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ALL-AROUND (HAA):
championship at the Grand, Satellite Grand's, Zone, State and other
major shoots based on the combined scores of the 400 championship
targets— 200 singles, 100 doubles and 100 handicap. |
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AMATEUR: any shooter
not classified as an industry representative (see that term). May and
usually does shoot for money and other prizes. |
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ATA: commonly-used
abbreviation for Amateur Trapshooting Association, not American
Trapshooting Association (one of the predecessor organizations prior
to 1923). |
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AMATEUR TRAPSHOOTING
ASSOCIATION: governing body of registered trapshooting in the
U.S. and Canada with permanent headquarters at Vandalia, Ohio. To
compete in an ATA-regulated event, the shooter must be a member of the
Amateur Trapshooting Association. There are two classifications of
membership—life and annual. Memberships are available only to
individuals, not clubs. |
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AUTOMATIC OR AUTOLOADER: a variety of repeating or magazine gun in which part of the energy
of the first shot is used to recock the gun for the next shot. The
trigger must be pulled separately for each shot, so the term automatic
is a misnomer but is commonly used rather than autoloader, the correct
term. |
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AVERAGE: the
percentage of targets the shooter has hit out of total shot at. Used
for handicapping and classifying purposes. |
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AVERAGE BOOK: yearly
book compiled by the ATA listing all singles, handicap and doubles
averages of each member who shot during the preceding year. Also lists
current state and zone champions and high average leaders in each
category for previous year. |
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BACK-YARDAGE: positions
in handicap shooting from 24 to 27 yards behind the traphouse. |
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BLUE ROCK OR ROCK:
the
target. Carryover of nomenclature from live-bird shooting, which often
used the European blue rock variety of pigeon. Name is used in part of
Midwest. |
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BROKEN TARGET: a)
one which comes out of the traphouse in pieces. It is declared
"no target" whether the shooter shoots at it or not, and
another bird is thrown. It does not count, even if the shooter hits
it. b) a whole target which the shooter
hits and is scored as dead. |
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CALL: signal
given by shooter for release of target. Usually the word
"pull," but any sound will do and may be used. |
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CARRYOVER: method of
deciding ties where shooters’ scores on the next event determine
winner after tie in previous race. |
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CASHIER: the person
who takes the entries of the participants, calculates winners, purse
winnings, etc. |
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CHIP: a)
verb—to break only a small piece from a target. b)
noun— a small piece of the target. |
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CHOKE: constriction in
bore of gun near the muzzle to restrict the spread of shot. Most trap
guns are "full choke" and will place 70% of the shot in a
30" circle at 40 yards. |
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CLASSIFICATION: a
system of dividing shooters into classes or groups—based on previous
records, ability, etc. — in
singles and doubles. From two to six classes may be used.
Classification is done by a committee of shooters. AA is highest
class; D, or E where used, lowest. |
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CLAY, CLAY TARGET OR CLAY
PIGEON:
the target. |
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DEAD: the term for a
target broken by the shooter. The target must have a piece broken from
it by the shot large enough to be visible to the scorer, or the target
may be completely reduced to powder by the shot. Term carried over
from live-pigeon shooting. The shooter is never said to have scored so
many "bullseyes." He might break, bust, smash or powder
targets, but he doesn’t "bring them down." |
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DOUBLE GUN: a gun with
two barrels, arranged either side-by-side or over/under. |
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DOUBLES: one of the
three varieties of events in trapshooting. The shooter stands 16 yards
from the traphouse and fires twice, once at each of the two targets
which are released simultaneously. |
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DOWN: the number of
targets a shooter has lost from a perfect score. If a shooter has 71
dead birds out of 75, he is down four. |
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DROPPED: refers
to missed targets, as "he dropped two." |
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DUSTED TARGET:
a
target from which only a puff of dust appears when hit. Not scored as
a hit. |
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DUTCHED PAIR: in
doubles, this is a pair in which both targets are missed. |
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EARNED YARDAGE: the
additional yardage a shooter receives for his high handicap scores in
specific shoots or for his high average at the end of the year. |
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EMPTY: a shell casing
which has been shot. Collected by some shooters for the purpose of
reloading. |
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ENTRIES: the number of
shooters in a specific event. |
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EVENTS: a)
25 targets in singles or handicap; 10-pair or 15-pair in doubles.
b) sometimes the whole competition: i.e., the singles event (of
100 or 200 targets). |
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FAST PULL: a target
released before the shooter calls. Shooter not required to shoot, but
result is scored if he does. |
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FIELD: the trap field;
refers to the entire layout of the trap and shooting positions. |
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FLINCH: a)
an involuntary muscular contraction usually resulting in jerking the
gun just as it is fired, with a missed target resulting. b)
inability to bend the finger to pull the trigger at all. The shooter
is scored with a lost target. |
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GAUGE: the size or
bore of the shotgun used; almost universally the 12-ga. in trap. A
scale of sizes of old origin. |
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GRAND: the Grand
American Tournament. The annual national tournament sponsored by the
ATA at its permanent grounds at Vandalia, Ohio, usually the third week
in August. |
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HANDICAP: a)
one of the three varieties of events in trapshooting. Single targets
are shot at by shooters standing a minimum of 18 and a maximum of 27
yards back of the trap. b) the distance a
shooter stands from the trap, which depends on his previous record and
known ability. |
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HANDICAP CARD: a card
issued by the ATA and carried by each shooter showing the yardage fr6m
which he is to shoot. Shooter must have shot the required minimum of
targets before he is assigned a permanent yardage and card. The card
is punched to indicate additional yards a shooter earns as provided
for in the rule book. A minimum yardage is punched on a temporary
card. |
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HIGH-OVER-ALL:
championship based on the combined score of all targets in a program
(or the total of the targets in at least the major events). Often
preliminary days are not included in this total. At the Grand
American, it includes 1,000 targets over the final six days of firing.
At other shoots, programs specify events involved. |
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HULL: the covering and brass base
which contain powder and other components of a shotshell. |
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ILLEGAL TARGETS: targets thrown at
distances and angles which do not meet the specifications in the rule
book. Shooter allowed to refuse such a target and call for another. |
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INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVE OR REP: a
shooter who receives compensation for the display or sale of guns,
ammunition, targets, etc. In effect, a sales representative of one of
those companies. He is not allowed to compete against the amateurs in
most events, but there are often special trophies at large shoots for
his classification. He may or may not be a good shot. Industry reps
spend much of their time at shoots assisting the shoot management in such
things as posting scores and setting traps. |
INTERNATIONAL TARGETS AND SHOOTING:
Olympic shooting. A variety of trap-shooting characterized by the
targets being thrown faster (farther), at greater angles and with
greater variety of elevation than regular trap. Two shots at each
target are allowed. Common in rest of world, especially Europe. In
1962 the ATA established an International target division and now
keeps separate records
for registered International-style shooting held in the U.S. and
Canada. (ATA division covers both true Olympic-style, over 15-trap
trench, and Modified Clay Pigeon, over normal trap with
modifications.) |
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JUNIOR: any shooter who has not reached
his or her 18th birthday. |
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LOAD: a)
verb—to place the shell in the gun. b) verb—to
place the target on the trap. c) noun—refers
to the amount of powder and shot and size of shot in a shell, as 3- 11/8-
8 load (3 drains of powder, 11/8
oz. of size #8 shot). |
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LOST: the term for a target missed
completely or only dusted." Term carried over from live-bird
shooting. |
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LOW-YARDAGE: positions
in handicap shooting from 18 through 20 yards from the traphouse. |
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MALFUNCTION: a term
applied only to doubles shooting. It means the failure of the gun to
operate properly, thus preventing the firing of the second shot on
doubles. There is a limit on the number of malfunctions allowed
without penalty. |
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MARATHON: usually 500
or 1,000 targets of the same kind shot in one day. |
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MID-YARDAGE: positions
in handicap shooting 21 to
23 yards from the traphouse. |
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MISFIRE:
a shell in
which the primer fails to fire when struck by the firing pin. Shooter
is given another shot, with a limit to the number of misfires allowed
without penalty. |
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NO-BIRD:
the call
given by the referee when the shooter does not have to fire at a
target. Examples: a target that is thrown from the trap broken, an
illegal target, etc. |
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NON-REGISTERED: shoots
not scheduled and approved by the ATA or scores shot in practice, in
shootoffs or at unregistered shoots. |
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NON-RESIDENT: any
shooter not a resident of the zone or state concerned. Also referred
to as out-of-zone or out-of-state. In larger shoots there are often
specific awards for non-residents. Program specifies. |
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NO-TARGET: term
which covers a number of instances, all specified in the rule book, in
which the shooter is not required to fire at the target nor is the
result scored if he does. Another target is allowed. (Same as
"No-Bird.") |
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OPEN TROPHY: one
awarded to shooter regardless of residence. Both in-state and
out-of-state (applies to zone also) participants eligible. |
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OUTLAW: an
illegal target. One which does not meet the specifications of flight
described in the rule book. |
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OVER/UNDER: a variety
of two-barreled gun with one barrel above the other. |
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PAIR: the two targets
thrown simultaneously in doubles shooting. |
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PATTERN: the spread of
the shot and the area which it covers. |
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PENALTY YARDAGE: the
yardage assigned to shooters who have not met minimum-target
specifications. Minimum of 25 yards is used at the Grand American;
other shoots are governed by local or state handicapping rules. |
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PIGEON: clay pigeon,
the target. Carryover of nomenclature from the shooting of live
pigeons. |
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POST, PEG or POSITION:
one of the five positions from which shooters fire. |
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PRACTICE ROUNDS:
non-registered shooting, often at registered shoots, where the gunner
shoots for practice. |
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"PULL":
command usually used by shooters to call for a target to be released. |
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PULLER: the person who
releases the target from the trap, either by an electric switch or by
hand lever. Often also serves as scorer. |
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PUMP GUN: a pump. A
variety of repeating or magazine gun in which the shooter operates the
mechanism (pumps it) after each shot to reload and recock the gun for
the next shot. |
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REGISTERED SHOOTS OR
TOURNAMENTS: shoots carrying the
official sanction of the ATA and shot under its rules. Scores made in
them are recorded in the official records. |
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RELEASE TRIGGER OR RELAXING
TRIGGER:
a trigger designed to fire the gun when the pressure on the trigger is
released instead of when it is pulled. A common prescription for
flinching. |
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RELOAD: a) noun—a
shell which has been reloaded. b) verb—to place component parts in
an already-fired shell or new empty case. |
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RELOADER: a)
person who uses his own component parts to load empty shells. b)
machine which the shooter uses to reload shells. Sometimes called
handloader, and the resulting shell is called a reload or handload. |
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ROUND: 25 targets in
singles or handicap or 25 pair in doubles, as in "a round of
practice." Not used to designate a single cartridge as in
military terminology. |
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RULE BOOK: published
by the ATA. Gives all rules for shooting and holding registered
tournaments, plus other information regarding the ATA organization.
Available from the ATA office in Vandalia, Ohio. It is published
yearly, and copies are sent to all ATA members. |
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RUNNER-UP: shooter who
wins the second-place trophy in a shoot. Could have tied with the
winner and lost the shootoff or could have shot the second-high score. |
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SCORER: the person who
judges whether the target has been broken ("dead") or missed
("lost") and records the result on the score sheet. |
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SHELL: actually the
cartridge casing containing the powder, shot, etc. In common usage,
the complete, loaded cartridge used. |
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SHOOT: a)
noun—an entire tournament, as "the shoot lasted four
days." b) verb—to fire the gun. c)
verb—to participate in a race, as he shot the doubles." |
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SHOOTOFF: method of
deciding ties in which shooters fire another event. In singles and
handicap races, shootoffs usually consist of an additional 25 targets,
in doubles 10-pair. Process repeated until winners are decided.
All-around shootoffs are 20 singles, 10 handicap and five-pair of
doubles. H-O-A shootoffs are at all types of targets in proportion to
original race. Shootoffs are usually held
after all of the scheduled events for the day are completed. |
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SHOT: the spherical
pellets fired at the target. Called chilled shot from the
manufacturing process of dropping lead from a tower into cold water.
Shot consists of lead hardened by antimony. No. 71
2 and No. 8 shot commonly used, having diameters of .095 and
.090 inches respectively. There are about 395 and 460 pellets in a
load of these sizes. Shot is never referred to as buckshot or bullets. |
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SINGLE GUN OR SINGLE:
a gun capable of holding only one shell. |
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SINGLES, 16-YARD SINGLES OR
16-YARD:one of the three varieties
of events in trapshooting. Single targets are shot at by shooters
standing 16 yards back of the trap. One shot fired at each target. |
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SLOW PULL: a
target released at a noticeable interval after the call
"pull" is given. Shooter not required to shoot, but result
is scored if he does. |
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SMOKE: to hit the
target so hard it disintegrates into a puff of smoke. |
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SQUAD: a group of
shooters (five or less) who shoot together at one trap and who shoot
in rotation |
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SQUAD SHEET: the
score sheet on which is marked the result of each shot fired by every
member of the squad on one field. By regulation, it must be a minimum
of 12"x36" so that all of the shooters on that field can see
their scores without moving from their shooting positions. |
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STATE SHOOT: the
tournament held annually in each state or Canadian province to
determine various state champions, etc. The ATA furnishes six trophies
bearing the ATA emblem to be awarded to the top shooter in singles,
handicap, doubles and all-around, plus to the women’s and junior
singles champions. |
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STATION: same as post,
peg or position. |
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STRAIGHT: the breaking
of all the targets in an event, usually 25. Longer straights usually
specify the number. |
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SUB-JUNIOR: where this
classification is used, it includes any shooter who has not reached
his or her 15th birthday. |
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TARGET, CLAY TARGET, CLAY
PIGEON, BLUE ROCK, ROCK, CLAY: the target shot at in trap or
skeet. An inverted saucer-shaped object, generally made of powdered
limestone and pitch. Regulations specify it is 4 5/16
in diameter,
11/8
high and weighs 3 1/2
ounces, with an allowable variation of 5% from this latter
figure. |
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TRAP:
a)
noun—the mechanism used to propel the target. Name derived from the
boxes or traps used in live-pigeon shooting. b)
noun— term used to designate trapfield, as "Squad 5 is on trap
4." c) verb—to throw the target,
as "the club trapped 36,000 targets during the shoot." |
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TRAP & FIELD: official
publication of the ATA. Twelve monthly issues plus the Average Book
are published. The only source of registered shoot listings, plus
reports on each one. Editorial offices at 1100 Waterway Blvd.,
Indianapolis, IN. 46202. |
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TRAP GUN: guns
usually used for trapshooting. A specialized item. Usually has longer
and straighter stock than a hunting or field grade gun. Often
decorated or engraved and fitted with fancy-grade wood in stock and
forend. Ventilated rib and recoil pad are standard items. |
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TRAPBOY: the
person who places the target on the trap. Commonly includes all help
who operate the trapline. |
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TRAPHOUSE: a
below-ground structure 16 yards in front of station #3 in which is
housed the trap, trapboy and a supply of targets. The top of the house
is usually about 2 1/2
feet higher than ground level.
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| TRAPSHOOTING:
shooting
at a clay target released at unexpected angles from a low trap-house
directly in front of the shooter.
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| VETERAN: at the Grand,
any competitor who is 65 years of age or older. Different limits often
are used at state and other tournaments. Program will specify.
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| VOICE-PULL:
a relatively-new, sonic method of releasing the targets. Microphones
are at all five stations on the trap field. When the shooter calls for
a target, the sound waves are electronically transmitted via the
microphone to the trap so that the targets are immediately and
uniformly thrown. |
| ZONE: a)
one of the five districts into which the ATA divides the United States
and Canada. b) one of the districts into
which various states divide their territories.
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| ZONE SHOOTS:
tournament sponsored by the ATA in each of its five zones and for
which the ATA furnishes the major trophies.
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