Shotgun range - distance

[Welshman]

I'm planning to set up an area at my place for trap shooting (never done it before). Does anyone know of a chart or table to give me a fairly realistic idea for a safe "clear zone" for shooting a 12g. with 2 3/4" trap loads? I've looked at a number of websites and a somewhat general consensus seems to be 300 yards. That seems long to me (but what do I know?). I realize there would be a number of variables, but it seems that there ought to be some published estimates.
Thanks.

 

[RoyJackson]

I don't have a chart...but the shot is going to go quite a distance, especially shooting up in an arc. I don't think 300 yards is unreasonable.
If you were shooting a flat trajectory, you could probably cut that range down by a third to half.

 

[k0ua]

Having been on the receiving end of Thousands of rounds of 7 1/2 or smaller shot at a pistol range that was also a trap range up on the hill. When they were pointed our way (which was often) the shot rained down on us a lot. It seems to me it was about 350 maybe 400 yards away. But it was elevated at least 100 foot above us. You need to remember that the elevation angle of the shotgun is at times just perfect for maximum range on the shot. We always wore a baseball cap with a bill, and glasses. Never had a problem with the shot, but it was annoying at times.

James K0UA

 

[sbakf]

250-300 yards is good - to be safe. I shoot clays on my place and with some of my shots across a pasture at 45 degrees, I can hear the shot going through the tree leaves at 300-400 ft. I shoot a 20 GA - a 12 GA will carry a bit further. If you're limited in available range, shoot from an elevated position (i.e., to aim down angle from 45 degrees - say 25 degrees or less).

 

[strum456]

Having been on the receiving end of Thousands of rounds of 7 1/2 or smaller shot at a pistol range that was also a trap range up on the hill. When they were pointed our way (which was often) the shot rained down on us a lot. It seems to me it was about 350 maybe 400 yards away. But it was elevated at least 100 foot above us. You need to remember that the elevation angle of the shotgun is at times just perfect for maximum range on the shot. We always wore a baseball cap with a bill, and glasses. Never had a problem with the shot, but it was annoying at times.

James K0UA

I have been on the receiving end of this too. I would say 400 yards is the minimum. No doubt that trajectory plays a big part, but it would not be wise to take chances in my opinion.

 

[IndyIan]

It definitely depends on what shot you use, bigger stuff does go alot farther, so be careful of what shot gets shot if your range is tight. I had a little "range" setup to practice and pattern turkey shot, so I didn't worry about the angle of the hill behind my target. So when I was setting up for deer season months later, I just moved back to shoot slugs without thinking... 3rd slug must've skipped off a stone and went up over the hill as I could hear it ricochet and spinning for what seemed like forever... Ugh... Its a 1000+ yards to the nearest house in that general direction but I have no idea if it went 500 yards or 1500. After thinking some more I went for a drive to my neighbors place just to make sure nothing/nobody was hit... Nothing happened thankfully but I do have a different spot to shoot for slugs or the .22 now.

 

[om21braz]

Below is a link to a guide for building a regulation skeet field - also within the manual are typical area required, typical max. shot travel for the various shot sizes. The manual also states as noted by others - approx. 300 yd. range for #8 or #9 shot.

http://www.nssa-nsca.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Section-D-Gun-Club.pdf

 

[forgeblast]

http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-50212/255-5400-001.pdf

Towards the end they have a great section on bullet traps


http://www.itrcweb.org/Documents/SMART-2.pdf
Has a great section on ranges. Shot gun pellets will travel pretty far,(depending on wind and terrain) up to 750' at the max. Look at page 29. it gives the max ranges

 

[2LaneCruzer]

You should take the prevailing winds into account. Many years ago, we moved into a new development and there was a trap range to the North of us. It was far enough that the noise was not a problem, but with a strong wind out of the North, we would get a continual rain of pellets on our siding.

 

[Welshman]

Thanks for all the good information. It's just what I needed, however it may be moot.
I was out experimenting a bit today, and at my present accuracy level, the only way I can hit the targets is to wait until they hit the ground, then run over and shoot them. It doesn't take much of a "safe zone" for that.