evo Posted February 17, 2012 Report Share Posted February 17, 2012 hi all what sort of lead in front of pigeon should i give,,they seem to be flying like missiles with the wind behind them normally about 35 to 40 yrds,tried allsorts but struggling to hit them,,,i,m using eley olympics no 7.5 and have even tried game bore no 5s i am swinging through with my shot ok and i am hitting the clays l to r and r to l ok but these pigeons are just so quick ,,any help would be grateful ,, thanks all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver pigeon 3 Posted February 17, 2012 Report Share Posted February 17, 2012 loads of variables mate, if you think you are behind them just keep on increasing the lead every shot until you connect. But with pigeons it is just as easy to be under/over as they are quite often not flying in a dead straight line. If it was easy it wouldn't be fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evo Posted February 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2012 loads of variables mate, if you think you are behind them just keep on increasing the lead every shot until you connect. But with pigeons it is just as easy to be under/over as they are quite often not flying in a dead straight line. If it was easy it wouldn't be fun tell me about it ,,,,its as if they are flying past laughting but must say its still great fun even tho its costing me a fortune on carts and nothing to eat ha ha ,cheers :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan-250 Posted February 17, 2012 Report Share Posted February 17, 2012 No one can tell you how much as every bird is different. There's range, speed of bird, carts your using, But when you hit one it will all pay off as it feels great, and even better to hit your first pair !! Do you have tight or open chokes ? I'm not the best shot and have alot of misses as I'm still in the learning curve I do ok on clays but normally your pre mounted and ready for the target as you shout, where as out in the field it'll be down at your side, and not ready, practice gun mount, and keep using the same gun don't switch for different ones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evo Posted February 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2012 No one can tell you how much as every bird is different. There's range, speed of bird, carts your using, But when you hit one it will all pay off as it feels great, and even better to hit your first pair !! Do you have tight or open chokes ? I'm not the best shot and have alot of misses as I'm still in the learning curve I do ok on clays but normally your pre mounted and ready for the target as you shout, where as out in the field it'll be down at your side, and not ready, practice gun mount, and keep using the same gun don't switch for different ones thanks for reply;; i,m using a 28" sxs and it is chocked 3/4 and full they cant be adjusted,,the fit is sound just had it back from gunsmiths ,, i,m doing sound on the clays,,but i think its cos of the speed they are flying,, i,m not bad when theres hardly any wind but they are like missiles when the wind is behind them,, cant beleive how fast they are,,i,ve not seen clays this fast,,what shot size carts do you recon because i like using no5s as these seem to be an instant kill when i hit,,or should i step up to something with a bit more shot in ??, personally dont think its the carts i just think i,m doing something wrong,,i,m having some great sport but probably hitting one in about 15 not good that,,i,ve tried giving more lead but this has not worked,,its so confusing when i watch the vids the lads make it look so easy,,just goes to show just how good they really are,,i think practice on this thing will make perfect, ha ha but at this rate it will cost me a fortune to eat cheaper going the chip shop :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shropshire_Lad Posted February 17, 2012 Report Share Posted February 17, 2012 thanks for reply;; i,m using a 28" sxs and it is chocked 3/4 and full they cant be adjusted,,the fit is sound just had it back from gunsmiths ,, i,m doing sound on the clays,,but i think its cos of the speed they are flying,, i,m not bad when theres hardly any wind but they are like missiles when the wind is behind them,, cant beleive how fast they are,,i,ve not seen clays this fast,,what shot size carts do you recon because i like using no5s as these seem to be an instant kill when i hit,,or should i step up to something with a bit more shot in ??, personally dont think its the carts i just think i,m doing something wrong,,i,m having some great sport but probably hitting one in about 15 not good that,,i,ve tried giving more lead but this has not worked,,its so confusing when i watch the vids the lads make it look so easy,,just goes to show just how good they really are,,i think practice on this thing will make perfect, ha ha but at this rate it will cost me a fortune to eat cheaper going the chip shop :lol: Hi, 3/4 and full for general Pigeon shooting is not going to make life easy, if you are going to eat them then a 20-25yrd shot or closer hit centre will take a little shot Your sxs can be opened up a little which whould make it more forgiving. As for lead no one can help you there, only time spent shooting will gain the sight pictures needed for you. atvb Paul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vampire Posted February 17, 2012 Report Share Posted February 17, 2012 The cartridges are fine,i use 28g 7 1/2 as these pattern lots of small shot as opposed to a 5 which is bigger shot and less of it,but we all favour different size cartridges and preference is up to you. I couldnt hit a lot till 'Hitclays' Alan on here did an eye dominance test for me,turns out i have to give em a lot more lead from left to right about 8' and about 4' the other way (approx),am hitting most that are in range now,he also did a gun fit and my new sxs fits me perfect. What distance do you think you are infront of the birds as you dont say how much lead you are giving them. Have you seen any feathers indicating a hit,if not you could be way behind em :o and if you are behind them you will never hit anything,try doubling the distance and see what happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kes Posted February 17, 2012 Report Share Posted February 17, 2012 Just for a trial, as you arent a novice, carry on with your normal swing but leave the swing a little longer before you pull the trigger. Keep both eyes open and mentally note the distance. do this 3/4 times until you are missing in front (10' plus lead). If you dont drop one within 5 shots you are probably arcing the gun and not traversing at the same level and you will miss above or below. Keep a flat platform for the shot and turn at the waist. Its the Churchill method and it works for me. Good shooting, Kes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris t Posted February 17, 2012 Report Share Posted February 17, 2012 Are you roost shooting, or out in the fields? I normally like windy days for roost shooting, because if you position yourself well, they will land into the wind and slow a far bit and tend to fly lower to avoid the worst of the wind as they think about landing in a tree. If roost shooting, you must try and position to allow shots as they land into the wind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PWD Posted February 17, 2012 Report Share Posted February 17, 2012 I have a similar problem ..Overhead pheasant I struggle...low Partridge no problem..seldom miss...reckon on the higher birds I am shooting to the left or right (over or under ) but on the partridge I am swinging on a lower plane like your action of L to R clays and just get it right as a natural ...seem to swing easier too ,more fluid action than the stutter on higher birds. Its part of the "fun" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evo Posted February 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2012 THANKS FOR THE REPLIES LADS,, i will try and give them some more lead,,i am in the field and shooting these as there on there way back to roost mostly,,i,ve started at about 2ft of lead and then just increased to around 5 - 6ft,,but still no joy,,will just have to perservere but at least i,m having fun trying Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evo Posted February 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2012 (edited) Just for a trial, as you arent a novice, carry on with your normal swing but leave the swing a little longer before you pull the trigger. Keep both eyes open and mentally note the distance. do this 3/4 times until you are missing in front (10' plus lead). If you dont drop one within 5 shots you are probably arcing the gun and not traversing at the same level and you will miss above or below. Keep a flat platform for the shot and turn at the waist. Its the Churchill method and it works for me. Good shooting, Kes will defo try that kes,, excellent idea thanks for that one mate,,itching to get back out now ,,cheers evo :good: Edited February 17, 2012 by evo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beretta88 Posted February 20, 2012 Report Share Posted February 20, 2012 ive had some fast high birds in the wind of late we have been using 30g 6's extra and full choke some of them need a 10ft lead as someone on here already said every bird is different again just keep increasing your lead good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoughton Posted February 21, 2012 Report Share Posted February 21, 2012 The only way to tackle this is to go to your clay ground as much as possible and develop your eye for moving targets. Shoot as many different ones as possible and as often as you can. It's just down to practice I'm afraid - there are no magic formulas. It will get better! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougall Posted February 21, 2012 Report Share Posted February 21, 2012 Applying lead varies between folk,dependending on swing speed etc..a pigeon though at 40 yards with some wind behind could easily need a perceived lead of 8-10 birds( P prefer this imagery to foot and inches)...from what you are saying I would be very surprised if you are missing in front!As also mentioned though line is tricky as pigeons rarely fly 100% level.If you are decoying they are probably dropping a bit?? Dont worry about missing though as 40 yard screamers are tricky,1:3 would be good at that range on a blowy day. Nothing wrong with your cartridges,personally would favour shot sizes 5/6 to 7.5 at 40 yarders.No 2 pigeons are the same,and unlike the equivalent clay they are not always decelerating so up your lead is my thought.ATB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evo Posted February 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2012 Applying lead varies between folk,dependending on swing speed etc..a pigeon though at 40 yards with some wind behind could easily need a perceived lead of 8-10 birds( P prefer this imagery to foot and inches)...from what you are saying I would be very surprised if you are missing in front!As also mentioned though line is tricky as pigeons rarely fly 100% level.If you are decoying they are probably dropping a bit?? Dont worry about missing though as 40 yard screamers are tricky,1:3 would be good at that range on a blowy day. Nothing wrong with your cartridges,personally would favour shot sizes 5/6 to 7.5 at 40 yarders.No 2 pigeons are the same,and unlike the equivalent clay they are not always decelerating so up your lead is my thought.ATB just done 2 hours this morning and what a difference,,i was definately shooting behind them,,increased my lead to around 6 to 8 ft today and hit the first 3 i had a go at but must admit wind was nowhere near as bad as last week,, was well chuffed ,,i was using no 6,s noticed they were flying in a bit lower aswell but only had 5 in total still missed a few but they were zig zagging flat out but defo an improvement,, happy days ,, just gutted didnt take my camera out with me in the exitement to get out and try some different stuff,,, thanks all for ya help,,feel more confident now :good: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver pigeon 3 Posted February 21, 2012 Report Share Posted February 21, 2012 The wind makes a big differance mate, weekend just gone we were out for the last flight on the river and i swung on a duck and fired to see another one about 10ft behind drop, these had the wind up there tails and were motoring, same as your pigeons. Glad you had more luck today Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinz3 Posted February 21, 2012 Report Share Posted February 21, 2012 hi i think if you are concentrating on lead then you are not looking at the target ie the pigeon, then you will start to hit them , you must look hard at the target and not look at the barrels, good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subsonicnat Posted February 26, 2012 Report Share Posted February 26, 2012 hi i think if you are concentrating on lead then you are not looking at the target ie the pigeon, then you will start to hit them , you must look hard at the target and not look at the barrels, good luck Funny you should say that KEVINS3: Went to the CLAY Ground today, got exactly the same comment like yours above:: It was amazeing the time and concentration I put into looking at the CLAY, it worked every time, The gun was pointing where I was looking, I did not even percieve the gun being there.. it disappeared completely.??. After 6 easy to me shots, I looked at the pip and barrel again, I missed every one after that. :-((.. Will be going again in a fortnight, so wil probably have a life changing way of viewing the TARGET from now on.. it DID WORK, and will be trying my damndest to master this way of shooting, good luck ot the lad missing, it will come believe me, but it is one of the hardest types of shooting to do.. GOOD LUCK MATE: Colin: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evo Posted February 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 Funny you should say that KEVINS3: Went to the CLAY Ground today, got exactly the same comment like yours above:: It was amazeing the time and concentration I put into looking at the CLAY, it worked every time, The gun was pointing where I was looking, I did not even percieve the gun being there.. it disappeared completely.??. After 6 easy to me shots, I looked at the pip and barrel again, I missed every one after that. :-((.. Will be going again in a fortnight, so wil probably have a life changing way of viewing the TARGET from now on.. it DID WORK, and will be trying my damndest to master this way of shooting, good luck ot the lad missing, it will come believe me, but it is one of the hardest types of shooting to do.. GOOD LUCK MATE: Colin: thanks for that colin and the rest of the chaps,,i think it is really down to practice,,and to keep increasing my lead,, people think this is easy but now i know just how tough it can be,,but makes me more determined to be a better shot,,so here comes the clay ground repeatedly :good: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougall Posted February 28, 2012 Report Share Posted February 28, 2012 Evo, Now you have the mental picture you have a good image to lock away,just tweak it a bit for fast/down wind birds.Pigeon shooting is really a series of memories of lead for the various targets.Start building your memory bank!I do believe these images are different for every shooter.But be careful don't just prod in front to your recalled lead,always smoothly brush through the bird to apply your lead consistently...you will have good days and bad days,if you start well by bagging the first few makes the world of difference! I think the key with decoying is deciding when to take the shot,if possible I always wait until they set their wings,at that point they are usually on a straightish path,committed to the pattern and are focussing on landing.The key to getting better ratios is to keep statue still until you decide to take the shot. The good news is you are getting the birds within range,thats the hardest bit! ATB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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