ISSF Trap, Trench or Olympic Trap

One of the 3 clay target disciplines shot at the Olympics. Olympic Trap is the most expensive trap discipline to set up, as each layout requires fifteen separate traps. These are set out in a trench, 15 metres in front of the shooting positions, grouped in five sets of three. Each group contains one left hand target, one right hand and one set no more than 10 degrees either side of straight ahead. A wide spread of angles and elevations is possible,with a maximum angle to either side of 45 degrees and elevation at 10 metres from the trap of 1.5 to 3.5metres.
The five (5) shooting stations are arranged on a straight line at a distance of 15 m to the rear and parallel to the front edge of the trap pit. Each station is prominently marked with a square. As in all Trap disciplines the targets are released away from the shooter with  approximate speeds of 100kph. All must fly between 70 and 75 metres and as a result speeds vary. The shooting line is 11 metres long, with 1.5 metres between each shooting position.

Shooting Procedure

Each round consists of 25 targets, shot in squads of six. Numbers 1-5 stand on the shooting points with number 6 starting behind number 1. Shooters move along the line after each shot, so that each station is always occupied, with the sixth member of the squad in transit from 5 to 1. The shooter whose turn it is to fire must do so within ten seconds of the previous shot.Competitions in international events are held over 125 targets (75 for Ladies) with the top six going forward to a 25 target final. Normal registered shoots are 100 targets, with major domestic Championships, being traditionally 200 target events.

Equipment

As with all ISSF disciplines, cartridge loads are limited to 24 grams of shot, maximum pellet diameter 2.5 mm. Specialist trap guns, tightly choked and with barrel lengths of 30-32", are used by all serious competitors and the manufacturers view success at the top level as vital for their brand image.

Olympic Trap is a truly worldwide discipline, those reaching the top in international competition can have the satisfaction of knowing they have beaten the best from five continents.

Trench is available for practice every Thursday and Saturday afternoon from 12pm to 5pm.

Monthly Trench competitions are held at the Brisbane Gun club on the first and third Sunday of every month starting at 9.30am sharp.  100 targets + Final.