Some Questions about the Sport

[Bird Blaster]

Hi all.

I am new to trap and skeet. Prior to this I have only hunted and shot some trap for fun with friends. I don't think I want to get very serious about the sport, but who knows, that could change very fast.

I have purchased a membership at the Hamilton Gun Club. It seems pretty nice. I have also treated myself to a new shotgun, which was the impetus for getting into the sport more. On the box of my Browning Citori White Lightning it says "full" top, "mod" bottom (Barrel). The question that I have is regarding chokes. What choke should I put on the top and bottom? Which barrel should you shoot first, does it matter? In the setup that the gun came with I am assuming you shoot bottom, and then top.

Any other advice for a new guy is great!

Regards

 

[bmcrae]

It depends which discipline you are shooting. If you are going to shoot skeet, I would strongly suggest that you find some Skeet or Cylinder chokes. Using tighter than those would result in you handicapping yourself (The longest shots you will take in skeet will be +/- 25 yards). Most skeet shooters shoot their bottom barrel first.

I don't know a lot about trap but can give some generalizations (I'm sure others will pipe in).

Many trap shooters use their upper barrel first (and usually only, since it is 1 shot per bird, notwithstanding doubles). I believe modified is the choke of choice for this.

Advice for starting out; shoot lots. The first 100,000 targets are the hardest.

- Make sure your gun fits you.
- Find someone you trust to coach you (practicing mistakes doesn't help)
- Have fun.


Brad.

 

[Bird Blaster]

Thanks for the reply!

The other choke that I have is an IC which I could add in. Hopefully I will get some more tubes for Christmas, giving me the option of changing my pattern a little more!

I will have to take your advice, and just get shooting!!!

 

[vetteman]

I don't know a lot about trap but can give some generalizations (I'm sure others will pipe in).

Many trap shooters use their upper barrel first (and usually only, since it is 1 shot per bird, notwithstanding doubles). I believe modified is the choke of choice for this.



Brad.

Actually you'll find that the majority of trapshooters use the bottom barrel first.Just something that I've noticed during 35 years of trapshooting.
Modified is okay for singles and short handicap and the first shot of doubles but you're going to handicap yourself at the longer distances with too open of a choke.I use I/M for all my singles and handicap trapshooting and a tight full for the second shot of doubles.Remember too that the choke really doesn't mean to much until you've patterned your gun on paper.I've got guns that shoot tighter patterns through a modified restriction when using my ultra soft loads than some of my full choke guns using 3 dram loads.
Dave