How far to lead when shooting Skeet?

[nedro]

I always thought I was decent at trap and just had a taste of skeet in the last couple of years. Actually very little.
But I had a real problem with it when I did try.

And just out of happenstance, I came across this video that supposedly shows the lead needed for the different stations.

My question is for the skeet shooters out there.
Is this really how far you guys are leading the targets?
If so, I've been behind on my targets and explains quite allot.

[geedavell]

They say, most of time you miss, it's because you were behind it

[bubbapug1]

Those videos are pretty much spot on.

The shotkam videos are worth years of coaching and I think they represent the leads I see. However they are in slow motion so it’s not as simple as it looks.

There are various reasons you miss, not just falling behind. I see the biggest mistake is stopping the travel of the gun, or spot shooting. The idea is to spread out the pattern like you are using a garden hose - as in creating a horizontal spread. Otherwise it’s a timing issue and there is less of a chance the shot will cross paths with the clay. Of course that’s my opinion and I’ve only shot a high of 23 a few times and probably have only 500 total rounds at skeet. All in the last three months.

[Tarmy]

I had, for whatever reason, a big adjustment to make from trap or clays. Took a while with the crossing shots...did not hit the house though!

[whutsup40]

Pretty much sums it up!! Except everyone shoots different ammo at different speeds and different reaction times! but pretty much spot on.

[ceh383]

If you are shooting shells that are 1200fps, stations 1 - 7 the actual lead is 4 feet.
The thing is due to the difference in angle they all look different.
Station 1 will look like 1 foot.
Station 2 will look like 2 feet.
Station 3 will look like 3 feet.
Station 4 will look like 4 feet.
Station 5 will look like 3 feet.
Station 6 will look like 2 feet.
Station 7 will look like 1 foot.
Station 8, get to it and shoot right at it.

That said, we all see things differently, what looks like 1 foot to me may look like 6" to you. If you take angular perspective out of it, the lead is always 4 feet (except station 8).

[Revoman]

Yeah, as others have stated, the leads are very close to actual.
The keys are to understand the hold points, for most it is about 1/3 of the distance between the house and the center stake, or close to 7 yards. Hold that point and look toward the house, NOT at it necessarily, and watch for the flash of the oncoming clay. DO NOT MOVE UNTIL YOU SEE THAT FLASH!
Using this hold will give you a very close lead to maintain and kill the clay just before center stake.
If you react to your call for the clay and start you swing, you will be too far ahead, to slow to react and you won't have the correct lead and shoot behind (the most common mistake). It'll take some practice but it's easy to learn.
I would highly recommend watching Todd Bender vids, he is an excellent source and has good technique.
1,200 FPS is the right speed generally for skeet rounds and also a part of the rules I believe if you're in competition (Its been awhile as the last skeet range in San Diego, Pendleton, closed around 2015).
By the way, while it is believed that the shot pattern spreads like water from a hose, it does NOT. You can verify this by shooting in this manner at a body of water. The pattern will still be 'round' no matter how fast you swing the shotgun. (NO slam what so ever to the above reply as there are MANY of this belief.)
mike

[JagerDog]

If you are shooting shells that are 1200fps, stations 1 - 7 the actual lead is 4 feet.
The thing is due to the difference in angle they all look different.
Station 1 will look like 1 foot.
Station 2 will look like 2 feet.
Station 3 will look like 3 feet.
Station 4 will look like 4 feet.
Station 5 will look like 3 feet.
Station 6 will look like 2 feet.
Station 7 will look like 1 foot.
Station 8, get to it and shoot right at it.

That said, we all see things differently, what looks like 1 foot to me may look like 6" to you. If you take angular perspective out of it, the lead is always 4 feet (except station 8).

^^^^this.

And at 1250 fps the lead is 3'11". I find it funny when folks blame their shell speed for misses.

And I have a 14" organ.

[shovelon]

^^^^this.

And at 1250 fps the lead is 3'11". I find it funny when folks blame their shell speed for misses.

And I have a 14" organ.

True! The difference in lead between a 980 fps and 1250 fps shell is only a couple of inches. What matters is you keep your eye hard focused on the bird and the keeping barrel in your peripheral vision with both eyes open. This gives your subconscious mind the ability to quickly set the lead. Find your hold point, go to your look point, call pull, swing the gun smoothly to the shot, and let Tony pull the trigger.

[Kevin11mee]

Generally about 3 feet from the middle stations.

[edgerly779]

With 8 stations it changes on every one. Station 8 cover with muzzle and shoot.

[BajaJames83]

If you are shooting shells that are 1200fps, stations 1 - 7 the actual lead is 4 feet.
The thing is due to the difference in angle they all look different.
Station 1 will look like 1 foot.
Station 2 will look like 2 feet.
Station 3 will look like 3 feet.
Station 4 will look like 4 feet.
Station 5 will look like 3 feet.
Station 6 will look like 2 feet.
Station 7 will look like 1 foot.
Station 8, get to it and shoot right at it.

That said, we all see things differently, what looks like 1 foot to me may look like 6" to you. If you take angular perspective out of it, the lead is always 4 feet (except station 8).

This is how I was taught more or less.
I miss Camp Pendleton's Range.
Very Sad day when they shut it down.

[W.R.Buchanan]

If you are shooting shells that are 1200fps, stations 1 - 7 the actual lead is 4 feet.
The thing is due to the difference in angle they all look different.
Station 1 will look like 1 foot.
Station 2 will look like 2 feet.
Station 3 will look like 3 feet.
Station 4 will look like 4 feet.
Station 5 will look like 3 feet.
Station 6 will look like 2 feet.
Station 7 will look like 1 foot.
Station 8, get to it and shoot right at it.

That said, we all see things differently, what looks like 1 foot to me may look like 6" to you. If you take angular perspective out of it, the lead is always 4 feet (except station 8).

This^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Randy

[JagerDog]

With 8 stations it changes on every one. Station 8 cover with muzzle and shoot.

For singles it really doesn't. Just the perspective. If you're shooting the birds over the center of the field the distance to the target doesn't change, regardless of station (sans #8).

Some like to wait for low 1&2 or high 6&7, but the "pros" generally try to limit the shots they need to perfect, taking them at the stakes.

[nedro]

Thanks guys, this is very helpful.
I never thought that I'd need to lead that much.