Questions on skeet shooting

I thank each of you for your thoughtful responses, s2photo in particular. The advice on chokes is something I would never have thought of and the idea of me and my wife being able to shoot the same gun well is something I should have thought of and didn't. It is encouraging to hear that we can start off on the cheap and still be in the game.

I will caution you that you will both be able to use the gun if you are of relatively the same build... Shotgun manufactures build for the Average shooter, those of us who fall outside of that "normal" size will benefit from some stock fitting. Myself - I'm 6'6" the LOP (length of pull) on my shotgun had to be lengthened quite a bit, and the drop increased slightly to accommodate a longer neck.

But until you start shooting and get a sense of how to properly mount the gun - not much of this will matter. Its a catch 22, you'll shoot best with a well fitted gun, but you can't truly be fitted until you've done some shooting. You could try to find a stock fitter with a "try-gun" (which is a fancy rather adjustable gun) to get your ideal measurements; However in Canada they're about as common as a unicorn.

The advice of finding a coach of some sort, or at least talking to some of the well seasoned shotgunners at a club is great advise. Most guys are pretty friendly at the clubs and most will help you out or even let you try their gun for a few shells.

So once again, best of luck, and have a blast.

Oh also, your wife and you (if you fit well enough) can share the same gun, but some clubs will either frown upon sharing the gun in a squad, or have a rule against it (for safety/consideration of others time) Best to check with your local club first. You can always take turns however.
 
I see North central BC is your location. Smithers has a Rod and Gun Club with trap setup etc. Lots of knowledgable friendly shooters there. It is up Glacier Gulch road.
 
The only real difference between a skeet/trap gun is the choke used. Unless you get into the very high end shotguns that can run in 5 figures. Skeet/trap barrels usually have more than one bead on the rib. Still just a bead.
The suggestion to go talk to experienced skeet/trap shooters is a good one. Mind you, some of 'em can be a bit, um, traditional and may say things like, "You must use (insert brand etc here) and nothing else."
Remember that the point is to have fun. Can't hit beans on the wing myself, but have been known to shoot skeet/trap anyway. Great fun, so it is.
 
While I will disagree that a true "trap" vs "skeet" vs "sporting" guns don't really differ, the general point us very valid. 95% of people shot with hunting guns anyways, so the minor differences don't really amount to a hill of beans until you get to the very high end guns.

Plus as long as you know where you gun shoots, it doesn't matter what your patterning split looks like. My gun, fit for sporting, centers the pattern ditectly on my point of aim, all it means is that if I'm shooting a rising target I have to make sure I'm above it.

Fancy ribs, beads and all that hoopla are the expensive stuff people "think" they need, but if you don't know your gun and have the trigger time, all the fancy kit in the world isn't going to make you shoot better.

Buy something of decent quality that fits and go out and shoot it.
 
hello everyone
thanks for giving some good insights .I live in Mississauga and am trying to get into the sport ,wanna buy a used 12 gauage over under , need some inputs on what to check in a used gun and where to go looking for it
second help i need is on the club -i have narrowed down to haha club hamilton ,hamilton Gun club and islington sports club ..any views experience
thanking everyone in advance
tiger
 
Do not buy a 20ga the shells are more expensive and not as easy to find I did this for my son and he is now using my gun all the time because he out grow it. If you buy a good semi you will not feel the recoil as much . For skeet and sporting you will need a gun to shoot 2 quick shots so I would not get a pump. For skeet, sporting and trap you can use any type of semi auto field gun.
The shotguns called trap guns are designed to have the shot pattern shoot higher that is because the birds are rising and you do not have to lose sight of the clay to shoot it at different angles.
A good semi if I was starting out would be the beretta A300 outlander it is based on the al391 and these are very popular on the sporting and skeet field with the black plastic stock you can adjust the length of pull which would be good for your wife and for around $750 you can buy two for the price of a over and under.
 
I have never had any issue finding 20 gauge target loads, and the price has been comparable to 12 gauge target loads. As for outgrowing a 20 gauge, I shoot the majority of my skeet with a 28 gauge, and I have shot skeet for many years.
 
As for outgrowing a 20 gauge, I shoot the majority of my skeet with a 28 gauge, and I have shot skeet for many years.

Agreed. Most of the hard core skeet guys I play with shoot 3/4 12g loads. You really don't need much past a 7/8 load for skeet. Still makes plenty O smoke if one does his part.
IMHO.
 
I have never had any issue finding 20 gauge target loads, and the price has been comparable to 12 gauge target loads. As for outgrowing a 20 gauge, I shoot the majority of my skeet with a 28 gauge, and I have shot skeet for many years.

same here 28ga 99% of the time and some 410 when I think I am real good and get humbled real fast :D:D
 
Do not buy a 20ga the shells are more expensive and not as easy to find I did this for my son and he is now using my gun all the time because he out grow it.
Your son may have outgrown the gun, physically, but he did not outgrown the gauge. That is something that will happen regardless of what gun they are using; it's like shoes.

My most recent purchase was a 20ga to compliment my 12. My 20ga order this year was actually $2/flat less than my 12ga order; both for 7/8oz loads.
 
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