shot 100 sporting clays today... - Page 2

Anthony66 · May 7, 2012, 08:16 PM

hopefully, they will have a "C" course for me! I live in Hershey, PA and M&M is only about an hour and 15 for me. I'm thinking about taking some lessons there, but another time.

Dave McC · May 7, 2012, 08:20 PM

True, Zippy. But when I'm with others it's hard to keep going after that one problem presentation for half a box or so. Don't want to slow up the squad.

I do shoot better when shooting with better shooters.

zippy13 · May 7, 2012, 08:31 PM

Sometimes you've just gotta do what you've gotta do.
I remember one day at the club, a young Kimberly Rhode (future Olympic champ) shoot 100 (or more) targets from Skeet's Station 5 because her dad had her working out a problem.

LSnSC · May 7, 2012, 10:30 PM

Its an addicting hobby. Soon you'll be buying a reloader...

RoscoeC · May 8, 2012, 02:46 PM

Fun stuff for sure. I am a bit different than most on here. Of course I am not shooting their course either. I usually shoot about 80% of the course with Skeet/Skeet. Occasionally I will put in an IC and on rare occasions I will throw in an LM. On the other hand I shot a five stand course near here (Fossil Creek) where the only chokes used were modified and improved modified. I would have shot full and full if I had them. I don't think there was a single target closer than 45 yards.

I don't think chokes are all that important. I have heard it stated that "chokes give you inches, but you miss by feet." I believe that is true. I shoot with a buddy that changes chokes on nearly every stand. I usually only change a couple or three times during the whole course. Mike McAlpine says he never changes his, he only shoots full for everything. I ain't that good, or at least I ain't that confident.

davery25 · May 8, 2012, 11:51 PM

noob question here - why do you guys use 71/2 shot? Someone suggested I use #9 shot and thats what I now have a full case of - albeit i've still never fired a shotgun!

zippy13 · May 9, 2012, 12:30 AM

davery25, typically #9 shot is used for Skeet and #7-1/2 for trap. Both can be used for clays. The larger shot maintains it's energy longer but there are fewer pellets per ounce. So, it's a trade off between distance and pellet count. Your #9s will work fine for Skeet and the closer clays presentations. Some use #9s for Skeet and 16-yard trap, while others use #7-1/2s for everything. There's also the intermediate sizes of #8 and #8-1/2. Not to worry, after you've been shooting for a while, you'll develop a feel for what to use on which targets.

BigJimP · May 9, 2012, 12:21 PM

+1 on Zippy's response....

he's right about it usually being a distance factor...for a target beyond 45 yds I will always reach for a box of 7 1/2's.

but sometimes its a matter of presentation too .../ especially if all you get is an edge on view of target ..( vs dropping in where you can see the belly ...or sometimes the top of a target ) ....and if all you get is an edge on view...you'll need a little more pellet energy to break it (bigger pellets).

Then there are some targets ...like Rabbit targets...that are a little tougher made - so they don't break as they're thrown...and regardless of the range, I will often shoot a shell with 7 1/2's on a bouncing bunny target...( darn things aggravate me...they don't bounce when I expect them too ../run behind brush ...) just like the live ones...).

oneounceload · May 9, 2012, 01:24 PM

In sporting clays, TYPICALLY you will find folks using number 8 for everything except rabbits and far targets where the energy of the slightly larger 7-1/2 helps

Anthony66 · May 16, 2012, 03:14 PM

oneounceload, that's exactly what I'm using. I usually keep about a dozen 7-1/2 on hand for those extra long targets. I'm using the IC/LM choke combo. Working out real well and I appreciate all the great help I've gotten here from you guys! Thanks...

Nick S. · May 19, 2012, 09:24 PM

Two days ago I hit 61 out of 100, a new all time high. Used IC the whole course and 7 1/2. I also wore my new Blackhawk bandoleer which holds 55 rounds. The guys I shoot with had a lot to say (all in fun ).

Slugo · May 20, 2012, 06:17 AM

good job, Nick...

Nick S. · May 20, 2012, 05:20 PM

Thanks Slugo. Wish I could afford to shoot 3 or 4 times a week.

Slugo · May 20, 2012, 05:26 PM

Don't we all...

Nick S. · May 25, 2012, 09:20 PM

Went again yesterday & only hit a 45. It was damp, foggy, & raining lightly off & on. Can that affect it or is it all me. My friend's score was also a lot lower. I was going to treat myself to a new shooting vest if I scored in the 60's again but that didn't happen.

oneounceload · May 25, 2012, 09:56 PM

Rain can have an effect on a target as it is flying so, yes it might have something to do with it. Crappy weather can also make a difference in how you see a target as well

Peter M. Eick · May 26, 2012, 02:19 PM

I shoot in a tournament on friday and did 88/100. Tough course in my opinion but I can't complain much. I did about normal for me but the winners were in the mid to high 90's.

Slugo · May 26, 2012, 03:17 PM

GREAT score, Peter!!

Dave McC · May 27, 2012, 11:52 AM

Nick, go back to the basics. Check stance, mount, hold points, and focus first.

Then the rest. You CAN do it.

Pete, 88/100 is a good score on any course I know. Congrats....

oneounceload · May 27, 2012, 12:14 PM

Just got back from shooting 200 sporting targets for practice - mixed results - I suspect the heat getting over 90 the second go 'round didn't help any. Only two target types stumped me today - which is better than the typical 3 or 4 - the other misses were pure brain farts on concentration - which will take focus, since I have tournaments the next two weekends

Still beats sitting around watching grass grow - or worse - mowing it!

May 8, 2012, 02:46 PM	#30
RoscoeC Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2006 Location: DFW Metromess Posts: 562	Fun stuff for sure. I am a bit different than most on here. Of course I am not shooting their course either. I usually shoot about 80% of the course with Skeet/Skeet. Occasionally I will put in an IC and on rare occasions I will throw in an LM. On the other hand I shot a five stand course near here (Fossil Creek) where the only chokes used were modified and improved modified. I would have shot full and full if I had them. I don't think there was a single target closer than 45 yards. I don't think chokes are all that important. I have heard it stated that "chokes give you inches, but you miss by feet." I believe that is true. I shoot with a buddy that changes chokes on nearly every stand. I usually only change a couple or three times during the whole course. Mike McAlpine says he never changes his, he only shoots full for everything. I ain't that good, or at least I ain't that confident. __________________ “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." --Helen Keller "Do not cry havoc when you should but hunt with modest warrant." --William Shakespeare Glock Certified Armorer NRA Life Member

May 25, 2012, 09:20 PM	#40
Nick S. Senior Member Join Date: September 4, 2010 Location: New York Posts: 152	My score dropped. Went again yesterday & only hit a 45. It was damp, foggy, & raining lightly off & on. Can that affect it or is it all me. My friend's score was also a lot lower. I was going to treat myself to a new shooting vest if I scored in the 60's again but that didn't happen.

May 26, 2012, 02:19 PM	#42
Peter M. Eick Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 1999 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 2,991	I shoot in a tournament on friday and did 88/100. Tough course in my opinion but I can't complain much. I did about normal for me but the winners were in the mid to high 90's. __________________ 10mm and 357sig, the best things to come along since the 38 super!

May 7, 2012, 08:16 PM	#26
Anthony66 Junior member Join Date: April 16, 2012 Posts: 54	hopefully, they will have a "C" course for me! I live in Hershey, PA and M&M is only about an hour and 15 for me. I'm thinking about taking some lessons there, but another time.

May 7, 2012, 08:20 PM	#27
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	True, Zippy. But when I'm with others it's hard to keep going after that one problem presentation for half a box or so. Don't want to slow up the squad. I do shoot better when shooting with better shooters.

May 7, 2012, 08:31 PM	#28
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	Sometimes you've just gotta do what you've gotta do. I remember one day at the club, a young Kimberly Rhode (future Olympic champ) shoot 100 (or more) targets from Skeet's Station 5 because her dad had her working out a problem.

May 7, 2012, 10:30 PM	#29
LSnSC Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2010 Posts: 514	Its an addicting hobby. Soon you'll be buying a reloader...

May 8, 2012, 11:51 PM	#31
davery25 Senior Member Join Date: October 4, 2011 Location: Australia Posts: 318	noob question here - why do you guys use 71/2 shot? Someone suggested I use #9 shot and thats what I now have a full case of - albeit i've still never fired a shotgun!

May 9, 2012, 12:30 AM	#32
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	davery25, typically #9 shot is used for Skeet and #7-1/2 for trap. Both can be used for clays. The larger shot maintains it's energy longer but there are fewer pellets per ounce. So, it's a trade off between distance and pellet count. Your #9s will work fine for Skeet and the closer clays presentations. Some use #9s for Skeet and 16-yard trap, while others use #7-1/2s for everything. There's also the intermediate sizes of #8 and #8-1/2. Not to worry, after you've been shooting for a while, you'll develop a feel for what to use on which targets.

May 9, 2012, 12:21 PM	#33
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	+1 on Zippy's response.... he's right about it usually being a distance factor...for a target beyond 45 yds I will always reach for a box of 7 1/2's. but sometimes its a matter of presentation too .../ especially if all you get is an edge on view of target ..( vs dropping in where you can see the belly ...or sometimes the top of a target ) ....and if all you get is an edge on view...you'll need a little more pellet energy to break it (bigger pellets). Then there are some targets ...like Rabbit targets...that are a little tougher made - so they don't break as they're thrown...and regardless of the range, I will often shoot a shell with 7 1/2's on a bouncing bunny target...( darn things aggravate me...they don't bounce when I expect them too ../run behind brush ...) just like the live ones...).

May 9, 2012, 01:24 PM	#34
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	In sporting clays, TYPICALLY you will find folks using number 8 for everything except rabbits and far targets where the energy of the slightly larger 7-1/2 helps

May 16, 2012, 03:14 PM	#35
Anthony66 Junior member Join Date: April 16, 2012 Posts: 54	oneounceload, that's exactly what I'm using. I usually keep about a dozen 7-1/2 on hand for those extra long targets. I'm using the IC/LM choke combo. Working out real well and I appreciate all the great help I've gotten here from you guys! Thanks...

May 19, 2012, 09:24 PM	#36
Nick S. Senior Member Join Date: September 4, 2010 Location: New York Posts: 152	Two days ago I hit 61 out of 100, a new all time high. Used IC the whole course and 7 1/2. I also wore my new Blackhawk bandoleer which holds 55 rounds. The guys I shoot with had a lot to say (all in fun ).

May 20, 2012, 06:17 AM	#37
Slugo Junior member Join Date: September 15, 2001 Location: Central PA Posts: 1,007	good job, Nick...

May 20, 2012, 05:20 PM	#38
Nick S. Senior Member Join Date: September 4, 2010 Location: New York Posts: 152	Thanks Slugo. Wish I could afford to shoot 3 or 4 times a week.

May 20, 2012, 05:26 PM	#39
Slugo Junior member Join Date: September 15, 2001 Location: Central PA Posts: 1,007	Don't we all...

May 25, 2012, 09:56 PM	#41
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	Rain can have an effect on a target as it is flying so, yes it might have something to do with it. Crappy weather can also make a difference in how you see a target as well

May 26, 2012, 03:17 PM	#43
Slugo Junior member Join Date: September 15, 2001 Location: Central PA Posts: 1,007	GREAT score, Peter!!

May 27, 2012, 11:52 AM	#44
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Nick, go back to the basics. Check stance, mount, hold points, and focus first. Then the rest. You CAN do it. Pete, 88/100 is a good score on any course I know. Congrats....

May 27, 2012, 12:14 PM	#45
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	Just got back from shooting 200 sporting targets for practice - mixed results - I suspect the heat getting over 90 the second go 'round didn't help any. Only two target types stumped me today - which is better than the typical 3 or 4 - the other misses were pure brain farts on concentration - which will take focus, since I have tournaments the next two weekends Still beats sitting around watching grass grow - or worse - mowing it!