Community Q&A
Ask questions, share knowledge, and connect with fellow shotgun enthusiasts.
Just bought my first shotgun - what's a good practice routine?
I picked up a used Beretta A300 Outlander 12-gauge last week and shot my first round of sporting clays over the weekend. I had a blast but only broke about 30% of the targets. I'm using a modified ...
Anyone else think the new Federal Gold Medal Grand shells pattern too tight for sporting clays?
Been shooting sporting clays for years with my Browning Citori 725, usually with an Improved Cylinder choke and standard 1-1/8 oz #8 loads. Picked up a case of the new Federal Gold Medal Grands (1-...
Struggling with consistency on station 8 at my local sporting clays course
Been shooting for about 2 years now, mostly sporting clays with my Browning Citori 725. I've got the basics down, but station 8 at my club is killing me - it's that long crosser from the high tower...
Just bought my first shotgun - what should I do next?
Hey everyone, I just picked up a used Remington 870 Express 12 gauge from a local shop. It's my first shotgun ever and I'm excited to get into trap shooting. I've never owned a firearm before, so I...
Anyone else find their pattern gets too tight with a full choke on 40-yard crossing shots?
Been shooting sporting clays for years, mostly with my Browning Citori 725. I've always used a full choke for the long stuff, but lately I'm noticing I'm missing more crossing targets at 40 yards. ...
Just bought my first shotgun - what's a good practice routine for a total beginner?
I picked up a used Remington 870 12-gauge with a modified choke. I've been to the range twice and can hit maybe 3 out of 10 clays at 25 yards with Federal Top Gun 7.5 shot. Feeling pretty overwhelm...
Anyone else find their pattern gets too tight with a full choke on 16-yard station 7?
Been shooting my Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon for years, mostly sporting clays. Lately on station 7, that long crosser from the right, I'm breaking them but the pattern looks like I'm peppering them. ...
Just got a used Remington 870 for clays - what shells should I start with?
Hey all, brand new shooter here. Picked up a used Remington 870 Express 12 gauge for trap shooting at my local club. I've only shot it once with some old Winchester target loads a buddy gave me. Wh...
Anyone else find their pattern gets too tight with a full choke on sporting clays?
Been shooting for about 2 years now, mostly with my Beretta A400 Xcel. I've been using a full choke for everything, thinking tighter is better, but I'm noticing I'm dusting targets at 20-25 yards b...
Anyone else find their pattern gets a little 'blown out' with 1-1/8 oz loads in a tight choke?
Been shooting a Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon I with a factory full choke (0.025" constriction) for sporting clays. My go-to load is Federal Top Gun 1-1/8 oz of #8 at 1200 fps. On longer crossers past ...