Trap Talk From The Back Fence: Listener Question Extravaganza - Part 1 (E70)

Hosts: Zach Nannini & Ricky Marshall Jr. Release Date: April 19, 2024

In this special episode of "Trap Talk From The Back Fence," hosts Zach Nannini and Ricky Marshall Jr. engage in a comprehensive Q&A session, addressing a multitude of listener questions related to trapshooting. The episode delves deep into various technical aspects, personal preferences, and expert advice to help shooters of all levels enhance their performance.

1. High Hold vs. Low Hold for One-Eyed Shooters

Question from Jim (New York)

Jim's Dilemma:
Jim, a 60-year-old one-eyed shooter using a Browning 725 trap over and under, seeks advice on whether he should hold his gun higher above the house or maintain a lower hold. He wonders if adjusting his hold can improve his shooting accuracy given his single-eye dominance.

Discussion:

• Ricky's Perspective:
  Ricky emphasizes personal comfort and visibility, stating, "If you're comfortable and you can see every target, one eye above the house, that's fine" ([05:37] Ricky). He highlights that holding height is subjective and varies from shooter to shooter.

• Zach's Insight:
  Zach concurs, mentioning, "Maybe not as low as me and Rick, but whatever is most comfortable for you is what you have to run with" ([06:22] Zach). He underscores the importance of defining what "high" means individually, as it can differ significantly among shooters.

• Practical Advice:
  Both hosts advocate for extensive practice to determine the optimal hold height. They suggest shooting hundreds of rounds at different heights and maintaining a journal to record performance variations based on hold height.

Conclusion:
There is no universal answer. Shooters should experiment with different hold heights to find what offers the best visibility and comfort, ensuring consistent performance.

2. Understanding High Point of Impact (POI)

Question from Kurt (Casa Grande, Arizona)

Kurt's Query:
Kurt seeks clarification on the purpose of high POI in trapshooting. He wonders if high POI shooters stop the gun when pulling the trigger on a rising target and how it affects their shot placement.

Discussion:

• Ricky's Explanation:
  Ricky shares his POI preference, shooting around 75-80% high. He advises against setting POI to 100%, noting that "If you want to shoot 100%, that's all you. But I would never recommend jumping out and saying, oh, I need 100%" ([15:13] Ricky). He emphasizes maintaining a smooth follow-through rather than abruptly stopping the gun.

• Zach's Perspective:
  Zach adds that POI settings should complement natural gun movement, stating, "The longer barrels are going to swing a little faster but they're not going to have as much siding plane" ([24:13] Zach). He encourages shooters to adapt their POI based on their gun's momentum and movement patterns.

Conclusion:
High POI is a personal setting that should enhance a shooter's natural gun movement. Maintaining proper follow-through is crucial for consistent and accurate shots.

3. Barrel Length and Single vs. Unsingle Options

Question from Michael Stake

Michael's Inquiry:
Michael asks about the optimal barrel length for shooting at 16 yards versus 27 yards. Additionally, he seeks advice on choosing between top single and unsingle barrel configurations.

Discussion:

• Ricky's Preferences:
  Ricky prefers unsingle barrels for better visibility and reduced felt recoil. He shares his experience with unsingles, stating, "I like an unsingle... from 1989 to today" ([20:18] Ricky).

• Zach's Insights:
  Zach highlights that longer barrels offer a smoother "runway" for the gun, enhancing control at longer distances, while shorter barrels swing faster: "The longer ribs are going to swing a little faster but they're not going to have as much siding plane" ([24:13] Zach).

• Practical Considerations:
  Both hosts emphasize that the choice between top single and unsingle barrels depends on personal preference and shooting style. They recommend trying out different configurations to determine which setup offers the best performance.

Conclusion:
Both barrel length and type (top single vs. unsingle) significantly impact shooting performance. Shooters should experiment with various setups to find what best suits their individual needs and shooting style.

4. Transitioning from KX6 Special to K80

Question from Gary (Durham, Connecticut)

Gary's Concern:
Gary, a one-eyed shooter using a KX6 Special, wonders if switching to a K80 with a flatter rib would enhance his barrel awareness and improve his shooting scores.

Discussion:

• Ricky's Advice:
  Ricky advises Gary to first try out different rifle settings before making a switch: "There is no flatter barrel for the KX6 special... shoot it don't be flipping back and forth" ([27:44] Ricky).

• Zach's Suggestion:
  Zach recommends borrowing rifles from peers to test different setups: "Just see who's got a flat rib gun at the gun club... try it and kind of... get the feel of it" ([28:11] Zach).

Conclusion:
Before committing to a new rifle, Gary should experiment with different configurations to assess potential improvements in barrel awareness and overall performance.

5. Eye Movement During Transition to Second Target

Question from Gino (Durham, Connecticut)

Gino's Question:
Gino asks whether, when transitioning to a second target with the dipping of the barrel, shooters should have their eyes follow the dip or maintain focus on the target.

Discussion:

• Ricky's Guidance:
  Ricky advises against following the dip of the barrel, stating, "Don't follow the dip. Don't dip it" ([30:54] Ricky). He emphasizes maintaining focus on the target rather than tracking the gun's movement.

• Zach's Input:
  Zach concurs, explaining that shooters should rotate their bodies to follow the target instead of pressing up with their arms, which can obstruct vision: "If you keep the target in sight the whole time, you'll do what you need to do" ([60:25] Zach).

Conclusion:
Shooter's eyes should remain focused on the target, allowing the gun to dip naturally without actively tracking its movement. This ensures a smoother and more accurate transition between targets.

6. Benefits of Daily Gun Mounting and Preventing Target Prediction

Question from a Typical Trapshooter

Shooters' Concerns:
The question comprises two parts:

1. Does mounting the gun daily improve shooting performance, and how many times a day should one do it?
2. How can shooters prevent themselves from predicting the target's flight path?

Discussion:

• Ricky's Recommendations:
  Ricky confirms that daily gun mounting strengthens the muscles required to hold the gun steady. He suggests performing multiple sets, such as "do 25, rest for a minute, do another, do a hundred total in a day" ([37:03] Ricky). Regarding target prediction, he advises shooters to trust their instincts and react naturally: "You're trying to see the future... you've already beat yourself" ([41:05] Ricky).

• Zach's Perspective:
  Zach relates gun mounting to building muscular endurance, emphasizing its importance for handling long shooting sessions without fatigue: "The more muscles you have there, the longer you can hold the gun still" ([37:15] Zach).

Conclusion:
Regular gun mounting enhances muscular strength and endurance, improving a shooter's ability to maintain a steady hold during extensive shooting sessions. To avoid predicting targets, shooters should focus on reacting to the target's movement in real-time, fostering more accurate and instinctive responses.

7. Identifying and Fixing Cross Firing

Question from John (Newman Swamp Rants Club, California)

John's Inquiry:
John seeks advice on identifying signs of cross firing and methods to correct it.

Discussion:

• Ricky's Insights:
  Ricky humorously suggests taking two weeks off but quickly provides practical advice. He recommends maintaining consistent mount pressure and recognizing barrel alignment issues: "Mount the gun the same way every time, same amount of pressure" ([55:10] Ricky). He also discusses using visual aids like tube sights to assist with eye dominance issues.

• Zach's Experience:
  Zach shares a personal anecdote about adjusting the gun mount to prevent his eye from being blocked by the rib, effectively eliminating cross firing: "I raised the comb and got the gun out of my eye and instantaneously, no more crossover" ([55:43] Zach).

Conclusion:
Cross firing can be mitigated by ensuring a consistent mount, adjusting mounting angles to accommodate eye dominance, and utilizing visual aids. Shooters should remain vigilant and make necessary adjustments to maintain proper alignment and accuracy.

8. Proper Technique for Mounting and Eye Focus

Question from an Anonymous Listener

Listener's Query:
Should a shooter always look at the beads when mounting the gun as a check for alignment before shifting focus to the target?

Discussion:

• Zach's Explanation:
  Zach explains that while checking bead alignment can be part of mounting, the primary focus should remain on the target to ensure quick and accurate shots: "If you are going to look at the beads, you need an extra half a second or a second to actually transition the eyes out there" ([46:07] Zach).

• Ricky's Advice:
  Ricky emphasizes maintaining consistent pressure and mount alignment, suggesting that thorough checking can prevent misalignment issues: "Looking through the beads... make sure they're lined up" ([48:48] Ricky).

Conclusion:
While briefly checking bead alignment during mounting can be beneficial, shooters should prioritize maintaining focus on the target to facilitate swift and accurate shooting transitions.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Ricky: "If you're comfortable and you can see every target, one eye above the house, that's fine." ([05:37] Ricky)
• Zach: "Maybe not as low as me and Rick, but whatever is most comfortable for you is what you have to run with." ([06:22] Zach)
• Ricky: "I like driving through a target that follow through." ([15:13] Ricky)
• Ricky: "Don't follow the dip. Don't dip it." ([30:54] Ricky)
• Ricky: "What you get out of this is what you put into it, bingo." ([37:03] Ricky)
• Zach: "The longer ribs are going to swing a little faster but they're not going to have as much siding plane." ([24:13] Zach)

Final Thoughts

This episode serves as an invaluable resource for trapshooting enthusiasts, addressing diverse concerns ranging from technical adjustments to improving shooting mechanics. Zach and Ricky's collaborative discussion offers a blend of personal experiences and expert advice, empowering shooters to refine their skills and enhance their performance on the field. Whether you're a seasoned shooter or a novice, the insights shared in this episode provide actionable strategies to elevate your trapshooting game.

Stay Connected:
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