What size shotgun shell for Clays what about choke?

cereal83

cereal83

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Hey all,

I am probably going to try some clay shooting soon so I am wondering what size shell is ok and should I get the cheapest stuff possible for this kind of stuff?

I have a 870 12 gauge with a Mod choke.

I have cheap waterfowl in 7 1/2's Would this be good enough? Also most of the target stuff I see is cheap and in either 7 1/2 or 8.

As for chokes, I have full, mod and IC, which one would be best?

Any help would be great.

Thanks

:dancingbanana:
 
Very quick answer, cheapo target loads are fine, 7-1/2 or 8 shot. Use IC choke, and don't change it. If you're not hitting anything, move closer until you do or see where the gun is impacting.
 
I have the mod choke in the gun right now but I think I will bring both mod and IC and see how they work. Cheap target loads are easy enough for me as they are cheap as hell. I just wish I didn't miss that 500 shells for $40 from Bass pro. Well I am off to Lebarons soon enough.

Thnaks guys
 
Many clubs have a rule that no shot larger than 7.5 may be used. Also, bring a skeet choke if you have one handy - you might pick up a few more targets.
 
cereal -

I agree with the comments regarding IC or SK choke, but if you've got a clays course which has some really fast movers in close you may want to try a spreader... man, inside 30yd a guy can't MISS with a spreader and an ounce of 9.

-M
 
Well I just got back. I picked up about 100 #8's Hopefully this will do me good. I am not talking about going to a proper place and shooting clays. I am talking about just throwing them with a toy I picked up and trying to shoot them. I also picked up 130 clays for only $15 :)

I don't have a skeet choke but hopefully the IC will do ok.

Well I think I will be doing this on Saturday and I can't wait as I have never tried this before.

:dancingbanana: :dancingbanana: :dancingbanana:
 
7-1/2 or 8 and cheap target loads will do fine. Your waterfowl loads would likely be fine if they are old lead loads from the time before non-tox shot was required.

You didn't say if you were going to shoot trap, skeet, sporting clays or hand thrown targets in a field.

If you are shooting skeet use your IC choke.

For trap modified should be fine but your full isn't a bad choice either.

Ear protection and eye protection always. It's also a good idea to have a jacket, vest or belt bag to carry your shells.
 
IC will be great if you're just shooting from a ground-spiked thrower or something similar... #8 with IC is pure cash money on slow-movers like those from home throwers.

My best advice to you is to stand with a relatively narrow (yes, narrow!) foot spacing, with your front foot pointing slightly to the right of the center of the field of fire (if right handed), and with about 70% of your weight placed on your front leg as a pivot from the knee and hip. What I mean by the foot position - if right handed - is to have your left foot at about 1 o'clock and your right foot at about 2:30 and no more than about 18" away. Fix your hand position at the start, and move from the HIPS rather than the arms. Shoot at the target like it's the size of a hula hoop; don't get jerky.

You're gonna love it - I guarantee.

-M
 
I am not really shooting anything specific that I know of. I have a thrower that I got for like $5 and I got clays. Me and this guy are going to throw them at for eachother and see how good we do. It's a hand thrower so I don't think it will be too fast. We will be in an open field. This is nothing professional, just a couple of guys throwing some clays.

I have the hear and eye protection all ready. I will be wearing a jacket but nothing with huge pockets to load lots of shells in.


Doc M, thanks for the tips on how to stand and shoot. I have never done it before but I am watching a few video clips right now and am watching how they stand and everything. I am sure I will enjoy it. I will see how good I do. Hopefully I hot atleast 30% of them but clays are so cheap who cares :)
 
If you're in a field using a hand thrower then use an IC choke and whatever shells you want. Don't worry about a jacket with pockets or a vest. Have a blast! Then when it starts to get easy come out to one of the clays clubs and then your education and addiction will begin.;)
 
Well I just got back from switching chokes for a IC. I also got all my paperwork ready and and my glasses and ear protection. I packed all my ammo into my ammo box and I am ready to go :) I am joining Burlington but I am not sure if they have clays there. :confused: Maybe I should find out.
 
cereal83 said:
Doc M, thanks for the tips on how to stand and shoot. I have never done it before but I am watching a few video clips right now and am watching how they stand and everything. I am sure I will enjoy it. I will see how good I do. Hopefully I hot atleast 30% of them but clays are so cheap who cares :)
Click to expand...

Think of it this way if it helps:

You're standing there, wanting to shoot something at about 1:30 on the clock dial. All of a sudden some jackass walks up to you at about 12 o'clock and you move - without shuffling your feet - to punch him with your left jab while your right hand gets brought up by your chin for a right cross. Put a gun in your hands when they're frozen like that, and you'll shoot well. 12 o'clock should now be perpendicular to the firing line.

Also, put your head nice and forward into the stock to get a good cheek weld and hopefully sit high up on the comb - you should see the top of the rib (i.e. the gun should be pointing upwards relative to your horizontal LOS) for maximum success.

Remember to keep a good cheek weld or it'll bite you - it's tough not to pop your head off the stock to look at the target flying, and the proper angle of attack on the rib will help this.

-M
 
Well I just got back. It was fun and way better then shooting paper.

I tried the IC choke first and it was easy. I only missed like 2% of them. Then I tried a mod and that was still good at only hitting 10% of them. Then we switched spots and I was no able to hit any of them so I went back to the IC choke and I was able to hit them again.

I still have like 70 clays left so I am looking forward to another weekend of shooting clays
 
:confused: Take a spin to the Oshawa Skeet and Gun club! You might learn something about shooting clay targets and live birds! "Move, Mount and Shoot":dancingbanana:
Best regards,
Henry;)
 
ricoboxing said:
yo i couldnt hit a dam thing with my modified choke!! i guess i just suck.
Click to expand...

I went skeet shooting for the first time and had a modified and could only shoot 1or2 out of 5. Looks like it's hard with a modified, Ill be trying with an Ic next time.
 
When you get a little better at it, you'll find it more fun to "choke for smoke" as they say.

When you get a solid hit with a smaller pattern (tighter choke) the clays turn to dust/smoke and it feels really good!

But for now, go with what is most fun for you, and shoot lots!
Welcome to our madness!
 
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