We need suggestions for a better clay bird gun.

[Scoupe]

yeah if you want to miss...

Pointing is the way to go for games such as trap, skeet and sporting clays. If one tries to line up a bead and aim at a flying clay target, they generally miss.

As for a better clay games gun, it's hard to beat a Remington 1100 for fun, reliability and economy, but most of the guns mentioned will perform just as well.

I personally don't find a pump gun to be a huge handicap in clay games "for fun." I obviously don't use one in competition, but once one gets comfortable with the game and the gun, it's surprising how smooth you can be without having to rush.

 

[GE-Mini-Gun]

While I don't know for sure, it sounds like your aiming right at the bird...it also sounds like your "new" to the sport. Aiming at the bird is common with beginners so don't feel bad, you need to lead the bird, how much depends upon couple (many) things...how close to the thrower, barrel length speed of bird, etc. If the thrower is set up about 10’ or so from you your lead would be approx. 1’-3’ if the bird is going away from you. If on the other hand the birds are crossing (skeet-ish) your lead would be 3’-8’ provided the birds are 15-25 yards in front of you. Takes some practice, but it sounds like you’re already doing that. Another thing, mount the gun, line up the sights then only look at the bird…forget about the sights and keep your face on the stock.

 

[TAB]

you guys missed my point... you don't "aim" per say, but just pointing the gun does not work either

 

[Bentonville]

I am learning quite a bit from this thread alone. I have arranged for a time with the guy that shoots in competition. He is also going to let us use one of his shotguns. This will happen in the next month I hope.
I am certainly open to any other suggestions and comments. Does anyone else favor the 1100 semi? Again, thanks for the input.

 

[45auto]

I have arranged for a time with the guy that shoots in competition.

There you go .

That's the way to do it. You saved yourself a lot of time and money.
Listen to him and go from there depending on how far you want to go with clay target shooting.

 

[Virginian]

I have five 1100s and one 870, so I guess you could say I favor them. Although of course you have to shuck the pump, the targeting 'feel' of 1100s and 870s is about as close to identical as you can get, to me. If you sart shooting competetively, then an O/U or semi will give you one less thing to worry about, which matters at that level, in not having to be cycling the action, but many a straight has been run off with an 870, too.

 

[SX1guy]

Shooting correctly...

Bentonville, spend the few extra bucks and get an 1100 or 1187, pumpers are not recognized as good shooting guns for the Skeet, Trap, Sporting Clays...of course you can shoot one but you are essentially going against the grain of the game...and getting instructions from a pro is the best....
regards

Tab..... Trap, Skeet, Sporting Clays, 5 Stand and all the other shotgun games are all about Pointing the gun.....focus your eyes on the clay target, bring your pointed gun into covering the clay(end of barrel) or some lead and pull the trigger, your brain automatically triangulates for you...

A good stance & gun hold...good focus with eyes.....call pull....brain triangulates all...pull the trigger, clay breaks...25 straight .
regards

 

[huntsman]

My son and I have tried on three recent occasions to hit some hand-thrown clay birds. We have the throwing part down pretty well but we can't hit any of them

Spend a few bucks on the thrower; get one of those $25.00 pigeon throwers that you can stick in the ground.

Those hand throwers can be fun to use but all but impossible to hit the clays especially if you’re close.

 

[sbarkowski]

Have you ever patterned your shotgun? If not you should, you learn alot about whats going when you fire a shot. Maybe your shotgun shoots high, low, poor patterns with your ammo choice, etc.