What can i expect at a skeet range

Question

I want to go to a shooting range this weekend. this place has the clay pigeons, I have my own shot gun its a 12ga. What should i know before I go there. I assume I need to have the full butt stock on which is ok. What happens at the range and how is the shooting broken up between everyone?

Answer 1

Assuming you have some shotgun experience.....& without writing a novel.

The sport simulates bird shooting , so if you are a hunter , you have a leg up.

No clay bird experience?... would hang back , watch the proceedings,& ask the experienced shooters some questions , review any published range rules & see about some lessons.

You will see shooters move from position to position & fire at birds

launched at different angles from different points.

Skeetshooting differs from trapshooting in that birds are launched from a high & low house w/ higher "crossing" shots similar to duck hunting.

Trapshooting,... clays  are launched  from a single point moving away from you at different angles & simulates birds being flushed from the ground.

Some ranges have shooters line up & move into position as the previous shooter fires & leaves his point.

Some let  you fire the entire "round " till you're done.

Comes down to calling  "pull' or "bird" & trying to hit it before it hits the ground.

Very gratifying to "smoke" a bird,but.........

Took a friend trapshooting & he was very disappointed because he could only break a small chunk off. his birds.

To the point , he broke "little chunks" off every bird he shot at....perfect score first time out.

I smoked a few more but did not clean the round.

Watch, learn & have fun.

Best regards

Answer 2

Yes, attach the butt stock. When you show up, smile and say the exact same thing you wrote about in your question. "This is my first time" "Please show me the ropes". The guys there will happily explain every detail to you. On the line up you will probably shoot last. That gives you a chance to watch everyone go through the shooting string. You can make lifelong friends at a gun club or range.

Answer 3

Good answers given so far.  

To summarize the key points, quick and dirty:

1.  You must attach your butt stock, pistol grips are frowned upon

2.  Make sure you have the correct ammo.  Many places will not alow anything other than lead shot no larger than #6

3.  Never load your gun unless physically standing in a shooting station.

4.  Always unload any remaining shells prior to leaving the shooting station

5.  When not in a staion, make sure your breach is always open

6.  Never point your gun in an unsafe direction, especially at others.

People and gun clubs are some of the nicest people you will ever meet at any type of club... but if you fail to recognize any single one of those steps above, they will get on you HARD.  

With firearms.... SAFETY is #1, having fun is #2.

Answer 4

First thing you can expect is to meet some of the nicest folks on the face of the planet. Make sure you let them know it is your first time shooting and definitely attach your butt stock (assault weapons with a pistol grips and no stock are usually frowned upon). You are smart to ask  because I was not. My first adventure to the skeet range was to test out my new 10 gauge with 3 1/2 inch number 2 shot (i was getting ready for goose season). I was politely asked not to bring that gun again after 4 shots rang out 8-)

Always have your action open and gun unloaded when you are not in the box. I cant tell you how many people i see walk in with a "hot" gun full l of buckshot their first time out. you will not win any friends like that.

Your max shell should be no longer that 2 3/4 inches and shot size should be no larger than 7 1/2 shot (i.e. buy 9, 8, or 7 1/2).

You will need eye and ear protection. If you do not have any call ahead and see it they have any available on site.

The trapper (puller) will explain the rules and tell you what you should shoot on each station. They are usually working for tips but don't feel obligated if you get the one in a million that is rude or if you feel they don't deserve one. If i have a really good trapper i usually give them on average a dollar per round.

Typically you will shoot in groups of 5 or possibly six if the range is crowded. Skeet shooters love to give advice so don't be afraid to ask.

You will shoot from 8 stations each person taking turns on each station. You will shoot 2 to 4 times on each station

Everyone will start talking about lead but if you stair at that target and try to see the rings on it you will blow it up. Most of the top shooter couldn't tell you how much lead they saw on certain targets. With that said most new shooters are behind the target. If you really have have a hard time hitting the targets ask someone there to show you how to test eye dominance.

Don't get frustrated if you don't do well your first time, one of the best wing shots i have ever seen shot 3/25 his first time while his wife who had never shot hit 18/25. It will come, the most important thing next to safety is having fun. My buddy is now one of the top skeet shooters in the world.

Here are a couple of links if you are interested http://www.mynssa.com and the last time i was there they had an introduction to skeet shooting video you can watch on the bottom left corner of the page.

Welcome to one of the greatest sports that you can enjoy your whole life (the oldest Olympic medalist was 72 and it was a shooting sport although not skeet). Once you have experienced skeet and trap you will need to really put your skills to the test with sporting.

Answer 5

"Skeet range" can be a generic term for anywhere that has a clay pigeon thrower, or a very specific sport.  The two basic shotgun sports are called "skeet" and "trap."  Another popular one is called "sporting clays," but it's a distant third in popularity due to the amount of space and equipment it requires.

While all of these sports involve breaking clays with shotguns, they are very different sports.  You might compare them to football and soccer, both of which involve moving a ball across a goal line.  

Absolutely walk up, introduce yourself to the range master, and ask for someone to show you the ropes.  If possible, watch a few rounds first.  Shotgunners tend to be friendly, so don't be afraid to ask questions.  Odds are some oldtimer will take you under his wing pretty quickly.

Regardless of the specific sport, you will see clearly defined shooting positions.  People will go out in groups of 5 or less to shoot each round.  A round involves 25 shots.  You will shoot a certain number of shots from one position, and then rotate to the next position.

In all the sports, only one person shoots at a time.  You will shoot one or two targets at a time, and will only be allowed to load one or two shells.  You will keep your gun unloaded and the action opened until it is your turn.

Knowing what sport you're going to might influence your choice of gun, or at least your choice of choke.  

Trap occurs at a MINIMUM distance of 16 yards, with the birds flying away from you, so a tight choke is desirable.  Most trap shooting is done one bird at a time, so a single-shot is just fine.

Skeet occurs at much closer distances.  The birds can travel away from you, across in front of you, and straight towards you.  Having a more open choke is desirable.  Some choke manufacturers even make a "skeet" choke that's barely more restricted than an open bore.  Skeet involves a mixture of single and double birds, so having 2 shots is necessary.  

You'll be out in the weather, so dress accordingly.  Take cash, snacks, plenty of water.  You'll most likely have to wait for 2 or 3 rounds between getting to shoot, so make sure you budget plenty of time.

And, above all, have fun!  This is one killer sport you're getting into!