Any tips for a beginner?

Went to the range with a buddy yesterday with a box of clays. He's got a Benelli Vinci 12g, I've got a moss 500 20g. I only hit about 1/2 of mine. I thought about my choke towards the end of the match, i still had my full choke from Turkey season. the imp cyl was home in the gun cabinet. I
didn't think about changing them out. Would that have made a difference? Is the improved cylinder a good choice for skeet and upland birds?

Yep, IC is the best all around choke in my opinion for your needs. Go to youtube, there are tons of really good video's on shotgun shooting. Beginner to pro.

Awesome, thanks

I am new to the sport as well but really like it. I did a lot of reading and this is what I do:

1) use modified choke... the clay leaves the trap at 55mph (80+fps) and rapidly reaches a distance on the outer limit for IC or CYL chokes but the MOD choke will still give a good pattern density

2) as a beginner, this seems counter intuitive, don't shoot from the 16y line. Back up 2-3 yds and the clays will seem to go slower...

these ideas have worked for me

I also think, for me, it is better to start with the gun unmounted and mount the gun while moving it to intercept the clay.

Good luck and have fun with it.

I am a Master Class Sporting Clays Shooter, chokes only helps you to break the clay harder by forming a denser pattern.
There are so many factors in breaking moving target it would take hours and pages to explain them all.
For starters you have to know where the target is coming from and where it is landing.
You then need to know where you have the best chance to break it from the station.
Then you place your feet in the direction of where you intend to break it,
Turn to the point of pick up, call pull, insert the gun behind the target, catch up to it pass and pull the trigger when it's where you wanted to break it as your feet and balance will be perfect. If you miss adjust ahead and try again.... you can shoot 12 feet in front of the target but not 1 inch behind it and break it to pieces.
Hope this helps.
Denny

again, youtube is your friend. many camera angles which show you actual leads. makes it easier for your mind to process.

The Colonel is correct. There are huge books dedicated to shooting clays. But his statement is correct.

Alright, thanks for all the input. I'm ready to implement it. we found a shooting range in Texas City that has a real skeet range like y'all are talking about. Had plans to go today or tomorrow but we got a tropical storm coming in so.....

I use IC all them time, clay, dove, and duck. Good for 45 yards in. Beyond 45 yards I do not take the shot hunting.

My tip for any beginner in take a few lessons from a pro, best money you will ever spend. If you are not shooting with both eyes open, which a pro will teach, you will never reach your potential.

Make sure the gun is shooting where your looking. A fitted gun is super important

Since you will be shooting skeet, put your most open choke(s) in. I would also recommend the 'constant lead' method for skeet, plenty of videos available. P_102

You have to "follow through", after you pull the trigger. Swing, pull trigger, follow through!

Study the Colonel's answer, I can't say it better.

I will add, it's less like shooting and more like a dance. Relax. You're not aiming and shooting, you're dancing with the shotgun and the clay. Never stop moving. Dance, swing, see the clay move behind the front sight, swing, boom, swing, see clay break, swing...

You dancing fool, you...

OH! Stop blaming the shotgun. I've shot clays with a sawed off before. It is more fun with the semiauto for multiples, but the pump is fun too.

Colonel, you are correct in that chokes make a pattern more or less dense but you left out that they also make the pattern larger or smaller, hence the density. Would you shoot a full choke at a 10-15 yard target?, of course not. Choke should be determined by the distance to the target and the amount of shot in the pattern. You want the choke that will give you the largest pattern yet still have enough density to ensure good breaks.
I agree that the 'swing through' method is best for the quicker targets or those that can sneak up on you, I use it myself on those, but the 'sustained lead' (I said constant lead earlier) is, by far, the preferred method when you can see the target coming as it keeps a constant lead on the target vs. a lead for a fraction of a second. P_102

Actually this is not true, it is a myth when you pull the trigger following through does nothing for you. The secret is to not stop your gun before you shoot.

But the follow through keeps you from stopping your gun.

Not really .....alot of shooters stop the just gun because they lift their head to look at the bird if a shooter would shoot 2000 singles and watch the clay break they will be a lot better clay shooter. Pratice watching the clay break shoot really easy singles. Guys that have big or long follow thru have a really hard time on true pairs and difficult report pairs.

I got my safety fixed on the 20g, choke is changed out, time to bust some clays, I've taken notes on y'alls advice, which is greatly appreciated. I'll post results after the range, hopefully today or tomorrow

Mike if you like you can be my guest @ the Greater Houston Gun Club

I think bentman makes a good point about over swinging, works on singles, can hurt you on doubles. This guy says it well I think the different methods. I have always done the sustain lead, and I always say pull with gun at my side, and when gun hits my cheek I pull trigger always works best for me, and I move to next target. It is instinctive, if I think I miss.. But that is just me. 10 year ago I took a lot of pro lessons, helped a lot.

That is a very generous offer, thank you! let me get some practice in before i take you up on that. Seems like a serious club, I'd hate to embarrass myself lol

IC for starting out and shoot lots of practice trap

Do a point of impact test to know the gun is hitting your target

Make sure your leads are on point, and ALWAYS follow through. a good follow through is super important and helps so much. A fitted gun is also key. Last, make sure your stance is good and comfortable for your follow through.

Start younger and have a lot of money.

Buy cheap shells. Lead is very forgiving the most important thing you can do and the hardest thing to do is keep your eyes on the target. Follow thru is a myth you have to keep eyes on the target and watch it break. Get a 2nd job to support your new addiction

a favorite oldie video


and these are good as well https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvsn_aR5BkCP7liIOHGEe3g