How about modified choke for trap?

[ninepointer]

I'm a casual target shooter, always open to tips & pointers, and I just read something that suggested that most trap shooters might be over-choked. Apparently in the time it takes for a shooter to react and fire, the clay bird is on average 32-35 yards from the shooter; well within the optimum effective range of a modified choke. Are we unecessarily handicapping ourselves when we screw in our full choke tubes?

 

[Grouse Man]

MOD would be fine. You'll need FULL when you go further back.

 

[ninepointer]

Good point, thanks! I'm strictly a 16-yard shooting line guy.

 

[Doc M]

I'll tell you that when I shot on the National Team for International-Style Trap (5 years), I used MOD with 24g of #8 in my bottom barrel and FULL with 24g of #7-1/2 in my top. Worked like a charm - I could break 'em and break the pieces with the second barrel.

On the ATA line, I just used the same thing - 24g #8 with MOD, using my bottom barrel only. Worked like a charm there too; using 1-1/8oz ATA loads, more often than not I'd create a black-and-orange 'poof'.

So yes, I think MOD works just fine. If you're a snapshooter, you could probably get away with IMP, but if you like to take your time and hit 'em at the 'crest' then MOD is the least constriction I'd use.

-M

 

[HangFire88]

Yep, full is usually only recommended for handicap when you're getting farther away from the targets... It can also be handy to switch to full when you're trying to diagnose a problem with your shots...

 

[blaser.306]

Practice with full, and shoot registered with modified !!!

 

[Covey Ridge]

I think that modified is fine out to mid yardage. I also think that there is more important things to concentrate on than the choice between modified and full. My preference is to practice with what I intend to compete with. Just gives me the confidence of knowing instead of thinking that I have a built in edge.

 

[Covey Ridge]

I used MOD with 24g of #8 in my bottom barrel and FULL with 24g of #7-1/2 in my top. Worked like a charm - I could break 'em and break the pieces with the second barrel.

On the ATA line, I just used the same thing - 24g #8 with MOD, using my bottom barrel only. Worked like a charm
-M

Love those 24g loads
$$Cheaper$$ to load and very effective!
I would not mind if the clay sports made them mandatory

 

[Beretta687EELL]

I shoot modified (.020) for 16 yards and have shot it effectively at 22 yards. Try it and see how it works for you. Most factory chokes are crap, so you might want to put it on paper and see how it patterns. Choke for smoke ... when you hit them hard with a modified choke you should still see some smoke or the target vanish.

 

[Claybuster]

Love those 24g loads
$$Cheaper$$ to load and very effective!
I would not mind if the clay sports made them mandatory

They DID for Olympic shooting.

I love the fast 24 gram too but if the ATA made them mandatory we'd hear the crying and complaining all the way from Sparta.

 

[beretta boy]

I love the fast 24 gram too but if the ATA made them mandatory we'd hear the crying and complaining all the way from Sparta.

'Ya think ?

Even 7/8 loads ( just a smidge heavier than 24 gr.) of 8's handloaded to
1200 - 1225 work very well with a Modified choke for 16 yard ATA targets.

I've been shooting a lot of Kent's "Velocity International" 24 gr. 8-1/2's at
Skeet, Sporting & 5-Stand. Very impressed with them !

 

[DEADAPAIR]

Modifired will work great for you however you should pattern your gun on paper so you can see where its shooting. I shoot a improved mod from the 26 yard in handicap and crush the targets when I'm dialed in...

 

[rboomsma]

I use improved mod from 16 thru 21-22, then switch to my botton barrel that is full. I use 7 1/2 shot. Works well for me and I shoot a 28 inch barrel.

I don't consider it fair if someone uses 8 shot if I use 7 1/2, if we are shooting against each other. If we shoot just for fun then I don't care.

I'm a casual target shooter, always open to tips & pointers, and I just read something that suggested that most trap shooters might be over-choked. Apparently in the time it takes for a shooter to react and fire, the clay bird is on average 32-35 yards from the shooter; well within the optimum effective range of a modified choke. Are we unecessarily handicapping ourselves when we screw in our full choke tubes?