I haven't shot clay in a long time. Nothing against clubs, but I find myself getting antsy as it always seems I spend more time waiting for the next round then actually being on the line (probably because a shotgun club is as much a social gathering as a shooting gallery).
Anyway, I have been telling myself I am going to buy one of those little personal traps and go do some shooting at the DNR fields. Today I finally got off my rear and bought the base model Do-All trap (the yellow one with three legs you have to press into the ground). Assembly took about ten minutes, if you count the time I spend retreiving a ratchet and pliers to secure the bolts.
Since my Auto-5 is still waiting on a new fore-end I packed up my 20 gauge 870, 80 rounds and some clays and headed out to the public field. I haven't "seriously" shot my shotguns at clay for 4-5 months, so my start was a bit rusty, but by the end I was shooting as good as I ever have (which is to say mediocre). I have begun shooting with both eyes open, and this definitely has improved my shooting. I have stopped losing targets like I did when I was shooting "winky." It probably also didn't help that I was shooting targets at essentially skeet distances with a Full choke tube (marked Modified; this is why it is important to pattern your gun!). It does "smoke" targets though, literally!
Anyway, back to my reveiw of the trap. I was very satisfied, though there are some observations and reservations. First, the bolt that the throwing assembly pivots on when changing elevation needs to be tightened hard, otherwise it can come loose. Ditto for the wingnut bolt that sets the angle the trap throws. This trap is not very powerful, but it did throw clays about thirty or so yards, in a fair breeze blowing from 1-2 o'clock.
The trap needs to be secured well. All three legs need to be forced all of the way into the soil; it is essential to use those tent stakes to further anchor it, otherwise the thing is going to work itself loose. Cocking is hard until you learn the technique (kneel on the left side of the trap and bring the arm back with your right hand), but that is to be expected for a device relying on a large spring. My only real dissapointment was the cheap string used to release the trap. It snapped *twice* on me during this session. If you buy one of these traps plan on replacing the string out of the box.
Overall, for a $30 I would heartily reccomend this trap. It is not professional grade, but it certainly gives good practice. I know I certainly am going to be shooting much more because of the convenience and low cost.
Anyway, I have been telling myself I am going to buy one of those little personal traps and go do some shooting at the DNR fields. Today I finally got off my rear and bought the base model Do-All trap (the yellow one with three legs you have to press into the ground). Assembly took about ten minutes, if you count the time I spend retreiving a ratchet and pliers to secure the bolts.
Since my Auto-5 is still waiting on a new fore-end I packed up my 20 gauge 870, 80 rounds and some clays and headed out to the public field. I haven't "seriously" shot my shotguns at clay for 4-5 months, so my start was a bit rusty, but by the end I was shooting as good as I ever have (which is to say mediocre). I have begun shooting with both eyes open, and this definitely has improved my shooting. I have stopped losing targets like I did when I was shooting "winky." It probably also didn't help that I was shooting targets at essentially skeet distances with a Full choke tube (marked Modified; this is why it is important to pattern your gun!). It does "smoke" targets though, literally!
Anyway, back to my reveiw of the trap. I was very satisfied, though there are some observations and reservations. First, the bolt that the throwing assembly pivots on when changing elevation needs to be tightened hard, otherwise it can come loose. Ditto for the wingnut bolt that sets the angle the trap throws. This trap is not very powerful, but it did throw clays about thirty or so yards, in a fair breeze blowing from 1-2 o'clock.
The trap needs to be secured well. All three legs need to be forced all of the way into the soil; it is essential to use those tent stakes to further anchor it, otherwise the thing is going to work itself loose. Cocking is hard until you learn the technique (kneel on the left side of the trap and bring the arm back with your right hand), but that is to be expected for a device relying on a large spring. My only real dissapointment was the cheap string used to release the trap. It snapped *twice* on me during this session. If you buy one of these traps plan on replacing the string out of the box.
Overall, for a $30 I would heartily reccomend this trap. It is not professional grade, but it certainly gives good practice. I know I certainly am going to be shooting much more because of the convenience and low cost.
