Hi guys, I've shot mostly handguns and rifles, never touched a shotgun. I'm considering a shotgun just for target shooting and plinking, but is there such thing?? Seems like all the ranges only offer trap and skeet for shotguns. Do ranges typically have other shotgun options? Thanks!
What to shoot w/ shotgun?
- Thread starter foogoo
- Start date
Danindetroit
New member
You can shoot slugs if appropriate for the barrel of the gun, and sights, just like a rifle. Trap and skeet are the plinking and target shooting of the shotgun world. Trap is pretty fun and can be more difficult than you think. Try a round of 17 yd. trap with 7 1/2's shot size 1 1/8 oz at 1300 fps. This should be a AA handicap or heay load I think. Tell us how many you break. You can go to winchester.com to look it up and make sure of the name. 
David Berkowitz
New member
Hey, Dan, we want this guy to give it a try and come back.
Foo, Dan is correct that trap and skeet are the games for a shotgun and it is more difficult than it appears. But it is also an awful lot of fun.
I favor the lighter loads for those not used to a shotgun. It won't take any time at all to work up to the super handicapped loads.
But you have to remember, I am a recoil wuss.
Try some different loads and see which you enjoy.
Trap is a great game and really challenging but one of the best parts of the game is getting to meet new friends and debate about which load is best.
(Hint-The best load is the one that allows you to break the most birds.)
Give it a try. Come back and tell us how you did.
There are also many variations of games for trap.
There are other options such as 5 Stand or sporting clays.
You won't be bored, I promise.
Foo, Dan is correct that trap and skeet are the games for a shotgun and it is more difficult than it appears. But it is also an awful lot of fun.
I favor the lighter loads for those not used to a shotgun. It won't take any time at all to work up to the super handicapped loads.
But you have to remember, I am a recoil wuss.
Try some different loads and see which you enjoy.
Trap is a great game and really challenging but one of the best parts of the game is getting to meet new friends and debate about which load is best.
(Hint-The best load is the one that allows you to break the most birds.)
Give it a try. Come back and tell us how you did.
There are also many variations of games for trap.
There are other options such as 5 Stand or sporting clays.
You won't be bored, I promise.
grey_pilgrim
New member
+1 on the sporting clays. Its fun, and a little tougher to analyze the shots than skeet. But its all good.
And if you shoot skeet, be prepared to watch some INSANELY good people, and don't feel bad when you don't do as good (I just had to say this because i was at a competition today and these guys were shooting around 24's, and.. . .well. . . .we won't go into what my score was.
)
And if you shoot skeet, be prepared to watch some INSANELY good people, and don't feel bad when you don't do as good (I just had to say this because i was at a competition today and these guys were shooting around 24's, and.. . .well. . . .we won't go into what my score was.
)Danindetroit
New member
I shot trap ONLY, the other sports where 2 birds come out from opposite sides Is a little easier with a double because you can use a choke for spread on the first clay and a tighter choke for the second one which will probably be farther out. I use a pump that is a 12ga but has a 10 ga barrel. This means I can not shoot slugs, and only have 1 choke option so trap is the best game for my gun. If you have a smoothbore shotgun with regular demensions you can shoot foster style slugs, and you may have more options with a rifled choke.
I did not think when I told you that load it is my favorite, and is good for small game also. Most of the people will be very helpful, they were beginners too. I have always found people at the range to be understanding. Around here if you shoot a perfect score at sporting clays? The one wherre 2 clay pigeons come out with about a 3 sec. delay btw them, the person will usually throw their hat into the air and put a hole right in the middle.
http://w3.agsfoundation.com/safety/p_shotguns.html
This website has some stuff on shotguns and some pics I'd say an hour searching the net about different games and choke type and you should be ready to try trap. Tell them you are new and they might take you on your own macine and have the trap shoot straight and at the same height so you can figure your lead and drop. I am a little slow so I use a full choke and let the pigeon get out before I shoot. Other guys are almost on them instantly and soot them close in and use less choke. That website has info on choke size and that so don't be intimidated. I look up charts on pattern sizes all the time. The biggest thing I think is that every shotgun has a personality, different aimpoint. So you can tell them you are abeginner and they might let you pattern your gun.
I did not think when I told you that load it is my favorite, and is good for small game also. Most of the people will be very helpful, they were beginners too. I have always found people at the range to be understanding. Around here if you shoot a perfect score at sporting clays? The one wherre 2 clay pigeons come out with about a 3 sec. delay btw them, the person will usually throw their hat into the air and put a hole right in the middle.
http://w3.agsfoundation.com/safety/p_shotguns.html
This website has some stuff on shotguns and some pics I'd say an hour searching the net about different games and choke type and you should be ready to try trap. Tell them you are new and they might take you on your own macine and have the trap shoot straight and at the same height so you can figure your lead and drop. I am a little slow so I use a full choke and let the pigeon get out before I shoot. Other guys are almost on them instantly and soot them close in and use less choke. That website has info on choke size and that so don't be intimidated. I look up charts on pattern sizes all the time. The biggest thing I think is that every shotgun has a personality, different aimpoint. So you can tell them you are abeginner and they might let you pattern your gun.
ampleworks
New member
I love shooting single clays and its relatively inexpensive if you have 12 or 20 ga shotgun.
Cheap shells = $15 per 100
90 clays = $3.97
Clay thrower = $4.97
All at walmart and is a ton of fun for the cost. Just be careful of where you shoot them at...lawnmowers don't like them. We always throw them over a pond, whether they get shot or not, they sink no problem!
Cheap shells = $15 per 100
90 clays = $3.97
Clay thrower = $4.97
All at walmart and is a ton of fun for the cost. Just be careful of where you shoot them at...lawnmowers don't like them. We always throw them over a pond, whether they get shot or not, they sink no problem!
Danindetroit
New member
Do the "bio degradable ones" really bio degrade. Or is it like a 3 month from shot thing so it doesn't matter they still get caught in the blades. If you have a nice sand pit , town dump, or anything with high steep walls they are reall nice targets for shoot at with slugs or .22's from know distances in 20 yard increments to see how much practical accuracy you have lake standing sitting, prone. No rests except something you might actually have on a hunt. 
Very visible at 100 yards and you know if you hit it with the naked eye
Very visible at 100 yards and you know if you hit it with the naked eye
Last edited:
Wow thanks for all the great info. It sounds exciting and something I'd like to get into. As for shotguns, I was looking at some of the cheaper shotguns, such as this one: http://www.rossiusa.com/products/product-details.cfm?model=S121280S&category=SHOTGUN
Is something like that a good idea or should I just wait and get a pump for more $$?
Is something like that a good idea or should I just wait and get a pump for more $$?
I would suggest a trip to the Trap and Skeet range. Tell them you are interested in learning about shotgunning and ask for instruction. Most ranges have someone who can work with you and will take the time to introduce you to the sport. They are always interested in new shooters and getting you off on the right foot. They also usually have rental guns you can try.
Try a few different guns before you buy. Shoot a round or two of Skeet and Trap.
Sports are more fun if you get into them properly.
Have fun!
Try a few different guns before you buy. Shoot a round or two of Skeet and Trap.
Sports are more fun if you get into them properly.
Have fun!
Danindetroit
New member
That is probably not the greatest gun for you. A 12ga single shot break open could be used for trap but most guys might find it a sit down and call in turkey type of gun. I am not the best one for advice. I got a gun most people don't like or use. I like it though. You can go from $100 to $8,000 for a shotgun. K80' advice was excellent. The clubs I went to the guy working was a member and had at least 2 different guns and was so proud of them he would beg you to shoot them.
ampleworks
New member
The two best shotguns I can think of that aren't entirely expensive both can be had at Wal-Mart.
New England Firearms - Single shot 12/16/20/410 is what I've seen them in, have shot them all except the 12 without any issue. These can be had for under $100 at Wal-Mart. Nothing fancy but they're excellent guns if you just want to blow clays out of the air!
Mossberg 500 - Perhaps the best, "cheap" pump gun available. A combo is available also for $250 that includes a rifled barrel as well as the normal shot barrel. That's in case you'd like to do some large game hunting later on. I think a regular Mossberg 500 with just a shot barrel is around $149 give or take a few dollars.
New England Firearms - Single shot 12/16/20/410 is what I've seen them in, have shot them all except the 12 without any issue. These can be had for under $100 at Wal-Mart. Nothing fancy but they're excellent guns if you just want to blow clays out of the air!
Mossberg 500 - Perhaps the best, "cheap" pump gun available. A combo is available also for $250 that includes a rifled barrel as well as the normal shot barrel. That's in case you'd like to do some large game hunting later on. I think a regular Mossberg 500 with just a shot barrel is around $149 give or take a few dollars.
Shotgunning is as much fun as we can have fully dressed. Shotguns are also incredibly effective weapons for 25 yards or less when employed by cogniscienti.
Mine the Archives here for input, it and the Archives on THR are possibly the best resources in the world for this.
Try out different shotguns, you'd be surprised how many folks will hand over a shotgun costing thousands of dollars to a stranger with good manners and attitude to try a shot or two. Get the one that speaks to you.
Caveat, shotguns do not reproduce, but they do tend to multiply.
Enjoy!!....
Mine the Archives here for input, it and the Archives on THR are possibly the best resources in the world for this.
Try out different shotguns, you'd be surprised how many folks will hand over a shotgun costing thousands of dollars to a stranger with good manners and attitude to try a shot or two. Get the one that speaks to you.
Caveat, shotguns do not reproduce, but they do tend to multiply.
Enjoy!!....
I tried trap shooting 2 weeks ago with a borrowed shotgun. I had difficulty pointing the gun quickly. I was using a Browning Single Shot which for me seemed heavy and long. I was looking at the Winchester 1300 Upland Special Field 20/24 at Walmart and without shooting it, it did seem allot more managable for an old newbie than the Browning.
Any suggestions, opinions???
Much Obliged
Any suggestions, opinions???
Much Obliged
rogerwilco
Moderator
Foogoo, I see you had a post on the Rossi single shot. Right now CDNN has them on sale for $69.00 for either 12 or 20 gauge. Also the combo 12/22 for $99.00. A pretty good deal. Although, if I was to advise on an all around utility shotgun. it would be between the Remington 870 (around $200.00) and the Mossberg 500 (a little cheaper than the 870). I own both guns, both are great guns but, I am partial to the Mossberg. IMHO the Mossberg has better ergonomics (better safety button location and extractor button location). There are no differences in recoil ,reliability ,durability or accuracy. You can't go wrong with either.