Tips For First Day Of Skeet / Trap / Five Stand?

Sniffer

Sniffer

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So the date for my first range trip for the various disciplines has been set. I have already swung by the club and met some folks so I could get a feel for it all. Seemed like a good bunch and very welcoming.

I compete quite a bit in other firearm disciplines but will be brand new to this, I have picked up a 30" 694 TSK which I am hoping will be a good fit to get me going. Want to try all the disciplines but suspect that Skeet and Five Stand will be were I gravitate to.

I have a bunch of questions so I can be prepared:

1) What is the etiquette for taking your gun from the vehicle to the shooting area? Uncased / action open (think I saw people with the gun broke open and resting over their shoulder)? Or something else?

2) What should I use for ammo? I have done some asking and it is all over the place. Some want the extra pellets of 1 1/8, some want the reduced recoil of 7/8 and then there is the middle ground of 1oz.

3) What pellet size for each discipline? Do you use the same for each? If so what? I have lots of different ammo types on hand (7.5 / 8 / 9)

4) For the Skeet and Five Stand I assume you "lead" on the target - ie you shoot a little in front of it? I did a quick google on this and it suggests this is the case but it depends on which station you are on and they vary quite a bit. Is this accurate? What about 5 stand? Probably not an easy answer based on the course of fire I saw. I am sensing this is something that experience brings.

5) What chokes for each? For skeet I am guessing Skeet 1 (but I only have one of those - could go next size up for then other barrel or is it better to have two Skeet 1 chokes? What about the others?

6) From what I have read most folks shoot bottom barrel first? Is this accurate? Does it change from discipline to discipline? Guessing it doesn't.

7) I typically shoot dots these days as they work better for my eyes so switching back to a bead will be interesting. It is a white bead. How much do you actually focus on the bead? I sense these games (like some of the other stuff I already do) are very much target focussed.

Looking forward to my first outing. Thanks in advance.
 
Lots of questions....

1) Open or out.... carry your gun pretty much anyway you like but with the action open, empty and not pointing at anyone.

2) Use what you have or are comfortable with. Worry about those details later

3) 7.5 or 8 for everything... worry about those details later.

4) Your right... not an easy answer, just lead on the advice of others for now.

5) SK and IC for the skeet range. IC and Mod for 5 stand. Worry about those details later.

6) Bottom first as a rule, this minimizes the muzzle rise for a second shot.

7) A white bead is good. Never focus on the bead, just the target. The gun has to fit for this to work well but.... worry about that later.

Have a wonderful time at the range, shotgunning is very addictive!
 
Falconflyer said:
Lots of questions....

1) Open or out.... carry your gun pretty much anyway you like but with the action open, empty and not pointing at anyone.

2) Use what you have or are comfortable with. Worry about those details later

3) 7.5 or 8 for everything... worry about those details later.

4) Your right... not an easy answer, just lead on the advice of others for now.

5) SK and IC for the skeet range. IC and Mod for 5 stand. Worry about those details later.

6) Bottom first as a rule, this minimizes the muzzle rise for a second shot.

7) A white bead is good. Never focus on the bead, just the target. The gun has to fit for this to work well but.... worry about that later.

Have a wonderful time at the range, shotgunning is very addictive!
Click to expand...

Yes, I worry about this. As much as I don't need another (expensive) hobby I sense I am going to get one. On the plus side I can only be in one place at the time so if I am doing this then I am not doing something else ;)

1) Roger. Makes sense

2) Will go 1oz to start with. One of the guys I spoke with at the club said it is his go to but I am sure everybody has a go to.

3) Cant remember of the 1oz I have is 7.5 or 8 (may even have both). Logically each has strengths / weaknesses so it is a compromise with either. Both are probably better than I am at this point.

4) I will guess. Suspect it will become clear pretty quickly.

5) Excellent. I will setup for one discipline and can switch when there if moving to another

6) Hadn't thought of that. Totally makes sense.

7) This is the true test as to how well my gun fits. I definitely shoot target focussed in the other disciplines I shoot without thinking so hopefully it transfers over to this too.
 
First time out simply shoot the ammo that you have be it 7/8oz 1oz or 1 1/8oz 7 1/2 or 8's will all work just fine, normally skeet chokes or IC for skeet, LM for 5 stand and IM will work for all trap disciplines.
Don't get to hung up on the details for now, go shoot and meet the people and have some fun once your hooked, which will be after the first day :ROFLMAO: there are more than enough details to keep you brain spinning :unsure:
 
Be prepared to laugh at yourself when you miss. What bead? There's a bead? Focus on the target and keep swinging the gun. Shoot where the bird is going, not where it has been. If you think that you have enough lead and still miss the bird, add another foot of lead. You need to be about 4 ft in front of the birds on skeet station 4. Keep swinging.
When shooting a pair on station 1,2,6 and 7, don't admire the hit on the first bird, because the second bird of the pair will have landed. First couple of rounds ask for report pairs on those station.
Remember to have fun.
 
Addressing your concerns about lead, keep in mind that;

1) If your lead isn't working then you have to change something, sticking with the same lead over and over and missing is futile!

2) General rule of thumb for changing your lead, "double it or cut it in half" In other words, if you think your behind then double the lead, in front then cut it in half.

3) One person says they lead by two feet and another insists it's 3 feet, both are right but they just perceive the lead differently.

4) Learn to see what part of the target broke. If the back edge broke then you almost missed behind and have to increase the lead on the next target. If the front edge broke then you need to decrease very slightly.

5) The target never stops moving so if the gun stops moving then you miss behind, always remember to follow through.

If you go to the range with high expectations then you may come away sorely disappointed. Some people do fairly well on their first time out and others not so much. Give it time, learn and have fun.
 
Don't get hung up on details, #8 or #7-1/2 will work for skeet and five stand, 1 oz or 1-1/8 doesn't matter. A good shooter can shoot clean rounds of skeet with a 410, so any 12 gauge load is plenty. Skeet or IC will work fine for skeet, LM works well for sporting clays or five stand. Do not concentrate on the bead, concentrate on the target. Lead can vary, but could be a few feet on broadside targets. Action open at all times except when on rhe stand, and loaded to shoot. If you are going to concentrate on one thing, keep the gun swinging until after you pull rhe trigger, most beginners stop the gun to pull the trigger , and shoot behind the target.
 
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When I was very young and started shooting trap and skeet, like any precocious kid I was always asking questions about loads, chokes, etc.
One day after a particularly good trap round I asked my father about changing to 1 1/8 trap loads to pick up a few more birds when it was windy - like some of the older men were talking about .
He gave me his standard answer "Just shoot the dammed gun, Kid!" LOL
To start off with , as others have said, don't worry about the details, just keep your safety discipline on point, and swing the gun , and have fun!
Worry about all the fine points later on- much later on!
Cat
 
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A lot of beginners will have heard things like ā€œit takes 3 feet of lead to break that targetā€. When they go to shoot that bird they will try to measure that lead and are rapidly shifting their eye focus between the bead and the bird. Thatā€™s a recipe for lots of misses. Eyes on the target, use the gun like a paint brush. Swing up to the target, through the target, past the target, fire and keep swinging all in one smooth move. Thatā€™s know as the swing through method and its a good starting point.
 
maynard said:
Be prepared to laugh at yourself when you miss. What bead? There's a bead? Focus on the target and keep swinging the gun. Shoot where the bird is going, not where it has been. If you think that you have enough lead and still miss the bird, add another foot of lead. You need to be about 4 ft in front of the birds on skeet station 4. Keep swinging.
When shooting a pair on station 1,2,6 and 7, don't admire the hit on the first bird, because the second bird of the pair will have landed. First couple of rounds ask for report pairs on those station.
Remember to have fun.
Click to expand...

Dang, that is more than I would have guessed. Thank you.

What is a "Report pair"?
 
Falconflyer said:
Addressing your concerns about lead, keep in mind that;

1) If your lead isn't working then you have to change something, sticking with the same lead over and over and missing is futile!

2) General rule of thumb for changing your lead, "double it or cut it in half" In other words, if you think your behind then double the lead, in front then cut it in half.

3) One person says they lead by two feet and another insists it's 3 feet, both are right but they just perceive the lead differently.

4) Learn to see what part of the target broke. If the back edge broke then you almost missed behind and have to increase the lead on the next target. If the front edge broke then you need to decrease very slightly.

5) The target never stops moving so if the gun stops moving then you miss behind, always remember to follow through.

If you go to the range with high expectations then you may come away sorely disappointed. Some people do fairly well on their first time out and others not so much. Give it time, learn and have fun.
Click to expand...

This is pretty much the kind of advice I am seeking. Some great tips here.

Point 5 will be new to me, will be curious as to how that goes.
 
In skeet a regular pair are thrown at the same time, one from the high house and one from the low house. They cross each other at the centre stake, mid field. On a report pair one bird is thrown and as soon as you shot the second bird is thrown.
 
maynard said:
In skeet a regular pair are thrown at the same time, one from the high house and one from the low house. They cross each other at the centre stake, mid field. On a report pair one bird is thrown and as soon as you shot the second bird is thrown.
Click to expand...

Ah, you just jogged my memory.

The "report" is the report of the gun to trigger the second target. Sounds a little easier so will help for an apprentice like myself.
 
Sniffer said:
Ah, you just jogged my memory.

The "report" is the report of the gun to trigger the second target. Sounds a little easier so will help for an apprentice like myself.
Click to expand...
Shooing true pairs helps with your timing, if you ride the first target too long as many beginners do, you don't get to shoot at the second target. So start shooting the true pairs as soon as you can.
 
Sniffer, ya got some great advice already bud !! Keep your gun moving and hard focus on the bird for a couple of seconds right where you plan on breaking the target !
These shotgun sports are my cocaine...lol *** BE FORWARNED***if you try dis chit, you gonna git hooked mannnnn LMAO

First time I went to shoot skeet, one of the well seasoned gents welcomed me and said...this is easy. Hold your arm out and point your finger up...this is a game of fingers !! Station 2, give the bird a two finger lead..station 3 give 3, station 4 give it 4..then back down to three then 2 as you move along the stations. I did that for a spell till I got more into it. The way I shoot some days, maybe I need to revisit it again...ha ha ha

#1 high and #8 low is STILL a PIMA some days...lol

Good luck man..grind em up !
PS...we're expecting a report back from your new foray.
 
stubblejumper said:
Shooing true pairs helps with your timing, if you ride the first target too long as many beginners do, you don't get to shoot at the second target. So start shooting the true pairs as soon as you can.
Click to expand...

Some days at the club all we shoot on the skeet field for practice is pairs/doubles...exactly for the reason you mentioned stubble !
 
I have only shot a couple of rounds of skeet in the UK. They do not shoot station 8 for some reason. Instead they shoot a high and low then a true pair on station 4. You have to declare which bird that you are shooting first on the pair.
 
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