I had a correspondent take me to task recently about clay games and real world applications, so here it is....
Back when I was instructing, I noted that the only rookies that moved past bare minimum proficiency were those that shot recreationally, which meant hunting and the various clay games, Sporting Clays, Trap, Skeet, and the various serious games,which I guess these days would include CAS.
The more they shot, the better they shot, regardless of game.IOW, the trap shot hitting the range twice weekly would shoot better than the guy who went dove hunting once or twice a year, and maybe did a goose hunt or two also, all else equal.
The critical issue seems to be getting used to the handling and firing of the shotgun, not the specific game.
Example, the doubles found in Sporting Clays,Skeet and Trap Doubles teaches one to acquire a target quickly, deal with it and proceeding to another target immediately. Can anyone visualize this being of value in dealing with multiple assailants?
Or, going after those rabbit targets as a means of improving on targets that might be changing direction and speed?
One buddy that uses a GR sighted pump gun for deer hunting claims that his success rate on rapidly moving whitetails(he drive hunts) went way up after using a shotgun similar to his deer gun but with bead for those rabbit targets for about 5 years of SCs. I believe him...
As for trap, the most rigid and stylized of the games with its premounted high gun and specialized equipment, ever note how long it takes for an experienced trap shot to engage the target after it exits the house? Most are broken or missed in 1-3 seconds,IMO.
My Trap 870TB weighs a little less than my HD 870, and about the same as my 20" bbled, extended mag Deer 870 that doubles as backup HD out of season. While the balance is different, it's not WAY different and the controls are all the same,so continuity and consistency are there.
I see a hand up at the back of the room...
"But, in games you're firing a light target load while "Serious" ammo runs heavy, fast and hard kicking. What's up with that?"...
In adrenaline producing situations,I never feel kick.It's still there, but it's not noticed. And, recent improvements have given us ammo that's not hard kicking but is effective, like the Estate 00 SWAT ammo and the KO Brennekes.If I blindfolded you and had you fire off a load or two(One Estate 00, one 1 1/8 oz, 3 1/4 dr field load) from an 8 lb or heavier shotgun, I doubt you could tell the type by the kick.I doubt I could either....
And, the old Govt database shows no difference in load for effectiveness at typical engagement ranges. One shot, one perp stopped.
Questions,comments?
Back when I was instructing, I noted that the only rookies that moved past bare minimum proficiency were those that shot recreationally, which meant hunting and the various clay games, Sporting Clays, Trap, Skeet, and the various serious games,which I guess these days would include CAS.
The more they shot, the better they shot, regardless of game.IOW, the trap shot hitting the range twice weekly would shoot better than the guy who went dove hunting once or twice a year, and maybe did a goose hunt or two also, all else equal.
The critical issue seems to be getting used to the handling and firing of the shotgun, not the specific game.
Example, the doubles found in Sporting Clays,Skeet and Trap Doubles teaches one to acquire a target quickly, deal with it and proceeding to another target immediately. Can anyone visualize this being of value in dealing with multiple assailants?
Or, going after those rabbit targets as a means of improving on targets that might be changing direction and speed?
One buddy that uses a GR sighted pump gun for deer hunting claims that his success rate on rapidly moving whitetails(he drive hunts) went way up after using a shotgun similar to his deer gun but with bead for those rabbit targets for about 5 years of SCs. I believe him...
As for trap, the most rigid and stylized of the games with its premounted high gun and specialized equipment, ever note how long it takes for an experienced trap shot to engage the target after it exits the house? Most are broken or missed in 1-3 seconds,IMO.
My Trap 870TB weighs a little less than my HD 870, and about the same as my 20" bbled, extended mag Deer 870 that doubles as backup HD out of season. While the balance is different, it's not WAY different and the controls are all the same,so continuity and consistency are there.
I see a hand up at the back of the room...
"But, in games you're firing a light target load while "Serious" ammo runs heavy, fast and hard kicking. What's up with that?"...
In adrenaline producing situations,I never feel kick.It's still there, but it's not noticed. And, recent improvements have given us ammo that's not hard kicking but is effective, like the Estate 00 SWAT ammo and the KO Brennekes.If I blindfolded you and had you fire off a load or two(One Estate 00, one 1 1/8 oz, 3 1/4 dr field load) from an 8 lb or heavier shotgun, I doubt you could tell the type by the kick.I doubt I could either....
And, the old Govt database shows no difference in load for effectiveness at typical engagement ranges. One shot, one perp stopped.
Questions,comments?