It’s time for the annual Engineering Trap shoot!

WB
[subject]
Wednesday, November 04, 2026, 09:11 (4 days ago)

Our consulting engineers and others go in and sponsor a big event and catered meal. They rent the state range and well over 100 folks turn out to shoot. Sort of like Golf, they place you on sponsored teams to win prizes. I’m certain I’m not a high ranking pick. But we spend tons of money with them and that want us happy. I used several guns over the last few years. A 12 870, Mossberg turkey 12 with more open choke, and a std. frame 1100 20 (but it’s full choke!). Last year I broke down and bought an actual target shotgun in hopes of improving my performance. It seemed to work, with the tutoring from some helpful Misfits that really know how to Shotgun!

It’s like ballroom dancing I figure. Graceful and cool to watch, but the literal mechanics, beats and counting, footwork, placements, are technical and less enjoyable. Or at least it’s on a different level. Performance satisfaction, you don’t get to just listen to the music. Shotgunning is a lot about “fit” and muscle memory. Trap, in large is shooting where you are looking, keeping a rhythm of success. I know just enough to disappoint myself. lol

The SKB 85TSS 12 bore I bought is a good one. Versatile enough I can use it for Clays or even Skeet given the opportunity. I adjusted the stock, actually the heel, to the point it looks crazy, but it is where it’s supposed to work. I’m optimistic as last year my score jumped notably from 27/50 to 35/50 or thereabouts. The gun performed well. I was able to pick my barrel (only one allowed) and had no mis-clicks, I also didn’t accidentally trip the trap, which is audio triggered. A hard snap of the action can release a bird. This SKB was the last of the Japan guns. The new distributor is having all guns built in Turkey now. Still good guns.

We’ll see if I can at least duplicate my last years performance. My cross-eye dominant vision is even worse this year. But shoot where you are looking!

[image]

that appears to be a sporting version, not always but

jthomson
[subject]
Wednesday, November 04, 2026, 15:42 (4 days ago) @ WB

trap guns come with a higher monte Carlo style stock, for a more heads up shooting stance preferred by trapshooters. doesn't make much difference in the performance of the gun, just shooter style. All my guns are now set low for sporting type targets. That's why hunting guns work for sporting, its more like hunting shots Any way dont sweat the small shit, shoot'um like you own'um and have fun

I played with the comb but I’m not close to rib sighting

WB
[subject]
Wednesday, November 04, 2026, 16:48 (4 days ago) @ jthomson

So I bottomed out the comb and dropped the heel till my eyes were looking down the rib. Looks be dammed, it seemed to work. I think that is what helped my scores. I set on modified chokes, I know guys use full too. If it gets too far I’m gonna miss it anyway. I might stick with modified.

stick with the most open choke you can get

jthomson
[subject]
Wednesday, November 04, 2026, 18:56 (4 days ago) @ WB

by with for the task at hand, I personally use an imp cyl for 16 yd targets and an imp mod for 30 yd targets. the super tight chokes are used to tune your shooting skills in practice, Ive shot with a few of the big dogs and they guard their little tricks pretty close.

I would also reccomend a one once load of no 8

jthomson
[subject]
Wednesday, November 04, 2026, 19:05 (4 days ago) @ jthomson

shot going at 1150 fps. Your shoulder and body will thank you by adding targets to your score. and the targets wont know the difference. the 1 oz no 8 will give you roughly the same pellet count as 1 1/8 of no 7, and unless you are shooting 40 yds plus, or a cold day, the 8s work fine. For you speed junkies out there radar shows about a 6 in lead difference at 30 yds between 1150 and 1250 fps, you are working with a 18 in pattern at that distance so what

Yeah maybe an Improved Cylinder could help!

WB
[subject]
Wednesday, November 04, 2026, 20:30 (4 days ago) @ jthomson

- No text -

here's my day

jthomson
[subject]
Wednesday, November 04, 2026, 20:40 (4 days ago) @ WB

Scott, one more piece of sage advice.....Don't

jthomson
[subject]
Friday, November 06, 2026, 06:31 (2 days ago) @ WB

get caught up in the rib height or position, take whatever gun you are shooting, and one of your special feed sacks. Don't give a damn which choke or anything else. Put the sack up flat, back off 25 paces, and put 3 rounds in the sack with the load you are going to shoot. I put a sighter sticker on my paper but in your case use the chickens head, concentrate only on the head when shooting. after 3 shots go downrange and find the center of your pattern on the sack. At this point you know where your gun and load shoots relative to where you were looking over that particular stock combo. Grandpa called it "Kentucky Windage" used this method with his 39-30 for years, you've dont it for ages over your pistols, just go and kill the fucking things and remember dont let doug outshoot you hahaha

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