DK Firearms

Advice needed about clay shooting and HD shotgun

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  • Zoltan

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    Jul 1, 2020
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    Have you ever shot trap or skeet?
    No as I stated in my first post at the start of this thread, I am new to guns. I hope that trap shooting would help me to learn to handle the gun better and add more fun to learn using it well. That's why I want a gun that is able to serve two purposes.
    Why do you ask?
     

    ZX9RCAM

    Over the Rainbow bridge...
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    Yes I may be confusing the terms. Isn't clay shooting same same as trap shooting? If no, forgive me, I don't know the difference yet.

    As I stated I never have shot any type of sport involving clay pigeons.
    I'm certainly not an authority, but I know how to use Google.
     

    Zoltan

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    Ok I found a description of three different activities (trap, skeet, clay) but frankly I don't know which one of them I am going to do because I don't know which is available in place where I live. This is something I have yet to investigate. All three are fine to me because I didn't try any yet. From what I understood long barrel 12 GA pump-action shotgun should be good for all three and models which contain "Trap" in their name are not necessary designed only for trap shooting and not for skeet or clay. Correct me if I am wrong.
    Since Remingtons has problems with quality and Mossberg is mostly unavailable at the moment I just wanted to ask about Winchester SXP alternative. The same questions, basically, are there any quality problems? Is it as easy to use one gun with two barrels? Does their slide-action feature worth it to chose Winchester or not?
     

    rotor

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    As I said earlier I prefer either a over-under or automatic for trap, skeet, sporting clays. Once you find a nice place to shoot you will love this type of shooting.
    For home defense I like an 18" pump and I use a Maverick 88. Inexpensive and works. The guns I use for trap, skeet, sporting clays are the high dollar guns.
     

    single stack

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    Oct 27, 2011
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    This website will help you find a place to shoot clay targets. You might want to visit one of the clubs to watch the games and talk to some of the guys. Tell them you are new and have an interest in shooting sports.

    https://www.claytargetsonline.com/texas/

    I have suggested previously that you might not want a trap gun right away. They are not the best for games other than trap.
    The 12 gauge combo gun does it all, home defense, hunting, and all of the clay games.
    After you’ve become addicted, you will want another gun specifically suited to your favorite game.
    Have fun and stay safe.
     

    zackmars

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    Skeet can be done (and is often easier) with a shorter barrel/more open choke

    Trap is where you'll want a longer barrel and tighter choke

    Not sure about sporting clays.
     

    zackmars

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    Ok I found a description of three different activities (trap, skeet, clay) but frankly I don't know which one of them I am going to do because I don't know which is available in place where I live. This is something I have yet to investigate. All three are fine to me because I didn't try any yet. From what I understood long barrel 12 GA pump-action shotgun should be good for all three and models which contain "Trap" in their name are not necessary designed only for trap shooting and not for skeet or clay. Correct me if I am wrong.
    Since Remingtons has problems with quality and Mossberg is mostly unavailable at the moment I just wanted to ask about Winchester SXP alternative. The same questions, basically, are there any quality problems? Is it as easy to use one gun with two barrels? Does their slide-action feature worth it to chose Winchester or not?

    Between trap and skeet, skeet is easier. Doubles can be a bit difficult, but you don't HAVE to do doubles, unless your range is picky about it.
     

    Spcwolf

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    Apr 16, 2013
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    It’s good practice, but I would get man size targets and shoot n c targets and learn how your shotgun patterns with 00 buck.

    learn where the pellets pattern at different ranges, you may be surprised.
     

    OLDVET

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    Dec 14, 2009
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    Richardson, Texas
    Back in the mid 80s I was president of the Rockwall Gun Club. We had three trap fields and three skeet fields.
    At the time I was there three or four days a week and shot probably 300 to 400 rounds a week.
    Skeet is a shotgun game designed to replicate hunting birds that fly like dove and duck. Trap is designed to replicate birds that flush like Quail or Pheasant. Sporting Clays began around 1985. It was a break from the rigid rules of Skeet and Trap. I used to shoot competitive skeet. At a competition down in Waco I shot 99 out of 100 in A class 12 gage competition. It was my best ever round in competition. I didn't even make the top six. Six guys shot perfect rounds of 100 each.
    I took of Sporting Clays competition after that. An average shooter will probably shoot 75% of the targets thrown. Downside is most competitions are not monitored by judges so there is a lot of cheating going on. In Trap and Skeet each field has a referee that keeps score. In sporting clays, unless it is a big meet, squads score themselves. There is the problem.

    There is a difference between competition shotguns and field hunting shotguns. Competition shotguns usually have a cast-off stock and more drop in the comb. Trap shotguns are designed to shoot high so you can set the bird on top of the front bead. With a field gun you have to cover the bird with your front sight. Shotguns can also have different lengths of pull.
    Find a reputable gunsmith and discuss what options are available and he can "fit" you with a shotgun that fits you.
    If you plan to get into shootings sports I recommend you ponder reloading your shells. Once you buy the reloading equipment, you can reload shotgun shells much cheaper than buying them. Another tip, don't buy the hunting season cheap shotgun shells. The items used to make these shells are not as proficient as a shotgun shell designed for competition. Cut one of each open lengthwise and see for yourself.

    My all time favorite home defense shotgun is the Remington 870. Preferable one of the older ones that is broken in. If bad guy is sneaking around your house and he hears you "rack" the slide on your 870 he would be a total idiot to remain in your house. He is by far out gunned and he will either faint or SH*T in his pants!!

    Good luck on whatever you decide.
     
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