Afternoon everyone.
Very new to the firearms world here. Acquired my first two personal firearms this year. Picked up a 12 Ga Remington 870 Supermag two weekends ago at the sale at Sail in Oshawa. 28" Vent rib, screw in chokes, bread sight, along with a 20" rifled barrel with iron sights. (Haven't shot a slug yet).
I'd never fired a shotgun before today. It was awesome. I went to Kingston District Skeet, Trap and Sporting Clays.
Obviously, having never shot a shotgun before today, I've also never shot skeet or the likes either.
Met up with my buddy after dropping the wife at work this morning, grabbed a coffee and a bagel and headed up to the range.
Didn't fully know what to expect. I've never been to a range outside of the military before.
Don't know if I've "over-secured" my shottie or not. It was in a hard case with 2 padlocks on it, with a trigger lock as well. The my shells were in a metal toolbox with a padlock on it (at least they're all keyed the same!). Figure, this is only my second time transporting a firearm (first time being when I took my rifle to my friend's farm to shoot), I'd rather be safe and secure than in trouble. I don't know if it was overkill. But it was comfortable and not too awkward to deal with.
At the range the people were very friendly. I met the Vice-President of the club, Mike, and 6 or 7 of the members.
One of the members, Mark was awesome. He took my friend and I onto the course, and instead of just running through a full set right off the mark, he took me to positions 1 and 7. We did some basic work on the Low house and high house clays from those spots. We also gave a try at spot 6 with our last few shells.
He let us control the clay throwers. Never had to call "pull" before either.
Missed a lot of clays. (Obviously!) But I hit more than I expected.
I did ok with anything from the low house at any of the 3 positions I tried. When the high house was going away from me. I was able to semi consistently hit. When the high house was coming towards me...I just couldn't get the proper lead on my target. That was frustrating, but hey, I just started. Just laugh that off...and try again!
Although it was an excellent relaxed, safe, instructional session; for me personally after calling "pull", it all happens so FAST!
I'd position myself, get a good grip on the shotgun, settle it into my shoulder, adjust me cheek on the stock, aim where Mark suggested as a good hold position. Ok. Breath. "Pull!" Then woosh, bang! Wow. At least I had as much time as I wanted to think about it. Then do it again! That surely was an experience!
I need to do it again!!!
Shot 3 boxes of shells each. Federal Top Gun 2 3/4" #8 shells. Got a box of 250 for $65 at Canadian Tire. Was (and am) still too excited to know whether or not my shoulder hurts! I "think" I feel something...we'll find out tomorrow.
Used a Improved Cylinder choke.
May or may not be needed, but I'm going to clean my shotgun now. 150 rounds down the tube...total? It'd better be able to survive without being cleaned...I think. But. I intend to learn. So since I've gotten home I've learned to field strip it. I haven't tried to take apart the bolt itself, or the trigger mech yet. (Must be patient...one thing at a time). But I'm going to give it a clean. Just for the learning experience.
Yup. Just turned 30. Seriously looking to get into Shooting as a hobby. Bought 2 firearms so far. Got both out once each, each within 2 weeks of buying them. Legally. And, to the best of my personal ability, Safely. I'm super excited.
And thus my experience so far.
Skeet was awesome. 2 boxes each for my friend and I again next Sunday, and I'll take it from there.
Cheers,
-Dave
Very new to the firearms world here. Acquired my first two personal firearms this year. Picked up a 12 Ga Remington 870 Supermag two weekends ago at the sale at Sail in Oshawa. 28" Vent rib, screw in chokes, bread sight, along with a 20" rifled barrel with iron sights. (Haven't shot a slug yet).
I'd never fired a shotgun before today. It was awesome. I went to Kingston District Skeet, Trap and Sporting Clays.
Obviously, having never shot a shotgun before today, I've also never shot skeet or the likes either.
Met up with my buddy after dropping the wife at work this morning, grabbed a coffee and a bagel and headed up to the range.
Didn't fully know what to expect. I've never been to a range outside of the military before.
Don't know if I've "over-secured" my shottie or not. It was in a hard case with 2 padlocks on it, with a trigger lock as well. The my shells were in a metal toolbox with a padlock on it (at least they're all keyed the same!). Figure, this is only my second time transporting a firearm (first time being when I took my rifle to my friend's farm to shoot), I'd rather be safe and secure than in trouble. I don't know if it was overkill. But it was comfortable and not too awkward to deal with.
At the range the people were very friendly. I met the Vice-President of the club, Mike, and 6 or 7 of the members.
One of the members, Mark was awesome. He took my friend and I onto the course, and instead of just running through a full set right off the mark, he took me to positions 1 and 7. We did some basic work on the Low house and high house clays from those spots. We also gave a try at spot 6 with our last few shells.
He let us control the clay throwers. Never had to call "pull" before either.
Missed a lot of clays. (Obviously!) But I hit more than I expected.
I did ok with anything from the low house at any of the 3 positions I tried. When the high house was going away from me. I was able to semi consistently hit. When the high house was coming towards me...I just couldn't get the proper lead on my target. That was frustrating, but hey, I just started. Just laugh that off...and try again!
Although it was an excellent relaxed, safe, instructional session; for me personally after calling "pull", it all happens so FAST!
I'd position myself, get a good grip on the shotgun, settle it into my shoulder, adjust me cheek on the stock, aim where Mark suggested as a good hold position. Ok. Breath. "Pull!" Then woosh, bang! Wow. At least I had as much time as I wanted to think about it. Then do it again! That surely was an experience!
I need to do it again!!!
Shot 3 boxes of shells each. Federal Top Gun 2 3/4" #8 shells. Got a box of 250 for $65 at Canadian Tire. Was (and am) still too excited to know whether or not my shoulder hurts! I "think" I feel something...we'll find out tomorrow.
Used a Improved Cylinder choke.
May or may not be needed, but I'm going to clean my shotgun now. 150 rounds down the tube...total? It'd better be able to survive without being cleaned...I think. But. I intend to learn. So since I've gotten home I've learned to field strip it. I haven't tried to take apart the bolt itself, or the trigger mech yet. (Must be patient...one thing at a time). But I'm going to give it a clean. Just for the learning experience.
Yup. Just turned 30. Seriously looking to get into Shooting as a hobby. Bought 2 firearms so far. Got both out once each, each within 2 weeks of buying them. Legally. And, to the best of my personal ability, Safely. I'm super excited.
And thus my experience so far.
Skeet was awesome. 2 boxes each for my friend and I again next Sunday, and I'll take it from there.
Cheers,
-Dave
