New Shooter from KY

Hello, I am wanting to get into shooting Trap so I went out and purchased a Browning Citori Trap Model with an adjustable comb. I also bought several boxes of Winchester AA #8 Heavy to get started with. I have been told this gun shoots a 70/30 pattern and that it should be about 6 inches high at 40 yards if I remember correctly. If this is the case what should my hold point be on the trap from the first line?

 

I hold a level gun. Level meaning the gun is level or parallel with the ground.
On post one I hold about 18" left of the front corner of the house.
Post 2 I hold about center between the corner and the center of the house.
Post 3 just right of the center of the house.
Post 4 same as post 2 only on the right side of the house.
Post 5 same as post 1, again, on the right side of the house.

I watch targets if there is a squad in front of me and adjust accordingly.
Example ,if there is a stiff eind from directly behind me and the targets are a bit low, I'll hold a bit low also.
If a hard hard or hard right wind, again, I'll adjust hold to compensate.

Hope this helps and good luck!

 

I'm not sure who told you the gun shoots 70/30, that would probably be what it shoots for them and could be different for you ... "Google" hold points and see how many different ways you can do it, use the one that works best for you because there is no absolute ... I am not a fanatic about patterning guns except for POI (Point of Impact) which will eliminate any or most guess work on the combination of you and your new gun ... If by chance you want to change the POI, you move the comb in the direction you want to move the POI to ... Practice, practice, practice, the more you practice the luckier you will get ... Good luck, have fun ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

If you continually miss the quartering right target off post 2 you're likely shooting a POI too low. That's for right hand shooters only. Take that to the bank!

 

There is no standard hold point, no matter what your gun's POI is. As a new shooter, you will want to try various hold points....from right on the top/forward edge of the traphouse roof to up to five feet above it....until you decide which hold point works best for you at this time (it could well change in the months and years to come). We all shoot differently, and you will, too.
When I started shooting trap, my hold point was the middle of the back wall of the traphouse. My theory was that this is where the bird will start from, no matter what angle it leaves the house at, and holding here will result in a straight line movement with my gun to the break point; no curving or dog-leg turns for the gun to get in front of the bird. Over time, I've adjusted this hold point and you will probably adjust yours as well.
My advice to you, a new shooter, is hold on the top edge of the traphouse's roof. But, be prepared to try something different if you feel the need to.

 

It was a Tech Rep at Browning that told me this over the telephone.

 

Also makes a difference if you shoot with one eye or two.

Ed Yanchok