shot 100 sporting clays today...

Shot by myself Saturday, the way I prefer to practice. Did 75 SC targets and a bad round of wobble.

For SC, used IC/LM and 8.5s for most shots. First I tried a single from each launcher, then Simos. I hit every target when doing the simos, just not every time. Worked on a a couple problem targets some, like 10 shots each.

I know this course. Had some 7 1/2s along and other chokes, didn't need either.

While I love shooting with my buddies, this is a better way to get better at shooting.
 
Shot by myself Saturday, the way I prefer to practice…
…While I love shooting with my buddies, this is a better way to get better at shooting.
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My experience is exactly the opposite. Try to shoot with folks who are much better than you -- watch and learn. I've known several solo shooting, self-taught, types and they never seemed to be making any progress. They just seemed to be repeating the same mistakes and stayed in the same class year after year. YMMV.
 
Absolutely agree Zippy - I tend to rise to the level of folks I am shooting with; if nothing else, I can always ask for a little help on a killer station and get some insight I might not have thought about before
 
I will be heading to NJ on Thursday and Friday to shoot at M&M Game Preserve. Home of last year's US Open for sporting clays. I can't wait!!!

My four Carlson's chokes arrived today, so I'll be taking them along. My shooting partner told me that many of the targets at M&M are unusually long, so I'll slip in the IC/LM combo with some Federal #8's...
 
I have only shot the "B" course at M&M, I did not do the "A" course which is what I am sure the US Open used.

There were some high targets there which the wind played havoc with the day we were there.

If you are from the Central Jersey or South Jersey area I found a private club that does 10-stand twice a month which is open to the public. Not as scenic as M&M, Lehigh, or Cedar Creek but it had some pretty tough stands! They shoot across a lake, very little walking, lots of standing. It is located in Falls Township PA right across the river from Trenton.
 
hopefully, they will have a "C" course for me! I live in Hershey, PA and M&M is only about an hour and 15 for me. I'm thinking about taking some lessons there, but another time.
 
True, Zippy. But when I'm with others it's hard to keep going after that one problem presentation for half a box or so. Don't want to slow up the squad.

I do shoot better when shooting with better shooters.
 
Sometimes you've just gotta do what you've gotta do.
I remember one day at the club, a young Kimberly Rhode (future Olympic champ) shoot 100 (or more) targets from Skeet's Station 5 because her dad had her working out a problem.
 
Fun stuff for sure. I am a bit different than most on here. Of course I am not shooting their course either. I usually shoot about 80% of the course with Skeet/Skeet. Occasionally I will put in an IC and on rare occasions I will throw in an LM. On the other hand I shot a five stand course near here (Fossil Creek) where the only chokes used were modified and improved modified. I would have shot full and full if I had them. I don't think there was a single target closer than 45 yards.

I don't think chokes are all that important. I have heard it stated that "chokes give you inches, but you miss by feet." I believe that is true. I shoot with a buddy that changes chokes on nearly every stand. I usually only change a couple or three times during the whole course. Mike McAlpine says he never changes his, he only shoots full for everything. I ain't that good, or at least I ain't that confident.
 
noob question here - why do you guys use 71/2 shot? Someone suggested I use #9 shot and thats what I now have a full case of - albeit i've still never fired a shotgun!
 
davery25, typically #9 shot is used for Skeet and #7-1/2 for trap. Both can be used for clays. The larger shot maintains it's energy longer but there are fewer pellets per ounce. So, it's a trade off between distance and pellet count. Your #9s will work fine for Skeet and the closer clays presentations. Some use #9s for Skeet and 16-yard trap, while others use #7-1/2s for everything. There's also the intermediate sizes of #8 and #8-1/2. Not to worry, after you've been shooting for a while, you'll develop a feel for what to use on which targets.
 
+1 on Zippy's response....

he's right about it usually being a distance factor...for a target beyond 45 yds I will always reach for a box of 7 1/2's.

but sometimes its a matter of presentation too .../ especially if all you get is an edge on view of target ..( vs dropping in where you can see the belly ...or sometimes the top of a target ) ....and if all you get is an edge on view...you'll need a little more pellet energy to break it (bigger pellets).

Then there are some targets ...like Rabbit targets...that are a little tougher made - so they don't break as they're thrown...and regardless of the range, I will often shoot a shell with 7 1/2's on a bouncing bunny target...( darn things aggravate me...they don't bounce when I expect them too ../run behind brush ...) just like the live ones...).
 
In sporting clays, TYPICALLY you will find folks using number 8 for everything except rabbits and far targets where the energy of the slightly larger 7-1/2 helps
 
oneounceload, that's exactly what I'm using. I usually keep about a dozen 7-1/2 on hand for those extra long targets. I'm using the IC/LM choke combo. Working out real well and I appreciate all the great help I've gotten here from you guys! Thanks... :D
 
Two days ago I hit 61 out of 100, a new all time high. Used IC the whole course and 7 1/2. I also wore my new Blackhawk bandoleer which holds 55 rounds. The guys I shoot with had a lot to say (all in fun ).
 
My score dropped.

Went again yesterday & only hit a 45. It was damp, foggy, & raining lightly off & on. Can that affect it or is it all me. My friend's score was also a lot lower. I was going to treat myself to a new shooting vest if I scored in the 60's again but that didn't happen.
 
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