Trap/Skeet/Clays first?

The #1 community for Gun Owners of the Northeast

Member Benefits:

  • No ad networks!
  • Discuss all aspects of firearm ownership
  • Discuss anti-gun legislation
  • Buy, sell, and trade in the classified section
  • Chat with Local gun shops, ranges, trainers & other businesses
  • Discover free outdoor shooting areas
  • View up to date on firearm-related events
  • Share photos & video with other members
  • ...and so much more!
  • Pale Ryder

    Ultimate Member
    Jan 12, 2009
    6,234
    Millersville
    Picking the brain trust here. As a novice to shotguning. (I've shot them but with slugs usually.). Which one, trap, skeet, or clays, to begin? Where would the best place to go for lessons be in the mid Maryland area?
     

    pbharvey

    Habitual Testifier
    MDS Supporter
    Dec 27, 2012
    30,157
    Go to PG trap and skeet and shoot wobble trap. It’s the easiest thing there and you’ll gain a lot of confidence. (Shoot it with an improved cylinder choke) While there you can talk to them about the lessons they have available.
     

    delaware_export

    Ultimate Member
    Apr 10, 2018
    3,143
    I’ve taken new folks to the range and started on trap. Imho, it’s easiest.

    Go on a very slow day, or maybe first few days, and ask if they can “lock” the thrower. (My phrase, not sure the proper term) the targets will all go straight away. Then you can start center and get the basic idea of finding the targets.

    Than you can move through the 16 yard positions with straight targets.once they get the hang of that, go back to center, and unlock. Try that. Eventually getting to normal 16 shooting.

    My wife did ok with this her first time and hit several. And started with moving. It built her confidence. It was a nice slow day, with no one but us on the field, so there was no pressure. We did 2 boxes of shells.

    Skeet is more angles. The ladies club she shoots with had the local skeet team guys show a little about skeet. On a closed field, they started with targets from positions 1/7, then 2/6 to show basics and build confidence. Several of the ladies picked up pretty quickly.

    I have no info on locations in your area.

    Good luck.
     

    delaware_export

    Ultimate Member
    Apr 10, 2018
    3,143
    It’s fun shooting with folks at the ranges and there is a wealth of knowledge, especially the older folks.

    They also have some cool stories.

    I had an older guy teach me a few things in 10 minutes that I had been trying to figure out for two years on my own.
     

    Augie

    Ultimate Member
    Sep 30, 2007
    4,504
    Central MD
    Trap is easiest to learn and get comfortable handling a shotgun and breaking a bird, go to have fun and learn, don't expect to be competitive at first, trap you really need to break 99 or 100 out of 100 to be competitive.
    Once you get the hang of trap I would do sporting clays, you will have some trap style targets that you will be comfortable with and you will learn crossers, teals and all other types of presentations. It does help if you can shoot with a good shooter that can give you tips. Brian mentioned wobble trap and that is also good to try once you have basic trap down and will start you out on various angles and leads needed.
    I can recommend the instructor at PG, he's a good guy and has a basic introduction course.
    https://www.ssshooting.com
     

    r100rsman

    Active Member
    Mar 9, 2017
    111
    Olney
    I would recommend taking a lesson at PG. It will give you confidence in properly handling a shot gun, breaking clay and shooting etiquette. Best money I ever spent.
     

    buellsfurn

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 1, 2015
    5,951
    southern end of Maryland
    Trap is easiest to learn and get comfortable handling a shotgun and breaking a bird, go to have fun and learn, don't expect to be competitive at first, trap you really need to break 99 or 100 out of 100 to be competitive.
    Once you get the hang of trap I would do sporting clays, you will have some trap style targets that you will be comfortable with and you will learn crossers, teals and all other types of presentations. It does help if you can shoot with a good shooter that can give you tips. Brian mentioned wobble trap and that is also good to try once you have basic trap down and will start you out on various angles and leads needed.
    I can recommend the instructor at PG, he's a good guy and has a basic introduction course.
    https://www.ssshooting.com

    This ^^^ 99-100 I have a ways to go Lessons are great if you have good teach.but cost will add up. I just made the ShotKam investment second day out with it was today if you have basic idea the camera will give you a visual of your mistake i mean mistakes.enjoy
     

    jimbobborg

    Oddball caliber fan
    Aug 2, 2010
    17,112
    Northern Virginia
    I started shooting clay games a year ago. I have yet to shoot a round of Trap. It's just easier for me to go to the Sporting Clays section and shoot. There's always a line for the Trap and Skeet sections, not so for the SC stations. But I shoot SC to get better at 3-gun. YMMV.
     

    Aamdskeetshooter

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 19, 2013
    1,744
    Moco
    I’d be glad to meet you at PG and get you started shooting a shotgun. I’ve been shooting shotgun for 35+ years. Skeet seriously but know the basics of all the disciplines. PM me if you’re interested and we can set up a day. I should start instructing at the prices they’re charging nowadays.
     

    Pinecone

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 4, 2013
    28,175
    FIRST step, take a lesson or two.

    DO NOT take it from a friend, who "knows what he is doing."

    Get a certified instructor.

    PG Trap and Skeet, has a specific teaching range and instructors available They will start you right and have you hitting clays right off.

    Jack Bart is also a good instructor.
     

    rtse4me

    Active Member
    Apr 12, 2013
    298
    Howard County
    I agree take some lessons. It will make you a better shooter faster.
    Also try all the different disciplines once you have the basics don't just shoot American trap because it is easy. PG has pretty much all the clay games including International Trap and a new FITASC setup. Just have fun. It is not the end of the world to shoot a low score.
     

    Pinecone

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 4, 2013
    28,175
    I’d be glad to meet you at PG and get you started shooting a shotgun. I’ve been shooting shotgun for 35+ years. Skeet seriously but know the basics of all the disciplines. PM me if you’re interested and we can set up a day. I should start instructing at the prices they’re charging nowadays.

    Get certified and go for it.

    I have seen too many people screwed up by well meaning people who have XX years of experience, but have never trained as an instructor.
     

    Aamdskeetshooter

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 19, 2013
    1,744
    Moco
    Get certified and go for it.



    I have seen too many people screwed up by well meaning people who have XX years of experience, but have never trained as an instructor.

    That may be true but I’ve also seen people who are “certified” who’ve never run a hundred straight in Skeet and never held a high average. The level one certification means you paid $300 to NSSA and spent two days in a class to receive the certificate. Wayne Mayes was NOT a certified instructor. He was arguably the best Skeet shooter and instructor ever.
     

    Pinecone

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 4, 2013
    28,175
    So only those who have run a hundred straight are allowed to teach?

    The interesting thing is, the best teachers tend to be people who struggle with the task. They have made many of the mistakes, and figured out how to correct and deal with them.

    The main part of certification is, learning how to teach. The assumption is, you can shoot reasonably well.

    Yes, there are non-certified instructors who are good, but very few. But there a LOT of non-certified people who THINK they know how to instruct, that have screwed up many people in many different tasks.
     

    usa259

    Active Member
    Mar 11, 2015
    817
    I was thinking Level 1 Certified Instructor meant you had competed, reaching a level of C Class and had shot at at-least 3000 registered targets... I'm slowly working my way towards that...

    Also, watch out for the feedback that is the most popular given in that "... you shot behind it..." many times this may be correct, I have observed many "better" shooters feel they always can see how you screwed up the shot... and that is the most popular answer.

    I work there on the weekends, First Shot Program on Saturday and Sunday until noon-ish, then the Wobble Stand from Noon to 5 Sundays; come by and say Hi. I have this coming weekend off however.
     

    Users who are viewing this thread

    Latest posts

    Forum statistics

    Threads
    274,922
    Messages
    7,259,100
    Members
    33,349
    Latest member
    christian04

    Latest threads

    Top Bottom