Shotgun
"PULL!" BANG. The bright orange bird flying across the field shatters into a dozen pieces. You hear, "Nice shot", "Good target" from your fellow shooters. Nothing quite beats hitting moving targets and seeing them break into little pieces. Well, unless it's the camaraderie among the shooters.
SMGC offers Skeet, Trap*, Skrap, and 5-Stand.
Our shotgun activities are open to the public.
Here's our schedule which is subject to change. Check the website calendar first.
Year Round
Sunday 9:00 – 2:00 Skeet, Trap, Skrap
Thursday 6:00 – 9:00 Skeet, Trap, Skrap,
Usually Mid-April through 3rd Thursday in December
Thursday 5:00 – 8:00 5-Stand
* Note: We don't often shoot Trap because Skrap has become very popular and it uses the same field.
Skeet
Skeet is played with two machines, one in a high house and one in a low house (the designation of high and low relates to the location of the machine in relation to the ground). The openings of the houses face each other, and the targets are thrown with no side-to-side or up-and-down variation (except for wind). The shooters shoot a total of 25 targets in a varying sequence from seven stations arranged in a semicircle between the two houses, and one station located exactly between the houses.
Trap
Trap is played by shooting five shots from each of five stations (25 targets) located 16-27 yards behind a trap house. A trap target is thrown at an unknown angle from the house. The targets may be thrown with either a fixed or varying height off the ground.
Skrap
Skrap is a combination of Skeet and Trap. It is shot on the trap field from stations that would ordinarily be used for skeet which are approximately 26 yards behind the trap house. Targets are thrown at unknown angles and heights.
5-Stand
5-Stand features a line of five stands/stations for shooters and a number of launchers arranged in front of the shooters, to their sides, overhead, and sometimes even behind them. Shooters are presented five targets at each station, 25 targets in all. Five stand throws the widest variety of targets. They can fly across the field, away from you, toward you, straight up, and even run across the ground like a rabbit. For hunters, it's a great game, giving them the chance to work on shots simulating everything from fleeing rabbits and flushing quail to ducks dropping into a set of decoys.
Manual Trap Machine
There is a manual, 3/4 cock, trap located on the shotgun ranges. Shells with shot size 7 ½ and smaller (i.e. 7 ½, 8, and 9) travelling no faster than 1200 feet per second are the only types of loads allowed for the manual thrower and anywhere else on the shotgun fields. Shooting larger pellets or faster speeds runs the risk of lead leaving our property. The manual trap is open for use any time the skeet/trap fields are not being used, there is no activity scheduled in the pistol pit, and an RSO is on duty. This is usually Saturdays and Sundays after 2:00. You will need to check in with the RSO on the lower range, have your ammo checked, and borrow the key to use the manual trap. Instructions for using the machine are posted nearby and must be followed. You can also find video instructions on the website by clicking on Resources à Club Documents, SOPs and Policies and then scrolling all the way to the bottom. Note: at the time the video was made, #8 was the largest size shot you could use. That rule has been changed to allow 7 ½ shot.
If you are new to shotguns and would like to join us, come on out. Any one of us will be glad to help you get started breaking clays.
Here's what to bring:
Eyes and Ears – you need eye and hearing protection
Shotgun – I recommend a 12 or 20 gauge to start with.
Shells – Shot size is restricted to nothing larger than 7 ½. Thus sizes 7 ½, 8, or 9 are fine.
For more information, contact info for the airgun SIG director can be found on our website.