Podcast Summary: Trap Talk From The Back Fence - Listener Question Extravaganza PART 6 (TRAP TALK E87)

Release Date: August 16, 2024
Hosts: Zach Denini & Richard Marshall Jr.
Podcast Description:
Listen in as Zach Denini & Richard Marshall Jr. delve into the world of trapshooting, engaging with legends, top shots, and more to bring you insightful discussions and expert advice!

Introduction

The episode kicks off with Zach Denini welcoming listeners back to "Trap Talk" and introducing his co-host, Richard Marshall Jr. They share their excitement about the ongoing Grand 2024 AIM weekend, highlighting the newly set-up podcast studio and expressing gratitude to contributors like John for their hard work in making the studio possible. [00:23 – 01:31]

Notable Quote:
Zach Denini: "Thanks to everyone that made it possible." [01:09]

Listener Questions

1. Brad’s Question: Improving Post Five Performance [01:31 – 05:21]

Question Overview:
Brad inquires about his wife's struggles with trapshooting, specifically on post five where she shoots behind or to the left of the targets. He mentions that despite using a shot cam, her movement remains inconsistent, and he seeks advice on enhancing her performance.

Hosts' Insights:

• Zach suggests replacing the one-shot cam with a ShotTracker for better analysis.
• Richard recommends ensuring she's correctly aligned at the post and adjusting the combination to suit her stance. He emphasizes starting with shooting straight to identify any inconsistencies in movement or stance.

Notable Quotes:
Richard Marshall Jr.: "If she's shooting to the left of everything... I would move the comb accordingly." [02:08]
Zach Denini: "Check your brakes on all the posts." [04:03]

2. Craig McCoy’s Question: Left-Handed Shooting Challenges [05:31 – 10:42]

Question Overview:
Craig, a class C shooter and youth team coach, discusses his difficulties as a left-handed shooter despite believing he’s right-eye dominant. He has experimented with various sighting aids but feels his field of view is obstructed when shooting with one eye.

Hosts' Insights:

• Richard addresses the issue of lens alignment and suggests adjusting the nose piece of his shooting glasses to eliminate the gap obstructing his vision.
• Zach advocates for embracing one-eyed shooting by tapering the dots to enhance peripheral vision, emphasizing depth perception benefits.

Notable Quotes:
Zach Denini: "I think closed eye is probably the hardest scenario in my mind." [09:17]
Richard Marshall Jr.: "Commit to saying, I'm going to make the taper and the dot work." [09:35]

3. Matt’s Question: Avoiding Shooting the Blur & Slow Bird Calls [10:42 – 19:15]

Question Overview:
Matt from California seeks advice on preventing shooting blurry targets due to holding a high gun and being short on shooting angles. Additionally, he's been told he issues slow bird calls, which distracts other shooters.

Hosts' Insights:

• Richard advises lowering the hold point to reduce the blur and maintain better alignment with the target.
• Zach concurs, sharing techniques inspired by Bullard to ensure the target is clearly visible before making a move.
• On the issue of slow bird calls, Zach recommends adjusting microphone placement to prevent audio distractions and suggests refining the tempo and tone of calls to avoid disrupting fellow shooters.

Notable Quotes:
Richard Marshall Jr.: "Keep your eyes close around the barrel, maybe even 20% under it." [14:10]
Zach Denini: "Don't make the move until you see it clearly." [14:42]

4. Corey’s Question: Reloading Ammunition for Doubles [35:06 – 43:04]

Question Overview:
Corey, a new doubles shooter, asks whether loading 1-ounce shells for the first shot to save on reloading costs and reduce recoil is advisable.

Hosts' Insights:

• Richard acknowledges the cost-saving aspect but emphasizes that more pellets generally lead to better target coverage.
• Zach argues that if recoil isn’t an issue, using heavier loads like ounce and an eighth maximizes pellet count, enhancing performance. He likens it to choosing larger steaks for better value, underscoring the benefits of higher pellet counts without significant drawbacks.

Notable Quotes:
Zach Denini: "More pellets is better. Why would I not want to use more pellets if I could?" [37:53]
Richard Marshall Jr.: "If it’s a cost issue and you love to shoot this game, then hey, do what you got to do." [41:28]

5. Joe’s Question: Struggling with Handicap Shooting [36:12 – 55:40]

Question Overview:
Joe from Iowa, a retired shooter who previously excelled in class A, shares his struggles with handicap shooting. Despite good single scores, he fails to maintain consistency in handicap rounds and wonders if his equipment, specifically a Browning XT trap over/under with no adjustments, is the issue.

Hosts' Insights:

• Richard advises Joe to consider gun fit and mechanics, suggesting he might benefit from an adjustable comb to fine-tune his setup. He shares anecdotes of successful shooters using various equipment configurations, emphasizing that success isn’t solely dependent on high-end gear.
• Zach reinforces the importance of incremental adjustments and maintaining consistent shooting mechanics, particularly when transitioning between different yard lines. He highlights the necessity of precise gun movements and proper training to improve handicap performance.

Notable Quotes:
Richard Marshall Jr.: "You need to have the combination be good. No second guess." [48:28]
Zach Denini: "Make one clean move to the center of the target and break it." [51:12]

Advice and Insights

Throughout the episode, Zach and Richard provide actionable advice tailored to each listener’s unique challenges. They emphasize the importance of equipment fit, consistent practice, and incremental adjustments over drastic changes. Additionally, they highlight the significance of mental preparation and maintaining focus during shoots to enhance performance.

Key Takeaways:

• Equipment Optimization: Ensure your gear fits well and is adjusted to your specific needs.
• Consistent Mechanics: Maintain steady shooting techniques across different scenarios.
• Mental Preparation: Stay relaxed and focus on the target rather than external factors.
• Incremental Adjustments: Make small, deliberate changes to your setup or technique to identify what works best.

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Zach and Richard encouraging listeners to send in more questions via their website, as well as expressing gratitude to their sponsors who support the podcast. They reiterate their commitment to helping fellow shooters improve and enjoy the sport, wrapping up the Listener Question Extravaganza with a sense of community and shared passion for trapshooting.

Notable Quote:
Zach Denini: "We love it. With that being said, let's get back..." [55:28]

Overall, this episode of "Trap Talk From The Back Fence" offers valuable insights and practical solutions for trapshooting enthusiasts, addressing a range of challenges from equipment issues to shooting techniques. Zach and Richard’s expert advice, combined with their engaging dialogue, makes this an informative and enjoyable listen for both seasoned shooters and newcomers alike.