Olympic Trap, Universal Trap, Double Trap, Helice
CPSA/BICTSF
There is usually a CPSA registered Olympic Trap competition taking place at various shooting grounds around the UK on a Sunday with practice on weekdays and Saturdays. The CPSA collates your Olympic Trap scores and after 6 months of registered shooting a true average is calculated to place the shooter into a competition class - a bit like a golf handicap. For the individual who may have aspirations of representing Team GB in the Olympic Games then he/she must enter GB Team selection shoot competitions that are administered by the British International Clay Target Shooting Federation (BICTSF).
There is usually a CPSA registered Olympic Trap competition taking place at various shooting grounds around the UK on a Sunday with practice on weekdays and Saturdays. The CPSA collates your Olympic Trap scores and after 6 months of registered shooting a true average is calculated to place the shooter into a competition class - a bit like a golf handicap. For the individual who may have aspirations of representing Team GB in the Olympic Games then he/she must enter GB Team selection shoot competitions that are administered by the British International Clay Target Shooting Federation (BICTSF).
Buying a Suitable
Shotgun
Whether you are completely new to Clay Target Shooting or you have decided to switch from another discipline to shoot Olympic Trap it is very important to buy the right kit. The following advice is based on my own experiences, and could save the Olympic Trap newcomer £1000's in the long term.
Get Your Gun Fit Checked
The most important aspect of your equipment is your gun and how well it fits you. I bought and sold quite a few guns over the last few years because I was ill informed on gun fit, and as a result wasted a lot of money. When you buy a gun it is important to have the fit checked by a professional stocker or a reputable gun shop that offers a fitting service. If you have any doubts about your gun fit lurking in the back of your mind it could have a negative impact on your competition performance. As a rule of thumb though, if you're a tall person with a strong core and upper body you may wish to try out guns with 31" - 32" barrels, and if you're small to average in height and body size then try out a 30" first.
Part Ex or not to Part ex?
If you want to change your gun then I strongly recommend that you sell it privately because you'll be offered an obscenely low price for trade in, probably get messed about, and the price of the gun you want will also be increased. Private sales don't take long, my Miroku MK38 was on the Guntrader website for 7 days before it was sold, so a little patience here could save you hundreds of pounds. Of course gun dealers are there to make a maximum profit and it will be at your expense so sell your gun privately and don't trade it in if you can help it.
I have noticed that some gun dealers work hard to sell lots of guns for a competitive profit margin and are good to do business with. There are others who are quite happy to have overpriced guns sat in their racks for months and unless you have money to waste these should be avoided.
If you have no idea about the gun shop you intend to deal with then a good way to find out about the level of service you'll get is to check out the forums on the Guntrader website, but be careful and make sure you corroborate a few opinions before entering into any deals.
Gun makers such as Perazzi, Beretta, Renato Gamba, and Caesar Guerini all manufacture shotguns that are specifically designed for Olympic Trap shooting. Particular models to consider are: Perazzi MX8 / MX2000, Beretta ASE / DT10, Renato Gamba Daytona 2K, Caesar Guerini Summit.
Whether you are completely new to Clay Target Shooting or you have decided to switch from another discipline to shoot Olympic Trap it is very important to buy the right kit. The following advice is based on my own experiences, and could save the Olympic Trap newcomer £1000's in the long term.
Get Your Gun Fit Checked
The most important aspect of your equipment is your gun and how well it fits you. I bought and sold quite a few guns over the last few years because I was ill informed on gun fit, and as a result wasted a lot of money. When you buy a gun it is important to have the fit checked by a professional stocker or a reputable gun shop that offers a fitting service. If you have any doubts about your gun fit lurking in the back of your mind it could have a negative impact on your competition performance. As a rule of thumb though, if you're a tall person with a strong core and upper body you may wish to try out guns with 31" - 32" barrels, and if you're small to average in height and body size then try out a 30" first.
Part Ex or not to Part ex?
If you want to change your gun then I strongly recommend that you sell it privately because you'll be offered an obscenely low price for trade in, probably get messed about, and the price of the gun you want will also be increased. Private sales don't take long, my Miroku MK38 was on the Guntrader website for 7 days before it was sold, so a little patience here could save you hundreds of pounds. Of course gun dealers are there to make a maximum profit and it will be at your expense so sell your gun privately and don't trade it in if you can help it.
I have noticed that some gun dealers work hard to sell lots of guns for a competitive profit margin and are good to do business with. There are others who are quite happy to have overpriced guns sat in their racks for months and unless you have money to waste these should be avoided.
If you have no idea about the gun shop you intend to deal with then a good way to find out about the level of service you'll get is to check out the forums on the Guntrader website, but be careful and make sure you corroborate a few opinions before entering into any deals.
Gun makers such as Perazzi, Beretta, Renato Gamba, and Caesar Guerini all manufacture shotguns that are specifically designed for Olympic Trap shooting. Particular models to consider are: Perazzi MX8 / MX2000, Beretta ASE / DT10, Renato Gamba Daytona 2K, Caesar Guerini Summit.
Eyewear
The CPSA issued a ruling (for insurance reasons) that Protective eyewear must be worn by shooters and referees whilst on the range. This ruling covers all Clay Target disciplines. All shooters need optimum vision in conjunction with eye protection to maximise their potential. An eye examination will determine if a prescription will give enhanced clarity. Over 35% of shooters have eye dominance problems. This should be investigated and advice given. The clay needs to be isolated from the background and the choice of tints is very important in this respect.
It is recommended that glasses specifically designed for clay shooting are used. Large, high fitting glasses will give maximum field of view without the rims causing a distraction. Wrap frames with the optical insert are popular. Care needs to be taken as sometimes the insert limits the field of view. Always ensure the lenses offer maximum protection. Take professional advice from an Optician who specialises in the vision needs of shooters. Optimum vision and safety should not be compromised.
The CPSA issued a ruling (for insurance reasons) that Protective eyewear must be worn by shooters and referees whilst on the range. This ruling covers all Clay Target disciplines. All shooters need optimum vision in conjunction with eye protection to maximise their potential. An eye examination will determine if a prescription will give enhanced clarity. Over 35% of shooters have eye dominance problems. This should be investigated and advice given. The clay needs to be isolated from the background and the choice of tints is very important in this respect.
It is recommended that glasses specifically designed for clay shooting are used. Large, high fitting glasses will give maximum field of view without the rims causing a distraction. Wrap frames with the optical insert are popular. Care needs to be taken as sometimes the insert limits the field of view. Always ensure the lenses offer maximum protection. Take professional advice from an Optician who specialises in the vision needs of shooters. Optimum vision and safety should not be compromised.
Trap Shooting Footwear
An often overlooked accessory is footwear. To maintain our performance as a one target game it is important to be consistent not only in our range routine, but in the equipment we use and what we wear. Wearing the same shoes in every competition could help the Olympic Trap shooter maintain consistency.
I have noticed that the Adidas Ironwork 3 weightlifting shoes (below) are becoming a popular choice amongst some of the UK's top Shooters. This is probably because apart from being comfortable, they have a small heel that promotes a good Trap shooting stance. A less expensive choice and a good alternative to weightlifting shoes are the classic Adidas style of trainers, the flat rubber sole provides good contact on the range.
An often overlooked accessory is footwear. To maintain our performance as a one target game it is important to be consistent not only in our range routine, but in the equipment we use and what we wear. Wearing the same shoes in every competition could help the Olympic Trap shooter maintain consistency.
I have noticed that the Adidas Ironwork 3 weightlifting shoes (below) are becoming a popular choice amongst some of the UK's top Shooters. This is probably because apart from being comfortable, they have a small heel that promotes a good Trap shooting stance. A less expensive choice and a good alternative to weightlifting shoes are the classic Adidas style of trainers, the flat rubber sole provides good contact on the range.
Trap Ranges
Pictures are of Southern Counties Shooting Limited near Dorchester, and Lonato near Milan, Italy.
Pictures are of Southern Counties Shooting Limited near Dorchester, and Lonato near Milan, Italy.
Your right to a shotgun certificate
Every British resident has the right to own a shotgun, but must first to get a certificate to do so. Provided you don't have a criminal record, and are free from mental illness, you should have no dramas with your application.
Applying
The first step is to ask for an application form at your local police firearms licencing department. Fill it in, then send back with a cheque for payment plus 4 passport standard photographs, one of which must be signed and dated on the back by yourself; a second one must have a counter signatory write on the back “I certify this is a true likeness of [your name]” and then they must sign and date it.
The counter signatory must be a person of good standing in the community who has known you for at least two years and might be a Solicitor, Barrister, Doctor, or Justice of the Peace, though they cannot be one of your family members. The permissible counter signatories are specified on the form.
Police Checks
You’ll need to give a reason why you want to have a shotgun. It’s not legally necessary to give details of land or a club to the Police – they simply need to know that you want it for a specific purpose, such as Clay Shooting or vermin control. Most Police forces are courteous and easy to deal with. A minority of officers tend towards the officiousness and bureaucracy when processing applications. Asking you to fill out supplementary forms and providing details of where you plan to shoot are above what’s required in law, so politely, yet firmly decline if this is the case. You will be required to give permission to the Police to access your medical records, however, so they can check that you are free from illnesses that might present a danger when using a gun.
Problem Areas
The most common problem areas are applicants forgetting to mention a criminal conviction, as for the purposes of the firearms acts, no conviction is ever considered spent. Motoring convictions, whether still on the driving licence or not, must all be declared. Health problems are only an issue if likely to affect your safe possession of a shotgun. You will be required to expect a visit from an Officer of the firearms and licensing department to check that your Shotgun storage is adequate. I recommend that as a minimum you should have a Home Office approved shotgun cabinet that is secured to the floor and wall, and has two separate keys that secure the door. I would also recommend in the interest of good practice that you store your ammunition securely in a separate location to that of your gun.
International Travel
If you are planning on training in europe or if you are fortunate enough to represent GB in international competition then you must first obtain a European Shotgun Certificate so that you can take your gun with you. To get mine it took one phone call to the firearms department that issued my Shotgun Certificate and I had my European Licence within a week. There is no fee, and they use the same details as on your Shotgun certificate. It is important to note that some airlines will not accept Sport Shotguns as checked luggage so I avoid using them even when traveling on normal business without my gun. British Airways, Virgin, EasyJet, Monarch, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Air Canada, KLM, and Lufthansa will all accept your sport shotgun as checked luggage providing it is disassembled and in a locked hard case.
Range Etiquette
As with other sports such as Golf and Tennis, all competitors are expected to behave in a responsible manner, therefore the main purpose of this page is to inform the Olympic Trap newcomer of a few subtle points of etiquette so that he or she doesn't feel uncomfortable or unsure whilst on the range. Here are some pointers:
It is expected that Shooters:
- Dress in a neat, clean, and tidy manner (No DPM or camouflage clothing);
- Ensure that their cartridges are suitable for their gun. Repeated malfunctions due to poor cartridge choice upsets the rhythm of the squad, and can cost you points;
- Ascertain his/her squad and be at the layout on time;
- If you aren't shooting as well as expected remain calm, remember there are other shooters on the line with you;
- Only begin to move to the next stand after the shooter immediately to your right has taken his shot;
- Remain on the layout until the last shooter has finished;
- Try to maintain a consistent physical routine whilst on the line, it will help your performance and that of the rest of the squad;
- Some shooters listen to an iPod just before they go on their line. This is their way of getting in to the relaxed and focussed state of mind so please do not disturb ! this leads nicely on to;
- Resist the temptation to use gamesmanship tactics on your rivals, have some self respect;
- Respect the referees decision and try not to obstruct his/her vision;
- Are fully conversant with the rules of your chosen discipline.