Shotgun
TRAP
In trap, men move through a series of five adjacent shooting stations. At each station, competitors mount their 12 gauge shotguns, call for the target, and fire up to two shots per target. The targets, four-inch clay disks, are thrown from an underground bunker a minimum distance of 70 meters and at speeds of up to 65 miles per hour.
Trap has been a men's Olympic event since 1900, with the exception of two Games (1988, ‘92) during which it was open to both men and women.
The Guns: Trap is shot over longer distances than the other Olympic shotgun events. Consequently, a trap gun's barrel is longer (30-32 inches), producing greater accuracy for the distance. Trap guns also have a tighter “choke,” meaning the barrel narrows at the muzzle end to prevent shot pellets from scattering before they're within striking distance of the target. World-class trap guns (e.g. Perazzi MX8, Beretta 682) can retail from $1800-$7000.
Course of Fire: The match consists of 125 targets, shot in five rounds of 25 over two days. Three rounds are fired on day one; two rounds plus the final are shot on day two.
Perfect Match Score: 125 is perfect, 121 is world-class.
Finals: After the 125-target match, the top six competitors ad,var ce to a 25target final round. Medals are awarded based on aggregate (match plus final) scores.
Perfect Aggregate Score: 150 targets.
Last U.S. Olympic Medal: Dan Carlisle won the bronze at the 1984 Games in Los Angeles.
SKEET
In skeet, men move through a semicircular range featuring eight shooting stations. At each station, single and/or double clay targets are thrown at least 65 meters from the high (10 feet) or low (three feet) house on either side of the range. The four-inch clay disks travel at up to 55 miles per hour, and competitors may fire one shot per target. Competitors hold their 12gauge shotguns at hip level until the target appears, which can be anywhere from 0-3 seconds after their call.
Skeet has been a men's Olympic event since 1968, with the exception of two Games (1988, 92) during which it was open to both men and women.
The Guns: Skeet guns have open chokes, which spread shot pellets at a wider radius. The barrels measure 26-28 inches in length. World-class skeet guns (e.g. Perazzi Mirage, Remington 3200, Krieghoff K-80) cost from $1800-$7000.
Course of Fire: The match consists of 125 targets, shot in five rounds of 25 over two days. Three rounds are fired on day one; two rounds plus the final are shot on day two.
Perfect Match Score: 125 is perfect, 121 is world-class.
Finals: After the 125-target match, the top six competitors advance to a 25-target final round. Medals are awarded based on aggregate (match plus final) scores.
Perfect Aggregate Score: 150 targets.
Last U.S. Olympic Medal: Matt Dryke won the gold at the 1984 Games in Los Angeles.
DOUBLE TRAP
The men's and women's double trap events will be first-time additions to the Olympic program in 1996. Competitors fire 12-gauge shotguns from each of five adjacent shooting stations. At each station, four-inch clay targets are thrown two at a time from an underground bunker at speeds up to 50 miles per hour. Competitors get one shot per target.
The Guns: World-class double trap guns (e.g. Beretta 682, Perazzi) typically retail for $1800-$7000
Course of Fire: Men fire three rounds of 50 for a total of 150 targets. Women shoot three rounds of 40 for a 120-target total.
Perfect Match Score: For men, 150 is perfect and 135 is world- class. For women, 120 is perfect and 100 is world-class.
Finals: In both events, the top six competitors advance to a final--50 targets for men, 40 for women. Medals are awarded based on aggregate (match plus final) scores.
Perfect Aggregate Score: 200 for men, 160 or women.
NON-OLYMPIC INTERNATIONAL SHOTGUN EVENTS:
Women--trap, skeet.
FOR ALL EVENTS:
Clothing, Equipment, Accessories
Shotgun shooters typically wear vests vith ammunition pouches and extra padding vhere the gun is shouldered. Most competiors have vests for cold and warm weather, Riced anywhere from $80-$150.
Glasses are used for safety and to nhance target-tracking ability Competitors lave various colored lenses for different veather conditions. For example, a bronze lens is appropriate for sunny weather, while a yellow or light orange lens would be best for overcast skies. Shooters pay about $120 for glasses, plus $50 for each additional pair of lenses.
Some competitors affix blinders to the ides of their shooting glasses to keep wind out of their eyes and prevent distraction from ide motion.
USA Outlook
“Looking back at their number of medals. He won at world-class level of competition, which induded world cups and world championhips, our goal for 1995 is to maintain that momentum,” says National Shotgun Coach Floyd Woodhouse.
Like the rifle team, shotgun has a deep Pool of talented, experienced shooters looking to medal in ‘95.
1994 USOC Shooting Athlete of the Year Vance Bade heads the list of potential medal sinners. Others include women's national Double trap champion Shari LeGate, Deena ulin, Josh Lakatos and USAMU shooters Bret Erickson and Terry Wentzel. The team will be Joking to earn its last Olympic country quota lot for the 1996 Games. Junior shooter and urrent national skeet champion Ken Corwin nd international medal winner Bill Roy are trong contenders for picking up the slot.
“Should we earn that finai slot, it will be he first time we have gone into tne Olympics tith our full slots for open shotgun,” explains Woodhouse.
International Outlook
Italy and Germany are again expected to field top shotgun competitors in 1995. Watch for Italian Bruno Rosseni to defend his 1994 World Skeet Champion title.
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