matt fieldcrafter-uk Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 Hi guys my son is getting pretty keen shot these days , he enjoys clay bashing and I would like to support him . As we all know clay shooting is an expensive sport , so any advice on how to keep the cost down would be appreciated ! He shouts 20 bore (was shouting 12 but shots better with the 20) in thinking home loading will not only get the price of shells down but also allow him to shoot a wider range of shells. But from there on I have no idea. Would you say sticking to one disapline would be the way to go as he enjoys skeet most but has just to try sporting clays . Look forward to your input . All the best , Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 Is there a reason he shoots better with a 20 , was the 12 to heavy for him or could it be that it did not fit correctly ? I ask because if he is shooting a lot of clays the savings of going to a 12 would be significant and if his aim is to go as far in the sport as he can then he will almost certainly need to be shooting a 12 sooner or later . Loading your own would save some money especially if you made your own shot . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salop Matt Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 I would agree a move to 12bore would help a lot. Maybe a light weight 12b O/U with 21gram loads ! How old is he? I know the young hot shot Brody Woollard shoots a 12bore okay, so maybe its an option for your lad too. ATB Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
100milesaway Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 Be aware some grounds don't allow home loads and you are not allowed home loads at registered shoots.. from Auntie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rupert Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 get him a job as a marker/trapper/helper at a local shoot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt fieldcrafter-uk Posted August 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2015 He's 12 , we have done the light 12g thing with light loads for the last couple of years ,and he is ok with them . The lighter 20 bore just seems to suit him better all round . If he was to get competitive the move up to 12 again wouldn't be an issue as he is growning pretty fast . Until then I just bought him the new 20 bore , I have kept the old 12 he was shooting (I light Larona ladies gun that was professionally shortened etc ) so the option is there . But his shooting and confidence have sawed with the new gun . I know to be competitive he needs to shoot 12 but before all that he needs more positive time dusting clays I feel . I didn't know home loads are not accepted at all clubs ! We are lucky then because I know a few people use them at our local . I also didn't know makeing your own shot was an option , so I will look into that . The job is his at the club once he is 16 , they offered it to him last summer and he can't wait to start there , just 4 years to go .... Thanks for the input guys , I will check more about the home loads and shot making . Thanks . All the best , Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnphilip Posted August 19, 2015 Report Share Posted August 19, 2015 Your own auto clay trap and some land to use it on.save a fortune. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted August 19, 2015 Report Share Posted August 19, 2015 I know an 11 YO girl who is shooting 20 bore, she was out and did not have her gun with her, she borrowed a lightish 12 bore and shot really well. They will now change her to 12bore to lower costs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted August 19, 2015 Report Share Posted August 19, 2015 I have to agree on the light load 12 bore route as opposed to the 20 bore. I would suggest that it could be more a gunfit problem than a weight issue, unless we are talking 12 bore trap guns. You could look for a skeet gun from the Beretta/Miroku stable. It would have shorter barrels and the price would be reasonable due to lack of demand. A skeet gun will shoot most sporting targets that he is likely to encounter, just ensure that the fit of the gun is reasonable. With regards to the home loads, I agree that with the smaller bores it can be cost effective but with a 21gram 12 bore load, I do not believe that the savings are that great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman Posted August 19, 2015 Report Share Posted August 19, 2015 He's 12 , we have done the light 12g thing with light loads for the last couple of years ,and he is ok with them . The lighter 20 bore just seems to suit him better all round . If he was to get competitive the move up to 12 again wouldn't be an issue as he is growning pretty fast . Until then I just bought him the new 20 bore , I have kept the old 12 he was shooting (I light Larona ladies gun that was professionally shortened etc ) so the option is there . But his shooting and confidence have sawed with the new gun . I know to be competitive he needs to shoot 12 but before all that he needs more positive time dusting clays I feel . I didn't know home loads are not accepted at all clubs ! We are lucky then because I know a few people use them at our local . I also didn't know makeing your own shot was an option , so I will look into that . The job is his at the club once he is 16 , they offered it to him last summer and he can't wait to start there , just 4 years to go .... Thanks for the input guys , I will check more about the home loads and shot making . Thanks . All the best , Matt Keep him on the twenty until he asks to move back to a 12 it will make him a better shot in the long run Stick to local straw bail shoots to keep the costs down and build his confidence Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old farrier Posted August 19, 2015 Report Share Posted August 19, 2015 Keep him on the twenty until he asks to move back to a 12 it will make him a better shot in the long run Stick to local straw bail shoots to keep the costs down and build his confidence I'm with magman on this stick with the 20 Must be lucky here all kids under 16 accompanied by a shooting adult get there clays and entries free So it's just the cartridge to pay for all the best Of Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun4860 Posted August 19, 2015 Report Share Posted August 19, 2015 I'm with magman on this stick with the 20 Must be lucky here all kids under 16 accompanied by a shooting adult get there clays and entries free So it's just the cartridge to pay for all the best Of Its not round here at the registered grounds, They get charged full price At our club it's half price until 17 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoot and be safe Posted August 19, 2015 Report Share Posted August 19, 2015 Where are you looking to cut cost? Entry fee, cartridge cost or both. If entry fee, ask the clay ground if they would sponsor him or get hold of a trap or two and have a bash on a piece of land you have permission (to shoot clays). The last box of clays I bought was below £9/box of 150. The only down side to this is that you can get board shooting the same targets time after time, although you can move the trap. If it's the cost of cartridges. Buy in bulk and ask your supplier if he would like to sponsor a up and comming top shot. It is a big investment to begin with but can be quite a saving. If both, get him to ask his friends who might be interested and have a bash together on your "permission" and ask them to cover the cost of the clays they shoot at and cartridges they use (you could be mean and charge them the cost before bulk discounts although this could back fire and you end up giving his pals a go for free ) Or send him up the local chimneys to earn his own money to pay for his own . Above all, as long as he's enjoying himself and your outside in the fresh air together, keep it up. He could just as easy be sat in front of a screen playing on a games console and acting like "Kevin Patterson" (Harry Enfields Kevin and Perry). Enjoy yourselves ATB sabs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun4860 Posted August 19, 2015 Report Share Posted August 19, 2015 He could just as easy be sat in front of a screen playing on PW Enjoy yourselves ATB sabs happens to all of us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoot and be safe Posted August 19, 2015 Report Share Posted August 19, 2015 happens to all of us nice little edit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun4860 Posted August 20, 2015 Report Share Posted August 20, 2015 nice little edit Edit? Moi? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingo15 Posted August 20, 2015 Report Share Posted August 20, 2015 A good tip for keeping shooting affordable is don't talk to will pool haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted August 20, 2015 Report Share Posted August 20, 2015 Do we still have paper boys? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cookoff013 Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 1 reloading may save money at 21g in 20gauge. 2 reloading is not for you unless you are 100% committed. 3 buy cheaper shells 4 12 bore cheaper and more available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salopian Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 I went to a charity shoot in Beckbury near Shifnal Shropshire a few weeks ago .50 bird £12-50 with bottle prizes . Organisers also had a Dance on the Saturday evening and a Raffle . They then gave £30,000 to the Air Ambulance. So it must be possible to put on a fifty bird shoot at considerably less than some places are now charging? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulJC Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 I went to a charity shoot in Beckbury near Shifnal Shropshire a few weeks ago .50 bird £12-50 with bottle prizes . Organisers also had a Dance on the Saturday evening and a Raffle . They then gave £30,000 to the Air Ambulance. So it must be possible to put on a fifty bird shoot at considerably less than some places are now charging? Clays bought in bulk can be about 7-8 pence each, if you have traps, and land, etc you can throw 50 in the air for about £4... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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