Trap Shooting

B

Bullrock

New member
First of all, I'm stupid! So I thought long and hard about this post which will prove it to everyone. I was introduced to trap shooting several months ago. I shot several times as a guest with a borrowed shot gun (auto & single). I had an instructor friend standing behind me and supplied me with a pouch for my hip where I deposited my box of shells and handed him my empties.

I then bought a pump action, joined the club and went to the range last Sunday all pumped up about using my new shot gun. I didn't know about the small pouch for the box of shells, so like in the past, I dumped all 25 in the large pouch for the spent shells. I spent most of my time trying to pick up the extracted shells, worrying about it, then looking for a live round among the spent rounds in the large pouch, just in time to say "pull" and hurry my shot, or be late and p*ss the other shooters off. When I moved from #5 to #1, I wasn't holding my shotgun correctly, so I got chewed out in front of everyone. I hit 2 out of 25.

After, some guy approached me and told me to pick up my spent shells, the ones I didn't get while shooting. Then another member came over and told me it wasn't necessary because the club picked up later with a rake.

I took special note among the next 5 shooters. There were 2 pumps. Neither of those guys picked up anything. One of them was a teenager who kicked the spent shells from underfoot and strode on into the traphouse.

Does anyone know what the range etiquette is regarding picking up shells? I know, I should have bought and overandunder and pulled the shells out. But I didn't, and I like the pump action...??? I don't mind picking up after...

My trap shooting days might be over. Last Sunday was not fun....Help!!!!
 
You are finding things out the tough way and your instructor should have told you about autos and pumps.

It depends on the range and the people some of whom take their shooting seriously and don't like to be distracted by flying cases.

Try to get in with shooters who are there just to have a good time as they are more likely to be understanding to a new shooter. Ask before you start if they would mind accepting your pump and ask what you can do to make it easier for them.

Avoid the ones who think they are the next Olympic prospect. They are not but they don't know it yet. I see them drifting occasionaly to the Bunker range where they get their illusions adjusted.

Be sociable and offer to fit in however the other shooters propose. You'll have a great time.
 
Bullrock:

Don't be so hard on yourself. At its core Trap is a simple game; however, as you learned last Sunday, it becomes somewhat more complicated when you become a member of a squad. Each squad has its own unique rhythm, and the best tend to be fast-paced, focused, and strictly business. Anything (or anyone) that disrupts this rhythm is likely to incur the ire of the group.

As you observed, most Trap-shooters carry live shells in a belt-mounted pouch, and also have a belt-mounted mesh bag in which to place spent ones (especially if they reload their own shells). I searched the Rules of the Amateur Trapshooting Association and found nothing mandating that spent shells be picked-up. Having said that, I know of at least one gun club that requires that shooters pick them up; at the Grand American (the world championship of Trapshooting) the rule is that if a shell is on the ground it cannot be picked-up (if you want them, you have to catch them as they are ejected from your gun!). The best advice I can give is that you ask what the rules are at your club, and follow the lead of your squad. If the club doesn't require that you pick them up, but your squad-mates do, then do likewise.

As for not holding your shotgun correctly as you moved from Station five to Station 1, you didn't specify exactly what you meant, but if it concerned saftey the rule is that the action must be open and no shells in the gun. Also, as a matter of courtesy, when changing positions avoid walking in front of the other squad-members.

Get back out there next Sunday, informed, pepared, and ready to be a part of a smooth, fast-functioning team, and you will get along just fine.

Good luck, and good shooting!
 
Last edited:
Bullrock, first thing you're not 'stupid', just new to the sport. I was introduced to trapshooting about 7 years ago. The club's members were more than happy to show me what to do and not loose their patience with me. I don't know why this club you go to isn't happy that someone new wants to learn the sport and instruct you? DON'T LOOSE HEART! Go there next Sunday,watch a squad or two, ask questions,you just take your time and concentrate on your shooting and keeping the barrel pointed safely between stations. Pick up your spent shells (then a couple of jerks can't p&m about it)even if the others leave them on the ground. Everyone that shoots was new to the sport at one time or another. If it "bothers" someone that you throw the timing of the squad off, maybe they should wait untill another squad.They know this, if they don't seem to want to help you out,maybe you should find another club that will. Remember this sport is supposed to be fun! Be safe, Norm P. :)
 
Aw, screw them. You shoot, leave the shells on the ground, maybe kicking them out of the box. Actually, between games I was trying to pick up a few to clear some space, and the guy pretty much discouraged it. "The guys will rake them up later".

I'm pretty lucky. Around here we have a fantastic trap/skeet/sporting clays center and most of the shooters are blue-collar guys just out for a good time (laugh?). I see a lot of pump guns, mainly with camo. Of course there are the rich guys smoking cigars sporting their $3000 o/u but they mainly stick to skeet.

Sounds like you give off the 'newbie' vibe and they are messing with ya.
 
Newbie Vibes

You're right, some are! What great replies! I really appreciate the advice and will follow it. In the meantime I thought I would switch over to an automatic. The two I have come down to is the Browning Gold Fusion 12/26 for about $900.00 and the Winchester Super X2 Field for $700.00.

I'll probably go with the money, which in this case is the Winchester. Do any of you good folks have an opinion which would be the best shotgun for the money.

I know Browning makes a really good pistol. I have a Browning Pro-9 pistol. If I do go Browning, I'll have to speak with the lady at the Social Security Office about a raise!!! :eek:

Many thanks
 
I advocate the demonstrated willingness to use violence

I was told by an older operator once that when it comes down to butting heads with others, especially in man-v-man controversies, you can either make them laugh and diffuse the situation or be prepared to throttle them.

Bitter people are everywhere and probably cannot wait to watch somebody stumble so they can demonstrate arrogance and dominance to establish primacy. Don't be the b*tch(!) otherwise you will encourage them to continue harrassing yourself and other fine Americans.

However, if it relates to range safety, than by all means pay attention and follow the rules. Even the professionals get it wrong and the penalties can be severe.

Eliminate one A**h*** at a time - they won't be missed...
 
Hey Bullrock, don't worry about it.

I was introduced to the sport just last year and I was the newbie, just like you. I got all the same crap, just like you. You know how I handled it? I quit listening to the crap. Go out, have fun, take your time, and don't worry about the fools who give you a hard time. After all, you know now how to fix one problem, right? Don't mix live shells with spent ones. Just do your best to be safe and have fun.
 
You should really consider a single barrel,single shot trap gun.You can find them for well under $1000 if you look around a little.Also it HAS to fit you,not someone else.Any seasoned trap shooter can help you with this.You really should look into a single barrel,single shot if you are just starting out.Safety is the number one issue here and the single shot is the way to go. Try to find a gun that shoots a little high(60/40)and not flat. Good luck and good shooting.SmokinTom
 
Trap shooters are just grumpy. The more serious they get about the game, the grumpier they get.

Shoot Skeet. Skeet shooters are more social and have time to talk to each other between stations. They ALL will give you advice, some of it actually usefull. And they will let you shoot their $60,000 David McKay Brown O/U.

Skeet is the better game if you want to have fun. And you can use a 28 Gauge which is just about the most fun you can have with your clothes on.
 
Bullrock, I've got a couple of opinions for you. First, I think it's the responsibility of any trap club to welcome new shooters, and show 'em the ropes. Safety first, then the game. A little tolerance for the learning curve is required. Nobody starts out as an expert. If your club doesn't do that, find one that does. I see you are in Maine. If you aren't too far from southern ME or NH, send me an e-mail. I know a couple of good clubs.
Second, don't be in a hurry to get a new gun. It sounds like you've already got a reasonably suitable one, use it to learn the game. Once you've done that, try a bunch of other peoples guns to see what suits you. Most shooters at my club are flattered if you ask to try their guns. Last year, I shot fourteen guns before I decided which to buy. If you decide on an auto, make sure you can get a shell deflector or catcher for it. It is required for registered shoots, and advisable the rest of the time. Some people get their shorts in a knot if they get hit by the ejected shells.
Stick with it. Trap's a blast.
 
Bullrock,
I just started in trap last year myself so I know where you're coming from. Sounds like you got in a squad of sourpusses to me, most I've seen love to help new shooters discover the game. As for using your pumpgun, I reccomend you keep using it until you get comfortable with the game and start breaking birds consistently, it's the shooter, not the gun. The best shooters I've seen have the cheapest crappy guns out there and are proud of it. If your club has a rule about picking up hulls, follow it, if not tell the old B@$#ard to shut up.

I'd be out there next week all smiles. When put in a squad, introduce yourself and mention that you're a new shooter and for them to take it easy on you until you break at least 10. :D Don't let anyone convince you to quit, it's too fun of a sport.
 
All excellent advice.

My girlfriend wanted to learn to shoot skeet, so I took her to the only club around here that rents shotguns, because at 5' 5" and 120lbs, I don't think she'd enjoy either of my 12ga guns. This place was full of petentous guys with overpriced gear who didn't hit sh#@ and were only there to look good. It was hard on her because we couldn't get a field to ourselves, and the other people in our squad weren't crazy about her taking all of her birds off the 7 station, but I just smiled at them. We got her a Remington 1100 20ga for christmas and I took her to where I prefer to shoot, a place with real people. Not only were we able to get a field to ourselves, I was pulling for her, too, so there was nobody watching or waiting. She had a blast. In the clubhouse, I had to ask what the policy was on spent hulls, because I couldn't remember. It varies between locations.

As far as a new gun, I agree with continuing to shoot the pump and trying as many shotguns as you can. I shot skeet with a pump for a long time and enjoyed breaking more targets than people with the ridiculously expensive guns. If you do go shopping for another gun, close your eyes and shoulder it. Then open them. You should be looking right down the rib. Having a gun that fits is more important than anything else. Most guns can be made to fit you by a competent 'smith, but finding the closest one from the start is ideal. Also, more expensive does not mean better. Her 1100 wasn't expensive at all and is a joy to shoot.

Keep at it, smile at the bas$#@#s, and find a better group of people to shoot with. If I lived closer, I'd go shoot with you any day.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top