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Shotgun Sports

FIND A METHOD THAT WORKS FOR YOU.

When  shooting sporting clay's you will need to learn all of the different  shooting methods as well as how and when they work the best. Every  shooter must have a base method to use, but you must also be able to use  all of the methods.  Different people will find that they have a  method that is the best for them I like the sustained lead the best. It  works very effectively for me as a base method. To understand how to use  the different methods, I will refer to the gun pointing straight at the  target as the "insert point." For the sustained lead, basically when  the target appears, the muzzle is inserted in front of the bird and will  stay in front all the way through the shot. When the stock reaches your  cheek, you should have your gun in front of the target with the proper  lead built-in. To help you be able to see the lead, I like to refer to  the lead as being a "window." Small lead, small window; medium window,  medium lead; and so on. Do not get caught up in measuring the lead, this  will make you slow your swing and shoot behind the target so always  keep the window open. You should make your shot when the stock reaches  your face and with your muzzle remaining at the same speed as the  target, with the window staying the same. After practicing this you will  find this to be very effective.  The swing-through method is where  your muzzle is inserted slightly behind the target. The muzzle is swept  through the target, and the gun is fired as you pass the target. This is  referred to as "sweeping" the target, like taking a paintbrush and  painting a line of shot in front of the target, a very effective way to  break targets and I like to use this method in hunting dove and quail.  The downside to this method is when a target is flying off-line; you  will tend to shoot over the target. So watch the target flight path  before shooting this method.  The pull-away method is similar to the  swing through. The difference is where you insert your gun on the  target. You insert straight at the target and then pull away and make  your shot. You will find, with practice that this is one of the better  shooting methods. I like to use this method when shooting long targets,  outside 35 yards. Like the swing through, you will need to watch the  targets flight path and do not shoot over it. When the wind moves a  target or the target hits a limb or is just flying off line, it is very  easy to miss the target with this swing through or the pull away  method.  The Churchill method is when you do not see any lead. You  bring your muzzle up from behind the target, with lots of gun speed and  shoot directly at the target. The Churchill method will appear to be  very fast, but when done correctly, it should seem very smooth,  comfortable and under control. I really like this method for targets  inside 20 yards. It is a good way to break a lot of targets. 

A  beautiful gun, new type of shell and new shooting shirt or wanting to  win first place will not break a target. You have to put the shot string  on the target. So the shooters job is not to break the target, but to  deliver the shot string on the target. Everything you do before you pull  the trigger has a direct effect on the outcome of the shot. Thinking of  being ahead of your friend, or beating your last score that you shot,  will only lead you to missing more targets. Breaking targets  consistently requires concentration on the breakpoint, foot position and  muzzle hold, focus point and the proper shooting method, but doing this  during your set up and when you call "pull" you should have a clear  mind. The next time you get out to enjoy a round of sporting clay's,  don't be afraid to shoot a lot of shells on any of these shooting  methods, as they will all work very well, but they all will take time to  perfect


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