Technique

[Renfield]

When shooting clays, at the point where you shout pull, do you have the gun into your shoulder ready, or do you wait to see the clay and then bring it up?

 

I've only just started shooting clays, and I've been lucky enough to have a lot of pros at my local shooting ground practicing for the shotgun world cup, so I've been watching them and trying to pick up tips. It seems like those shooting (don't know the term for it) clays at close range going directly away from them, have the gun already into their shoulder when they shout pull, whereas those shooting at crossing clays at longer range bring the gun up as soon as they see the clay.

 

Personally, I don't feel as if I've got time to bring up the shotgun and aim in one movement, even though that's what I'd always do with game birds. These clays seem much quicker than birds. Perhaps they've sped them up to keep the pros happy?

[J@mes]

Personally, I don't feel as if I've got time to bring up the shotgun and aim in one movement, even though that's what I'd always do with game birds. These clays seem much quicker than birds. Perhaps they've sped them up to keep the pros happy?

 

 

All part of the skill.

 

I have the gun in the "ready" position, which is pointing upward and held loosely around mid chest, but not mounted.

 

And while I don't visit the clay ground as much as I should, I haven't really seen people starting with the gun mounted, apart from my mates who don't shoot. Although I think in some disciplines it is allowed!

Edited May 7, 2010 by J@mes

[MC]

I always shoot gun down, I find it works better for me. It depends on the bird thrown as to how far out of the shoulder I start, if it is a fast going away or you don't see it for ong then the gun will only just be out of my shoulder.

 

If it is a slow bird or one you can see for a long time then it will be a long way out musc the same as you have to for FITASC. I find it helps with picking up the clay and your periphial vision if you have got a gun in your shoulder. You do need a perfect gun mount though.

[Chard]

I was taught to shoot gun up, and I seem to be stuck with it for now.

 

I have started mounting the gun late when waiting for a slow incomer or crosser, or when I need to be able to turn my head to pick the clay up earlier.

 

I will be trying to get into the gun down habit this year, but I don't expect it to be easy. I tried once before and it wasn't good. Habits are hard to break.

 

Having said all that, there's nothing really wrong with shooting gun up, it's just a bit clumsy at times, like MC said, when you need your peripheral vision

[MC]

Oh and not forgetting that shooting gun up is a sure sign of homosexuality :lol:

[MJN]

Oh and not forgetting that shooting gun up is a sure sign of homosexuality :lol:

 

It also depends on the discipline, in DTL people usually shoot gun mounted are they all gay then :-)

 

M.

[MC]

It also depends on the discipline, in DTL people usually shoot gun mounted are they all gay then :-)

 

M.

 

 

Yes Mike,

 

I am afraid so :lol:

 

Either gay or in a coma

[JonnyR]

Sounds a bit obvious but I think it is important to be able to shoot both gun up and gun down....

 

Does that make me bisexual?

[Shuck.]

I was taught to shoot gun up, and I seem to be stuck with it for now.

 

I have started mounting the gun late when waiting for a slow incomer or crosser, or when I need to be able to turn my head to pick the clay up earlier.

 

I will be trying to get into the gun down habit this year, but I don't expect it to be easy. I tried once before and it wasn't good. Habits are hard to break.

 

Having said all that, there's nothing really wrong with shooting gun up, it's just a bit clumsy at times, like MC said, when you need your peripheral vision

 

Gun down clay-breaking is more rewarding, and makes it look like you have slightly more skill then you actually do

The lower your gun is when you shout 'pull', the bigger your penis is, FACT.

 

It also depends on the discipline, in DTL people usually shoot gun mounted are they all gay then :-)

 

M.

 

That goes without saying though

 

[Shuck.]

Sounds a bit obvious but I think it is important to be able to shoot both gun up and gun down....

 

Does that make me bisexual?

 

Bi curious I think.. what colour is your man-bag?

[mudscience]

When shooting clays, at the point where you shout pull, do you have the gun into your shoulder ready, or do you wait to see the clay and then bring it up?

 

I've only just started shooting clays, and I've been lucky enough to have a lot of pros at my local shooting ground practicing for the shotgun world cup, so I've been watching them and trying to pick up tips. It seems like those shooting (don't know the term for it) clays at close range going directly away from them, have the gun already into their shoulder when they shout pull, whereas those shooting at crossing clays at longer range bring the gun up as soon as they see the clay.

 

Personally, I don't feel as if I've got time to bring up the shotgun and aim in one movement, even though that's what I'd always do with game birds. These clays seem much quicker than birds. Perhaps they've sped them up to keep the pros happy?

 

 

I too am a newbie to clay shooting, actually shooting full stop. I've had three coaching lessons and have been told for the time being to shoot gun up, because its one less thing to think about and you can concentrate on getting the lead right. Having said that I went to my first open session 50 clay at the local ground and one stand was a pair on report first from the left at 90 degress to me which was fast and close, the second from the right, again fast and close, I managed 1 out of 10 . I think this would be a stand that requires a gun down to get the full view, but for the moment its my nemesis !

[Cosmicblue]

I too am a newbie to clay shooting, actually shooting full stop. I've had three coaching lessons and have been told for the time being to shoot gun up, because its one less thing to think about and you can concentrate on getting the lead right. Having said that I went to my first open session 50 clay at the local ground and one stand was a pair on report first from the left at 90 degress to me which was fast and close, the second from the right, again fast and close, I managed 1 out of 10 . I think this would be a stand that requires a gun down to get the full view, but for the moment its my nemesis !

 

 

I've been shooting for a couple of years and I'm 52, I was taught 'gun mounted' initially and the progressively introduced to shooting gun down - for some sorts of targets.

 

If the first target is an incomer say and it takes ages to get to the optimum breaking point then I'll start gun down (gun pointed upwards, muzzles at about chin height and stock slightly away from my body) - mount to the target - it is more relaxing that way and I'm more consistent. Other targets - say a rabbit as the 1st target then I'll start with the gun mounted in the shoulder - because gun down feels like a bit of a rush to my limited ability.

 

I do find that shooting gun down does give me more time/better perception of speed and angle - if the target presentation allows it.

[throdgrain]

Shoot how you want to of course, but I shoot gun up, and most people I see also do. Why wouldnt you??

[Renfield]

Had another go at the traps today and had my first experience of hitting more clays than I missed, which made a nice change. I tried shooting several ways - gun down, gun up, etc., and finally settled on holding the gun in a kind of tactical stance, I suppose. I had the butt into my shoulder with the muzzle pointing downwards across my body. It worked well for me, because I had a full field of vision, but already had the butt of the gun mounted into my shoulder, so it was quick and easy for me to bring the muzzle up, aim and shoot.

 

Thanks for all the replies so far. It's interesting to know how everybody goes about it.

[djgeoff]

Since i am fairly new to the sport i started off with gun to shoulder. But since i tend to prefer rough shooting you would not stand with your gun in the shoulder waiting for your prey. So after watching another guy at my local clay club shooting with gun down i thought i would try the same, and bingo i started to hit more clays.

 

So i stick to gun down. i did find alot of other shooters at the club saying things like' did you know you are raising your head', you are at a disavantage because the clay is farther away by the time you hit it'.

 

But my way of thinking to the latter is 'well i am hitting them, thats what counts and that it can't be a bad thing as they are more awkward and it's more fun.

My dtl and abt scores jumped from an average of 16 to a 22-23 so i am sticking to gun down. I must admit i have gone off dtl i find it a bit boring, abt on the other hand is great, no idea what height or direction the clays are gonna leave the trap.

 

The only other thing i now find now is that i am not looking at the bead so much, now i tend to just watch the clay and gun seems to follow, if that makes sense to you pro's out there.

 

Over the next few months i am gonna spend more time on the sporting traps and see how i get on using the same method.

 

Anyway i just enjoy it what ever the score, out there on a sunday morning with some real nice friendly guys not taking it to serious but just having the crack and in my case getting away from the nagging mrs.

 

But at the end of the day it is nice to hit some and see your score go up, it just keeping it there

[PhilR]

Hi Renfield,

 

If they're practising for the Shotgun World Cup I guess you've been to Southern Counties and you've been watching Olympic Trap, Double Trap and Olympic Skeet. The first two disciplines are shot with the gun premounted. Olympic Skeet must be shot gun down and if you look at the shooter's skeet vest you'll see a horizontal line on it which indicates where the stock must be. If you're trying to shoot these disciplines as a novice you're going to have an uphill struggle. Go and see Anthea in the office and she'll get you pointed in the right direction.

 

Phil