Skeet / Trap shooters....I have a question?

[jrebel]

Full disclosure....I am not a huge shotgun guru.  I own quite a few...but really only use them for turkey and grouse.  My son is joining the trap shooting team at his school.  He will be shooting a 20ga semi auto with 7 1/2 or or 8 shot 2 3/4" rounds...7/8 and 1 oz shot.  Now....this is my question...I figured a modified choke would be great.  His coach told him today that a full choke is what he needs.  For all you trap shooters, what do you say??? 

First time shooting was today and he went 11/25 and 14/25 from the 16 yard line.  Not to bad for his first time ever shooting trap. 

[Dukalr]

No way on the full choke unless it’s some strange training idea/tactic (I.e. aim small miss small?). A skeet choke is less constrictive than a modified.  In fact I shoot cylinder (no choke) on all my guns at the skeet range.  Full is good for 27yd trap.  Really not much other use for it at the range.  Use the modified,  he’ll hit more targets

[jrebel]

No way on the full choke unless it’s some strange training idea/tactic (I.e. aim small miss small?). A skeet choke is less constrictive than a modified.  In fact I shoot cylinder (no choke) on all my guns at the skeet range.  Full is good for 27yd trap.  Really not much other use for it at the range.  Use the modified,  he’ll hit more targets

Well....maybe I'm not going nuts.  That's what I thought too, but he kept saying change it out to a full.  I'm gonna leave it as it is.   

[wadu1]

OK, what is he shooting Skeet or Trap? Title says skeet but the description says trap. If shooting Skeet I would be using a Skeet tube if it's Trap, I would be starting him out with a Modified choke. His scores will be better. I'm an NRA certified Shotgun Instructor for Trap and Skeet.

[JWBINX]

Go with the smaller shot size preferably 9s, if you don't have #9 then use your 8s with your Skeet tube.
That info is for skeet only. If he is shooting trap then use Wadu1 info.

[jrebel]

Well.....   Now you see my ignorance as it pertains to trap or skeet.  It is going away from the shooter so I believe trap....vs skeet which if I am correct, go move across the shooters field. 

He is only allowed 1 shot and the pigeon go away from the shooters with the pigeon throwing house being in front of the shooters.  Five shots from five stations per round.

[ghosthunter]

Well.....   Now you see my ignorance as it pertains to trap or skeet.  It is going away from the shooter so I believe trap....vs skeet which if I am correct, go move across the shooters field. 

He is only allowed 1 shot and the pigeon go away from the shooters with the pigeon throwing house being in front of the shooters.  Five shots from five stations per round.

That’s trap.

[ghosthunter]

 Maybe the coach is saying full because he is shooting a 20 ga. Most folks shoot a 12 ga.

What are his team members shooting and how are they scoring ?

The 20 has a little shorter range ,which could make a difference depending on how fast he gets on target.


I shot some time ago with a 12 full choke and did ok.

Just saying, explore all avenues.

[jrebel]

Maybe the coach is saying full because he is shooting a 20 ga. Most folks shoot a 12 ga.

What are his team members shooting and how are they scoring ?

The 20 has a little shorter range ,which could make a difference depending on how fast he gets on target.


I shot some time ago with a 12 full choke and did ok.

Just saying, explore all avenues.

Most the kids are shooting 12 gauge.....well all of them that I watched today.  Most are high school kids and much bigger than my son.  My son is 13 and this is the first year he could join the team, so I am sure he will be shooting a 12 gauge soon enough.  A couple of the kids today went 20-22 / 25 and appear to be very good shooters.  Most were 15-20 / 25. 

My son has always been a natural when it comes to shooting so I imagine in short order he will be competitive.  Today he went 11 and 14....and that is the first time he has ever shot trap.  He did say after practice....."I wish we were shooting long range rifle matches".....We shoot a ton of rifle...not so much shotgun.   

[wadu1]

I wish you folks were an hour or so closer, I could give some basic lessons. Trap is a body mechanics game, foot placement, hold location and being able to swing from your hips. Most misses are caused by stopping your swing or lifting your head. Then look at where he's dropping targets, left or right targets. If he's a right-handed shooter and missing right-hand targets he's pushing the gun away from his face, just the opposite for a lefty.
Nothing wrong with a mod choke from the 16-yard line. I won some cash at a DU shoot at a gate shoot event that's 27-yards +. I used a 20 gauge with a mod choke and 7 1/2 shot this summer.

[jrebel]

Well....went and impulse bought a CZ drake 20ga O/U today.  Sure does feel like a great shotgun for the price point.  Figured if my son is going to be shooting with trap he might as well have an O/U so he fits in with all the other boys.  I figure if he likes this and stays with it, we will buy a little bit more expensive O/U when he moves up to the 12ga. 

I cannot believe the price of a case of 8 shot target loads.....   I remember when you could buy a case for 50 bucks.  Oh, well....it's better he is doing this than causing trouble with his spare time.   

[Henrydog]

I have not logged into this site for several years....but this is a worthy cause.  There is a huge youth movement in Trap, which is a good thing, but shells have more than doubled in the last 2 years.  Hooks on Toys has the worse prices in the Northwest, but unlike a lot of stores they have shells.  Walmart is normally cheaper but you have to cruise the shells a lot. 

I am a AA 16 yard singles shooter and a 27 yard Handicap shooter.  The buckle in my profile photo is proof.  My son was the 2016 ATA Washington State Handicap (JR) champion.

How old in he, and he big and strong is he?  No one shoots a 20ga for ATA trap, it just does not happen.  I understand he is a kid.  I have coached several kids, gun fit is the #1 issue.   He should never have a mark on his cheek of a bruise, if he does it is a fit problem.  There are some easy fixes with pitch spacers if the length of pull in correct.  The worse thing is a stock that is too long. 

His scores are not horrible for a 1st timer.  Shooting a shotgun is 100% the opposite of what dad has taught him about a rifle.  You stop a shotgun, the next word you will hear is "lost".  He would likely be posting 4-4 birds higher score with a 12ga and a full choke.  Trap guns shoot higher than field guns allowing your eye(2) to see the target the whole time.  With a field gun he will likely plateau in the low to 20's.  Footing and hip placement is important hopefully he has a good coach to nip bad habits in the bud.  Seeing you are in EWen in might be a guy by the name of Brian James, if so he is in good hands. 

Choke....in Trap put a full choke in and forget you own a choke wrench.  There are no good trap shooters that shoot anything less than IM. 

When and if he continues buy a used BT99 with an adjustable comb and butt.  It will help with fitment as he grows and his still improves.  They are affordable and a true dedicated trap gun.

Feel free to PM me as well.  I am run local shoots, handicap and squad shooters as well as a board member at my local club.  Its about the only thing I do anymore. 

[Henrydog]

OH....and your wallet will get really light dad. 

[shotguunar]

I was reading along here about this trap shooting for your son great idea one thing that hasn't been brought up is grab 2 or 3 different brands of shells and head to the patterning board that's where it will all come together  improved cylinder modified choke full choke extra full try what you got  proof is in the pudding

[jrebel]

I have not logged into this site for several years....but this is a worthy cause.  There is a huge youth movement in Trap, which is a good thing, but shells have more than doubled in the last 2 years.  Hooks on Toys has the worse prices in the Northwest, but unlike a lot of stores they have shells.  Walmart is normally cheaper but you have to cruise the shells a lot. 

I am a AA 16 yard singles shooter and a 27 yard Handicap shooter.  The buckle in my profile photo is proof.  My son was the 2016 ATA Washington State Handicap (JR) champion.

How old in he, and he big and strong is he?  No one shoots a 20ga for ATA trap, it just does not happen.  I understand he is a kid.  I have coached several kids, gun fit is the #1 issue.   He should never have a mark on his cheek of a bruise, if he does it is a fit problem.  There are some easy fixes with pitch spacers if the length of pull in correct.  The worse thing is a stock that is too long. 

His scores are not horrible for a 1st timer.  Shooting a shotgun is 100% the opposite of what dad has taught him about a rifle.  You stop a shotgun, the next word you will hear is "lost".  He would likely be posting 4-4 birds higher score with a 12ga and a full choke.  Trap guns shoot higher than field guns allowing your eye(2) to see the target the whole time.  With a field gun he will likely plateau in the low to 20's.  Footing and hip placement is important hopefully he has a good coach to nip bad habits in the bud.  Seeing you are in EWen in might be a guy by the name of Brian James, if so he is in good hands. 

Choke....in Trap put a full choke in and forget you own a choke wrench.  There are no good trap shooters that shoot anything less than IM. 

When and if he continues buy a used BT99 with an adjustable comb and butt.  It will help with fitment as he grows and his still improves.  They are affordable and a true dedicated trap gun.

Feel free to PM me as well.  I am run local shoots, handicap and squad shooters as well as a board member at my local club.  Its about the only thing I do anymore.

Henrydog

Thanks for all the great advice.  He is 13 years old and and will be shooting for the Eastmont FFA trap through his school.  He is still a small guy, though he has put on some height in the last year......5' tall 100 lbs.  He is not recoil sensitive, but all my 12 gauge shotguns are just to big for him....especially to swing on targets.  I imagine in the next year or two, he will graduate to a 12 gauge.  He shoots every rifle I own, to include a .338 lapua without issue so it's definitely not the recoil. 

I hope his coaches are good...because I don't have a lot to offer.  I shot trap years ago for recreation...but was self taught.   I purposely bought a field gun today so it can be multi purpose.....that may have been a mistake....but my thoughts were if he stays with the sport, he could get a nice 12 gauge trap gun when he is big enough to handle it.  Hope the field gun doesn't teach him bad habits. 

Again, thanks for all the information.  I will put a full and IM choke in the CZ.  Is there a preference for which one goes on top vs bottom....or is that person by person choice? 

Jrebel