Pukka Bundook Posted February 28 Report Share Posted February 28 Been asked by a mate if Id like a bash at sporting clays! I have an old clay trap and shot the odd one but never gone to a sporting clay range before. Q. Gents. Have a short list of 2 guns to take. An Angelo Zoli from the 70's or 80,'s or my old 1900's HJ. Hussey s/s. The Italian is a skeet job. Less choke in top barrel, and under 26 inch tubes. Hussey seems I /C and maybe half. 30 inch tubes. 6 lb 4 Oz. Which one gents? Fired very few shots with a shotgun over last 40 years, but looking forward to it. Might be a dismal performance though! Best, Rich. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted February 28 Report Share Posted February 28 Take both guns and a variety of cartridges. It would be a good opportunity to clear out some old stuff. Have fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old farrier Posted February 28 Report Share Posted February 28 As tc says although be aware that you can fire a lot of cartridges so take plenty top tip red ones are best 😂😂😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted February 28 Report Share Posted February 28 Sounds like it could get expensive! Very addictive! Have fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snarepeg Posted February 28 Report Share Posted February 28 Skeet barrels will break most birds, 8 or 9 swill give more pattern density. May not be as good a break as half choke, but 25 chipped better than 24 smoked and a miss😊 enjoy the day👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pukka Bundook Posted February 28 Author Report Share Posted February 28 (edited) Thanks fellas, I will let you know how I get on. If the 'reply' is silence, I didn't get on very well! LOL. Main worry is bent old fingers. Have taken skin off middle finger with just a shot or so. Never used to be bothered like that . Never thought about it, but arthritis makes them so they cant bend to ght to get out the way! Will do some playing with the guns before next Thursday. Will 9's break clays at full range, gents? Odd clay at 50 yards I'm told. Here cartridges are about $130 a flat. how's that compare to home now? (About 71 Pounds...) Edited February 28 by Pukka Bundook Add stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snarepeg Posted February 28 Report Share Posted February 28 Cheap enough at that, used to like the Remington green. just try a box of 9s, shot Green bush trap and skeet for 40 years, great club near Brockville 👍😊🇬🇧🇨🇦 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted February 28 Report Share Posted February 28 2 hours ago, Pukka Bundook said: Main worry is bent old fingers. Have taken skin off middle finger with just a shot or so. Never used to be bothered like that . Never thought about it, but arthritis makes them so they cant bend to ght to get out the way! ****** arthritis. Take the Zoli - more weight, less perceived recoil - odds on your finger is getting smacked by the rear bit of the trigger guard. Also see if you can find a slip on recoil pad - having to stretch a bit might save your finger. Or a little pad designed to fit on the outside of the trigger guard at the back. These work - I had to get one. Enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pukka Bundook Posted February 28 Author Report Share Posted February 28 49 minutes ago, snarepeg said: Cheap enough at that, used to like the Remington green. just try a box of 9s, shot Green bush trap and skeet for 40 years, great club near Brockville 👍😊🇬🇧🇨🇦 This clay range has cartridges for sale cheaper than anywhere else, so could get some 8's or 9's to try. Thanks for the advice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pukka Bundook Posted February 28 Author Report Share Posted February 28 1 minute ago, wymberley said: ****** arthritis. Take the Zoli - more weight, less perceived recoil - odds on your finger is getting smacked by the rear bit of the trigger guard. Also see if you can find a slip on recoil pad - having to stretch a bit might save your finger. Or a little pad designed to fit on the outside of the trigger guard at the back. These work - I had to get one. Enjoy. Thanks for the advice, Wymberley. Yes, its the guard gets mid finger these days. The Zoli came with a pad attached to the guard, so will use that one maybe. Recoil pad was rotted when l got it. Fitted a new one and rubber hung up on everything! Took it off and made a wooden buttplate and it feels great now. Have to just try it to see if top barrel prints high or not compared to bottom.Will keep you posted! All best Rich. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konor Posted February 28 Report Share Posted February 28 I’d start off with the Skeet gun to get my eye in and get a bit of confidence then change over to the Hussey for a few shots and see how you get on . It might be that the Hussey fits well and proves to be the better choice then next time start off with the Hussey. Hand position can make bruised fingers more likely and I think can be due to having the thumb position too far round the grip and is solved by positioning the hand more under the gun( I think that’s correct ) Best of luck ,a good start on easier targets will give you much needed confidence if you haven’t shot clays for a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pukka Bundook Posted March 1 Author Report Share Posted March 1 8 hours ago, Konor said: I’d start off with the Skeet gun to get my eye in and get a bit of confidence then change over to the Hussey for a few shots and see how you get on . It might be that the Hussey fits well and proves to be the better choice then next time start off with the Hussey. Hand position can make bruised fingers more likely and I think can be due to having the thumb position too far round the grip and is solved by positioning the hand more under the gun( I think that’s correct ) Best of luck ,a good start on easier targets will give you much needed confidence if you haven’t shot clays for a while. Thank you for the advice John! Hope me back legs,are up to it. Knees need replacing. On list but can be 4 years. Hope it all works out! Shooting with a shotgun was my main thing back home as time allowed, and one went nearly everywhere with me on the farm. Have missed their company! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konor Posted March 1 Report Share Posted March 1 2 hours ago, Pukka Bundook said: Knees need replacing. On list but can be 4 years. I’m no coach Rich but if knees are shot might be a good idea to make sure that your feet are well positioned for the targets to cut down on strain on your knees. I think muscle tension can affect your scores and if you’ve not shot for a bit and a bit nervous remember to relax and enjoy yourself ,once you’ve hit a few it’ll all come back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted March 1 Report Share Posted March 1 Speaking from experience, a pistol, or even a half pistol grip stocked gun will be easier to hold. Try and get less than 28 gram cartridges, if you can. The shot size won't really matter, the recoil through a light gun, most certainly will. If you enjoy the experience, maybe consider exchanging one of your guns, for a gas operated semi auto. The guys I shoot with, that suffer from similar ailments, find them more comfortable to shoot. Especially considering that the US is far less prejudiced towards them, than here. Most of all enjoy yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pukka Bundook Posted March 1 Author Report Share Posted March 1 Gents, Thank you for your thoughts on this. I do not like it that I let you chaps know my creaks, but also know you couldn't advise if you didn't know! I got the Zoli as it was going cheap as "Not working" and like to put things right. Only had to make a mainsping as the broken one was jammed and affecting both locks. As it has a pistol grip (which I don't really like, ) I will try it first, and yes, acknowledged, keep the loads light! I never used to be bothered in the slight, and still shoot rifles that are considered kickers, with not the least trouble but use the middle finger on the trigger. (Mosin Nagant and Martini Henry etc) Westley, I don't know if I could go for an automatic! Shoulder never feels anything when shooting so hope adapting grip will help, but adapting is hard on spontanaeity! Maybe a half bottle of brandy before I start might loosen me up! Maybe I should just pack the gun around the farm as I do stuff, and keep shouldering it, with mid finger on the side of the guard rather than behind it. Might have built up a bit of muscle memory by Thursday that way! Thank you again chaps, I will keep you posted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Best Posted March 1 Report Share Posted March 1 I would say to take whichever gun you like. It doesn’t matter, it is only for a bit of fun. The folk advising, “this could affect scores” or “that could affect scores” are taking your situation far too seriously. People are FAR too competitive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pukka Bundook Posted March 1 Author Report Share Posted March 1 1 hour ago, London Best said: I would say to take whichever gun you like. It doesn’t matter, it is only for a bit of fun. The folk advising, “this could affect scores” or “that could affect scores” are taking your situation far too seriously. People are FAR too competitive. L-B, Re scores. the lines from Blackadder come to mind about George's play: "Well the beginning was a bit shaky, it tailed off a bit in the middle, and the less said about the end the better!" Lol. Candidates.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pukka Bundook Posted Friday at 05:34 Author Report Share Posted Friday at 05:34 Well gents, it was a lovely day out. New snow on the Rockies made a wonderful picture all the way down! It was about a 50 minute drive. A lovely club house with a fire and a friendly old lab for Linda to talk to. Huge coffee cups and free coffee and tea and pop and crisps. A huge pile of different cartridges in flats in 7's 8's and 9's. Rack of about 150 new guns for sale and a few used. Golf carts with gun holders for folks with bunged up back legs. All kinds of stations with 3 or 4 alternative birds at each station We just shot about 75 shots each. By my second or third shot I had taken skin off my mid finger. It was pretty beat up by the time we were done! It affected my shooting which was already very rusty, so only hit about 25%! Still, it was wonderful opportunity. Went for a pub lunch afterwards with my mate who invited us. When I clench my right fist, my mid and trigger finger dont really move from the mid joint back, so mid finger cant get out the way of the guard. Arthtitis. Been wracking my brains what to do about this as it spoils shooing fun when finger gets skinned. Still, had a wonderful time and wonder why l never thought to take pictures! All best Rich. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konor Posted Friday at 06:02 Report Share Posted Friday at 06:02 Sounds like you had a great day Rich despite the finger damage. Would a padded glove modified help cut down finger damage do you think ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Best Posted Friday at 07:53 Report Share Posted Friday at 07:53 If using a straight hand stock be determined to take a hold a quarter to a half inch further back. It worked for me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pukka Bundook Posted Friday at 18:11 Author Report Share Posted Friday at 18:11 10 hours ago, London Best said: If using a straight hand stock be determined to take a hold a quarter to a half inch further back. It worked for me! L-B, I have read all sorts of on line advice about this, but my troube is The knuckle joint of my middle finger is stiff and roughly straight. This means this finger won't wrap around the grip, and sticks out towards the triggers. Id does bend at the mid joint and a bit at the tip. For a rifle that kicks I use mid finger on the trigger. That works, but not so well with double triggers on a shotgun. Yes, straight hand stock seems worse. likely the slimmer grip and hand not closing. Pic of hand. This is as far as mid finger will close. Thanks to yourself and Konor for your suggestions! I am working in it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted Friday at 20:09 Report Share Posted Friday at 20:09 Trigger shoe? My 1500 XTR tends to ‘snap’ on my trigger finger after a long days decoying. Fitted a ‘shoe’ and it’s no longer a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted Friday at 23:30 Report Share Posted Friday at 23:30 I know of several people who suffer from one sort of rheumatic or another. None of them shoot straight hand stocks now, they have all switched to single trigger pistol gripped stocks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pukka Bundook Posted Saturday at 02:22 Author Report Share Posted Saturday at 02:22 2 hours ago, Westley said: I know of several people who suffer from one sort of rheumatic or another. None of them shoot straight hand stocks now, they have all switched to single trigger pistol gripped stocks. I suppise I could do that too, but my old guns are what i like to use really. some been in the family a long time. Cant part with them! Going to see what I can figure out, and try some of that athletic tape to finger or guard. Will keep you posted gents! Skully, Trigger finger OK, just middle one gets bashed.. Best, R. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted Saturday at 08:38 Report Share Posted Saturday at 08:38 I have 2 side by side 12 bores, both with straight hand stocks. I use them for game shooting and occasional clay shooting. However, for various reasons, I would not consider using them for a 100 bird sporting shoot. The one thing I would say about bruised fingers from a side by side, get the gunfit checked. Too short a stock can cause the bruising. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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