Question for trap snobs
- Thread starter Harry Callahan
- Start date
oneounceload
Moderator
The short barrel has nothing to do with the pattern, but it does hamper good swings on the targets
Often the club noise restrictions are due to outside pressures. The club I shot at while in college was out past the edge of town, now it's surrounded by homes. Now, if there's any shooting one minute after 10:00 pm or a minute before 8:00 am, rest assured someone will call the sheriff. The new neighbors would love to force the range to go away.
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I am a Trap Snob so listen to me
There is a certain level of decorum expected on a Trap Line. I mean specifically in a league. At a country club. In a match. With a club.
And some of the best shooting I've done when not using one of my work-of-art Miroku's (I have a 34" single and a 30" doubles O/U) or a laminated nickel-steel Browning BT-99 Special have been with a Mossberg 500 (with which I made Distinguished Expert), a Mossberg 590 Military & Police, and an HK/Benelli pistol-grip semi-auto.
Understand the situation, take the good-natured ribbing as well as not-so-good whispers, and make the most of it!
Gehr
There is a certain level of decorum expected on a Trap Line. I mean specifically in a league. At a country club. In a match. With a club.
And some of the best shooting I've done when not using one of my work-of-art Miroku's (I have a 34" single and a 30" doubles O/U) or a laminated nickel-steel Browning BT-99 Special have been with a Mossberg 500 (with which I made Distinguished Expert), a Mossberg 590 Military & Police, and an HK/Benelli pistol-grip semi-auto.
Understand the situation, take the good-natured ribbing as well as not-so-good whispers, and make the most of it!
Gehr
oneounceload
Moderator
Zippy made an excellent point which has been mentioned before - my local club is in the same scenario -NO shooting before 8:30, or after 5:00 - nada, zip, nil
and short barrels, while not exactly verboten, are frowned upon because of the noise issue
and short barrels, while not exactly verboten, are frowned upon because of the noise issue
seansean1444
New member
use what ya can hit the things with and call it good
Rugerismisticness
New member
Use the Remington 1100 trap model, for trap ofcoarse. Beretta 3901/391s aren't that expensive, good investment.
poortrader
New member
This is a prefect topic especially after my trap shooting experience today. I have a Winchester SX3 semi-auto which I use for a couple of other games except for trap. I didn't not know that the shells were ejecting about 10 feet to my right because in the other games that I shoot, I don't have anyone standing to the right of the ejection port. So I keep hitting the shooter to my right and I started to noticed that he would always stand back until I finished shooting. After the line was finished, one of the guy to my right's buddy came up to me with a couple of rubber bands. He said that if I cover the ejection port, my shells wouldn't pelt the shooter to the right. I thought that this was great from a safety standpoint especially because I am new to trap.
After he put the rubber band over the ejection port, he made a comment about how shooters out there had expensive shotguns. So, that comment really annoyed me.
Would the guy that made the comment fit into your Trap Snob category??
After he put the rubber band over the ejection port, he made a comment about how shooters out there had expensive shotguns. So, that comment really annoyed me.
Would the guy that made the comment fit into your Trap Snob category??
TheKlawMan
Moderator
The offering the rubber bands was fine, the comment about the shooters having expensive guns was snobbish.
rottieman33
New member
The guy to his right should of just cought the hulls for him.
TheKlawMan
Moderator
I hadn't thought the hulls might scratch the finish of some nice guns.
It wasn't snobbery on his part; but, ignorance on yours. He was pointing out that your were lucky to have him next to you -- someone else (with an expensive gun) might be asking you to pay for a stock refinishing. Shooting an auto-loader that ejects shells at another squad member is inexcusable. Instead of having a meaningful round of practice, you totally interrupted his routine by causing him to dodge your hot shells instead of concentrating on his game. Unfortunately, your breech of etiquette may have marked you as someone to be avoided.
Gun clubs typically operate their trap ranges under ATA safety rules. They include:All guns used by contestants must be equipped, fitted and utilized so as not to eject empty shells in a manner that substantially disturbs or interferes with other contestants. The next time you're out at the range, you might consider apologizing to the guy and plead ignorance. Buying him lunch might make up for ruining his round.
poortrader
New member
This was my 3rd time shooting trap. The first time was at a club that I belong to. This time was at a different club.
This time, I shot 2 lines. During the first line, no one made any comments nor suggestions. Yes, I was ignorant to the issue of the excessive flying shells, and the shooter pointed out the issue, but it was until after my second line that the suggestion and comment was made. I didn't shoot anymore after the second line. If I had shot a 3rd line, and didnt heed to the suggestion, then I'm the offender.
Personnally, I'll pass on buying the guy lunch. I might have bought him lunch if he didn't make the comment on the expensive gun. Obviously, he can afford to spend an overly extreme amount of money on his gun so he can buy his own lunch.
This time, I shot 2 lines. During the first line, no one made any comments nor suggestions. Yes, I was ignorant to the issue of the excessive flying shells, and the shooter pointed out the issue, but it was until after my second line that the suggestion and comment was made. I didn't shoot anymore after the second line. If I had shot a 3rd line, and didnt heed to the suggestion, then I'm the offender.
Personnally, I'll pass on buying the guy lunch. I might have bought him lunch if he didn't make the comment on the expensive gun. Obviously, he can afford to spend an overly extreme amount of money on his gun so he can buy his own lunch.
oneounceload
Moderator
There are several companies that make shell catchers to avoid your scenario. Empties flying through the air can do damage to stock finishes as mentioned, but no one likes to get pelted with empties. I had someone shooting an AR at the range one time - brass flying right at my face. Young kid having fun, but paying no attention to the fact what he was doing. His buddy noticed though. I had him switch shooting benches - that was my polite way of handling that annoyance. Your friend with the rubber bands was doing the same thing - giving you some polite and quiet advice on protocol. No need to be mad about it - learn from it
Actually, poortrader, that guy might have saved you a buttkicking. That's an extreme case, but has been known to happen.
None of my shotguns have gold ducks on them or cost well into five figures, but anyone repeatedly bouncing hulls off them or me doth rouse my ire. I've carried rubber bands in my range box for just those occasions.
Besides the bands, some folks with 1100s and similar have two small holes drilled into the barrel extension and a small horseshoe shaped wire inserted. It directs the hulls more or less down, thus solving the problem without impeding function.
I shot Beretta's answer to this problem yesterday. The UGB is a break action semi auto with a two shot capacity and downward ejection. Strictly for targets, it's a signpost of just how serious the problem is to some folks.
And for the record, there's few snobs in Trap. Lots of onery, opinionated folks, but a polite newbie with an old field gun gets accepted pretty fast.
None of my shotguns have gold ducks on them or cost well into five figures, but anyone repeatedly bouncing hulls off them or me doth rouse my ire. I've carried rubber bands in my range box for just those occasions.
Besides the bands, some folks with 1100s and similar have two small holes drilled into the barrel extension and a small horseshoe shaped wire inserted. It directs the hulls more or less down, thus solving the problem without impeding function.
I shot Beretta's answer to this problem yesterday. The UGB is a break action semi auto with a two shot capacity and downward ejection. Strictly for targets, it's a signpost of just how serious the problem is to some folks.
And for the record, there's few snobs in Trap. Lots of onery, opinionated folks, but a polite newbie with an old field gun gets accepted pretty fast.
Like all pasttimes ....the clay target games / have some rules and a certain amount of etiquette ....and you are wise to follow both....if you want to be welcome into a sqaud on a Trap, Skeet or Sporting Clays field ...
To the OP's original question ...is it dishonerable to shoot a Defensive or Field Gun - in Trap ....no. And it won't matter if you shoot it well or not ...
Shooting casually, at a local club is one thing .... you see all kinds of guns, guns that won't cycle, new shooters not really familiar with how to load their guns, poor fundamentals ....and as long as everyone is showing safe gun handling / having a good time ....few shooters, if anyone, cares. Most of us, as experienced shooters understand people have to learn / the squad might be a little slower / there might be some disruption ....its just part of shooting with "new shooters". Safety - is the only thing that matters !
In a Registered Trap Competition ...its different ...and most guys that want to shoot Trap seriously ...want to be on a squad with serious competitive shooters. They enjoy the rhythum of each shooter / the time they take between shots, the fact that their equipment is ready, they don't talk between shots, they stay rock steady when people beside them on the next station are shooting....etc ... To be on a "good experienced squad" is really important to how your shooting goes in a tournament. They will have their squads "pre-set" -- so they know the other 4 guys shooting with them. Even if they go to a registered shoot alone ....they want to squad with 4 other experienced shooters ...that they're comfortable with. But that's in a tournament situation - where one miss ....might be the end of your day.
Casual shooting at a club is different. Any new shooter --- that shows decent manners, respect for the rules of the game ....and respect for the other shooters on the squad ....will always be welcome on my squad / at least on casual days at the club. If we're just hanging out / practicing / having some fun ...we will always welcome a new shooter ...to the squad. Do I want spent shells bouncing off my gun, my back, my legs, etc ....No ....I don't. Nor do I want to shoot next to someone with an 18" barrel especially in a Trap Squad ....because I'm standing right next to the muzzle blast ....as they turn on an angled target....and that is way less than pleasant. So many clubs have minimum barrel lengths for Trap shooting ( like 26" ) ...so the other shooters are not disrupted. If a newbie is shooting a semi-auto and we only have 4 shooters total ...we'll leave the slot to his right empty ....so his flying hulls won't be an issue for anyone else. But like others said ---....ask if anyone minds if he's shooting a semi-auto / or use a rubber band to snag the spent hull.
If you're a newbie( or visiting any club for the first time ) ....show a little class ...be polite, talk to the squad leader before you go out to the field, introduce yourself, tell them you're new to all this, or that you have some experience, etc ... Tell them thanks / nice to meet them, nice shooting with them.. when you finish ....just common sense stuff....
If you do that - my hunch is you'll be welcome back to the squad again and again ....
Some of the rudest guys at my club ....are experienced shooters ...that are constantly running their mouths about how good they are, giving unsolicited advice to shooters, etc ...they may be good shooters / but I don't want they anywhere near my squad ....so none of this is how new you are, how well you shoot ....its how you behave !!
To the OP's original question ...is it dishonerable to shoot a Defensive or Field Gun - in Trap ....no. And it won't matter if you shoot it well or not ...
Shooting casually, at a local club is one thing .... you see all kinds of guns, guns that won't cycle, new shooters not really familiar with how to load their guns, poor fundamentals ....and as long as everyone is showing safe gun handling / having a good time ....few shooters, if anyone, cares. Most of us, as experienced shooters understand people have to learn / the squad might be a little slower / there might be some disruption ....its just part of shooting with "new shooters". Safety - is the only thing that matters !
In a Registered Trap Competition ...its different ...and most guys that want to shoot Trap seriously ...want to be on a squad with serious competitive shooters. They enjoy the rhythum of each shooter / the time they take between shots, the fact that their equipment is ready, they don't talk between shots, they stay rock steady when people beside them on the next station are shooting....etc ... To be on a "good experienced squad" is really important to how your shooting goes in a tournament. They will have their squads "pre-set" -- so they know the other 4 guys shooting with them. Even if they go to a registered shoot alone ....they want to squad with 4 other experienced shooters ...that they're comfortable with. But that's in a tournament situation - where one miss ....might be the end of your day.
Casual shooting at a club is different. Any new shooter --- that shows decent manners, respect for the rules of the game ....and respect for the other shooters on the squad ....will always be welcome on my squad / at least on casual days at the club. If we're just hanging out / practicing / having some fun ...we will always welcome a new shooter ...to the squad. Do I want spent shells bouncing off my gun, my back, my legs, etc ....No ....I don't. Nor do I want to shoot next to someone with an 18" barrel especially in a Trap Squad ....because I'm standing right next to the muzzle blast ....as they turn on an angled target....and that is way less than pleasant. So many clubs have minimum barrel lengths for Trap shooting ( like 26" ) ...so the other shooters are not disrupted. If a newbie is shooting a semi-auto and we only have 4 shooters total ...we'll leave the slot to his right empty ....so his flying hulls won't be an issue for anyone else. But like others said ---....ask if anyone minds if he's shooting a semi-auto / or use a rubber band to snag the spent hull.
If you're a newbie( or visiting any club for the first time ) ....show a little class ...be polite, talk to the squad leader before you go out to the field, introduce yourself, tell them you're new to all this, or that you have some experience, etc ... Tell them thanks / nice to meet them, nice shooting with them.. when you finish ....just common sense stuff....
If you do that - my hunch is you'll be welcome back to the squad again and again ....
Some of the rudest guys at my club ....are experienced shooters ...that are constantly running their mouths about how good they are, giving unsolicited advice to shooters, etc ...they may be good shooters / but I don't want they anywhere near my squad ....so none of this is how new you are, how well you shoot ....its how you behave !!
oneounceload
Moderator
There is also the T&S shell catcher - been around eons and just snaps onto the gun so you can take it off if need be without any hassle - they run about $9