H.S trap league.

It’s really not that complicated, just takes a bit of study. Choke tubes are nothing but a constriction. Some have fancy colors or are drilled out to look like swiss cheese. None of that matters. They are a very basic piece of equipment. If going out to buy a new one for standard trap at the 16 yard line I’d pick an improved modified, but really anything from modified to full will work. Anything more open than a modified would be recommended never. If the gun comes with a factory tube in modified or tighter screw it in and forget it. The gun needs to fit reasonably well. Most auto-loaders these days have shims to adjust this. Go to a pattern board and get your point of impact close to your point of aim. On ammo in a high volume game such as trap I tend to think it best to avoid excess recoil. You want to be comfortable shooting the gun, and if it’s kicking the hell out of you scores and shooting will suffer. 1 ounce is fine, or 1 1/8 ounce I always look for the shells with slower velocity. A gas gun has less felt recoil than others. Olympic trap is a much more difficult game than American trap, and it is shot with standardized shells that weigh just under an ounce. Chokes and shells are fun to talk about, but in the end don’t mean much when compared with stance/form and most important of all what you do with your eyes. Don’t think you have to hold high over the house to do well. Some of the best shooters of all time hold tight right on the house, and did so from the get go. Just find what works for you.

Bearcat89 wrote:

They told him to have it shouldered and then say pull. He did it like you which is how we do it at the farm. They told him he was at a disadvantage but he shot the best of the 8 kids. He’s used to grouse and duck where it’s always surprise shots. I told him to work on being in the ready, but if what he does works then it’s tough to argue.

I know it’s hard to go against “what works for him”, but listen to the coach.

Trap is a game of hyper-consistency and a quick draw field mount will never be as consistent as a slow, deliberate gun mount before the target flies. Also if you’re relying on a field mount it can’t be redone after the target is called for. It’s routine to see kids pause and remount their gun when they feel things aren’t right but you’re giving away that opportunity if you’re not pre mounting.

Relatively speaking, most young shooters progress to shooting in the teens fairly quickly. The journey to the 20+ range is where fundamentals like ultra consistent gun mount really begin to matter.

Trap isn’t hunting. There’s no reason to use a safety while shooting and most trap guns don’t even have a mechanical safety. In trap, safety is in following the rules and process. Fiddling with the safety is another mental distraction that kids don’t need on the line.

I have been coaching for 7 yrs and we teach the traditional trap shooting fundamentals. Safety’s are to be OFF, a shell is to be in the gun with the action OPEN until you are ready to shoulder the gun. Getting a consistently proper mount and stance is crucial before calling for the bird. Getting from the teens to the 20’s is usually pretty simple and fundamental. Progressing towards 25’s, the little things become more important. The sport is a balance of simple muscle memory and mental focus – with the physical part being what we can teach, and the mental part being what we can only try to foster – it cant be forced.

The kid shot trap league for his second time last night with a new shot gun I picked up from Mr John Rasmussen. Franchi affinity 3.5. John let him try before he buyed type of deal. Well Mason quickly fell in love with his new duck gun and shot a 20/25 on the first round and a 21/25 on his second. Far better then what I expected for him to have never shot it before. But he said the gun was so comfortable and easy to swing. So thanks John. Mason loves his new gun.

I have heard great things about those Franchis and I dont think they are stupid expensive either.

CaptainMusky wrote:

I have heard great things about those Franchis and I dont think they are stupid expensive either.

Not terrible but not cheap either. 1100 for a new one.
The funny shots Mason missed last night were all straight out shots from the thrower. He’s like dad, those ones I can’t get but the swing side shots were all beautiful.

Yeah that isnt too bad. Better than Beretta or Benelli. Those are made in MN are they? I was thinking there was some italian sounding brand made here on the Iron Range.

CaptainMusky wrote:

Yeah that isnt too bad. Better than Beretta or Benelli. Those are made in MN are they? I was thinking there was some italian sounding brand made here on the Iron Range.

I could be wrong but a quick Google search points to built in Italy.

OK I will try to figure out which one it is because I am pretty sure there is one made like in Grand Rapids. I think its weatherby, but I could be wrong for sure.

Bearcat89 wrote:

The funny shots Mason missed last night were all straight out shots from the thrower.

It can be difficult to get the feeling for shooting “over the top” of the straight away target. Essentially, it’s shooting blind because the barrel is blocking the view of the target as most see it. This isn’t just kids, I’m constantly amazed I hit any of these targets at all because to me it always feels like I just shot into empty space.

For some kids that struggle with this, we use the Terry Jordan wall poster / dry fire target and put tape above the straight away target. The tape shows where they should pull the trigger after they have already swung through the target. This seems to give a lot of kids a better feel for what they’re trying to do. This dry fire exercise could be replicated pretty easily with just two dots on the wall, but the Jordan wall chart is a fantastic investment and Terry is the nicest coach and shooter you’ll ever meet or speak with.

CaptainMusky wrote:

OK I will try to figure out which one it is because I am pretty sure there is one made like in Grand Rapids. I think its weatherby, but I could be wrong for sure.

Weatherby is either Turkey or Italy depending on model for all I’ve seen.

It can be difficult to get the feeling for shooting “over the top” of the straight away target. Essentially, it’s shooting blind because the barrel is blocking the view of the target as most see it. This isn’t just kids, I’m constantly amazed I hit any of these targets at all because to me it always feels like I just shot into empty space.
For some kids that struggle with this, we use the Terry Jordan wall poster / dry fire target and put tape above the straight away target. The tape shows where they should pull the trigger after they have already swung through the target. This seems to give a lot of kids a better feel for what they’re trying to do. This dry fire exercise could be replicated pretty easily with just two dots on the wall, but the Jordan wall chart is a fantastic investment and Terry is the nicest coach and shooter you’ll ever meet or speak with.
[/quote]

I’ll have to look in to it. If he can get those down I’m not seeing a reason he can’t hit 22, 23 plus clays in a round. The kid has been shooting since he was a young boy starting out with the old red ryder, and he has always been pretty good target shooter. So hopefully this will be something he can excel at. We will see. He joined to have fun and work on his shot gun skills not so much to be a stud trap shooter that doesn’t do much for either of us. But as long as he is having fun and wants to be in the league, I will pay his way. Also helps that it’s him and 4 buddies that all shoot in the same group.

Brittman wrote:

FITASC – Sporting clays game that starts with the gun down when you say pull.

Now you’re speaking my language

Bearcat89 wrote:

So thanks John. Mason loves his new gun.

Glad it worked out. Felt bad letting that thing sit around. More than happy it went to him and he will have it for a lifetime most likely.

Reef W wrote:

Weatherby is either Turkey or Italy depending on model for all I’ve seen.

yeah maybe it was some rifle company I’m thinking of. Too many barley pops since I heard that.