sporting clays

[iamhistory]

Hello Everyone,

I'm looking for a few pointers on what I can do to get my sporting clays scores up.

I'm new to the sport and have shot about 12 rounds at 25 targets per round. Currently I have been shooting right around 50% consistently with a few worse rounds and a few better. My best has probably been a 17 out of 25.

I'm a lefty shooting a plain old 870 express pump. It's my turkey gunk, pheasant/grouse gun and also my sporting clay and trap gun.

Any advice? I would appreciate it. There's another shoot coming up in a few weeks that I'd like to see some improvement at.

Thanks!

 

[Calanctus]

I think the best idea is to have a friend stand behind you when shooting and help you see how you're missing: in front, behind, etc. This will let you know what you're doing wrong. Check your stance, grip, and mount to make sure they're consistent from shot to shot. Make sure not to stop your swing. Don't overthink the shot.

If you read through Dave McCracken's posts, he has a lot of other good tips. Good Luck!

 

[CMichael]

practice, practice, practice.

 

[Dave McCracken]

The best way to improve is to improve your focus.
Concentrate on sending the center of that shot pattern through the leading molecule of that target.

Many of us are shooting at the back end. On a going away shot, it's what we see. Concentrate on sending that charge through whatever it takes to get to that front molecule.

Before calling for the bird(s), figure out where you'll pick up the bird, and where you'll break it. Adjust your stance accordingly.

And adjust your attitude. Thinking that,"I never get these teal targets" is a guaranteed way to not get THAT teal target. Visualize busting that thing into smithereens. Then do it.

Also, when possible, if a shot is giving you the blues, spend some time and ammo on that particular shot. It's not a hard shot,it's a shot you haven't learned to hit yet.

HTH....

 

[Ledbetter]

Around here we only have sporting clays once a month, and not during December and January.

We have trap and skeet every weekend.

My point is, shoot more trap and skeet if that's more available for practice.

 

[Smiley]

Shoot as much as you can.

I have the same 870 pump setup and I used to go the whole day and only miss 1 or 2 out of 100 to 150 clays when I was in college. I just recently went to an open invite sporting clays competition. I hadn't done clays in two years due to rifles and pistols taking over. I maybe hit 12 out of 50. I was that out of practice. I was doing everything wrong, not leading the target, i was yanking the trigger something fierce, and I have gotten so used to red dot scope for rifles that I was opening and closing both eyes trying to figure out how to use the sight like I used to.

I was horribly embarrassed, but I learned four things.
I absolutey love clays,
I need to really practice and not be so high and mighty just because I "used" to do well.
There are a lot of clay snobs out there.
lastly don't shoot poorly in front of your Brother or Father or they will roast you alive even if they did just as poorly.

 

[PJR]

The best advice I can give is to get some proper and professional lessons. They will show you practically what Dave is saying about hold points, where to look, how to stand and how to handle different presentations.

The other point and I know some won't care to hear it but you are at a disadvantage shooting a pump gun at sporting. Now don't get me wrong, a lot of good scores have been notched up with pump guns and I love mine however when it comes to true pairs or certain tricky presentations the pump gun is a disadvantage. I don't use mine at sporting if I am interested in what the score card says at the end of the round.

There are all manner of snobs in any sport. Shotgunning is no different. The best way to get better is some good instruction and to practice, practice, practice.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Paul. I take no offense at your comment about pumpguns. It's harder to win with a pump. But if you aim is to have fun while getting better with your shotgun, a pump is perfectly suitable. Ideal? No.

All shotgun action styles have their up and downsides. The 870's low cost per use, durability, longevity and ease of use in practiced hands offset the manual action. For Joe Shotgunner, they're often the best choice for versatility and reliability.

 

[Calanctus]

There is an advantage to using a pump on a sporting clays course: if you are a hunter and use the same gun for clays as you do for geese, you're "practicing like you fight." There are very few stations that can't be done with a pump, if any. A lot cheaper to practice clays with your pump than to miss geese in the field.

 

[PJR]

Dave:

We agree entirely. But if the question is how to make scores higher then the pump gun provides more of a challenge, same with shooting sporting with a side-by-side.

As for enjoyment, not much beats a pump. My thoughts lately have been toward a delightful little 28 gauge pump gun I saw recently and how great it would be to use for sporting and hunting smaller birds.

Paul

 

[Dave McCracken]

(Licking chops) 28 gauge WINGMASTER, uhmmmm...

Check back with me in a month or so about pumps and SC. I'm gonna put enough barrel on Frankenstein to make the PGC folks happy and do 5 stand until my MEC starts smokin'...

 

[PJR]

Yup. A 28 gauge Wingmaster with a delicious piece of wood. There was also a 28 gauge Browning Model 12 in the shop that caught my eye. Decisions, decisions.

Looking forward to a full report Dave on your 5 stand adventures. I consider 5 stand to be the best pre-hunting season warm up because the birds are random and doubles can occur at any time.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Both those 28s are intriguing, Paul. Is the Browning built on a Model 42 action? That would be truly sweet for the alders when the woodcock come through.

Re 5 stand, if I don't mind crossing the Bay, I can hit Pintail Point is an hour and a few. The 5 stand there is nice and the SC course is very good too.With PGC, that's a myriad of targets.

 

[PJR]

Dave:

The Browning is a reproduction built on a 20 gauge frame. I believe the original Winchesters were built on 20 gauge frame as well. I would love a 28 gauge Winchester Model 12 but the price tags on those even in moderate condition are astronomical.

A 28 gauge on a Model 42 frame would be a certain delight but I don't think either Winchester or Browning ever made them in that frame size.

The choice between the Remington and Browning rests on a couple of factors. I love the looks of the Browning Model 12 but I've never been able to shoot any Model 12 as well as an 870. I do have a little used o/u that might be good trade bait. Hmmmm...

Paul

 

[Dave McCracken]

Decisions, decisions,decisions....

Even a 20 gauge Model 12 will ravage the budget these days. Good luck.