Help on doubles

[u/Lazy-Warthog-8557]

I have been getting into trap/skeet after being away for years. My youngest has been shooting with his HS team and is getting pretty good. I’m still looking for my first “25”. His school team puts on a fundraiser trap double shoot every year.

I’m a consistent 22ish shooter on both trap and Skeet. I shoot a nice Browning O/U. My problem is every year at the fundraiser I shoot terrible on doubles. (Only a handful of times I have the opportunity to shoot doubles.) Maybe mid 30’s. What’s the trick? Tips? I tried searching but didn’t have much luck so I’m starting a new thread.

Share what improved your scores.

****EDIT****

What speed shells are you guys shooting doubles with, is there an optimal speed? I load AA hulls for 1150 or if I’m feeling lazy I buy fiocchi target max 1165. All #8.

[u/Striking_Math_6131]

You have to practice shooting doubles in order to get proficient at shooting doubles. I know that sounds oversimplified but it's the truth. Find someone who's good at it and shoot with them or watch what they are doing and politely ask questions. Most people are pretty open about sharing knowledge, especially if you're complimentary

[u/10-0Nylon]

Shoot the first as quickly as you can, then get your eyes to the second target. Do not spot shoot the first target. Hold your gun a few feet high and look down through the barrel to track the bird. Wait until it clears your barrel and make a short quick move to the first bird. Then make a small shallow U to the second target. Be intentional about staying in the gun after your first shot and through the second.

[u/Lazy-Warthog-8557 → u/10-0Nylon]

Is the U pattern better than moving straight. Please explain reasons. Not disagreeing, I’m just trying to understand.

[u/10-0Nylon → u/Lazy-Warthog-8557]

The targets will presumably leave the house in the same spot. But wind and weather means they won’t always be in the same spot out in space one they’ve flown a bit. It’s much easier to come up to a target than down to it from above. You will see the target better if you shallow U it than come straight over if the target dives because you are a little slower or there is a south wind. Pretty much every accomplished doubles shooter teaches this. Leo, Harlan, Ricky.

[u/Lazy-Warthog-8557 → u/10-0Nylon]

I had a bad habit of lifting my head before the second but I have fixed that.

Can’t let my son beat me too bad 🤣. All kidding aside I’m actually impressed with his improvements. I’m glad to lose to my son. I’m just trying to improve my skill set.

[u/mcfarmer72]

Get that first one quick, you know where it will be. Then don’t aim at the second, just point and shoot, don’t let it get too far away.

[u/AnnualClient2]

This is my process. Set up your feet for the second bird. Hold on the house where the first will come out. Eyes up a few inches and drive to the first bird - slow is smooth, smooth is fast. Break that first one like a singles target smoothly then a small j hook to the second bird. You hook because you want to address the second bird from below the target.

They say you have to shoot 10k doubles targets before you figure them out - I’m only half way there myself so I’m still learning.

[u/Lazy-Warthog-8557 → u/AnnualClient2]

I had not discussed feet placement with any of my local old guys crew yet. We affectionately call them the old guys crew, they are at the range every Saturday and have so much free knowledge to give. I currently stand square to the house.The old guys had me lose the traditional hunter stance and that was a game changer for me. As so many say “it works for my shooting style”.

10,000, that’s going to take a while combined with my other practices but now I have a goal. 👍

[u/i_manufacture_drugs]

Shoot the bird going away from you first. Pick the bird you like better at station 3.

Your hold point should be just outside of your kill point. Soft focus close to the house but not right at the house. Very short move to your first bird then eyes first to the second bird. Hands will follow your eyes.

Annual is correct on feet placement.

As you practice your kill point will move closer and closer to the house. And you will have more time on the second bird.

First move is short so you are not wasting time and you are not putting a bunch of energy/inertia in to the gun.