Different types of clay shooting

Vladivar

Vladivar

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New Hamburg, Ontario
I am looking to get into this sport but I am a little confused about the various disciplines. Could one (or several) of you guys explain the difference between Skeet, Trap and Sporting Clay - and maybe suggest which would be the best for a beginner.

Thanks.
 
Trap are generally going away target shot from certain distance away. Generally speaking american traps are played in a group of 5. Everybody gets a shot and rotates position on the line.

Skeet are shot from high house and low house. You move in a semi circle line and shoot each station. Skeet is a fairly repetitive game as each target is the same for the station.

SC has more variety of presentation from towers to rabbits. There are no set way plan a SC course and may will change it up through the season.

They are all good games, depending on your skill level, skeet and trap are easier to master and work on parts of your game due to you being able to know the presentation before the shot.
 
Sporting clays is like golf with guns. You move from station to station and each one is generally different on the course. Good course will switch things up for variety. Closest to hunting situations because of the variety of trajectories and speeds.
 
sherlockbonez said:
Trap are generally going away target shot from certain distance away. Generally speaking american traps are played in a group of 5. Everybody gets a shot and rotates position on the line.

Skeet are shot from high house and low house. You move in a semi circle line and shoot each station. Skeet is a fairly repetitive game as each target is the same for the station.

SC has more variety of presentation from towers to rabbits. There are no set way plan a SC course and may will change it up through the season.

They are all good games, depending on your skill level, skeet and trap are easier to master and work on parts of your game due to you being able to know the presentation before the shot.
Click to expand...

There is another variation to the above in sporting clays called 5 stand. There are 5 shooting stations and you shoot at a single target then 2 pair at each station for a total of 25 targets.
Trap and skeet are also shot in rounds of 25 targets.
 
Fassteel said:
There is another variation to the above in sporting clays called 5 stand. There are 5 shooting stations and you shoot at a single target then 2 pair at each station for a total of 25 targets.
Trap and skeet are also shot in rounds of 25 targets.
Click to expand...

Yes you are correct. I never shot a 5 stand and it slipped my mind.
 
Vladivar said:
I am looking to get into this sport but I am a little confused about the various disciplines. Could one (or several) of you guys explain the difference between Skeet, Trap and Sporting Clay - and maybe suggest which would be the best for a beginner.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Should one also be new to shotguns then it may be comparatively easier to start off with Trap (and Wobbles) and subsequently, move to Skeet and SC. The transition would become somewhat smoother at that point.

Having said that, the selection of a shotgun would have to be appropriate as well - something that would effectively handle requirements in all three categories of clay shooting.
 
Ahsan Ahmed said:
Should one also be new to shotguns then it may be comparatively easier to start off with Trap (and Wobbles) and subsequently, move to Skeet and SC. The transition would become somewhat smoother at that point.

Having said that, the selection of a shotgun would have to be appropriate as well - something that would effectively handle requirements in all three categories of clay shooting.
Click to expand...


I already have a mossy 500 in 12g and I hope that will be good enough as a starter.
 
I prefer 5 stand and Sporting right now, I am young and hunting takes up most of my time so it is a natural choice. When I am older and can't chase Honkers or run dogs I will take up trap and Skeet.

If I was to recommend a Clay game for a beginner I would recommend 5 Stand because you can shoot any old shotgun basicly. I find that Trap is based heavily on equipment and you will do better with a specialised gun. And frankly when you are a beginner you want to get used to various angles and learn to use your shotgun, Trap and Skeet are more "precise" games.
 
Vladivar said:
I already have a mossy 500 in 12g and I hope that will be good enough as a starter.
Click to expand...

Depends on which model 500? Certainly sporting or hunting style pumps are good for a starter. It will be OK for single target ATA type trap. I wouldn't shoot double trap or international. but there is not enough international ranges around anyway. Skeet? You may have a little difficulty on the doubles but when it is informal I would suggest starting with two singles instead of doubles. Hey try the doubles. You may find that you have the nack for shucking that thing. Same with 5 stand or sporting. Both sports require a gun capable of two shots. On most ranges targets are supposed to simulate game birds and good range managers should keep in mind hunters and hunter's guns. The choice of what sport to try first will depend on what is available in your area. No matter what you try your first goal should be to have fun and learn something. When you are ready and know the sports that are for you, you will probably want another gun. Come back here. We are never short on opinions.:D
 
Now that have had some idea of the differences in the different games here's my suggestion to you. Get on the phone and call the club nearest you. Explain to them you a newbie and want to try your hand at trap and skeet. Ask if someone can help guide you. Arrange a day and a time you will show up. Most likely they will be MORE than accommodating to a potential new shooter. Plan on buying shells at the club. You could buy a bulk pack at Wally world or CDN Tire, but the club makes a little bit on the shells they sell and it helps their bottom line. Plus they know you are not shooting field loads. Take your Mossberg, ear and eye protection, a full choke(for trap) and a imp cyl choke(for skeet) if you have. Under the guidance of the provided mentor, shoot some birds and have a blast. You will quickly figure out which you like best. It's a lot more fun to shoot targets than it is to talk about them on the internet!

John
 
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