Need some quick tips for Trap

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cote_b

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I am entering a trap competition at the range tomorrow and, since I have only done it once before, some advice would be appreciated!. Being only 18, I am a bit nervous since everyone else will be probably twice my age with way more experience.

I am using a Mossberg 500 12ga with a 28'' barrel. I would think that a full choke would be the best, but correct me if I'm wrong. I will be shooting Winchester Universal 2.75'' shells with #8 shot.

If you have any tips for the actual shooting part, let me know. The last time I did this was in 2007 with an old Cooey single shot 20 ga, so I'm going to be rusty!.
 
Actually, your age gives you an advantage: you see better, act faster, can focus better to name a few. Stay forward, move with the body not your arms, keep your head glued to the stock, see the target before you move the gun, remember to relax your muscles and breathe in-between shots. Don't count the breaks or how many you have left to shoot and, above all - remember you're there to enjoy so... enjoy! :)

Hope this helps
Florin

P.S. Dress properly - you cannot relax and enjoy if you're cold.
 
florin said:
Actually, your age gives you an advantage: you see better, act faster, can focus better to name a few. Stay forward, move with the body not your arms, keep your head glued to the stock, see the target before you move the gun, remember to relax your muscles and breathe in-between shots. Don't count the breaks or how many you have left to shoot and, above all - remember you're there to enjoy so... enjoy! :)

Hope this helps
Florin

P.S. Dress properly - you cannot relax and enjoy if you're cold.
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X2!

Don't forget to KEEP SWINGING after you get onto the target!:D
Cat
 
Lots of good advice. Here's a small tip that you don't have to think about while you are shooting. After you dump 25 shells into your pocket throw in a few extra. Even if you are trying not to count targets you will unconsciously as you get down to your last few shells. The extra shells stop you from keeping track of how close you are to the end of the round.
 
Thanks for the tips guys. Unfortunately I couldnt get a ride out to the range today, so I'll have to wait till the next one. It's windy and brutally cold too, so the conditions arent't exactly ideal either.
 
tommyg said:
go with a modified choke. keep your head down, watch the bird not the bead (repeat ad nauseum). good luck and have fun
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Yes a Mod. Choke is fine at the 16 yd line. But I would go with a full Choke. That will help you when your yardage starts moving back. But you must PATTERN YOUR GUN.
 
I think that mod would be a good choice. I would not worry much about the technical aspect at your first shoot. Just shoot safe and enjoy. Between shoots practice and put some of those tips to work. Better still, seek out good instruction.
 
Dont count them, in other words make it a 1 target at a time deal.You have one shot for one target, FOCUS MENTALLY, dont call for the target til you are good and ready for it. The way I look at it it is me against that machine(not the other shooters) and I am not about to let that machine beat me.Thats how I shot my way to a 199/200 in the singles clay target championship at the 1988 Grand American.It still was not enough to win with 3-200 straights posted but it got me a top 10 finish after the shootoffs(there were 8 other 199's).It is also how I shot my way to the 27 yard line at 100th Grand in the pre-liminary handicap and a 17th place finish in a field of 5000+entries that day as well as high canadian in the 200 singles clay target championship.Good luck to you, hope that helps:rockOn:
 
I use a special clay/trap choke. Its actually more of an IC choke. You want to put A LOT of pellets up in the area, and you want the clay to fly through the spread. So, I think IC or a specialty choke is better than a modified choke.

I used modifieds before, they break them nice, but I like the IC.
 
Someone alluded to following through, this is essential. As you shoot, leading the clay slightly, continue to lead it after you've fired, you'll likely hit it better.
 
Paul Morrison said:
I use a special clay/trap choke. Its actually more of an IC choke. You want to put A LOT of pellets up in the area, and you want the clay to fly through the spread. So, I think IC or a specialty choke is better than a modified choke.

I used modifieds before, they break them nice, but I like the IC.
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I.C. for Trap? I like a full Choke gun. Love to see powder :). What is the measured constriction of your "special clay/trap choke"?
 
Improved cylinder is a little too open for trap. The launcher is 16 yards away, the target will travel an additional 50 yards or so before it hits the ground. A fast shooter is taking the targets at about 30 yards and most of us are probably in the 40 yard range. An edge on target at that distance usually requires a tighter choke than IC. For 16 yard trap modified is the minimum in most cases.
 
Claybuster said:
Improved cylinder is a little too open for trap. The launcher is 16 yards away, the target will travel an additional 50 yards or so before it hits the ground. A fast shooter is taking the targets at about 30 yards and most of us are probably in the 40 yard range. An edge on target at that distance usually requires a tighter choke than IC. For 16 yard trap modified is the minimum in most cases.
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From the 16 a Mod. Choke is fine I just prefer a Full as my Trap gun is fixed. Trap goes all the way back to the 27yd. line (or parking lot as I like to call it). So a Full Choke will be a necessity when you try a round from the "lot". :) I would still like to know what a "special Clay/Trap" I.C. Choke is though....
 
Win/64 said:
I would still like to know what a "special Clay/Trap" I.C. Choke is though....
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Yeah, I would like to know that as well. An improved cylinder choke is dimensionally a constriction of 0.010" and puts 50 per cent of the shot into a 30" circle at 40 yards. Anything else isn't an I.C. choke.
 
So far I have settled on Improved Modified for trap at the 16 yard line because the patterning is best at 36 yards in my gun. The pattern is starting to open a bit by 50 yards and there are some gaps. So, unless I begin to feel daring, I'll likely shift over to full once I get a handicap of 27 yards. On the other hand, I may not be able to lift a full choke, let alone the whole gun, by the time that happens;). So, things are easy for me. It's IM out to the 20 yard line. At least it makes things simple. Not like clays, now that's a completely different story.
 
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