Trap Talk From The Back Fence: Listener Question Extravaganza - PART 4 (E75) Summary

Release Date: May 24, 2024
Hosts: Zach Nini & Ricky Marshall Jr.

In the fourth installment of the "Listener Question Extravaganza," hosts Zach Nini and Ricky Marshall dive deep into various listener-submitted questions, offering expert insights into the nuances of trapshooting. This episode, free from the usual advertisements and introductory segments, focuses solely on delivering valuable content for both novice and seasoned shooters.

1. Understanding Point of Impact (POI) Settings

Listener Question: Kurt from Casa Grande, Arizona, inquires about the purpose of setting different POIs, specifically questioning why some shooters set their POI at 100% and whether high POI settings require the gun to keep moving.

Ricky Marshall's Insight (01:56):
"The poi honestly, is up to each individual shooter. I don't say you gotta have 100, you gotta have 90, 87%. But a trap target rises. So you do want to have a little bit higher than 50, 50, you know, 60, 40 on up will work just fine."
Ricky emphasizes the personalization of POI settings, advocating for flexibility based on individual shooting styles and gun mechanics.

Zach Nini's Perspective (03:24):
"You could have three different guns all at the same point of impact and hit targets differently with each one of those guns. It has to do with the mechanics of the move, it has to do with your eyes, it has to do with weight, it has to do with balance, it has to do with gun fit."
Zach highlights the complexity behind POI settings, stressing that factors like gun balance and shooter mechanics play a crucial role.

Hosts' Personal Settings:

• Ricky: Sets his POI at 75-80% across all three barrels for trap shooting and around 70% for sporting clays, allowing seamless transitions between different guns.
• Zach: Configures his POI at 80-20% for trap shooting and 70-30% for sporting clays, maintaining a slightly flatter trajectory.

2. Barrel Tuning and Its Impact on POI

Listener Question: A listener inquires about the process and effectiveness of setting barrels to a specific POI without adjusting the shooter's stance or eye alignment.

Ricky Marshall's Explanation (08:03):
"You have to send it in and, you know, one of the best guys out there that I dealt with in the past, Tommy Wilkinson, you know, I mean, he can make barrels do magical things... Comb everything like it is. So that's how he gets it down. It's all in a vice, though."
Ricky discusses the technical expertise required to tune barrels accurately, emphasizing the role of professionals like Tommy Wilkinson in achieving precise POI settings.

Zach Nini's Contribution (09:16):
"He's cutting a different angle in the barrel... fixed choke, though. But I. I pulled it out of the box. And that day I shot 300 targets. 100 singles, 100 handicap, 100 doubles. And I went 99, 99, 99."
Zach shares a personal anecdote demonstrating the effectiveness of professionally tuned barrels, showcasing significant performance improvements.

3. The Concept of "Driving to the Target"

Listener Question: Chet from Prescott, Arizona, seeks clarification on the term "driving to the target," particularly whether it involves the entire body or just the gun movement.

Zach Nini's Explanation (14:51):
"Driving to the target is I'm going with everything I have to that direction, and I'm maintaining movement as I'm pulling the trigger. So, you know, pushing through it, if you will."
Zach defines "driving to the target" as a cohesive movement involving the entire body, ensuring continuous motion through the shot for consistent performance.

Ricky Marshall's Addition (19:16):
"Number one, keep your head down at all times. See the target, and drive through the target."
Ricky reinforces the importance of maintaining body alignment and continuous motion to enhance accuracy and reliability in shots.

4. Registered vs. Non-Registered ATA Shoots

Listener Question: Ralph P. raises concerns about the benefits of participating in registered ATA shoots versus non-registered ones, especially for casual shooters who cannot afford extensive travel or high target counts.

Ricky Marshall's Advice (25:27):
"The only non-registered stuff I shoot is practice... I'd rather be registered, you know, but it's okay."
Ricky acknowledges that while registered shoots offer more points and recognition, non-registered shoots serve as valuable practice grounds without the competitive pressure.

Zach Nini's Perspective (25:56):
"I don't think there's disadvantages or advantages, you know, as long as you're not doing it from a, you know, I guess a, a bad position."
Zach encourages shooters to engage in both registered and non-registered shoots based on their comfort and financial ability, emphasizing enjoyment and personal growth over competition.

5. Handling Scoring Disputes with Pullers

Listener Question: Charlie Lehman from New Jersey describes an incident where a puller disputed the status of a chipped target, leading to tension within his squad.

Ricky Marshall's Guidance (51:51):
"So going in, talking to management afterwards, that's just trying to say, hey, this. But, yeah, that's what I would recommend."
Ricky advises addressing disputes respectfully and promptly, involving management to mediate and resolve conflicts without escalating tensions.

Zach Nini's Recommendations (52:07):
"If you've got multiple people on the squad, they're going to back that you hit the target. And everybody's saying that."
Zach emphasizes unity within the squad and maintaining respect towards pullers, highlighting the importance of professionalism and calmness in conflict resolution.

6. Developing Stronger Trigger Control

Listener Question: Jesse Adkins from Denver asks for recommended practice routines to enhance trigger control, a critical skill in trapshooting.

Ricky Marshall's Insights (46:16):
"Trigger control is within yourself. Not everybody can do it... it's faster than the speed of light."
Ricky explains that trigger control stems from personal discipline and muscle memory, suggesting that consistent practice is essential for improvement.

Zach Nini's Techniques (47:00):
"One of the drills I did early on was I just go in my garage and I'd take like duct tape... and I would mount the gun and then I'd have my dad come out and I'd say, hey, tell me if it's left, tell me if it's right, tell me if it's straight, whatever."
Zach shares practical drills he employed to train his trigger control, emphasizing the importance of repetitive practice and immediate feedback.

7. Future Category Eligibility

Listener Question: Brit7044 from YouTube asks whether the hosts would consider competing in the sub-vest category once eligible, given its competitive nature.

Ricky Marshall's Response (60:37):
"I'd probably just stay in open... but honestly, I might do it mine. I don't know."
Ricky contemplates the possibility but leans towards remaining in the open category, citing personal preference and competitive dynamics.

Zach Nini's Thoughts (60:38):
"If, if, if, if, if they're able and they're open, then what's it hurting?"
Zach encourages shooters to explore different categories without fear, highlighting the prestige and personal achievement associated with various divisions.

8. Encouragement for Casual Shooters

Listener Question: Oliver J. Patton expresses concerns about balancing full-time work with the financial demands of participating in ATA shoots, seeking reassurance about the role of casual club shooters.

Ricky Marshall's Reassurance (40:36):
"Go shoot every shoot you possibly can. Don't just stick around and shoot a, you know, a club shoots... it's okay that you can't afford to go to every single shoot."
Ricky encourages casual shooters to participate within their means, emphasizing enjoyment and personal satisfaction over competitive success.

Zach Nini's Support (42:00):
"If you can go to an ATA shoot, maybe your kids shooting a shoot and you want to shoot an event, I would say pick an event that you feel confident in... It's okay that you can't afford to go to every single shoot."
Zach echoes Ricky's sentiments, advocating for selective participation based on personal comfort and financial capacity, and emphasizing the intrinsic value of the sport.

Conclusion

In this episode, Zach and Ricky address a range of topics essential to mastering trapshooting, from technical adjustments like POI and barrel tuning to interpersonal issues like handling scoring disputes. They provide actionable advice tailored to shooters of varying skill levels and commitments, fostering a supportive and knowledge-rich environment for the trapshooting community.

Notable Quotes:

• Ricky Marshall (01:56):
  "The poi honestly, is up to each individual shooter."

• Zach Nini (03:24):
  "You could have three different guns all at the same point of impact and hit targets differently with each one of those guns."

• Zach Nini (14:51):
  "Driving to the target is I'm going with everything I have to that direction."

• Ricky Marshall (25:27):
  "The only non-registered stuff I shoot is practice... I'd rather be registered, you know, but it's okay."

• Ricky Marshall (51:51):
  "But that's what I would recommend."

• Zach Nini (52:07):
  "If you've got multiple people on the squad, they're going to back that you hit the target."

• Ricky Marshall (46:16):
  "Trigger control is within yourself. Not everybody can do it."

• Zach Nini (47:00):
  "One of the drills I did early on was... and I would have my dad come out and I'd say, hey, tell me if it's left, tell me if it's right."

• Ricky Marshall (60:37):
  "I'd probably just stay in open."

• Zach Nini (60:38):
  "If they're able and they're open, then what's it hurting?"

• Ricky Marshall (40:36):
  "Go shoot every shoot you possibly can."

• Zach Nini (42:00):
  "Pick an event that you feel confident in... it's okay that you can't afford to go to every single shoot."

This detailed summary encapsulates the essence of Episode E75 of the "Trap Talk From The Back Fence" podcast, providing listeners with comprehensive insights and practical advice on various facets of trapshooting.