Teaching a youngster

[client32]

I will be getting a chance to teach a youngster to use a shotgun this weekend. Go buy some clays and take the thrower to the field. I did a search on "101" in the shotgun forum. Dave has a lot of good stuff there.

Equipment isn't a problem.
Obviously we start with saftey rules along with ears and eyes.
What do you think is the first step after this?

When I was learning, we shot a couple of time at stationary targets. Get a fell for what is going to happen and get that very first "target destroyed" feeling. (If I remember right we set up a clay on a wheat stock left in the field) After that, then we started with the clays going away. My dad used to stand behind us and try to figure out how we were missing, high or low. After being able to hit these targets time after time, we moved on to other things. For me it was several clay throwing trips later.

 

[Clemson]

Rather than shoot a shotgun at a stationary target (which tends to emphasize the recoil of the gun), I like to have the student track a moving target several times, dry firing the gun when he would be wanting to shoot. That gets her/him used to the trigger pull, the weight of the gun, the speed of the target, etc., without the pounding. It is kind of like taking a few practice swings before hitting a golf ball. On the skeet range, I use the incoming targets on #1 and #7 for this purpose. The clubhouse pros tend to think that the low house #7 is the target for beginners because it requires no lead. I much prefer High #7 and Low #1 for teaching purposes.

Clemson

 

[kudu]

Please go with the lightest shell loading you can find. There is nothing that will turn a youngster off faster than getting pounded by recoil the first time out. Be aware that it is highly unlikely that a gun will fit a youngster which compounds recoil problems.

Hopefully the kid has already learned the basics with BB guns and .22 rimfires. this will give him a little confidence to start out with. Try to keep both eyes open for shotgunning and take your time and have fun.

 

[ARGarrison]

Clemson has it right. Have the new shooter track the target, first with or with out a firearm. Add a shotgun empty and track some more, then go with pulling the trigger on a dummy round. The add ammo after the swing/sight/trigger pull is in line.

One thing I've found any new shooter who has started with a rifle first, they tend to aim the shotgun when first starting. Get them to fire as soon as the barrel and target line up.

 

[client32]

He has experience with at least a BB gun that I know of. I think a .22 as well. I have a youth model 870 20ga for him to use. And yes I'm using some very light shells.

 

[Okiecruffler]

There was a thread not too long back about shooting frisbees and ever since then I've been looking for someone to teach starting with those. Bigger than a clay, and you can control the speed.