Shotgun shooting methods?

[adam f]

Watching a lot of the great videos people have posted on here, got me wondering about the different styles of shooting lead with a shotgun. Most of my mates all shot swing through, so mount behind the bird, swing through, measure the lead and pull. However I notice a fair few of the videos filmed with gun or head mounted cameras show people shooting maintained lead.

 

I know neither is wrong or better but having never even tried maintained lead I thought I'd see what the split is!

[Gordon R]

It depends what targets you are shooting. No one style covers all targets.

[silver pigeon 3]

i normally shoot clays maintained lead as the flight path is normally stable and the speed is consistent, the problem with most shots at feathered quarry is that they fly exactly opposite. These normally require more instinctive shooting so pull through it is.

[12boreblue]

I use different styles of both pull through and maintained lead, I also use picture method, which is when I see the right 'picture' of lead and distance above or below the target I fire. works for me (sometimes it doesn't!!)

[EdSolomons]

_{A mix of maintatined, pull away, a little swing through (of sorts) and intercept make up the bulk of my shots.}

[goodo123]

I close both eyes spin in a circle 5 times, shout pull, run 20mts to the trap, pick up a cartridge and throw it at the clay..... In all seriousness do what feels right for you, I also feel it depends how quick you are to get on the target initially

[onefulham]

Point-Shoot-Miss

[hawkfanz]

i honestly dont know,i just look at the target and point and fire,never ever see the end of the barrel.just instict been doin it for near 50 years,works ok for me.

[kennett]

Same here, which makes trying to teach my girlfriend how much lead to give difficult! Can't recall how much lead I give something even 10 seconds after I shot it!

[Gee.]

I use all 3. Pull away. Swing thru and Sustained Lead depending on the target presentation.

[ollie]

When shooting in the field most of my shots are instinctive, in fact, the shots I tend to miss are the ones when I have more time to think and aim.

[hillmouse]

Try shooting Trap disciplines Maintained lead then. That'll be good for a laugh.

 

You will need to use all methods at varying times. I am sure most people have a preference.

 

In my experience as a coach, lots of people "think" they are doing something but are actually doing something else, often not the same thing each time.

[telf]

Point-Shoot-Miss

 

:lol: :lol:

[Diceman]

I shoot a combination of all the above but my % on flurries, when I use a combination of "see it shoot it" and "use the force" , is generally much better than on a sporting round. So for me at least I know that I overthink most of the time. My best scores come when I relax and don't really care about the score, which is why the only trophy I have ever won is when i didn't realise it was a competition day

[The Ghost]

A shooters instinct is something I believe in, I am learning to shoot right handed after an eye operation that makes it imposible for me to shoot with my natural left hand style. Some people would say so whats the problem! well my instinct NOW is to look at the bird, lift the gun to my cheek, follow the bird and pass it depending on speed and distance prior to firing......a few months ago I was out shooting and my mate said "in front" I looked up and saw two Pigeon.Bang...Bang he shot them Both before I could even move, he never even gave it a thought.....that is instinct for a shot & thats what we would all like.

[ozzy518]

Move mount shoot. That's what works for me

[figgy]

I use all methods on different clays, don't notice so much theese days untill someone watches or asks.

 

Figgy

[Lock Stock & Barrel]

It depends what targets you are shooting. No one style covers all targets.

 

This ^^^^

 

Perhaps the poll needed a "Both - depending on the bird being addressed" option.

[kiffy]

Point-Shoot-Miss

 

i know that feeling

[Highbird70]

Unfortunally there is the 4th method......I very often fall into this category, as follow info on the 4th method:

 

Immagine to be on a splendid shooting day....for me would be either woodcock or duck,....you can only think one thing....where is next bird going to come....excitement fill your blood veins...you ready........

 

All of a sudden......a magnificient woodcock/teal....flushes in front of you/me......

 

OHHHHHHHHH...jaws open with disbelive it's a woodcock/teal.....by the time I regain my normal brain fuction...bird as gone

[thepasty]

point, close eyes, pull trigger, pray.

[throdgrain]

It depends what targets you are shooting. No one style covers all targets.

 

I clicked maintained lead, but this is of course the correct answer.