Trap Talk From The Back Fence
Hosts: Zach Nannini & Richard Marshall Jr.
Guest/Producer: Jon
Episode: Listener Q&A Extravaganza! đŻ (Episode 149)
Original Air Date: November 7, 2025
Episode Overview
This special episode is a Listener Q&A Extravaganza where hosts Zach, Ricky, and producer Jon answer real-time audience questions submitted via Facebook and email. Covering topics from off-season training, eye dominance, gun choices, to options and purses in trapshooting, the squad delivers candid, useful advice and some good-natured banter. This episode is packed with practical tips for trapshooters of all backgrounds, with the hosts' decades of experience shining through.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Staying Competitive in the Off-Season ([00:50]â[11:45])
- Trey Wilburn asks how to keep the âcompetitive juices flowingâ during the off-season.
- Zach: Prefers to rest and let himself miss the game rather than burn out:
âFrom December to February, if thereâs nothing going on, Iâm not particularly keeping myself sharp. If anything, Iâm letting myself rest⌠redevelop that hunger for the game.â (04:06)
- Ricky: Still teaches or attends events but doesnât force competition; nature drives his competitiveness when he has a shotgun in hand:
âIf I got a shotgun in my hand, Iâm competitive. Thatâs just my nature.â (05:57)
- Advice: For year-round practice, join winter leagues or local club shoots, even if just for bragging rights.
2. Eye Dominance Issues & Shooting Two-Eyes ([11:49]â[15:01])
- Jay Matthews asks for help shooting with no clear eye dominance.
- Ricky: Recommends the âsight tubeâ (a small, slotted straw-like accessory) to help ensure only the shooting eye is aligned with the bead.
- Zach: Emphasizes proper gun fit and head mount to avoid dominance confusion:
âMake sure the gun fit is right⌠If youâre mounting wrong, your off eye can take over.â (12:58)
3. What Happens to Old Guns When You Upgrade? ([15:18]â[19:22])
- Oliver Patton wonders if top shooters keep or sell older guns after upgrades.
- Ricky: Sells almost everything, keeps only what he shoots and a couple others.
- Zach: Has sentimental âkeepersâ but usually needed to sell old gear to fund the new:
âIf I wanted a different gun, I needed to sell the old gun⌠I wasnât Bruce Millions!â (16:19)
- Both agree: If itâs not being shot and has no sentimental value, âmove it along.â
4. Dealing with Distracting Trap Workers & Scorekeepers ([21:14]â[31:42])
- Alana Paulson asks: How to manage disruptive trap help or sideline distractionsâwithout being rude.
- Ricky: Direct, polite communication works best:
âThereâs the nice polite way: âHey folks, weâre shooting, can you get off the phone?â Or thereâs the Rich Bullard method: âHey, stupid!â But seriously, itâs usually just lack of training or awareness.â (22:36)
- Zach: Expects distractions and stresses mental resilience:
âWhen I go out there, I literally expect⌠things to go wrong. If you expect it, it wonât bother you. But if youâre easily rattled, youâre done.â (24:00)
- Tip: Never antagonize scorekeepersâalways address issues politely or through management.
5. Helping Shooters Deal with Frustration ([32:14]â[36:16])
- Jay Gox asks: How to help shooters who get upset after a missed bird.
- Ricky: âItâs experience and maturity. Patience is key. Acting out just makes you look like an idiot. Control your nervesâbreak more targets.â (32:14)
- Zach: Let them process on their own, be supportive, donât rush their learning, and try to model mature responses.
- Both: Stay positive as a coach/parentâtough love doesnât work on the line.
6. Gun Reviews & Choices
a. Browning 725 Combo via Guns International ([37:04]â[38:52])
- Hosts donât buy online but say there are no âbad gunsâ; gun fit and personal preference are more important than brand, especially for newer shooters.
b. Top Single vs. Unsingle Barrels ([39:48]â[42:25])
- Jim Wimmer asks: Why so many shoot unsingles?
- Ricky: Better visibility of targetâbarrel is pushed down/out of the sight path.
- Zach: Same, but cautions about canting the gun and how style/fitting matters for stability.
7. Shot Size: 7½ vs. 8 for Handicap ([42:46]â[45:41])
- Connor Brooks asks: â7½ or 8s for handicap?â
- Ricky: âDepends on yardage. 19 to 23-yard line, 8 shot is fine. From 24 back, I go 7½.â
- Zach: Prefers simplicity:
âJust give me the damn 7½. Itâs one less thing to think about.â (44:18)
- Rule of thumb: Adjust for yardage and avoid making gear decisions too complicated.
8. Trapshooting Options & Purses: Lewis, Great Eastern, etc. ([53:49]â[63:15])
- Kurt Grilling wants clarity on Lewis, Great Eastern, âskinsâ games.
- Ricky: Explains added money, Lewis class (divided payouts), Great Eastern/Western (top 6 scores paid).
- Zach: When clubs seed option pots with added money, always play them for value.
- Tip: Payment splits in options depend on total entries; know the math.
9. Addressing Eye Tape & One-Eyed Shooting ([64:54]â[68:12])
- Andy Podnar struggles with cloudiness from taping left eye.
- Ricky: Try blackout dots or âshooterâs helperâ grids instead of tape; electrical tape works better than scotch.
- Zach: Make sure not to focus on the tape; your gaze should always be on the target, not the occlusion device.
10. Advice for Youth Shooters ([69:00]â[71:18])
- Josh Vons Prekin asks: Most important thing for new youth shooters?
- Ricky: âGun safety number one. Then gun fit.â
- Zach: âFun comes firstâkids need to enjoy it.â
- Jon: If gun doesnât fit, it wonât be fun. Start with safety, then immediate success (targets straightaway, closer distance), fun, then technique.
11. Chokes: OEM vs. Aftermarket? ([71:47]â[75:25])
- Leni Mayfield asks: Factory Krieghoff chokes or aftermarket?
- Both prefer factory Krieghoff titanium chokes, but speak highly of Briley and effective custom work (like the late Tom Wilkinsonâs barrels).
12. Barrel Length for Smaller Shooters ([76:01]â[80:55])
- Mitch from CA asks: Should a smaller shooter use a 32-inch barrel?
- Ricky: Barrel length is about preference and swing:
âIf you want to try a 32, go try a 32. If itâs too barrel-heavy, add weight to the stock to balance.â
- Zach: âBarrel weight, brand, and balance matter more than length alone.â
- Testing tip: Add (removable) golf tape weights to the forend to experiment with the swing.
13. Music While Shooting ([48:48]â[53:38])
- Aaron asks: If you had to listen to one song on repeat while shooting, what would it be?
- Neither host listens to music while competing anymore.
- Zach: If music helps, select for mood and song structureâsomething with no downtime between loops.
âMusic controls your mood⌠singles, maybe Nirvana; for handicap, something with more pop, like Judas Priest.â (52:25)
- Notable Mention: Matt Bartholow listens to âthe hardest, fastest stuffâ he can find.
Notable Quotes
- Zach ([04:06]):
âI use the off season as a good time to start to miss the game a little bit more again⌠Thatâs the most honest answer I can give.â - Ricky ([05:57]):
âIf I got a shotgun in my hand, Iâm competitive. Thatâs just my nature.â - Zach ([24:00]):
âItâs all Murphyâs Law. If it can go bad, it will. ⌠If you expect all of that and youâre just cool with it, it wonât bother you.â - Ricky ([32:14]):
âItâs experience and maturity. Patience is key. Control your nervesâbreak more targets.â - Zach ([44:18]):
âJust give me the damn 7½. Itâs one less thing to think about.â
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Off-season Competition Motivation: [00:50]â[11:45]
- Eye Dominance Advice: [11:49]â[15:01]
- Guns: Keep or Sell? [15:18]â[19:22]
- Distracting Trap Help: [21:14]â[31:42]
- Dealing with Frustration: [32:14]â[36:16]
- Browning 725/Gun Choices: [37:04]â[38:52]
- Unsingles vs. Top Singles: [39:48]â[42:25]
- 7½ vs 8s for Handicap: [42:46]â[45:41]
- Trapshooting Options Explained: [53:49]â[63:15]
- Shooting with Tape/Eye Issues: [64:54]â[68:12]
- Youth Shooter Fundamentals: [69:00]â[71:18]
- Choke Tubes: [71:47]â[75:25]
- Barrel Length Guide: [76:01]â[80:55]
- Music & Mood: [48:48]â[53:38]
Episode Tone & Style
Chatty and good-natured, with a blend of expert-level knowledge, stories from the line, and approachable explanations for newer shooters. The hosts maintain their straightforward, âfrom the back fenceâ styleâdirect, practical, with plenty of humor and on-the-line wisdom.
Conclusion
This Listener Q&A episode stands out as a trove of practical advice and stories from seasoned trapshooters. From technical discussions about gear to broader insights about mindset and sportsmanship, Zach and Ricky keep the conversation lively, honest, and relatableâmaking it a must-listen for anyone looking to step up their trap game.
