While skeet shooting, also called trap shooting, may seem simple, people need to know several basic things before they start firing. One of the most important areas to cover is trapshooting equipment. Not only do you need to know how to chose the best type, you also need to know how to operate it safely.

When it comes to trapshooting equipment education and training, you may want to ask friend with experience to show you the ropes. Other educational opportunities include the following options:

1. Utilize Internet resources to get free trapshooting equipment education and training.

2. Learn about the different types of trap shooting machines.

3. Focus your training on shooting a 12-gauge shotgun, one of the most popular guns used in the sport.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn the basics of skeet shooting before you delve into more advanced topics

To get into trap shooting as a sport, you need to know which trap shooting supplies are essential. In some cases, you may want to rent or borrow equipment, but as you become more involved with the sport, you may find you want your own equipment.

I recommend: Outdoor Adventures Network covers the basics of trap shooting. It includes a description of the trap shooting supplies you will need to use in order to enjoy the activity. The article written by Robert Sturgeon on trap shooting includes a diagram of the trap field common in trap shooting patches and goes over the basics of the trap shooting gear you need for the sport.

Discover the types of trap shooting machines and the pros and cons of each

As with most things in life, you have your choice when it comes to the type of trap shooting machine you prefer. You may want to use a single trap machine, which shoots one clay at a time. For machines that release multiple shooting clays at a time, you'll need a special kind of machine.

I recommend: The Trapshooting Hall of Fame is the home of a large collection of trap shooting equipment. Its website offers an overview of the popular types of trap machines in use today. The Tribune-Review Publishing Co. offers an article on trap shooting that offers an overview of the different types of skeet shooting equipment and the benefits of using them.

Focus your training on the guns used for skeet shooting

Learning to shoot a gun is an essential element of the trap shooting. Your training in this area should cover gun safety. The type of training you want to get may depend on the type of gun you use. While the 12-gauge shotgun is popular, it is not the only gun used for the activity. You may want to contact a local gun club to find an instructor.

I recommend: To learn about the different types of stances you can use while shooting sporting clays, read the article at Turnspeed Technique. The article also gives practical advise on choosing an instructor. Learn how to shoot clays at the National Shooting School. The website also provides helpful tips for improving your skills.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Trap shooting gear includes safety glasses, protection for your ears and sometimes things like vests, bags and blinders. Usually you won't need training to use these items.

Trap shooting equipment—guns, machines and clay targets—are used in trap shooting. Trap shooting is one of a group of three competitive shooting sports in which shooters use shotguns to shoot at clay targets, sometimes called clay pigeons. The three types of competitive shooting sports include trap shooting, skeet shooting and sporting clays.

In all of these sports, trap shooting machines launch a clay pigeon into the air at the shooter’s command. Then the shooter takes a shot at the target from a specified distance. The more targets the shooter hits, the higher their score.

Clay target shooting sports are growing in popularity, mainly due to the fact that people of all ages, incomes and abilities can compete. Versions of the sport are now events at the Olympic Games, increasing their popularity even more. If you are planning to open a target range or a retail store to sell trap shooting equipment, you will need to offer high-performance guns and trap shooting machines.

You will need to:

1. Stock a variety of trap shooting equipment to appeal to all skill and experience levels
2. Be prepared to offer instruction on the latest equipment and technology
3. Match shooters with trap shooting guns that fit their competition level and body types

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Offer a good selection of trap shooting equipment, especially guns, for your customers

There is no designated type of gun to use in trap shooting, so some shooters modify guns for trap shooting. Others use guns made just for trap shooting (usually a 12-gauge, single barrel shotgun). The types of guns your customers decide to use will be dependant on their personal skill levels and how much challenge your customers want.

I recommend: Browning manufactures the BT-99 Grade III gun, particularly for trap shooting. One of the top gun manufacturers, Beretta USA, has a line of guns particularly for trap shooting competitions. Another top firearm manufacturer, Krieghoff International Inc., has a top-rated line of competitive shotguns designed for trap and skeet shooting.

Choose trap shooting machines that fits your clients' needs

There are various trap shooting machines. Some have more trap shooting capacity while others are different in the way they release targets. Ascertain which type is the best for your business, or stock several kinds to offer your customers.

I recommend: Atlas Traps Company offers a wide range of trap shooting machines and trap shooting gear for many specifications. BEOMAT is a top manufacturer of trap shooting machines. They carry machines for American and Nordic trap, Olympic trap shooting, international and American skeet shooting, and a wobble trap. PAT-TRAP designs top-rated singles and doubles trap and skeet shooting machines.

Provide a variety of other trap shooting equipment

Shooters will also be looking for high-quality and interesting trap shooting patches, vests, bags, clay targets and blinders. Be sure to offer a selection that will appeal to them.

I recommend: Cabela's has a wide selection of various types of shooting vests that will appeal to all preferences. They also stock trap shooting bags, pouches and other trap and skeet shooting equipment. Competitive shooters earn trap shooting patches as they compete and reach certain milestones. If you want to create customized trapshooting patches for your business or competitive shooting team, Stadri Emblems will supply embroidered emblems per your specifications. Remington Arms Company provides a high-quality clay target for purchase. White Flyer Targets is one of the top-rated manufacturers of clay targets for all kinds of trap and skeet shooting.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  A shooter's first responsibility is firearm safety. If your customers do not have any training with firearms and how to use them safely, offer classes in the basics of using trap shooting equipment or refer them to a responsible instructor or training center. Providing classes yourself will build a personal relationship with potential customers and help relay information on the sport of trapshooting.
• •  Cultivate relationships with the local competitive shooting community. Consider sponsoring a shooting tournament in your neighborhood. The connections you make will be important to growing your business in the long term.

Trapshooting equipment includes the trap machine, guns, ammunition and accessories. There are many variables and additional pieces of equipment like the wobbler or oscillating base that affect how trapshooting equipment works. The type of ammunition and shotgun used is also important, so these should be included in your trapshooting term research. The shooter is also a big factor in the operation of trapshooting equipment. Before you can begin trap shooting there are several key terms that are important to learn so you can be safe.

Action Steps
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Pull

Pull is the term used by the shooter when he or she wants to start the round of shooting. While 'pull' signals the puller to start the manual trap machine, modern-day machines are usually voice activated.

I recommend: The game of trapshooting is explained in detail at YouthTrapShooter. The term "pull" is also explained as it relates to competition trapshooting.

Target load

The ammunition a shooter uses for trapshooting is called the target load. Most target loads are 7 1/2- to 8 1/2-size shot, but the target load can be lighter. The load is made of the shot and gun powder in the shotgun shell. Target loads are also dependent on weather conditions.

I recommend: The Spartunburg Gun Club describes equipment, guns and target loads.

Lead, swing, follow-through

Even with the best, top-of-the-line trap shooting equipment, you still need to be a good shot. Trapshooting and other competitive shooting events are usually fast paced and accuracy is a must. The shooter must learn to lead the trap. A shooter leads the target by estimating how much it will move before the shot gets to it and aiming there. The shooter learns to swing the firearm with the same motion as the target and follow-through after the shot in order to connect.

I recommend: In "Skeet and Trapshooting" by Jerry Pardue, lead, swing and follow-through are defined. He explains the concepts as they relate to shooting a moving target whether it be waterfowl or trap targets.

Trappers or setters

Trappers, or setters, are the people in charge of setting a trap machine. The trapper sits in the trap house out in front of the shooters and waits for the signal to set the target. Trappers are not needed with the newer completely automatic trap machines.

I recommend: The role of the trapper, or setter, is described at the Trapshooting Hall of Fame. The site offers explanations for beginning trapshooters.

Wobbler

A wobbler is an attachment to a trap-shooting machine that allows the targets to be shot in a much more erratic pattern. Wobblers usually allow for 360-degree rotation with a much larger field of motion, including higher and lower aim.

I recommend: Hunting Fishing Direct sells a wobbler and explains how the wobbler works with your trap equipment.

Oscillating

Oscillating is simply defined as rotating. The meaning does not change when it is connected to trapshooting. When the trap machine is mounted on an oscillating base, the machine can direct the clay targets virtually anywhere in the field.

I recommend: Shooting USA defines oscillating as it relates to trapshooting.