By Kiernan Manion

Just mention the word “guns” and people usually have a reaction. Whatever that reaction might be, it is a fact that there is a growing number of people interested in owning guns for protection and recreational activities. These firearms owners are looking for quality and affordable products, giving the Army Navy surplus industry an opportunity to attain a viable source of profit. Included in this target market are soldiers, veterans, military personnel, hobbyists and other individuals interested in buying tactical equipment, outdoor supplies, hunting gear and other gun-related products.

In addition to these products, owners and buyers for Army Navy stores should be aware of the many activities related to guns. The focus of this article is two of the most popular clay pigeon activities: trapshooting and skeet shooting. While the styles, preferences and techniques differ greatly between shooters and game regulations, the concept is always the same…hit the target.

Distinguishing the differences between these two disciplines can help novice and expert firearms owners and operators pick the best methods of practicing and even competing. Another advantage to becoming familiar with these games is it can help business owners in adding new gun-inspired product lines and marketing them to gun owners.

Trapshooting

As one of the oldest of the shotgun games, clay targets are propelled into the air from a single “house” or machine, generally away from the shooter in a random direction. Shooters typically use a single-shot or double-barreled over-and-under 12-gauge shotgun (though this can vary depending on a number of factors). Clays can be launched one at a time (singles) or two at a time (doubles) and shooters are allowed one shot per clay pigeon.

trap_field

The game originally targeted live pigeons that were held in box-like “traps,” thus generating the name. Later, the use of targets in trapshooting was originally introduced as a replacement for live pigeons to simulate bird hunting as a method of practice and training, thus the reference to “clay pigeons.”

Across the globe, there are several variations of trapshooting, including Olympic or International trap, Double trap, Down-the-line (DTL) and Nordic trap. Each variation has different sets of rules, regulations and competitive differences based on set standards like those placed in International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) events, and those recognized in the United States by the Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA) and the Pacific International Trapshooting Association (PITA). The Grand American Trapshooting Championships are widely considered the ultimate trapshooting event, displaying the best shooters from around the country and even the world.

As outlined by the ATA, a standard Trap field is laid out like spokes around from the hub of a wheel. The trap machine, which launches the clay pigeons, is located at the center of the hub. Each of the five shooting stations is placed behind the hub, between 16 and 27 feet away, set three yards apart.

Clay targets are launched slightly to the right, left or down the center at random, so the shooter never knows which direction the target will fly, unless of course they’re using a fixed launch source, such as a mechanical slinger or hand thrower. Trapshooting is very fast, with shooters in ready positions as soon as their turn comes up. For safety and courtesy, discretion between when the gun is loaded, aimed and fired is exercised, especially when other shooters are involved.

Skeet Shooting

Skeet shooting is a more specific shotgun game that allows for multiple participants to take aim at targets with each shooter positioned around a semi-circle with different positions and angles on the projected paths of the clay pigeons. The name “skeet” is derived from the Scandinavian word for “shoot.” The number of clays launched at a given time and the angle of the shot differ greatly based on the position of the shooter on the skeet range.

skeet_field

Originally, a skeet range was set up similarly to a clock, with the clays launched from alternating positions at the 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock positions, with shooters stationed around the circle.  This posed problems with the amount of land needed for a full skeet field and the large amount of dangerous shrapnel that would inevitably fall to the ground around the shooters.

Due to this problem, the skeet field layout was reformed to a semicircle and incorporated two traps across from each other. One is called the “Low House” trap because its targets are launched from three feet above the ground and the other is called the “High House” trap because its targets are launched from 10 feet.

There are usually a total of eight shooting stations, spanning around the radius of the semi-circle, with the final spot located at the midpoint of the circle’s center. Shooters then take aim at a number of targets launched in a defined order across the field, ranging from low to high, single to double. Shooters move from station to station until the round is complete, ending in the middle of the field. The guns used in skeet include pump-action, semi-automatic, and over/under shotguns. Skeet is shot in four gauges: 12, 20, 28, and .410.

Further Considerations

With skeet and trapshooting, shooters can use a wide variety of methods for shooting: stance, follow-though, dexterity, tracking and other elements of the shot that can drastically improve accuracy. Everyone has their own style, but ultimately the goal is to break/hit the target any way that works for you. Trapshooting and skeet shooting can be great marksmanship training and practice for those looking to hunt pheasant or duck during hunting season.

As always, ensure safety at all times and be aware of your surroundings. Shoot safely and ensure that fellow shooters do too! Make sure you follow the corresponding range shooting rules, from gauge size, shot size, and load speed. It’s also important to ensure your gun fits you for the best shooting capabilities, but these can vary from person to person.

Even though most firearm facilities have strict rules, always wear hearing and eye protection when at the gun range, and consider wearing a hat to protect from falling pieces of clay shrapnel during trap or skeet shooting.

The Army Navy surplus industry, outdoor supply establishments, tactical equipment specialists, and firearm suppliers/retailers can take advantage of selling products for trap and skeet shooting. Some of these products include: ammo pouches and belts, ear and eye protection, weapons cases, and tactical equipment like vests, gloves and boots.

For firearms enthusiasts, be sure to check out some of your local ranges and give trapshooting or skeet shooting a go. If you already have, be sure to tell new gun owners or those who haven’t had the chance to experience either game, how much fun they can be!

For more information on skeet shooting, visit the website for the National Skeet Shooting Association (NSSA) at www.NSSA-NSCA.org, the worldwide authority on skeet shooting. You can also visit www.ShootATA.com to learn more about the specific theory and practice of trapshooting.