Clay pigeon shooting

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

This weekend I was on a stag weekend with a mate. We went clay pigeon shooting. I'd not been since I was about 14...

And out of a group of 18 of us, I ranked top, hitting 23 out of 25 shots. Even the instructor said I was quite impressive, as I hit 4 out of 5 apparently tricky ones (the clay was only in vision for about a second, and running horizontally below the horizon).

So, the bug seems to have bitten me...

But what to do next? Is it an expensive sport to try? I would fancy doing it a few times to check if it's for me, before I splash out on any expensive hardware (such as a gun)...

Anyone here into it?

Cheers

[+Gary7 Subscriber²]

23 out of 25 is great! I used to do it when I was in my teens. The highest score I ever got was 22 out of 25. It is a great sport, shooting without killing anything.

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

It was truly amazing experience, and holding the gun - it didn't feel like holding, it felt like it was natural, part of me. Didn't even feel like I was aiming and shooting, just where I looked it went. I felt truly comfortable with it.

I think I need to take back some of what I've said in the past about American gun obsessions - I can seen how quickly this feeling has gripped me.

[Brodel]

http://www.cpsa.co.uk/

Probably a good place to start, call up your local club and see what they advise.

[QuantumTrickery]

Interesting that this sort of topic came up! I love target shooting of all kinds, especially moving clay targets. How much you want to invest is really up to you. Borrowing a friends rifle while out in a group is a great option to save on owning a gun: Just make sure you chip in for ammo and targets. I started out in the same way, eventually getting several guns, a clay thrower, shooting jacket, glasses and any other things you can imagine. I shot alone for a while, but with a buddy or a few is far more enjoyable. Currently I shoot with a Browning Gold Golden Clays shotgun, which I spent around $1800 for.

You have a lot of options, both for equipment and variety of activities. Enjoy yourself!

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

Well, have found a few gun clubs locally, so gonna make a few calls at the weekend. I can't wait.

[Berserk87]

it didn't feel like holding, it felt like it was natural, part of me.

uuuugggggggghhhhhhhhh

what a horrible cliche. :x

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

I know, even as I wrote it I thought it sounded cliche. But it's totally true. I didn't feel awkward with it, or like it was a "thing" it was just part of who I was, doing what I was doing, at the time.

[metal_dragen Veteran]

The thing with trap/skeet is it's as expensive as you want to make it. I shoot trap, and I use a Remington Express Magnum with a 28" VR bbl and a modified choke. Together with my shell pouch and shooting glasses, the entire rig cost me about $300. Of course, I shoot with guys whose shotguns cost almost $2000 and I know of many more expensive shotguns than that as well.

Find a gun that you feel comfortable with and that lines up well when you present it. Since you are beginning, and don't have a gun currently, try out several different ones. I know a lot of clubs around here have loaners that you can rent. Don't be afraid if the gun that you feel most comfortable with is expensive. You can usually find good deals on used guns.

I average about 21 out of 25 with the setup I have currently. I usually try and go out every other weekend when the weather is nice. It can be expensive though - 1 round will run you $9 for a box of shells and whatever the club charges for 25 pigeons ($6 at my local club). I usually shoot at least 4 rounds, so that's at least $60 for a single day at the range.

Most importantly though, have fun. Shooting sports are a ton of fun.

[t_r_nelson]

I don't know what the regulations are in the U.K., but we do a lot of that on our own. It doesn't offer the variety of shooting angles, but we'll grab a launcher, pigeons and a buttload of shells and make an afternoon of it out at a friends farmland.

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

I would assume UK regs are more strict than US, we have a lot less "gunsports"... That said, we also still hunt, so...

See, $60 for a day is fine by me, that's next to nothing. I am going to contact the local range this weekend. :)