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At a recent family reunion the owner setup a trap station and we had a little competition, I did OK (final 5) but most importantly, it was a lot of fun and I forgot how much I enjoy shooting my shotgun.

At my local club they do trap nights every Wednesday and I'm going to start up next week - just looking for any tips/suggestions. I'll be using my Remington 870 pump action, no plans on buying a $1000+ trap gun at this point.

I'll try and remember to swap the 18" barrel out for the stock one before I go.

I think the hardest part will be to not get discouraged, these guys shoot 97/100 and aren't at the top. If the reunion was any indicator, I'll be shooting 60/100 to begin with. In fairness to myself, I wasn't shooting with my own gun and it was one that I wasn't used to (pretty hefty semi-auto).

Guess I'll need a shell bag of some sort, other than that I think I'm OK for gear (eyes, ears, gun, ammo).

Make sure your eye glasses work okay for shooting shotgun, you'll be looking out of the top portion of the lenses instead of the middle. Trap vest with some shoulder protection is a good idea but a trap bag will work, carry a couple spare shells each time in case you need them. Use a modified or full choke, 1 ounce or 1-1/8th ounce target loads (2-3/4 dram). Start with a mounted gun aimed just below the trap house roof, keep both eyes open and once you call "Pull" look only at the TARGET forget everything else.

First of all, congrats on picking up a new hobby. I wish there was a club near me still taking members for a league.

My advice is have fun and I'm sure the other members will be more than willing to give you advice.

I agree on the gun, unless you want to get real serious, stick with what you got and hunt with.

Not sure I agree with a full choke, I would think you would want a larger pattern to make sure you have a larger area in which to impact the pidgeon. I don't have any formal Trap experience just warm ups for hunting season.

Do like I do... just as you squeeze the trigger, pull your head up to see your fantastic shot. It works in trap about as well as it works in golf.

Thanks for the tips guys, much appreciated!

I've only shot trap a handful of times, but have done a fair amount of pheasant hunting - sadly I haven't shot in quite some time (~20 years). I learned to pheasant hunt with a single shot, bolt action .410 shotgun - one chance.

From last weekend and watching them briefly last night I'm at least familiar with the rotation and general pace they try to keep. Shooting with both eyes open is hard to get used to (been practicing that with my handguns as well).

Just picked up a cheap nylon shell bag from Walmart and some Federal trap loads, should be all set for my first embarrassing outing!

I've been trying to convince some of my buddies that they need to come out and shoot trap some time at my place. They always have excuses like work/school, no money, or no gun

Trap shooting is a cult. Beware.

Hey Dean, just drink the Kool Aid and every thing will be alright.

DeanC wrote:Trap shooting is a cult. Beware.

and skeet shooters think they are the Illuminari

So true

1911fan wrote:

DeanC wrote:Trap shooting is a cult. Beware.

and skeet shooters think they are the Illuminari

That's because we are!

Pattern your shotgun to keep 80% inside 30" circle. Adjust the choke accordingly.

Bone stock 870 Express right now, used to have a tactical stock and 18" barrel on it but swapped the factory stuff back on for now. I'm thinking it comes with a modified choke, haven't taken it out to look though.

I went to the skeet choke on my 870

Any choke is fine as long as it says "FULL"