holy pigeons

grizzlyo

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british columbia
some of the guys at our glub were shooting 71/2 shot for 16 yard trap.we would pick up our missed targets after a shoot and there would be a few targets with a hole or two in them.no big deal.we then bought number 8 shot 3 weeks ago and we are finding a R@## load of targets with 3 and 4 up to 6 and 8 holes in them.people are getting discouraged with there lowered scores as of late.can anybody shed some light on this situation? come on claybuster i know you got a comment.you seem knowledgable.
 
Clay pigeons are affected by age, storage conditions, temperature and humidity. You may also see different lots and brands of targets perform differently.

If they are stored in a damp area, they can become softer and more difficult to break. This may explain what you are seeing. Targets stored in a cool, dry, dark place will be best.

They should be breaking with 8 holes in them.

You should also be hitting them with more than 8 pellets.:p :D
 
I have seen Rabbit targets with 7 holes but I'm surprised to hear that a standard target can take 8 pellets and not break.

Put that full choke in and dont give them a choice but to break....:D :D
 
I put a .338 rifle bullet through one a few days back, and had an exactly .338 dia. hole to show for it.

They get damp, is all. Store them in a shed at the range (or out behind Canootian Tire), and that's what happens. Take them home and put them in the oven for a couple of hours, and they'll break well again.

....but you did give me an evil idea....:D :D ....throw damp ones for your bud and make sure you get the dry ones, and you shouldn't have to buy any more beer!;)
 
Clay targets are reluctant to break unless they are spinning rapidly. Is it possible that the trap machine is not applying enough spin to the targets?

Sharptail
 
I've never seen an unbroken clay with 8 holes all the way through.:eek: I think if I did I'd take up golf.

As mentioned above they could be wet or not spinning sufficiently. It could also be a bad batch of targets. It happens. What make of targets are they? Some are easier to break than others. Are they the so-called "biodegradeable" targets? They are often harder.

I'd go back to the 7-1/2 shot and tighten my chokes. That's usually what I do in winter when the clays are often harder to break.
 
they were lawery targets. it was raining pretty hard. we are using a western flyer trap machine i think it is.how do we get more spin on our targets?this is only the second summer for us at shooting trap so forgive our ignorance.dave
 
Trap machines can be temperamental. Examine the throwing arm and see where the bird contacts the arm. There is usually a rubber strip which provides friction and causes the target to spin. If this is worn hard and smooth, the birds could be sliding off the arm with insufficient spin. Another possibility is that the throwing arm is bent or distorted in such a way that it is not getting a good grip on the bird. For a target to be wet enough to allow 8 pellet holes without breaking you would pretty much be able to wad it up in your hand. A brittle, non spinning bird can take quite a few holes without shattering. Centrifugal force is required for the target to do its part - stand one up against a cardboard box and try shooting it from about 30 yards and see for yourself.

Sharptail
 
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