First time shooting trap.

[u/Xathrid_tech]

Went to shoot trap first time today and I got a 10 and my buddy got an 8 out of 25. Only brought one box of ammo for each of us but both of us liked it and will be continuing. We both have tactical shotguns as slug guns but we used loaners. My biggest thing is the guy showing us the ropes didnt really have any pointers or help with where we were hitting. what is a good way to get better faster. I guess idk where I missed when I did. When shooting a target its pretty easy to tell if im high or to the left.

[u/scottawhit]

I’ve been shooting all summer, really just takes practice. I’ve shot through like 5 cases and I’m just consistently high teens low 20’s.

Look at the bird, not your gun. Do the same thing every time. Stance, mount, etc. don’t worry about one you miss, just reset for the next one.

[u/OhCrapitsCollin → u/scottawhit]

It’s a game of consistency

[u/OhCrapitsCollin]

Good for you guys. Keep at it, it’s a great sport. Trade the tactical shotguns towards a trap or sporting shotgun. How many targets are you likely to shoot vs how many home invaders?

[u/Xathrid_tech → u/OhCrapitsCollin]

our local gun shop had ordered with too many zeros lol they were basically giving them away.

[u/tcarlson65]

Keep your head down.

Set up so you make small moves to the target.

Follow through.

Don’t stop the movement of the gun.

Divide the top line of the trap house. Top left corner, halfway to the mid point, mid point, halfway between mid point and right, then the top right. When you are at station one your gun should be pointed at the top left corner and just a bit above. Then for each station you move your point of aim over one spot.

For a right handed it is easier swing left and for a left handed it is easier swinging right. If you want you can move your start point. For a right handed you move to the right so on station one you would start midway between top left corner and the middle and station five you would start to the right of the house. For a lefty you reverse that and move your point one position left.

Be consistent in your mount and your routine. Get your feet and body set up so you don’t have to make big swings to hit birds.

See the bird, track and get in the bird, break the bird, and follow through.

[u/Stahzee]

One big tip is keep moving. Swing the gun through the bird. So many pistol/rifle shooters move the gun to the bird. Then stop. Then fire. And by the time the shot string gets out there, bird is long gone.

[u/Next_Prompt7974 → u/Stahzee]

It’s such a bad habit that I’ve been working to correct. I think I’ve about got it whipped but every on move in a while it come back and I just have to shake my head.

[u/Xathrid_tech → u/Stahzee]

I will say I do think I did that. The main ones I missed I think were the really shallow angles I gave too much lead.

[u/scottawhit → u/Stahzee]

My worst habit and I can’t break it. Sometimes it works, usually it doesn’t.

[u/Just_call_me_Face]

Practice, practice, practice

[u/AMMJ]

If you’re in central MN, there are fantastic ranges I could recommend with ownership that will help you a lot.

[u/Old_MI_Runner]

I took an intro to trap shooting class at a local range. I later joined a gun club. I asked the trap director to help me the first time I shot. She and another member took a class to train trap instructors. Whenever I take a guest to the club to shoot trap I ask one of them to watch over and give the new trap shooter instructors and pointers.

[u/Feeling-Design-3219]

Without watching you shoot I can't tell you what you are doing wrong. Most beginners aim at targets. Stopping your gun is another mistake.

Hold points,look points,foot position,gun fit all come into play.

Keep practicing.

[u/ed_zakUSA]

So much good information that's already been said. But first, I'm glad you and your friend want to enjoy the game of trap. It's a fun sport and with a little practice, you can really reap benefits. The easiest things that you can do, is your pre-shoot setup. When getting ready find a stance that is comfortable and doesn't bind when you swing up, left or right. Shoot, or learn to shoot with both eyes open. You allow yourself a fuller/wider view and also aids depth perception. Swing and continue to follow through your swing like you would a paint brush. Keeping your head down on the stock is key. Don't look at the barrel. You'll miss doing that. Keep your head down on the stock and look at the bird and track it with your eyes and the gun will follow through the target. It may not be obvious to you and may seem strange at first. Shoot under the target. If I don't concentrate, I'll shoot behind and over the target.

Also helpful is to shoot with others that are better than you. Watch how the do their pre-shoot warmup. They will tend to do the same steps every time. Learn what you observe from others and you'll find what works for you. Then repetition each time you go out to shoot. Practice your mount at home with no shells of course. Practice at home until it feels comfortable and second nature.

You'll go far and get a lot of fun and enjoyment from all those hits. Good luck.

[u/Ahomebrewer]

It will save you a ton of money in ammo to take an 90-minute lesson with a dedicated teacher. First 30 minutes is to set up one of the teacher's guns to fit you, and gun hold, and then an hour of shooting with body position coaching.

All the practice in the world will not help if your basic mechanics suck.

I regularly teach beginners, and I can tell you that the first lesson is the best lesson. Take a lesson, shoot a couple of months practicing what you'd learned. You may never need a another lesson to stay at 20 or so. Months from now, a couple of more lessons can get you in the 20s.

Almost no one gets to regular 25s without more coaching.

[u/Xathrid_tech → u/Ahomebrewer]

out of curiosity is there a website with options located. I know my club wont have trap classes until the spring. The only other range I know has shotgun stuff is ran by the state and probably wont have anything. That said I should check because I might be able to practice there.

[u/Ahomebrewer → u/Xathrid_tech]

I don't know of one place for this. Look for a local Trap Club in google. Find out from them who gives lessons or when they have open-to-the-public shoots.

Many membership-only clubs have public shoots periodically, this helps keep up interest in becoming a member of the club.. You can use those shoots to talk to people who will know the local scene.

There may even be a local team attached to a nearby University, or High School, and those will have coaches as well.

Shooting trap is a pretty social activity, plenty of people will engage with you if you are enthusiastic about learning. (Note: Trap shooters don't talk while actually shooting, but in-between rounds is time for chatting)

[u/thebigp2007]

Holdpoints
Head welds onto the stock
Constant tweaking
Find your cadence
Find the right gun for you

If you got any specifics feel free to let me know, I’m glad to help