July-August 2010 - New Zealand Clay Target Association

EGINNERSbarrels just behind the target, swingingthem through its trajectory, the gun firmlymounted in the shoulder, the face on thestock and eyes glued to the target, the gunis fired. The swing through method, as it isgenerally called, relies upon the speed ofthe swing to overthrow the target therebycreating some lead without actually seeingit. It should be added that for most goingaway targets, as in Trap shooting whenthe shooter and gun are always behindthe target, the swing through method isthe obvious choice. Whichever techniqueyou choose first practise until you haveperfected it. You will find as your experiencegrows you may use both depending on thetype of target.At moderate ranges, these simplebut effective methods of achieving leadprovides remarkably effective results. Atgreater ranges, say 35 to 40 yards andfurther, more daylight has to be consciouslyseen between the barrels and the target,but both methods can still be used to greateffect by keeping your swing going that bitfurther.Only practice and experience canprovide the sight pictures which willgradually become logged in your brain tobreak really long targets. The pull awayor the swing through method provides abasis for shooting at any range and ensuresyour barrels will follow the target’s line offlight accurately, and as long as the swingis maintained a clean kill is assured. Thatis providing your face remains in firm““In the best of all worldseverybody would learnto shoot a shotgun underthe guidance of a skilledinstructor and graduallyprogress to an acceptablelevel of competence.contact with the gun stock and the gun fitsyou. This brings us to a vital component ofaccurate shotgun shooting…GunfitAny attempt to consciously align ashotgun with a moving target as youwould a rifle at a fixed one is to guaranteea miss. A shotgun is pointed at the target,not aimed, which brings us back to ourinnate sense of speed and distance, andour ability to point an extended arm withincredible accuracy at moving objects.To utilise this innate ability in shotgunshooting, the gunstock should be ofdimensions that match our personalphysical characteristics in terms of lengthof arm, breadth of chest and length ofneck.These dimensions if computedaccurately, will ensure that when theshooter brings his gun to his shoulderhe will, providing his technique is sound,be able to shoot accurately without anyfurther adjustment or alignment beingrequired.The gun will quite simply place the shotcharge where the shooter looks.Volumes have been written on thesubject of gunfit, sufficient to say at thispoint, beginners are difficult to fit simplybecause their gun mounting technique isnot usually very consistent. It is howeveralso true to say, providing a man of averagebuild has a gunstock of average dimensionshe can manage well enough, sometimessurprisingly well.I would emphasise“that shooting cannot belearned from the writtenpage, only by shooting,in the beginning asmuch as possible sothat a sound techniquecan be established andconfidence, the mostimportant ingredient ofall, be developed.You want to be achampionIt should always be remembered thatchampions began at the same point as weall did. So far as physical characteristics areconcerned, while a degree of general fitnessis desirable for any activity, in shooting it isno great significance. Shooting championscome in all shapes and sizes, but whatthey share with all successful sportsmenis the ability to perform at their best underpressure. I would suggest that at least inpart this comes from a confidence builton a learning process that never ends,but when it’s time to perform recedes intothe subconscious. The champion makesshooting look easy, but to acquire that skilland seeming ease requires time, patience,discipline and practice.“The most sensible plan is to concentrateon first becoming an adequate shot basedon a good understanding of a basictechnique.”“In the best of all worlds everybodywould learn to shoot a shotgun underthe guidance of a skilled instructor andgradually progress to an acceptable levelof competence.”Acknowledgement: Article by courtsey of Pull! the Officialmagazine of the Clay Pigeon Shooting Association.www.shootersshop.com.auAustralia’slargest onlineshootingaccessories shop“Quality is remembered long after theprice is forgotten” - Guccigunshot 47