Learned a better technique that made a huge difference

[BTF/PTM]

Went shooting with the guys yesterday. Had a blast, no pun intended. I really improved my clay shooting with a very simple technique that's probably been around just as long as shotgun shooting. It's the technique of having the gun pointed downward and fairly relaxed until you're ready to point/fire versus holding the gun at the ready waiting for the pigeon to fly.

Before I'd always have the gun already pointed and would be in my ready stance when I yelled "pull". I'm not completely sure of this, but I think the biggest flaw in that system is that it's very hard to maintain that rigid form while swinging your body around to meet the target trajectory so I'd miss a whole lot. With the gun downward and my upper body relaxed, I was able to acquire the target, turn my body toward its line of flight and bring the gun up behind it. Made the day a lot more fun (obviously) being so much more accurate!

Does this technique have a specific name? I write this as a newbie to shooting moving targets, so hopefully another newbie can take this into consideration and learn a bit from it

Oh, and for anyone who's curious, I use a Benelli Nova Pump 12-guage.

[amurphy]

Don't know the name of it. For me teaching a new shooter it is what I use. I learned from a old dove hunter. This really is good because if you are hunting you will not be holding the shotgun in a stance pointing where you think the bird(s) will fly from all the time. The shotgun will be at your side or in the crook of your arm.

It feels a lot more natural. The shotgun is an extension of your body instead of a hunk of wood and steel.

Killing clays is a ton of fun and makes for great hand/ eye/ body coordination.

[acorn]

I recently started shooting that way too, feels way better. My extremely gay brother-in-law stands there in some sort of tactical stance waiting for the clay to fly and always misses. He always tells me I'm doing it wrong because thats not how you would clear your house if you ever needed. And then when I ask him why he keeps missing he blames his gun (Spartan 310 O/U). He only listens to his husband (a paint ball guy).

[NDFMF]

I recently started shooting that way too, feels way better. My extremely gay brother-in-law stands there in some sort of tactical stance waiting for the clay to fly and always misses. He always tells me I'm doing it wrong because thats not how you would clear your house if you ever needed. And then when I ask him why he keeps missing he blames his gun (Spartan 310 O/U). He only listens to his husband (a paint ball guy).

Well, the scoreboard ought to settle that one rather quickly.

Also, I'm pretty sure that bad guys inside your house coming at you with lethal force are not even close to being the same as little clays being thrown in the opposite direction.

[acorn]

Well, the scoreboard ought to settle that one rather quickly.

Also, I'm pretty sure that bad guys inside your house coming at you with lethal force are not even close to being the same as little clays being thrown in the opposite direction.

I tryed telling him that and he just doesn't get it, he's an idiot.

[Ishoot]

I recently started shooting that way too, feels way better. My extremely gay brother-in-law stands there in some sort of tactical stance waiting for the clay to fly and always misses. He always tells me I'm doing it wrong because thats not how you would clear your house if you ever needed. And then when I ask him why he keeps missing he blames his gun (Spartan 310 O/U). He only listens to his husband (a paint ball guy).

Alright that made me laugh.. I wasn't aware of the levels.

[PutTogether]

I recently started shooting that way too, feels way better. My extremely gay brother-in-law stands there in some sort of tactical stance waiting for the clay to fly and always misses. He always tells me I'm doing it wrong because thats not how you would clear your house if you ever needed. And then when I ask him why he keeps missing he blames his gun (Spartan 310 O/U). He only listens to his husband (a paint ball guy).

This is the single funniest thing I have ever read. Ever.

[Turo]

Interesting approach, I've always done the whole, aiming at the trap house 'till the clay comes out, technique. Shot plenty of 24/25 and 25/25 rounds doing it, but what works for one may not work for another. I think I'll try the relaxed to ready technique you described next time I go out, sounds like fun!

[acorn]

This is the single funniest thing I have ever read. Ever.

If you think thats funny you should see his stance when he's shooting, it's like watching a dog take a crap while wearing a vest with a duck blind pattern. Seriously!

[NDFMF]

If you think thats funny you should see his stance when he's shooting, it's like watching a dog take a crap while wearing a vest with a duck blind pattern. Seriously!

x2

[Black Majik]

If you think thats funny you should see his stance when he's shooting, it's like watching a dog take a crap while wearing a vest with a duck blind pattern. Seriously!

LOL, I wonder if we can subscribe to a poster. You make some of the funniest posts ever.

[bombadillo]

Oh good god, quoted for a month or so for making me laugh so hard!

[evan69]

I don't own shotguns yet, but I shoot with friends sometimes, I'll try this out. Thanks.

[Millions-Knives]

Thanks for the tip!
Dondo's going to have a blast reading this. lol

[sideshowhr]

it only makes sense to shoot that way... it's not as if you're constantly pointing in the sky when you're out hunting. it just doesn't happen. i don't know if you've ever been, but that would get tiring VERY quick.

it's good to train yourself to start shooting like that. i notice people pointing up while they're yelling "PULL" and i think it kind of defeats the purpose. if you're a good shot at all, you'll be drawing from a relaxed stance (pointing down) towards your clay as it begins to fly.