Choke selection 12ga trap/skeet/sporting clay

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wileo

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Hi
I’m trying to improve my games and new at it with my browning Citori
What are your guys recommendations for chokes and shot size.
Right now I’m hitting about 10/25 in trap. 7-10/25 in skeet and 15-20/100 in sporting clay.

For
Trap-
Skeet- I’m guessing skeet choke or improved cyclinder.
Sporting clay course-

I have 7.5 and 8 challenger target loads both 1 1/8 oz

Thank you
 
Those scores aren't choke related. Put a skeet and an IC in your gun and forget about chokes for a while and work on your shooting. I have been there when i started. Compound leads are likely part of the issue especially on sporting clays.
 
Like the others have posted your scores will improve over time. Don't get frustrated keep at it. You might get a peak and have your scores drop again, dont get frustrated at that either. Get out there and have fun.
As far as what you could start with using your Factory Browning chokes.

For
Trap- From IM to Full
Skeet- I’m guessing skeet choke or improved cyclinder. Perfect
Sporting clay course- From Skeet to Light Mod Mod depending on the course

I have 7.5 and 8 challenger target loads both 1 1/8 oz #7.5 for Trap and sporting
#8 for skeet you could use it on a close course Sporting clays course too
 
Checking gun fit and some patterning might be in order too. Trap presents a fast rising target so the guns are set up to shoot high. Skeet and SC guns are set up to shoot much flatter. Learn the difference and learn where your gun shoots.
 
I will shoot most rounds of sporting clays with an ic and light mod in my O/U. the od time I will put in a full to get a very far out target or one that may be drifting out due to wind (Sask). Next I would pattern my shotgun to see where the Point of Impact is.

MY credentials are that I will shoot most Sporting around 72-78 so take it for what its worth.
 
There is alot more to all three games than chokes and burning ammo. Each discipline has it's own ways of being shot but all three have some common denominators that go for any shotgunning be it clays or feathers. Gun fit is probably the most important and first consideration. Usually a certified coach can help you in determining your guns fit. After that you are going to have to develop good basic shooting fundamentals. Gun mount, foot stance, hold points, soft focus areas, concentration and focus( ie a nice clear head focused on the target) all have to come together as one cohesive unit in a developed routine and practiced each and every time before calling for a target. Finding the right choke/load combination that works in your gun, reduces recoil so that you can shoot multiple rounds without feeling beat up at days end and instills confidence in you are very important. You'll learn all this as you go along if you really want to succeed. My suggestion if you don't have access to or $ for a good shooting instructor is watch videos on youtube by known accomplished shooters and coaches. You can glean alot of good information to help start you on a good path and of course watching the good shooters at the clubs you attend and seeking advice can help and most accomplished shooters are usually happy to help a new shooter get through some growing pains with good advice.
 
You’ve gotten lots of solid advice so far and I really don’t have anything new to add so I will just reiterate what others have already said.
Choke selection at this time is the least of your worries. Put in mod or full for trap and ic for sporting clays but tighten up for long shots. I used to be the guy that changed choke tubes on every sporting clays station but these days I tend to choke fairly tight (mod) and do the entire course that way only changing for extremely close or extremely far targets.
Get you gun fitted to you, this is critical.
Have someone who knows what they are doing (preferably with coaching experience) look over your shoulder. Someone like that can quickly see what your doing wrong and offer advice that will instantly increase your scores.
Above all else, have fun!
 
Choke is by far the least of your worries, I use skeet for skeet, light mod for sporting clays, and mod for regular trap, and that will get you close enough to develop your shooting skills. I shoot several rounds of skeet before hunting season with my fixed choke IC/IM SxS shotguns , and I still manage some clean rounds with them, so choke isn't as important as some people think.
 
Your 1 1/8 oz Challengers have quite a bit of recoil ......Especially if they are the 3 dram "handicap" version.....Next time you shop , look for 1 oz at 1200 fps or slower. These will be more comfortable to shoot which you may find helpful in building your scores.
 
I read years ago that "chokes give you inches but we miss in feet." Instead of worrying about choke find an instructor and learn how to shoot. Gun fit, stance, swing, foot placement, eye hold and gun hold are all more important than choke. All I ever worry about with choke is having enough pattern to reach the target. Cyl/SK for skeet, IC/Light Mod for sporting. M/IM for trap.
 
Shoot several flats worth of targets with a mod (or skeet/IC for skeet). Don't worry about chokes until you are crushing targets and start missing ones where you are confident you squared it up but still no break.

Do you have access to a patterning board? Spend some time there and look at where the gun shoots with your sight line. Test your mounts and see how repeatable you can hit.

Last bit of advice is if you are looking at your barrel/sights you aren't looking at the target and you will likely miss. "Aiming" a shotgun is best left for those waaaay out there sporting targets.

To me Skeet will give the quickest training because the targets are repeatable and you get all the angles and leads so you can start understanding how you are missing and adjust. Sporting is the hardest because there isn't any consistency in the targets- which makes it fun, but not when you are trying to figure out how to consistently point.
 
I think any shooter should know where their gun shoots. This first starts at the patterning board.

go online for suggestions on how to do it. forget chokes and buy ammo and shoot.

my over/under came with 3 chokes and got 3 others and have never changed then since I got my gun. ammo is the way to go and shoot your way thru all of it and I think your scores will improve.
 
Pete G said:
Your 1 1/8 oz Challengers have quite a bit of recoil ......Especially if they are the 3 dram "handicap" version.....Next time you shop , look for 1 oz at 1200 fps or slower. These will be more comfortable to shoot which you may find helpful in building your scores.
Click to expand...
That's a fact but these days you shoot whatever you can find that's cheap enough.
 
Or, see if your Trap club is kind enough to lock a thrower in one position.

cartwheel said:
To me Skeet will give the quickest training because the targets are repeatable and you get all the angles and leads so you can start understanding how you are missing and adjust. Sporting is the hardest because there isn't any consistency in the targets- which makes it fun, but not when you are trying to figure out how to consistently point.
Click to expand...
 
As stated above, getting professional instruction is very beneficial. Barring that, seek advice from some of the more accomplished shooters at your club. Best to address this when you are new to the game, such that bad habits dont take hold. Pattern your gun properly. Pick up some Winchester Tracker shells - they allow you to ascertain where your shots are going.
 
The fast track to shooting well.

1, Have your gun fitted by someone who knows what they are doing.
2, Find a good coach and take a few lessons.
3, Practice.
4, More coaching.
5, More practice.
6, Choke selection.

The slower method is to plug along figuring things out as you go.
 
Falconflyer said:
The fast track to shooting well.

1, Have your gun fitted by someone who knows what they are doing.
2, Find a good coach and take a few lessons.
3, Practice.
4, More coaching.
5, More practice.
6, Choke selection.

The slower method is to plug along figuring things out as you go.
Click to expand...

Given the current cost of the sport, the slower method of figuring out things as you go could possibly become the most expensive method as-well
 
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