Newbies Guide To Trap Shooting (Helpful Tips For Beginners)

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Do you like spending time outdoors surrounded by beautiful scenery, enjoying the sounds of nature, and taking part in a challenging sport? Well, trap shooting may be the perfect hobby for you!

This guide will teach you the basics of this fun and addictive pastime. So grab your shotgun and let’s get started!

What is trap shooting?

Trap shooting is a shotgun sport where clay targets are launched from a trap machine in different directions at five different stations. Shooters attempt to break as many clay targets as possible before they hit the ground. Each shooter gets one shot per clay target and five targets per station.

The sport can be enjoyed by shooters of all levels both recreationally and competitively, as there are many different trapshooting competitions available.

The benefits of trapshooting extend far beyond the weekend sporter’s hobby as well. Hunters take up trap shooting before a new bird season to practice hitting moving targets more efficiently.

But before we get into the ins and out or who’s and what’s of trapshooting, let’s take a look at the rules.

Trap Shooting Rules

There are essentially two types of trap shooting competitions: singles and doubles. 

In both events, shooters attempt to break as many targets as possible before they hit the ground. The main difference is that doubles involve shooting at two clays released simultaneously, while singles involve shooting at one clay from each of the five stations. 

For each round of singles trap shooting, you’ll have a total of 25 targets distributed between five different shooting positions. If competing with a team, you will each start by taking five shots from one position and then rotate to the next position after each team member has fired their five shots at five targets.

If competing solo, you will take five shots at each shooting position before moving to the next.

An important note: Keep your trap shut while playing (get it?). Trap is a sport that is played in silence until the round ends, similar to golf. The only time you should speak is when you call out “pull.” This signals the launching of your next target from the trap.

What Equipment Is Required?

Gear for trap shooting can be broken down into two categories: required and optional. The basic requirements are a shotgun, ammunition, eye protection, hearing protection, and a shooting vest or shell pouch. 

Shotgun 

Any 12 or 20 gauge shotgun will work for trap shooting. However, if you plan to shoot competitively, it’s best to use a gun with a choke (more on chokes later) so that you can place your shots more accurately.

A 12 gauge is going to give you a denser pattern of shots, meaning more hits on your intended target. These guns are typically heavier and have a strong recoil, which can take some time getting used to if you’re a beginner.

A 20 gauge shotgun is going to give you a wider dispersion of pellets, which means it won’t match the 12 gauge in total pellets on target. But what it lacks in accuracy it makes up for in weight and recoil. Both weight and recoil will be significantly lighter than the 12 gauge, which may make for an easier entry for a new shooter.

The good news is that many ranges allow you to rent shotguns when shooting trap, so you’ll be able to get a feel for which gauge works best for you before you buy.

Ammunition

It’s important before going to the range that you find out which ammunition is allowed per that specific range’s rules.

Most trap ranges will limit the size shot you can use – you can’t just go to your local gun shop and buy whatever you want. Most ranges require lead shot only and the shot size typically ranges between 7 ½ to 9.

It’s important to note that the Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA) and the Pacific International Trapshooting Association rules state that you can’t use more than 1 1/8th oz (32 grams) maximum weight of shot in a single shell, so keep that in mind as well while ammo shopping. You may use lower than that if you prefer, however.

Eye Protection 

Not only is eye protection required at trap ranges, but it will also improve your performance depending on which option you go for.

A great option is this pair of shooting glasses from Walker’s – they come with four interchangeable lenses that will provide an optimal field of view and clarity in all weather conditions. They’ll also hug your face well enough to prevent any slipping.

Ear Protection 

Another required piece of equipment at trap ranges, ear protection has evolved greatly over the years.

The most basic ear protection you can buy is going to be a set of foam ear plugs, such as these.

If you’re looking for an over-the-ear option, this set of ProHear muffs is a great choice (and budget-friendly).

And if you want all the bells and whistles, go for something like this pair of electronic earmuffs that allows you to actively cancel noise while crisply communicating with friends through a radio frequency.

Shooting Vest or Shell Pouch

A shooting vest has pockets for cartridges, which are used to hold the ammunition needed before each shot, providing quick access to your reload rounds. Shooting vests are great pieces of trap-shooting equipment because they protect your clothing from flying debris and also offer some insulation on colder days.

They are typically made of durable materials, such as Cordura nylon or ballistic cloth, to ensure they can withstand plenty of wear and tear. Many shooting vests also come with a built-in recoil pad to help reduce the impact of your shotgun.

A shell pouch is exactly what it sounds like – a pouch you wear around your waist that holds your shotgun shells. This is important since you have to carry a box of shells with you from station to station. 

A shell pouch can also be a great asset to store your empty hulls after you’ve finished shooting.

If you’re going to store live ammunition along with your empties, I’d recommend a double-compartment shell pouch such as this one so you don’t mix up the two.

How do you keep score in trap shooting?

The goal of trap shooting is to break as many of the 25 clay pigeons released from five stations as possible. Each shooter starts at a different station and after rotating through all five stations and all shooters have had their turn, the highest score wins. 

Scores are recorded by how many times the shooter breaks each target. For example, if a shooter breaks four targets out of five, then the shooter’s score would be four for that station.

In terms of actually documenting your score, the most common method is to use a scorecard. You can get these scorecards at the range or you can print them from home.

Here’s an example of what to expect on a typical scorecard.

Another way of keeping score, which is becoming more popular lately, is to use a scoring app on your smartphone.

If you’re going to use an app, make sure you test out a few in advance so you don’t spend extra time trying to figure out which one you like best at the range.

Trap vs. Skeet vs. Sporting Clays

All three of these hunting-inspired shotgun sports have the same basic premise: shoot down as many clay targets as you can with one shot per target allowed. But the subtle nuances in rules, structure, and style create a variety of options for the modern shotgun sports enthusiast.

Trap

Trap shooting involves shooting targets that are launched away from the shooter at predictable angles and heights. Each shooter gets five targets per shooting station, with five shooting stations per round. Each shooter may fire one shot per target.

When any portion of the target is hit by a shot, it is considered “dead” and points are awarded to the shooter. A failure to fire at or hit the target results in a “lost” target and no point

Skeet

Skeet was developed when a hunter discovered that trap shooting doesn’t simulate the way birds fly out in the field. The targets were too predictable and thus made trap shooting a less-than-realistic way of trying to practice shooting at the unpredictable and erratic flight pattern of birds.

In contrast to trap where the targets are launched away from the shooter, skeet shooting involves hitting two targets that cross one another after being launched from two houses on both sides of the shooter.

Trap is more favorable towards beginners as there is only one target to hit, which means all of your focus can be concentrated on one goal. The angles don’t vary all that much, so you can get into a nice rhythm and feel comfortable with your gun as the targets are released.

Sporting Clays

This is about as close as you can get to hunting in the field without actually hunting in the field. And with six different sized targets being thrown at any angle or distance, you can expect a “real-feel” hunting experience.

Sporting clays is a fun sport and competition that can be enjoyed by all people of different skill levels.

Rather than taking your shots from one central location like in trap or skeet, you’ll be shooting from various positions on a course of 10-15 stations.

Sporting clays is typically shot in groups of two to six people and every course is different. Sporting clays is the true embodiment of “golf with shotguns.”

Many ranges offer sporting clays but not all, so it’s important to call ahead and find out for sure before making the trip.

Is trap shooting a sport?

According to Brittanica, trap shooting has been a sport since the 1800s when shooters used live pigeons they released from cages or from box traps. Others will say the sport got its start in the 1700s and by the 1800s switched from live birds to clay targets. Either way, it’s safe to say this sport is a popular one and has been for quite some time.

Today trap shooting is a sport recognized and played by people all over the world. In fact, it’s been an Olympic sport since 1900.

Trapshooting comes standard with an official rulebook, scorekeepers, and a full organization known as the ATA (Amateur Trapshooting Association) that sponsors competitions for competitive trap shooters. 

It can also just be a fun weekend activity for the whole family or enjoyed solo.

What is the best type of gun for trap shooting?

As for the gun itself, you’re going to of course need a shotgun to shoot trap. But don’t go rushing out to your local gun store just yet if you don’t already have one. There are a few things you’ll want to look for when purchasing a trap shotgun.

First and foremost, make sure the gun is well-balanced. You will fatigue faster if you’re trying to counterbalance the gun with every shot you take. Your accuracy may also take a hit with an unbalanced gun.

The type of shotgun doesn’t matter as much as your ability to accurately hit your target with it.

There are shotguns made specifically for trap shooting, but if you’re just starting there’s no need to blow your salary on a top-tier sporting shotgun. It’s best to get a few rounds in and then decide whether or not you’re going to need an upgrade in firearm. 

Assuming you don’t already have a shotgun you can use, I would recommend you borrow from a friend or rent one from the range before making a decision on which gun is right for you.

20 gauge vs 12 gauge

A common debate among sport shooters is “which caliber is best for (x) result?” And while a general consensus has been established, this really comes down to personal preference and what you perform the best with.

12 gauge shotguns are typically the choice of most competitive shooters and are going to have more “bang” for your buck so to speak.

The 12 gauge will have more power and recoil than the 20. Due to a heavier shell load and bigger capacity, a 12 gauge will deliver more force on impact with the target as well.

The 12 gauge also outpaces the 20 in spread density, meaning more shots on target.

This can come at a price for beginners however, as the recoil is strong and the gun will be heavier than a 20 gauge. 

A 20 gauge shotgun is a more comfortable gun to shoot for beginners, women, and children, and the 20 gauge will be a lighter and softer recoil than the 12 gauge.

With all that said, I love my Ithaca 20 gauge over/under and actually prefer it over a 12 gauge for shooting trap. Go with what produces the best result for you.

As I said earlier, the best way to get a feel for which works best for you is to rent or borrow before you buy.

What does “Patterning” your shotgun mean?

When a shell is fired from a shotgun, pellets fly out in a small grouping commonly referred to as a “pattern.” The pattern is the result of the choke, barrel length, shot size, and velocity of the load that you’re using.

A great way to test your shotgun’s pattern is by shooting at a piece of paper taped to a cardboard box.

Just like when you zero in rifle scope, you’ll want to shoot from different distances to understand how tightly grouped your pattern stays as you get further away from your target.

If using an over/under or double-barrelled shotgun, make two targets – one for each barrel.

Some shooters like to “pattern” their shotguns with several different types of shells to find the best load for their gun, with the ideal being the one that produces the tightest pattern at the desired distance.

This practice can make a big difference in your performance and shot efficiency when hunting or sport shooting.

What type of choke is best for trap?

The purpose of a choke is to reduce the spread of the pellets from your shotgun shell at a certain distance.

While the best choke may vary from person to person, knowing what’s available and how to use it will undoubtedly help you improve your shooting performance.

Many trap shooters use what’s called an improved cylinder choke, as it tends to provide a very even spread out to about 40-50 yards. A modified choke is also a popular choice, as it tightens the pattern up to around 30 yards.

If you’re looking for an even tighter pattern, you may prefer a full choke for trap shooting. It’s important to note that a full choke will reduce the effective pattern size down to about 20 yards, and it will also increase recoil and wear on your gun.

Of course, barrel length and ammunition being used will also affect your pattern.

Ultimately, it’s up to the shooter to experiment with different chokes and find what works best for them.

The good news is, with so many different chokes available in a multitude of configurations, it’s easy to find one that fits your shooting style.

What size shot is best for trap shooting?

As mentioned previously, most ranges require you to keep your shot sizes between 7 ½ and 9.

Most shooters opt for a larger shot size, which would fall between 7 ½ to 8, but the choice is completely subjective to your choke selection, performance and preference.

While ammo shopping, keep in mind that most ranges only allow lead shot so always check with the range you plan to shoot.

Should you shoot with one eye open or two?

It’s important to shoot trap with both eyes open. This ensures that your dominant eye can accurately view the clay target so you can react accordingly. Keep your non-dominant, or secondary focus on the background and environment around you.

Keeping both eyes open also helps with balance. This is because the brain will automatically adjust your stance for balance to account for both eyes being open and focused on a target at once.

What is a hold point?

A hold point is a specific spot on the trap house from which you shoot at every station. In other words, it’s where you aim your shotgun before you move it to the clay targets that are flying away from you.

A good rule of thumb is to set your hold point midway between the far left and far right target positions on the trap house.

Imagine a vertical line running between the two extremes and hold your shotgun at a comfortable height along that line. This will allow you to react quickly to the target launch in order to accurately get your shot off.

A hold point is not to be confused with a lead point, which is where you “lead” the target by shooting ahead of its flight path.

5 Tips For Your First Day On The Range

• If possible, go with someone who already shoots trap – nothing’s worse than being the new guy and having no idea what you’re doing. And while most trap shooters are friendly to beginners, it may calm your nerves having someone there you trust to help show you the ropes. And with less nerves comes better performance (usually).
• Be ready to shoot when it’s your turn – to keep the flow of the game moving, make sure you’re paying attention to the shooting order. This also shows that you’re focused on the game and you’re respectful to your fellow shooters.
• Move to your next shooting station with an empty gun pointed down – safety should be a number one concern when handling firearms and shooting trap is no different. Do not close the action of your shotgun until you’re ready to call for your next target. This protects everyone from accidents and will show that you’re a responsible trap shooter. 
• Try to hit the target before it starts to fall – read the clay and establish your lead point before moving the gun. Swing your gun on the target when you’ve read the flight pattern and fire before it begins its descent. You want to fire at the target before it starts getting too far away from you.
• Keep your cheek on the stock and follow through with your shot – in the excitement of the moment, you may want to disengage and look to see if you broke the target. This could cause you to pull the shot at the last second and miss your target. After firing, continue tracing the flight path of the target with your gun as though you never pulled the trigger. This will make sure you maintain accuracy in each shot you take. 

Final Thoughts

While trap shooting was originally invented to improve shooting skills for hunting, it’s now become a favorite among recreational shooters and hunters alike. You’ll have fun, enjoy the outdoors, and take in some fresh air while challenging yourself. With trap shooting being so accessible, it’s also a great way to get the entire family involved in a sport they’ll love.