The Most Helpful Advice!

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andrewd523

New member
Does anyone have any "secrets" to shooting clays? I have found just shoot them as close as you can. When they are launched, and as soon as you track with it, just fire! This seems to work for me, but I was wondering if there are any other tactics that will show mine up -haha. I'm new to this, and am trying to inquire as much informtion as I can. Thank you in advance, Andrew
 
Practice, practice, and more practice.

It takes time to learn the lead-time with a shottie. Going "bang" when the clay first comes out of the trap box, might be fun, but it won't make you a better shooter. Heaven forbid you ever go out on an international trap range -- you'll be humillated.

These are skills that you acquire over much time and preactice.
 
A couple things.....

Practice mounts with a shotgun KNOWN TO BE EMPTY at home. Results stink until a shooter develops consistency in the mount and swing.

Keep your face on the stock and your focus on the leading edge of the target.

Until your form gells, use the lighest loads possible. In 12 gauge, the 7/8 oz feather loads are nich optimum.

BA/UU/R....
 
The most important thing you can do when shooting clays is find a gun that fits you. The gun must become an extention of your body if you expect to be any good. Keep both eyes open and focused on the target and always follow through. If your gun fits it will point where you are looking and you will hit what you are looking at. Get some instruction and video yourself shooting to make correction in your swing and follow through. Oh yeah, calm down. Don't get excited when shooting. This was my biggest problem. When I heard the trap I would tense up and rush to find the target and shoot as fast as I could. Calm down and take your time to insure a good shot.
 
In the shotgun sports there is generally no need to RUSH your shots. Being "quick" is one thing "too fast" is another. When you have practices enough, you will find that you always have "enough" time, and the shotgun has the range to knock down birds, within reason of course.
 
True words.

The most important thing you can do when shooting clays is find a gun that fits you.
Click to expand...

When I had the smithy put a recoil pad on my favorite trap gun, I asked him to extend the length-of-pull by 1/2". It made a world of difference. Best thirty bucks I ever spent.
 
I don't know your past experience, but if you came from the rifle school, you'll need to relearn the basics: In shotgun sports, you point, don't aim.

Regards,

Andre Tiba - Brazil
 
Dave, you said use 7/8 oz feather loads. Can you give me a link, to a box of these. Preferably cheap, maybe I will order a case. I just haven't seen any where I have been, but I am probably looking for the wrong thing. Thanks
 
Technically, only the Winchester 7/8 oz loads are "Feather" loads, but the term describes all the 7/8 oz loads. Fiocchis are good, and Remington has brought out a 7/8 oz STS load of 8.5 shot that ought to be very good also.

Or, you can make your own. I've made at least 15K of these in the last couple years.
 
sounds silly, but I got much better when I just started shooting the damn things instead of thinking about it. I was also practicing alot when it "clicked".:rolleyes:
 
Where are good places to buy ammo in bulk. Not necessarily bulk, but are there places that give discounts for the more you buy? Between 100-200 total? And CHEAP. CHEAP IS GOOD! I have always been hesitant to make my own, in case I did something wrong. How do you feel about that dave? You said you make your own. Thanks again everyone.
 
Shotshell reloading is easy and less complicated than loading metallics. It took 30 minutes to read my manual and set up my stuff, 20 minutes to load the first box and now it's more like 6 minutes on that reloader.

Not only can I make ammo cheaper than most, I can make top quality ammo exactly suited for a given mission or shot.

With one primer, wad, powder and hull,two sizes of shot, a few charge bars and a handful of powder bushings I can load....

A good trap load for best performance at 38 yards.In 1 1/8, 1 or 7/8 oz weights

A good skeet load for best performance at 20 yards. Same deal.

An all around small game/bird load good for stuff up to ringneck size.

An outstanding beginner's load suitable for busting clays and static targets that will NOT kick anyone hard,even Tinker Bell.

Adding some loose 00 pellets gives me a great HD load that works well inside but is easy on family members not used to recoil.6 pellets of 00 does a number inside 10 yards just like its bigger kin.

All that with a used MEC 600 Jr.
 
Can you tell me where you learned this? And the stuff you need to do this? Is there an article on this somewhere? Thanks Dave!
 
I had an old shotgunner that would give me advice when I first start shooting clays. He would come up and whisper "Wooden Stock, Wooden Head" in my ear. This was his way of telling me to keep my cheek on the stock of the gun. Apparently I was lifting my head or pulling the stock from my cheek on hard crossing birds.

Needless to say, "Wooden Stock, Wooden Head" has stuck with me every since.

My other advice to shooters is don't get hung up in the equipment trap too early in your shooting. Yes, it would be nice to have a gun that fits perfect but focus on your shooting not gadgets and chokes. I have seen some pretty skilled shooters perform extremely well with basic equipment and fixed chokes. Although it is easier to stress over having the perfect gun and/or choke for each shot, make sure you have your priorities right. Focus on shooting skills, fundamentals and mental focus.
 
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