Problems with the Shotgun

S

SportsDoc

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Im pretty new to shooting Shotgun and brand new to this forum. I started shooting a couple of years ago and have not really turned the corner with my skill. I don't like to go shoot because I'm that bad.

I shoot a 12 gauge with a modified choke. Any suggestions on what I can do to improve my performance in shooting skeet/trap and birds?

Thanks for the help.
 
Go to the range with someone who is skilled at diagnosing problems. More often than not, the problem is with a shooters form but you could also have a shotgun that does not fit you well. Either way, someone needs to watch you shoot to help figure it out.

One thing you do need to do on your own though is to pattern your gun. Go to the range (or any play you can shoot). Use a very large piece of paper or cardboard, mark a small bullseye that you can easily see, and shoot one shot from a measured 30 yds. Note where the shot pattern goes. Knowing that your particular gun shoots high or low, etc. goes a long way.
 
Any suggestions on what I can do to improve my performance in shooting skeet/trap and birds?
Click to expand...

A fitting and a few lessons would help - better to spend that money upfront and learn proper technique than to spend that money later to UNLEARN the improper form and technique that would by then be ingrained in your muscle memory.

What type of gun? Pump, Semi? or???

Mod is a tad tight for skeet, just about perfect for trap and would depend on what birds in what terrain
 
Greetings SportsDoc, and welcome aboard.

You are not alone, but few man-up and admit their lack of shotgun prowess. I suspect this is why so many new guns become closet queens. I agree with my friend, oneounceload, start with a coach who can verify your gun's fit and get you well founded in the fundamentals. Then, it's just a matter of trigger time and gaining experience.
 
Good advice so far.

When I take new shooters out, the very first thing I check is eye dominance.

Second is fit. There's plenty in the archives on both.

I'm in Central MD. If by some chance you're close I'd be glad to take you out and shoot some clays.....
 
Its very tough for any of us to give you much in the way of tips via the internet - mostly because none of us have seen you shoot. Without seeing you shoot - there could be all kinds of fundamental issues / or it could just be one or two things....

Honestly, the best advice I can give you - is go to a local club / talk to some of the shooters - make a few friends / figure out a few guys that will help you out - figure out the mentality of the shooters that you want to help you out .../ get some pointers ...and just relax. The good thing about the shooting sports ...is even if you miss / you aren't holding up the sqaud ( like you might in a golf foursome ) ...and lots of guys will help you out if you ask.

We all had to start somewhere ...and work our way up into these games. All of these games look easy - but there are no easy targets on a Skeet, Trap or Sporting Clays field ...but once you develop some fundamentals in Skeet and Trap especially - your wing shooting skills will really improve.

and welcome ...
 
I got lucky when I first started shooting shotguns. I bought an inexpensive mossberg maverick 88 on a whim and it happened to fit me very well. I didn't even know that fit might be a problem until I bought another shotgun 7 or 8 years later. The new shotgun is a Benelli Nova with ghost ring sights. I went from being able to bust 20 clays in a row to missing 3/4 of them. I thought it was due to the ghost ring sight, but my friends had to trouble shooting it.
Turns out that the LOP was too short for me. So I bought a slip on rubber but pad and a cheek rest, it shoots great now. I still would not recommend ghost ring sights for clay shooting though.

Have you shot other shotguns?
How do you shoot with them?

What type of sights are you using?
Barrel length?
Caliber?
Shot size and weight?

These things all play a factor.

If you're trying to shoot clays with a .410 and buck shot it will obviously be harder than a 12 gauge with #7 shot :D
 
I shoot between 12 and 15 clays with my little 20 gauge with a 26" barrel.

I shoot between 17 and 20 clays with my 12 gauge with a 30" barrel.

You need a gun that fits you and has the right barrel (or choke) for what you are doing.

Most of the people shooting Trap and Skeet will gladly give you pointers. There is no money on the line, no one wins a prize for breaking the most. Seems to be a very friendly sport. Wish I knew about this a long time ago. Trying to make-up for lost time myself. I have shot about 20 cases worth of shells in the last few months. :D
 
Like said above - where are you? If near here - be glad to meet up and take you to my range for a little shooting session. I can help you check pattern, fit, and eye - and then start you on skeet or trap. You get going and want professional help - that is not me bud... I just like to shoot the occasional club shoot and stuff.
 
You will find a class with a competent instructor will help tremendously.

One of the guys I got to the range with a lot after work hated shot guns as well because for him shooting 10 out of 100 clays was good. He took 2 classes and now hits about 75% of the clay he shoots.

I am not saying it will make you in to a professional shooter, but it will make it so you are not afraid to show your face when people want to shoot shot guns. No mater how good you are there is all ways room to improve!
 
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