[mdunn]

Been trying to shoot a K-80 Trap Special for 10 months. 20k rounds shot and my averages just keep getting lower. I am having trouble with consistency. Changed from an MX15 I shot for years. Any friends reading this, please don't comment. I know what you'll say. Others who have had a similar experience, what did you do? Fight it through, give up and change guns etc. Is it possible that some people just don't adjust to certain guns? Or is it time to look at some other issue. By the way, I have even gone to a top single from the un-single, thinking that was the issue. I had a Wenig stock built for it and sometimes feel it may be the issue. I can't seem to find a consistent place for my face when I mount the gun...Thats it...any thoughts would be appreciated...Mike Dunn

 

[blackfoot]

I had a similiar problem except I went the other way-from K80 to a MX10.I worked hard at it;I even remembered that it takes 000's before you start to get a feel for it. Shot it once in a registered and shot the lowest singles score of my career. Put the gun in it's case, send it off to a dealer and sold it!

I never looked back and my scores are now going up and my yardage is getting longer.I think sometimes it's a feel thing and it pays to listen to that little voice that tells you the right thing to do! I listened and dumped my mistake!

Good Luck!

 

[gun fitter]

Mike bad news you probably need a professional to fit you. E-mail me with your phone # and I'll give you a call. You could also talk to Dennis Devault. Either way I expect you will be modifying your stock or getting a new one.

Before letting anyone work with you have your eyes checked.

20,000 rounds should be enough to learn the gun even if it doesn't fit perfectly. I suspect there are several factors at work contributing to your shooting slump.

Joe goldberg

E-mail [email protected]

 

[Dove Commander]

Where does it pattern compared to your MX15? Same height at the same yardage? And, if you don't feel comfortable with the stock, go a gun fitter or someone who knows about gun fit and have them check it out.

 

[KEYBEAR]

Mike The difference between a gun that really fits and one that don,t is a very small adjustment . I would think you may need to see a good fitter .

After 20 thousand targets it works or it never will . I believe a new gun takes 5 thousand targets to get every thing working for you the best it can .

One thing to remember you have changed alot on this gun (wood-barrel-? ) and that is like stating over each time . But your scores should not just keep going down . I think we all go through this with a new gun but it sounds like your not getting anyplace fast .

ALF

 

[mdunn]

Guys, thanks for the quick responses. In response. The barrels are Wilkinson, the gun patterns to 100% high at 35 yards. The fitting was done by Wenig, twice with an unnamed all american captain to help. Eyes have been checked. I shoot a full choke .034 for everything. Yardage is 24.5. Keep it coming..Thanks...Mike

 

[oleolliedawg]

You are not alone. I've noticed quite a few shooters over the years who are unable to shoot high ribbed guns. Sounds like your setup is about right.

It's lots cheaper to change guns than it is wives. Consider trading to a normal ribbed gun and don't look back!!

 

[JBrooks]

Is it singles or HC or both that is the problem?

 

[mdunn]

BOTH....

 

[John Browning]

Mike, why is the gun set up to shoot 100% high, is that were your old one shot,or is that how high your were told it should be shooting. A former All American told me that most people cannot handle a gun that shoots that high. I finally went out to a tarp range that I knew was set right and set my gun to smoke straightaways and didn't check my POI. My scores went up, but since I never got used to putting the bead on the bottom of a bird,my gun only shoots about 75% high. John

 

[Bridger]

You are either more stubborn or just a lot more patient than I am. With that many shells downrange the gun would have been gone if it were mine. No matter how good the equipment is, sometimes it is just not right for the shooter. I've gone through similar problems although I gave up a lot sooner than you did. If you have lost confidence in the gun, I'd say its time to move on. You've got a lot of time and money invested in this gun and I can imagine how hard it might be to walk away from it as you will probably lose a bunch of money on a sale or trade. But how much longer do you really want to deal with this?

 

[rennerize]

Few shooters can shoot a 100% high shooting gun. Where are you located. I would like to help you if I can. I would need to watch you shoot.
Don

 

[Tom Strunk]

I believe you have fallen into the trap of shooting a gun that shoots to high for YOU.

This magical 100% high crap has got a lot of shooters in trouble. Stop being a copycat, here is what you need to do.

Go back to the pattern board and set the gun to shoot about 3 to 4 inches high at the 35 yards you have been using. This is your starting point.

Now go to the trap range and shoot from peg three ONLY, from your yardage, with the trap oscilating, BY YOURSELF. Be sure to take extra shells, tools, and comb adjustment washers. Now shoot about 10 clay targets and then add a 1/16 washer, shoot another 10 clays, repeat until you can see the target just disappear, you might not have to add any washers or a bunch, either way you will now know where the gun shoots best for you.

This is a great gun, I really enjoy mine. With these adjustments you will enjoy yours to. As you gain yardage you might have to revisit this method again, in fact I know you will. After all is said and done go back to the pattern board and find out what the real POI is now. I'd bet you it will be between 6 and 9 inches high not the 15 inches you have now.

Tom Strunk

 

[Bruce Em]

I didnt see anyone suggest the difference in handling dynamics. It may be too slow for you. It is a relatively heavy gun. You may need to either change your style and holds or see what a faster gun does for you.

I know there is a world of difference between a Model 12 and a K80.

all advice woth price paid

 

[g7777777]

Wenigs has an all american trap shooter working down there? The stock fitters they have were great guys-- what does this all american know about fitting a gun? I am just asking and am curious-- is he a stock maker by trade or profession?

The other thing about a K80 is inertia- sometimes because of dynamics it feels like it starts moving more slowly than the gun you named that you were previously shooting

Also - does the gun need to be lightened up?

regards from Iowa

Gene

 

[JBrooks]

Do you hold a low gun or a high gun? Are there particular target presentations you consistently have problems with?

 

[KEYBEAR]

If you track your target and have a follow through a gun shooting 70/30 or 80/20 will do . If your like me and go to the target stop and shoot you need 100% plus . I shoot a gun 120% high because I go to the target stop and shoot .

 

[puablo]

Mike,

I went to a K-80TS around the end of summer, first thing I noticed was I couldn't get enough cast-off...had a good gunsmith fix up the plate on the comb to allow more...2nd thing that I noticed that bothered my consistancy was the size of their original front beads. Got new, much small ivory beads from
Chris Vendel, that helped out a whole lot. I know you're not looking that much at the bead, just the bird mainly, but it made a big differnce for me...also had to change to much more open choke for singles, I think I got the light mod in now...it smokes the targets.

Good luck, puablo

 

[bigdogtx]

I am not a great shooter, but have you had someone stand behind you and see where you are when you pull the trigger? Are you consistent in your misses or hits? Another plug for Dennis DeVault or gun fitter,,,,kind of like a doctor before a big decision, a second opinion from another fitter couldn't/wouldn't hurt.

 

[mdunn]

Great feedback from everyone. Thanks very much. The all american is not with Wenig..he was working with me and Wenig to get a good fit. In terms of the high gun, I am going to try it. My best rounds (100's) were all shot with my MX15 shooting 80%. I am going to Tucson and will see if Dennis is there. The second opinion is a good idea. I tried the more open choke (.023) for singles, but I have to say that the .034 gives a more positive break and when you chip the target, there is no question where you hit it. This has been a great help session. Had I known what a great resource this is, I would have spoken up sooner. You all may have saved me another new gun. I will go to work on it this week.....Thanks again...Mike