Intro to Clays / Clubs

[Keeper]

I've talked to a number of people recently who are licensed to carry, but do not belong to a club. Most of them have not used a shotgun, but all of them are interested. We talked about public trap/skeet days but it didn't it's apparently not that attractive for new shooters.

Are there any local clubs that promote membership by reaching out to people who aren't going to just show up at a public trap day? It seems to me that local clubs could be doing more to get people interested in both shooting sports and club membership.

What I'd like to see is an event outside of the regular public shoots that focuses on new shooters/members. I'd imagine people who attend would pay a little more than a typical public shoot but they'd stand to get more out of it. I was thinking something like this:

1) Introduction
2) Basic gun/range safety presentation
3) Shooting a shotgun
4) 5 rounds trap machine locked to launch straight
5) 5 rounds trap machine in normal operation
6) 3 rounds from each station (assuming trap)
7) Tour of club facilities w/ discount for joining that day.

Is there anything like this north/west of Boston? I already have a group of people who are interested and taking them one at a time to throw clays and do it all myself isn't practical. They have made it clear that the public shoots aren't where they would want to try this, and there must be a lot more like them out there.

 

[noxin]

If you find something I'm interested as well. Just to try it out.

 

[aznbigdawg]

Same here. As a newbie, I am intersted too.

 

[squatch413]

Your best bet is probably just either tagging along with a friend if you know someone. I'm down for bringing someone Tony club if anyone wants to try skeet or trap you can even use my gun. Trap and skeet is shot Sunday mornings and Tuesday nights. There are lots of good shooters who are happy to help out rookies...im pretty new to it myself but learned alot from the old timers.

 

[MrJingles]

I'm one of those who wants to try trap shooting, but don't want to start at a club shoot...I can't stand being the a**h*** who has no idea whats going on, I'd like to be able to shoot in a no stress, everyone's new kind of situation. or even only a few people, so I'm not missing every bird in front of a crowd.

 

[headednorth]

I'm one of those who wants to try trap shooting, but don't want to start at a club shoot...I can't stand being the a**h*** who has no idea whats going on, I'd like to be able to shoot in a no stress, everyone's new kind of situation. or even only a few people, so I'm not missing every bird in front of a crowd.

I hear you. I know I shouldnt GAF, but I do. Be cool to have some sort of newbie night where we can all make asses out of ourselves together.

 

[squatch413]

Everyone started from scratch man. People are definitely willing to help. Tuesdays at my club is pretty dead although I'm a far ride I imagine other clubs that hold shoots during the week are slower than weekends. Give it a shot you won't regret it.

- - - Updated - - -

I hear you. I know I shouldnt GAF, but I do. Be cool to have some sort of newbie night where we can all make asses out of ourselves together.

Personally I shoot better when I'm shooting with good shooters...weird but true for me.

 

[shotguner]

I'm a shotgun coach and member at the Maynard Rod & Gun. I'd be willing to run a laid back intro class to trap and/or skeet if you'd like. I can do a weeknight or a weekend if you give me enough time to plan ahead. We can make it as basic as you'd like.
Thoughts?

 

[squatch413]

I'm no expert and I don't have access to private skeet or trap time but if someone wants to give it a shot I will let you use my gun, and there's guys at my club that can help you out.

 

[MisterHappy]

A couple of weeks back, we ran an Intro to Trap night at Southborough Rod & Gun Club and are planning on doing it again on the Second Thursday of June.

Very close to what was proposed, above.

The deal was $30/person for 50(ish) targets, 2 boxes of ammo, loaner guns if needed, and small-group (we limit to 5) instruction. Instruction is by NRA Shotgun Instructors, Coaches, or shooters that just know what they're doing.

(non-members pay $11/ round for targets and ammo, just for reference...and to avoid confusion a "round" in trap is 25 shots)

If anyone's interested in calling dibs on the next class, PM me.

 

[shotguner]

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk 2

 

[Arto]

Fitchburg Sportsmen's is running sessions 6/29, 7/27, 8/25
Fitchburg Sportsmen's Club

2013 Beginner Shoots

Dates for the Clinics are:June 29th, July 27th and August 25th.

Beginner's Trap Shooting Clinics are open to anyone age 10 and up. Parents are required to be present with their children.

This program is one on one instruction in shotgun handling and clay shooting. It is designed for people who have little to no experience with shotguns and or trap shooting.

There is no charge to participants but donations are accepted. Please arrive at the club between nine am and 11 am - we will wrap up at noon.

- - - Updated - - -

Fitchburg Sportsmen's is running sessions 6/29, 7/27, 8/25
http://www.fitchburgsportsmensclub.org/fscTrap.asp

2013 Beginner Shoots

Dates for the Clinics are:June 29th, July 27th and August 25th.

Beginner's Trap Shooting Clinics are open to anyone age 10 and up. Parents are required to be present with their children.

This program is one on one instruction in shotgun handling and clay shooting. It is designed for people who have little to no experience with shotguns and or trap shooting.

There is no charge to participants but donations are accepted. Please arrive at the club between nine am and 11 am - we will wrap up at noon.

 

[yanici]

Andover has beginner trap, for members. One in June and one in October. You don't even need to bring a gun. Introduction to Trap Shooting for Beginner Members (men &... - Eventbrite

 

[headednorth]

Andover has beginner trap, for members. One in June and one in October. You don't even need to bring a gun. Introduction to Trap Shooting for Beginner Members (men &... - Eventbrite

Bummer. I work on Sundays. I didnt see the June listing. Is it full?

 

[yanici]

Bummer. I work on Sundays. I didnt see the June listing. Is it full?

If you want June, then just register. I miss a lot of club stuff too because I work Sat. & Sun. Kinda sucks.

 

[BrianK]

Come on down to Braintree Rifle and Pistol any Sunday, ideally arrive around 11:45. That's what I do (I'm not a member, though I'm thinking about it). Friendly folks there will be happy to show you the drill, give you tips, and if you like, chances are somebody will volunteer to stand behind you and offer personalized instruction while you shoot your first round. Hell, if you don't have a shotgun, my bet is multiple folks will offer theirs. Outstanding people and experience all around.

All an admission against interest, as the fewer folks there, the more lines I can sign up for.

Best of luck.

 

[Falstaff66]

I know the last post was in May, but I'm struggling with the same thing. Took a buddy over to a public shoot day at Independent in Foxboro for the public shoot, and we received some helpful shooting instruction as well as the use of an 870 from a member. But it was still an uncomfortable feeling for awhile, being there, not knowing what to do, not having a gun of your own. I'm prepared to buy a shotgun and join a club (probably Independent or Hopkinton). So when I seek help on what to buy, everyone here on NES and at ShotgunWorld says "try before you buy". It seems that in other parts of the country, shotgun rental at public shoots is common. I can't find anything like that near me in Franklin.

People on the forum are nice and say "people will loan you their gun", but it didn't really seem like it to me. I think they are missing out on a lot of people like me, my friend and the OP.

 

[7.62x39]

It seems that in other parts of the country, shotgun rental at public shoots is common. I can't find anything like that near me in Franklin.

Wrentham sportsmans shoots trap every thursday night and sunday mornings. No rentals, but no problem getting a loaner. At every meeting the guy who runs trap says that newbies are more than welcome, plenty of help available. They shoot year round, there is a warm-up hut with woodstove right there.
I'm not sure if it is public or not, but I'd be glad to find out if you are interested.
I'm sure that just coming by to check it out would be no problem, nor would be getting a tour of the club.

 

[Keeper]

I know the last post was in May, but I'm struggling with the same thing. Took a buddy over to a public shoot day at Independent in Foxboro for the public shoot, and we received some helpful shooting instruction as well as the use of an 870 from a member. But it was still an uncomfortable feeling for awhile, being there, not knowing what to do, not having a gun of your own. I'm prepared to buy a shotgun and join a club (probably Independent or Hopkinton). So when I seek help on what to buy, everyone here on NES and at ShotgunWorld says "try before you buy". It seems that in other parts of the country, shotgun rental at public shoots is common. I can't find anything like that near me in Franklin.

People on the forum are nice and say "people will loan you their gun", but it didn't really seem like it to me. I think they are missing out on a lot of people like me, my friend and the OP.

I started looking into this for some friends. As noted above, there are clubs that have intro classes where you don't need to shoot with an experienced squad and spectators.

I'm no trap expert, but I don't agree with the "try before you buy" mentality all that much. Buy a cheap gun you like and can use to get into the sport and invest in something nice later. Whatever gun you buy will break clays. You'll develop relationships on the range and getting to try other guns will happen over time.

If you know for sure that you'll be shooting clays in the thousands, buy a gun designed for clays. They're heavier and will endure better.

IMHO YMMV HTH

 

[mursenary4]

not sure if this is too helpful, but MRA does the fun day shoot every fall which includes $10 rounds of trap which includes gun rentals and ammo and targets for non members and beginners. not a ton of instruction but keep an eye out for it as they may do it again in the spring?? and is a good opportunity to blast away at some clays

 

[Falstaff66]

I started looking into this for some friends. As noted above, there are clubs that have intro classes where you don't need to shoot with an experienced squad and spectators.

I'm no trap expert, but I don't agree with the "try before you buy" mentality all that much. Buy a cheap gun you like and can use to get into the sport and invest in something nice later. Whatever gun you buy will break clays. You'll develop relationships on the range and getting to try other guns will happen over time.

If you know for sure that you'll be shooting clays in the thousands, buy a gun designed for clays. They're heavier and will endure better.

IMHO YMMV HTH

This is pretty much my current thinking. Instead of try before you buy, its "try before you spend more than $700 or so".

So I'm struggling to figure out the cheap gun. If the Remington 1100 fit that would be it, but it doesn't. So I'm pretty much down to a Beretta A300 or a pump. Not real comfortable with a used gas gun, as I don't know how to evaluate them. In theory I could get a cheap CZ o/u for the same money as an A300.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[Massman]

MRA only has the fun shoot once a year, usually in Oct.
Your best bet would be to check out Minuteman. Trap, skeet, and sporting clays is pretty much all they do.
I have had u/o, semis, and pumps. The u/o is great for most clay games, very versatile. If you are going to shoot a lot, they tend to beat up your shoulder. Pumps are fun, probably not the best choice. I love my Beretta A400 Excel, a little pricey, but well worth it. A cheaper option would be a Remington 1100, or 11-87. Great time tested firearm. Just keep the gas o-ring in good shape.

 

[isaac]

The rem 1100 seems to be the every person gun. Mean anyone that picks it up can usually break some birds. I do enjoy shooting my beretta xtrema 2 and my Fabarm xlr-5. Def try other guns if you can try.

 

[ldp82]

i have 2 beretta 390's they are at least to me easy to work on (no o-ring) and can be found in the 300-500 range if you look around. one of mine is a "walmart" gun that I put extra wood furniture I had hanging around. The guns periodically need recoil springs this involves taking off the stock and gives you a great opportunity to play with the shim to adjust cast and drop.

 

[Falstaff66]

Decided to buy an A300 with wood furniture. Can get a good deal via a relative who is an FFL. New, no worries on evaluating a used SA as a new shotgunner. Reliable proven platform. Good all around for my purposes shooting clays, even as a SHTF gun if need be.

If I find I love skeet or trap or SC, I'll get a more specific gun later.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[Claybreaker!]

So now that you have a gun you can bring friends and they can use your gun during a round. Most clubs, mine included, have public days for shoots and it is a good way to test clubs and see if you like the people and set up. In most cases the members should be more than willing to help out a newbie and usually they enjoy it. I was a pistol / rifle guy until they saw me watching a game of skeet. They invited me to try and it was all over. Ha. I was hooked. Go to a club on a Sunday or Saturday morning and you will get great free lessons just by asking some questions. Nobody judges. Just good ol' fashion American fun. Ha.

 

[Falstaff66]

That's a question I was asking myself. Is sharing a fun during a round considered OK? Is it easier with skeet or trap? I have a couple friends who are interested.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[Claybreaker!]

At my club it is absolutely fine. I cant speak for others. Its probably easier with skeet due to the fact that its a more social game with walking and talking. I have shot with people sharing a gun many times and it was perfectly fine. Anything to spread the sport. I guess what club you are at depends on how people react to the sharing of a gun but if they have a problem with it tell them to go screw and go bust some clays somewhere else. That or find other people there to shoot with.

 

[Keeper]

Sharing _during_ a round, no. Sharing between rounds, no problem. Everyone on a squad should have a gun. Someone can shoot a gun during one round and someone else can use the same gun during another round.

Even if it was allowed, you shouldn't be moving around when someone else is trying to make a shot.

 

[Falstaff66]

Sharing _during_ a round, no. Sharing between rounds, no problem. Everyone on a squad should have a gun. Someone can shoot a gun during one round and someone else can use the same gun during another round.

Even if it was allowed, you shouldn't be moving around when someone else is trying to make a shot.

That's the question really. Didn't see how it could work within a formal round. Which makes it difficult unless we take turns shooting a round without the other, which is less fun. I really wish more clubs had rental guns, even just 870s, as seems to be common in other parts of the country.

That said, I really need to just practice outside of a formal round, since I've never (1) fired my own gun or (2) shot a formal round of trap or skeet.