Written by: Alex Davis

January 27

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Trap vs. Skeet vs. Sporting Clays Shooting: What Is the Difference?

Shooting clay targets that are launched into the air is a popular pastime for many shooters, and there are many different styles of competition.

In this article, we will cover trap shooting, skeet shooting, and sporting clays shooting. Keep on reading in order to learn all of the differences and similarities between these three shotgun shooting disciplines.

What Is the Difference Between Trap, Skeet, and Sporting Clays Shooting?

While all three of these shooting sports are extremely similar and involve shooting clay targets launched into the sky, there are some key differences that one should note.

These differences include things like the number of targets, angles that they are thrown, the heights they are thrown, and the shooting positions that you will be standing at.

#1 Trap Shooting

In trap shooting, shooters will attempt to hit targets that are moving away from them.

Shooting is done from five different shooting positions, situated on the premises of a trap shooting range, behind a single trap house that will launch the targets from automated trap launchers.

While the angles can and do change, all clay targets will be thrown away from the shooter at the same heights.

To learn more about this shotgun shooting discipline, read this comprehensive guide about trap shooting fundamentals as well as what trap shooting is in general.

#2 Skeet Shooting

In skeet shooting, two targets are launched in a path that will cross one another. The two target machines that lie 40 meters apart will throw these targets in front of a shooter instead of away like in trap shooting.

Heights can differ, but as in trap shooting, shooters will move between five different shooting positions during a competition.

#3 Sporting Clay Shooting

Sporting clay shooting was designed to give shooters the closest thing to real-life practice when it comes to bird hunting.

Because of this, targets are thrown with multiple different machines and in different paths. They can also be thrown in singles, doubles, or even triples.

Unlike trap or skeet shooting, sporting clay shooting involves shooting along a course instead of fixed shooting positions.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alex Davis

Expert Contributor

Alex Davis is an outdoor enthusiast with an exceptional background in hunting, military, shooting, climbing, camping and overall outdoor activities. He did his military service in the Israeli army and proved himself as a force to be reckoned with. Moreover, Alex chose to be an outdoorsman to express himself because this is the area that inspires him the most in life. He strongly believes that nature provides a lot of opportunity for self-reflection and introspection where you dissect your life, push your limits, and come to find that you’re capable of a lot more than you thought.

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