Need help with my trap shooting

RifleFanatic · 10-03-2004, 09:32 PM

Well guys, today is the second day i went trap shooting. This first day i got 12 out of 25. Today it twice and i wish i didnt. It was just embarasing. I got 8 out of 25 the first time then the second i got 1 out of 25. What was i doing wrong today? I have no clue, i was doing everything the same as last time. Im using a 20 ga. NEF pardoner. Its doesnt fit me so well but i guess ill have to make do of it. I relize everyone uses a 12 ga. gun though. I used a 6 shot both days however the first day i was using these old expensive shells and today i was using some real cheap new shells. Should i be looking for a used 12 ga. shotgun or wont it be much of a diff? What kinda shell would you use in a 20 ga. for trap shooting?

jerry · 10-04-2004, 03:55 AM

Pattern your gun. My son's H&R 20 ga does not hit where you aim it.

#6 shot is a tad on the big side. Try 7.5's or even 8's you'll get a denser pattern.

My son shoots well with his Mossberg Bantam 20 ga using about any 7/8 oz load. We typically use the Winchester Super Speed loads that can be had for $30 a case.

Once the gun is patterned and you have some good ammo, it's practice, practice, practice.

Remington has a good tip board for trap. (won't pull up right now)
enclosed are some other interesting tips;

http://www.joeletchenguns.com/tips.htm
http://www.craigcolvin.com/trap/trap_tips.html

Bookman · 10-04-2004, 07:52 AM

First thing you should try is smaller shot - I'd recommend size 8 or 7.5 in 20 gauge.

Is your gun a full choke? I've used both modified and full choke for trap and find I hit more with modified.

Trap is a 12 gauge game. You'll want a 12 gauge sooner or later if you stick with the sport.

Good luck.

RifleFanatic · 10-04-2004, 03:55 PM

It has a modified choke. I will try the 7.5 and 8 shot shells.

I am also keeping my eye out for anyone at the club that is intrested in selling their 12 guage.

lefty o · 10-04-2004, 11:31 PM

i agree with the other suggestions, smaller shot and patterning the gun. the gun not fitting you is definately going to be troublesome. a 20 ga will work for trap but very few shooters do extremely well with it. also when you pull the trigger keep swinging the gun, if you fail to follow through you increase the odds of missing the target. seek some advice from somebody at the club - preferably a person that is breaking 20 or more consistently as they will have the fundamentals of trap shooting down pat. once you master the mechanics of the game it will become nothing more than a mind game. good luck and keep practicing.

10-03-2004, 09:32 PM	#1
RifleFanatic Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 65	Need help with my trap shooting Well guys, today is the second day i went trap shooting. This first day i got 12 out of 25. Today it twice and i wish i didnt. It was just embarasing. I got 8 out of 25 the first time then the second i got 1 out of 25. What was i doing wrong today? I have no clue, i was doing everything the same as last time. Im using a 20 ga. NEF pardoner. Its doesnt fit me so well but i guess ill have to make do of it. I relize everyone uses a 12 ga. gun though. I used a 6 shot both days however the first day i was using these old expensive shells and today i was using some real cheap new shells. Should i be looking for a used 12 ga. shotgun or wont it be much of a diff? What kinda shell would you use in a 20 ga. for trap shooting?

10-04-2004, 03:55 AM	#2
jerry Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 10,899 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 1	Pattern your gun. My son's H&R 20 ga does not hit where you aim it. #6 shot is a tad on the big side. Try 7.5's or even 8's you'll get a denser pattern. My son shoots well with his Mossberg Bantam 20 ga using about any 7/8 oz load. We typically use the Winchester Super Speed loads that can be had for $30 a case. Once the gun is patterned and you have some good ammo, it's practice, practice, practice. Remington has a good tip board for trap. (won't pull up right now) enclosed are some other interesting tips; http://www.joeletchenguns.com/tips.htm http://www.craigcolvin.com/trap/trap_tips.html __________________ I'm a down home back woods redneck Last edited by jerry; 10-04-2004 at 05:48 PM.

10-04-2004, 07:52 AM	#3
Bookman Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: 10 paces south of Canada Posts: 738	First thing you should try is smaller shot - I'd recommend size 8 or 7.5 in 20 gauge. Is your gun a full choke? I've used both modified and full choke for trap and find I hit more with modified. Trap is a 12 gauge game. You'll want a 12 gauge sooner or later if you stick with the sport. Good luck.

10-04-2004, 03:55 PM	#4
RifleFanatic Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 65	It has a modified choke. I will try the 7.5 and 8 shot shells. I am also keeping my eye out for anyone at the club that is intrested in selling their 12 guage.

10-04-2004, 11:31 PM	#5
lefty o Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: mn Posts: 4,812	i agree with the other suggestions, smaller shot and patterning the gun. the gun not fitting you is definately going to be troublesome. a 20 ga will work for trap but very few shooters do extremely well with it. also when you pull the trigger keep swinging the gun, if you fail to follow through you increase the odds of missing the target. seek some advice from somebody at the club - preferably a person that is breaking 20 or more consistently as they will have the fundamentals of trap shooting down pat. once you master the mechanics of the game it will become nothing more than a mind game. good luck and keep practicing.