Could I get some advice here on trap shooting and rifle plinking at the KHSC range?

I haven't bought it yet but I've narrowed the first shotgun purchase to a Mossberg 500/590 12ga and first rifle purchase to a Ruger 10/22. I'm thinking that the .22 rifle bullets would be cheaper than shotgun ammo, so it'd be fun for the range. However, I'm leaning on getting the Mossberg for home defense so I should plan to practice with it.

So my question is regarding rifle and shotgun practice at KHSC...

I understand that the rifle range can get busy and wait time can get long during the weekends.  I'm thinking that the weekday schedule would be a good day for the rifle range if one just wants to go there and practice.

How about the shotgun skeet or traps area?  Is it something that one can just go and practice?  I'm thinking that you'd probably want someone else with you to operate the targets?  Also, how are the wait times? Should one look to join a club in order to practice in trap or skeet shooting?  I'm not really sure what to expect so thanks for your answers and suggestions.

Get the 10/22.  Shotguns are overrated; even for home defense.   I'd take a 10/22 over a Mossberg any day, and if you start with a shotgun, all you'll learn is how to flinch

Get the 10/22.  Shotguns are overrated; even for home defense.   I'd take a 10/22 over a Mossberg any day, and if you start with a shotgun, all you'll learn is how to flinch

While I agree with the statement that a plinking rifle is a better first gun than a shotgun, I certainly wouldn't take a 10/22 over a shotgun for home defense, if that's what you meant.  If you meant 10/22 is way cheaper, more fun to shoot, and easier/better to learn with, then I agree.

Aloha JI808!

The shotgun ranges have the most more structured operations in Kokohead.  There isn't really any opportunity to "just practice."  You go out with a group of up to 4 other shooters, and shoot a round (25 birds).  You pay for each round, in the $7 range (depending on if you're talking about skeet or trap, and whether or not you are a member, the price varies a bit).  Skeet operates Sat & Sun; trap operates Sun only.  And there is a LOT more waiting at the shotgun ranges. 

Trap only has one range, max of 5 shooters.  So, with 30 people there, the most frequently you can expect to shoot is every 6th round.  Skeet has 2 ranges, so the wait time is less, but you're still tied to intervals.

With the 10/22, you can shoot both at the state-run rifle range and at the club-run silhouette range.  The silhouette range is only opened Sat & Sun, while the rifle range, as you noted, has a few hours on weekdays as well.

Personally, I'd start with the .22.  The shooting is more affordable (cheaper ammo plus no "pay to play"), and there is more range availability.  Then, when you do buy your shotgun, take both to the range.  Put your name on the wait list at a shotgun range, dash over to the silhouette range for a quick box of ammo, then dash back!  Not only will you get more shooting done in a day, it's great cardio!!

Shotguns have too much recoil to shoot fast, but for me, the real issue is muzzle flash.  Our club has night shoots twice a year just so we can find out stuff like this, and in low light, the flash from buck or slugs is literally blinding.

Most defensive encounters occur in low light, which is why I'd take the 10/22.

Yes, it sounds like the 22 is better as a first long gun.  This is what I'm leaning towards right now due to lower ammo cost, lower gun cost and seems like more fun to practice.

However, I'm wondering what shotgun practice is like at KHSC. If I picked up a shotgun, I want to make sure I can commit to learning how to use it well.  How is it like compared to the rifle range, specifically at KHSC?

Shotguns have too much recoil to shoot fast, but for me, the real issue is muzzle flash.  Our club has night shoots twice a year just so we can find out stuff like this, and in low light, the flash from buck or slugs is literally blinding.

Most defensive encounters occur in low light, which is why I'd take the 10/22.

Hahaha, sorry cat but a 10/22 over a 12 gauge shotgun for self defense.

I respectfully disagree.

As far as the range and a first gun. The 10/22 is awesome. I have 2 of them. For very inexpensive shooting and practicing trigger control, breathing and sight picture acquisition, the 10/22 is almost without equal.

On the other side of the coin... The 12 gauge is the most devastating short range (50 feet or less) weapon you can own. I would take a 12 gauge over any other hand held firearm for home defense or self defense, if given the choice.

Aloha JI808!

The shotgun ranges have the most more structured operations in Kokohead.  There isn't really any opportunity to "just practice."  You go out with a group of up to 4 other shooters, and shoot a round (25 birds).  You pay for each round, in the $7 range (depending on if you're talking about skeet or trap, and whether or not you are a member, the price varies a bit).  Skeet operates Sat & Sun; trap operates Sun only.  And there is a LOT more waiting at the shotgun ranges. 

Trap only has one range, max of 5 shooters.  So, with 30 people there, the most frequently you can expect to shoot is every 6th round.  Skeet has 2 ranges, so the wait time is less, but you're still tied to intervals.

With the 10/22, you can shoot both at the state-run rifle range and at the club-run silhouette range.  The silhouette range is only opened Sat & Sun, while the rifle range, as you noted, has a few hours on weekdays as well.

Personally, I'd start with the .22.  The shooting is more affordable (cheaper ammo plus no "pay to play"), and there is more range availability.  Then, when you do buy your shotgun, take both to the range.  Put your name on the wait list at a shotgun range, dash over to the silhouette range for a quick box of ammo, then dash back!  Not only will you get more shooting done in a day, it's great cardio!!

Ah, thanks for this info, Tom_G!  This is what I needed to know. 

Looks like rifle would be a lot more fun and less waiting, especially if I wanted to convince/take the wife as a shooting companion too!

I have never shot clays, so I may be missing out. But if I did I would get a ported Shotty set up for it. The shottys I have are no fun to shoot unless I'm shooting at game.  I would go 10/22 or small center (223) and a dedicated HD shotty later.

Hahaha, sorry cat but a 10/22 over a 12 gauge shotgun for self defense.

I respectfully disagree.

As far as the range and a first gun. The 10/22 is awesome. I have 2 of them. For very inexpensive shooting and practicing trigger control, breathing and sight picture acquisition, the 10/22 is almost without equal.

On the other side of the coin... The 12 gauge is the most devastating short range (50 feet or less) weapon you can own. I would take a 12 gauge over any other hand held firearm for home defense or self defense, if given the choice.

Thanks for the feedback Kat, Cougar, Kingkeoni and Pit808!  Looks like I'm on the right track.... I pick up a 22 first to get the wife good with it, then the 12ga afterwards for me! 

I'll give you 3 range trips before you start thinking of pimping ur 10/22

Now that I've planted the seed, make that 1 trip.   

I'll give you 3 range trips before you start thinking of pimping ur 10/22

Now that I've planted the seed, make that 1 trip.   

Haha, yeah, that's a good poin.  The 10/22 is probably the most pimp-able rifle out there, with the possible exception of the AR platform.  You can make it into a bullpup backpacking rifle, heavy barrel match gun, AR-lookalike, anything that strikes your fancy!

Get the .22

I own both a SIG 522 and a Mossberg 500 and I find that I use the 522 all the time while the Mossberg only gets brought out if I'm taking friends to the range.

I personally recommend the 522 to anyone looking for a 'scary black rifle' in .22.  I've put 4000 rounds through mine so far in the 6 months and I've only run into two malfunctions that weren't ammo related.  It's a bit pricier then a 10/22 but I appreciate a gun that will keep shooting even after it has lost one of the E-rings that keep the recoil spring in place

Shotguns have too much recoil to shoot fast, but for me, the real issue is muzzle flash.  Our club has night shoots twice a year just so we can find out stuff like this, and in low light, the flash from buck or slugs is literally blinding.

Most defensive encounters occur in low light, which is why I'd take the 10/22.

Hi Crazy cat,  Just thinking... Wouldn't you want to be holding a tactical flashlight in a low light HD situation anyway?  I'm thinking that it might be good to see what's in front of the nozzle to make sure it's something you want to shoot in the dark.

I would agree with the .22 comments.  I have a Marlin 795 and that gun is a blast to shoot.  10rd clip goes fast.  I need to learn to slow down and actually aim, instead of unloading the clip.   Hahahahaha.  Fun gun syndrome i call it.

Quote from: Pit808 on January 12, 2012, 05:47:54 PM

I'll give you 3 range trips before you start thinking of pimping ur 10/22

Now that I've planted the seed, make that 1 trip.   

Haha, yeah, that's a good poin.  The 10/22 is probably the most pimp-able rifle out there, with the possible exception of the AR platform.  You can make it into a bullpup backpacking rifle, heavy barrel match gun, AR-lookalike, anything that strikes your fancy!

Huh... Baaaaaaad Cougar... never thought of this and you're probably right!

What mods would I want to do with a 22 cal rifle?  I'm thinking for sure a good scope.  Perhaps a better magazine? Wait... Does the 10 round cap on the magazine apply?  What other mods would I want?  Hmmm.. $$$$

The bullpup config sounds cool actually but I'm gonna shoot lefty and thinking that it should be ambidextrous. A .22 cal AR just sounds kinda... wimpy.  But I suppose, so would a 22 cal rifle. :-)

Whatever you do, do not start browsing pics on rimfirecentral.com or parts at midwayusa or brownells. You have been warned. 

Lights draw fire.  I know where everything is in my house, but someone who has broken in won't, so the last thing I'd do is turn on a light.

Oh, and I'd NEVER mount a light on a gun.  That means pointing a gun at something you haven't identified, which violates so many safety rules that it isn't funny.

I'm not convinced that any hand held firearm is "devastating".  Not to get too gory, but in order to stop someone who is intent on doing violence, either you have to make some holes and wait for enough blood to leak out for their blood pressure to drop (which takes significant amounts of time), or you have to hit them in the Central Nervous System,  Shot placement is way more important than caliber.

Lights draw fire.  I know where everything is in my house, but someone who has broken in won't, so the last thing I'd do is turn on a light.

Oh, and I'd NEVER mount a light on a gun.  That means pointing a gun at something you haven't identified, which violates so many safety rules that it isn't funny.

I'm not convinced that any hand held firearm is "devastating".  Not to get too gory, but in order to stop someone who is intent on doing violence, either you have to make some holes and wait for enough blood to leak out for their blood pressure to drop (which takes significant amounts of time), or you have to hit them in the Central Nervous System,  Shot placement is way more important than caliber.

It seems like the alternative to a weapon-mounted light would be one in your hand, which means one hand is not available to run a gun, carry a baby, or even open doors and whatnot.  It all depends on the person and their situation, I suppose.  To each their own.   

I must disagree about the devastating part, though.  A standard 12 gauge, 00 buckshot shell has about nine .33" pellets.  Taking one to the chest is the rough equivalent of taking 2/3s of a magazine out of a 9mm-all at once.  That means massive tissue damage, rapid bleed-out, and vastly improved odds of CNS disruption.  I haven't done ballistics testing, nor have I ever shot a person, but based on what 12-gauge birdshot shells do to the various things a teenager finds to shoot at around a farm, I'd say that the trusty Remington 870 is the definition of a decisive fight-stopper.

I've never shot a person either, but I've shot enough pigs to know that even fatal wounds aren't always immediately incapacitating.