I run a semi-auto. At my home Club, the steel shot we shoot is hotter than regular loads, and it ejects at about a 45 degree forward angle. When I use it with regular target loads, I put a catcher on it, as a consideration for the shooter to my right, as they come out at closer to 90 degrees, and, when I have a hard right shot, it can throw them at the next shooter.
As for it being "Fuddy," perhaps. But, when you play golf, you don't make noise when the other guy is putting, because it's the polite thing to do. Doing stuff that's not required that messes with the next (or other) shooter is impolite.
Yes, ejected shells are "part of the game," but so is consideration of your fellow shooter. I shoot non-expensive guns, so as a practical matter I don't care if an ejected hull hits it. But, as a matter of decorum, it's not an appropriate condition.
As for the suggestion to 'Take a step back" posted above, that's not something that a serious Trap shooter wants to do. I teach new shooters to "grow roots" and not move their feet, until the "Change" command is given.
If I'd dropped $2300 on an auto that was pissing off the other shooters on the line, then, yes, I'd make a modification. Not one that damaged the gun, but one that would eliminate the problem, such as a stick-on catcher. And, If my gun's ejected hull damaged the gun (personal property, remember) of another, then I'd be obliged to pay for the repair.
If a guy parks diagonally, and I ding his car, it's the same as if he parked straight. I did the dinging. Putting guns in the rack is part of the game....if i knocked someone's gun to the ground, would it not be my responsibility to repair any damage?
