Shot a round at Elm Fork Shooting Park Sunday

[EW]

I signed up for the Big Brothers Big Sisters charity shoot Aug 22nd at Elm Fork Shooting Park (behind Big Daddy's on NW HWY) because of Gordon Keith's endorsement. http://www.bbbs.org/site/c.esJQK5PFJnH/b.2724697/ It had been about 25 years since I had shot clay birds so I figured I'd better practice so I don't look completely worthless. It turns out that I could practice for quite a while and still have a weak ass score because shooting sporting clays is FN hard! I used the only full size shotgun I have, a Winchester Model12 pump 20ga without a recoil pad that I got from my grandfather. The old guys loved it but everyone else is shooting either a bad-ass hot rod over/under or semi auto of some kind (mostly Benelli or Beretta). We started out with a round of skeet. I hit a few but missed most.

:rant on: We're getting in the golf cart and I'm thinking what smells like dog shit? I look around but don't see anything. We drive up to the club house before hitting the course and I'm still smelling it. I look down at my friends range bag and there is shit on the bag. I look at my shoe and there is shit on my shoe. I'm thinking "WTF!? Why am I having to look out for dog shit at the range?!" I figured out that my shoe brushed against the top of the range bag when I got on the back of the cart. I apologize and offer to take the bag home to clean it but my friend declines the offer. Sorry Jeff! So, if you go to the range, leave your FN poop machine at home.:rant off:

We then began the "woods" section of the sporting clays. Clay targets are being thrown from all different directions and both at the same time if we wanted, which is reasonably difficult with a pump but I probably would not have done much better with a different gun. About 1/2 way through my shoulder is just destroyed. I still shoot each stage but decline the offer for extra shots since I want to finish the round.

We finished the "Woods" and started the "Meadows" I only skipped a few stages but shot all the crazy looking ones.

In between each stage, I'm riding on the back of the golf cart on the dirt road around the course. All the dust thrown up by the cart is circling back on me and my gun. We finish up around 12:30 or so and it is 100+F, I'm dripping with sweat, covered in dust, my gun is filthy, and my shoulder is killing me. I hope to go again soon but not before getting a recoil pad! :D

[evil jose]

I've never shot skeet before but I could imagine it's pretty hard. Damn, no recoil pad? Screw that. Even 20 Gauge I'm sure it's tough on the should after a morning of shooting. Combine with the heat and the dog poop smell following you around all morning... Sounds like you had a good time :D

[Beej]

I am down for some shotgun sports anytime. Just say when. trap, skeet, clays, 5 stand, what ever I am down.

[Strychnine]

I love that course. :cool:
The first time I ever went there I laughed my ass off at the station that's in the bed of a pickup.

[EW]

I am down for some shotgun sports anytime. Just say when. trap, skeet, clays, 5 stand, what ever I am down.
Cool. I should probably get a new gun first.

[GT98SVO]

How are you going to train your retriever to pick up them ducks?

[Beej]

Cool. I should probably get a new gun first.


might be a good idea. don't have to spend a ton of moeny though. I have a Remington 11-87 Premier trap. works well for me.

[EW]

How are you going to train your retriever to pick up them ducks?
What ducks? I'm not going hunting and I don't have a dog. :)
might be a good idea. don't have to spend a ton of moeny though. I have a Remington 11-87 Premier trap. works well for me.
No, no, no. I have to get something that will make me mad if I scratch it. :D

[Beej]

What ducks? I'm not going hunting and I don't have a dog. :)

No, no, no. I have to get something that will make me mad if I scratch it. :D


have fun with that. but its just like golf, a fancy italian shotgun isnt going to make you shoot better :)

My dad is still shooting his berretta 682 that is over 10 years old now and has had atleast half a million rounds through it.

[5111]

If you want a cheap O/U that holds up well look at a Stoeger Condor. I picked up a combo (12/20) for $400 at Dick's. The fit and finish doesn't compare to a high end O/U, but it has performed flawlessly so far with both barrels.

[Beej]

I used to have a rugger red label over and over, great budget gun, also there are some nice brownings that can be had for a decent price.

[Kart21]

Thanks for the reminder. Got to go practice, Dove season is only a few weeks away. Damn it, i was going to get a new gun this season.

[Slowhand]

Hey, nothing wrong with shooting clays with a pump action 12 ga!

<---Been shooting the same PA 12 ga. for 6 years now, hunting or shooting clays. Nothing like a challenge. :o

[GrayStangGT]

If you want a cheap O/U that holds up well look at a Stoeger Condor. I picked up a combo (12/20) for $400 at Dick's. The fit and finish doesn't compare to a high end O/U, but it has performed flawlessly so far with both barrels.

The Yildiz Turkish O/U that Academy carries is a good budget O/U I think they start at $499. If you look through all the ones in stock you can usually find some real nice wood on them, and they come with 5 chokes and a 3yr warranty from Briley.


I shoot a good old Beretta 390, it isnt pretty but it gets the job done.

[5111]

The Yildiz Turkish O/U that Academy carries is a good budget O/U I think they start at $499. If you look through all the ones in stock you can usually find some real nice wood on them, and they come with 5 chokes and a 3yr warranty from Briley.

I looked at those too and they are definitely better looking than the Stoeger. The only thing that was slowing me down on the Yildiz was that it is so light and there for will kick hard. I was still struggling with the decision when I shot a round of skeet with a guy that had a Yildiz and he had to bang the thing on his knee every time to get it opened. Apparently something had malfunctioned with the ejectors and now the gun won't open properly. Even though it will be covered under warranty, it was just enough to convince me to get the Stoeger.

[ThreeFingerPete]

Let me know when everyone is going shooting, my poor Benelli doesn't remember my name. :(