importantly - have some fun

This is a great addiction.........:D
 
These guys have tons of experience and know what they say. You don't need anything more than your Mossberg unless you persue things down the road.

I only got a Remington 870 a couple of months ago and while it has its limitations I am in no rush to get something else; one reason being it will be a while before you know what is right for you.

As for having the police style short fore stock, no big deal. I had one until recently and swapped it out for the longer sport style and only did that because my arms are just slightly on the short side and I had to reach too much for the police fore stock.

If you are wondering why folks mentioned recoil, serious clay shooters tend to shoot a lot of rounds. I got beat up buy my 870, but that may have been because I didn't have any shotgun exprience. A $20 pad and learning how to hold it properly solved the problem. Shooting lighter loads will also help until your body gets accustomed to the recoil.


Taking lessons is a good thing. As I have been learning, while many of the guns look the same, they really are set up different for different games. So unless you have plenty of money and can buy several guns, you have to find out which game you wish to persue before buying a gun designes for it.
 
Thanks for all the input all. I'll proceed with the basic pump and see where it goes. I can't wait!

As for what to put in the gun, the range where I'll be training/shooting allows "target rounds only" (their words). I have 3 boxes of Winlite AA #8 Light Target loads which were highly recommended for the class I'll be taking. I'm told that the general range of shot size for clay shooting is 7 1/2 -9 with as little charge as will get the job done. The Winlites are listed at 980fps. I'm told this is as light as it gets.

Was I properly instructed? Suggested alternatives?
 
if you can break the clays with it then u need to use it. im sure lots of guys at the clubs will let you try there guns if you ask polietly then you can find what gun you like most. im sure the gun you have now will work just fine
 
If your stone cold new to shotguns, the WinLites are real nice. A lot of guys just buy the value pack Federal and Winchesters at WalMart.

#9 shot is great for skeet, #8 is a good all purpose size and 7 1\2 is nice for the longer shots in sporting clays or shooting handicap trap.
 
I picked up the Winlites for 4.50/box at a closeout sale in a sporting goods store that is discontinuing sale of guns and ammo. I guess they normally go for about 9 bucks a box. I'll be going with whatever WalMart is selling for target loads when these run out.

I generally buy all target ammo at WalMart (9mm and 22LR). They always have some name brand American stuff and you can't beat those prices. $10.50 for a box of Federal 9mm FMJ is pretty good (I saw the Federal 12GA #8 target loads there for $21 for a 100 shell box). Unless you'll just shoot anything.
 
Those Federal Value Packs are great stuff for those who don't mind a full power target load (1 1/8 oz. of shot moving at about 1100-1200fps has a bit of kick in pump and break actions), and the price is right. If you go autoloader, definitely remember those. The Winchester value packs don't have that great a reputation, but the Remington ones seem to be decent (like the Federals).

For now, those light Winchester shells will work great- IMO, they're not as consistent as my handloads (I was shooting some of them this past Thursday, and they just seemed to vary a bit), which surprised me (supposedly, the Win AA ammo is really high quality, so maybe it was a weird batch). They'll not beat you up nor impart a flinch, and $4.50/box is a sweet price.
 
Those winlites at $4.50 a box are a steal. Around here, Orange County, CA, they go for more llik3 $9 or $10 a box (not sure but one robber wanted $10.99). That is what I bought to introduce my kid, and should have bought to introduce myslef, to the 12 gauge.
 
If you don't reload, those empty hulls are worth .08 - .010 each or about $2.50 a box..............so save them and sell them

I prefer 7/8or 1 oz at about 1200 -1250 fps.......over time you will try many types and determine what works for you
 
Your shotgun will do just fine until you want another. (It won't be long if you really get into the game.) Don't rush out and buy another gun just to "fit in" with the crowd. After you get some time on the range you will decide if you want an O/U, auto, or higher end pump.
 
Adding a mid-rib sight bead is an easy way to make your pump behave more like a target shotgun. It helps to maintain consistency when mounting the gun.

Don't concern yourself with upgrading your gun until it becomes the limiting factor in your development. Other than being a hindrance when shooting doubles, you can learn the basics with a pump. Your eventual main shooting sport will have a significant influence on your future gun selection(s). Like many, you may go from a pump to an O/U, and not consider an auto-loader.
 
Hi Zippy. I was wondering if you had been ill as I hadn't seen you posting. Anyway, I think he means that his 28" barrel has a mid rib bead, when he says it has two beads. I know the combination sets I have seen for sale came with a mid rib bead on the field barrel. His is nicer than the ones I saw at the local Big 5 in that theirs have a fixed modified 28" barrel and his uses choke tubes.
 
Klawman is correct. The 28in barrel is threaded for chokes and has the two bead setup with a mid rib bead. The middle bead is even white while the front is brass which I hear can help you naturally line them up. Its intended to be a functional hunting setup. I have all the standard chokes. It came with IC but I ordered the rest of the set from Mossberg just to have them.

The gun was a package at the local gunstore intended to cover all the shotgun bases in a basic way. You can take it to the trap/skeet range or the field with the long barrel or swap in the 20in smooth barrel and keep it by the bed for greeting intruders. I have no idea what it cost because it was a gift several years ago. My wife thought I'd like a shotgun. She was much nicer back then.
 
Suggestion: find a pattern board and see where your Mossy shoots. Most field type guns shoot flat (50/50 pattern) which is fine for game but not ideal for trap as you have to cover the "bird" with the barrel. Don't get to involved in the aftermarket fiber optic front sights. They can make your gun shoot low, they did mine. You shouldn't be aiming when shooting clay games anyway, you should be focusing on the target with the front bead out of focus (depending on your eyesight..The 28" Mossy will do you right if you do your part.
 
>>At one time I was fairly competent with firearms. Military background long ago<<

Just remember not to try and apply the same rules of rifle shooting to that of shotgun. With the latter, you're pointing rather than aiming. You'll have to get used to shooting with both eyes open as well. That's one of the hardest things for a seasoned rifle shooter to get used to. ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top