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Skeet shooting tomorrow and I have absolutely no idea what I'm doi (1 Viewer)

When I shoot clay pigeons which is about once a year I try to keep my head down on gun, follow the track of the clay pigeon in a controlled but somewhat aggressive manner and shoot just when I pass the clay. No aiming, no stopping the gun, no looking up to see if I hit it.

 
The biggest mistakes I see new shooters making are poor posture and a bad cheek weld.

You don't want to hunch over or lean backwards when bringing the shotgun up to your shoulder. Take an athletic stance with your weight balanced slightly on the balls of your feet and make sure you bring the gun up to your shoulder. Don't lean down to it. Also, make sure your face is all the way down on the gunstock. That is called getting a good cheek weld and is critical to being able to look down the length of the barrel.

Also, in shotgun sports your vision should be focused on the clay target and not the gun barrel or the bead at the end of it.

Finally, don't stop swinging the barrel when you pull the trigger. You need to "lead" the pigeon. Think of trying to hit a cat running across the yard with a garden hose spray. You need to lead the moving target to have the water (or pelts) hit your target.

Most importantly, be safe. Even if the gun is unloaded NEVER point the muzzle at anything you do not intended to destroy. Folks won't care if you're missing targets but if you muzzle yourself or another shooter that is a major problem.

 
Earplugs. After shooting about 30-40 rounds with a 12 gauge, I went home that night and tried to lie on the sofa and watch TV. All I could hear out of my right ear was "eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee." This is coming from a guy who's been on the floor for probably 1,000 metal shows. That #### is LOUD in whatever ear is nearest the weapon.

As the guy who took me the one time in my life that I went said :

(Heavy "cowboy" accent) : "It's point-n-click, EG, you can't miss !"

 
My friend went skeet shooting with his boss and his coworkers for a work outing last week. My friend has pretty limited experience shooting guns, but apparently everyone assumed that he knew what he was doing because he's originally from Georgia, so he just kind of rolled with it. The boss gave him his shotgun and told him to start things off. My friend gets up in front of his whole office and loads the shotgun shells in the shotgun backwards with the brass base facing towards the barrel of the shotgun. He said it was humiliating as his boss was trying to dislodge the misplaced shells from the shotgun as his whole office laughed at him.

Don't do that.

 
Hold the gun between your thighs. Pretend you're at a urinal and squeeze away.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Evilgrin 72 said:
Earplugs. After shooting about 30-40 rounds with a 12 gauge, I went home that night and tried to lie on the sofa and watch TV. All I could hear out of my right ear was "eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee." This is coming from a guy who's been on the floor for probably 1,000 metal shows. That #### is LOUD in whatever ear is nearest the weapon.

As the guy who took me the one time in my life that I went said :

(Heavy "cowboy" accent) : "It's point-n-click, EG, you can't miss !"
Click to expand...
Is your name Sterling by chance?

 
dnurk said:
The biggest mistakes I see new shooters making are poor posture and a bad cheek weld.

You don't want to hunch over or lean backwards when bringing the shotgun up to your shoulder. Take an athletic stance with your weight balanced slightly on the balls of your feet and make sure you bring the gun up to your shoulder. Don't lean down to it. Also, make sure your face is all the way down on the gunstock. That is called getting a good cheek weld and is critical to being able to look down the length of the barrel.

Also, in shotgun sports your vision should be focused on the clay target and not the gun barrel or the bead at the end of it.

Finally, don't stop swinging the barrel when you pull the trigger. You need to "lead" the pigeon. Think of trying to hit a cat running across the yard with a garden hose spray. You need to lead the moving target to have the water (or pelts) hit your target.

Most importantly, be safe. Even if the gun is unloaded NEVER point the muzzle at anything you do not intended to destroy. Folks won't care if you're missing targets but if you muzzle yourself or another shooter that is a major problem.
Click to expand...
This is good stuff. I was curious about leading the target. Is this something you more or less develop a feel for after a few shots?
 
dickey moe said:
dnurk said:
The biggest mistakes I see new shooters making are poor posture and a bad cheek weld.

You don't want to hunch over or lean backwards when bringing the shotgun up to your shoulder. Take an athletic stance with your weight balanced slightly on the balls of your feet and make sure you bring the gun up to your shoulder. Don't lean down to it. Also, make sure your face is all the way down on the gunstock. That is called getting a good cheek weld and is critical to being able to look down the length of the barrel.

Also, in shotgun sports your vision should be focused on the clay target and not the gun barrel or the bead at the end of it.

Finally, don't stop swinging the barrel when you pull the trigger. You need to "lead" the pigeon. Think of trying to hit a cat running across the yard with a garden hose spray. You need to lead the moving target to have the water (or pelts) hit your target.

Most importantly, be safe. Even if the gun is unloaded NEVER point the muzzle at anything you do not intended to destroy. Folks won't care if you're missing targets but if you muzzle yourself or another shooter that is a major problem.
Click to expand...
This is good stuff. I was curious about leading the target. Is this something you more or less develop a feel for after a few shots?
Click to expand...
Yep...after shooting for a bit and then finally breaking a few clays your brain will start seeing the lead. It changes from station to station on a formal skeet field because the angle between you and the path of the clay changes. There are two styles of leads...established lead where you get the barrel out in front of the clay by a foot or two and maintain that distance as you pull the trigger. The other is pass through where you accelerate the barrel through the bird and press the trigger as you're pulling past the target. This is how I personally shoot as it is much better in wild bird hunting scenarios.

But don't think too much about that. Your brain will instinctively pick one of those two styles most likely. Just focus on getting in front of the target and not stopping the barrel as you shoot.

 
dnurk said:
dickey moe said:
dnurk said:
The biggest mistakes I see new shooters making are poor posture and a bad cheek weld.

You don't want to hunch over or lean backwards when bringing the shotgun up to your shoulder. Take an athletic stance with your weight balanced slightly on the balls of your feet and make sure you bring the gun up to your shoulder. Don't lean down to it. Also, make sure your face is all the way down on the gunstock. That is called getting a good cheek weld and is critical to being able to look down the length of the barrel.

Also, in shotgun sports your vision should be focused on the clay target and not the gun barrel or the bead at the end of it.

Finally, don't stop swinging the barrel when you pull the trigger. You need to "lead" the pigeon. Think of trying to hit a cat running across the yard with a garden hose spray. You need to lead the moving target to have the water (or pelts) hit your target.

Most importantly, be safe. Even if the gun is unloaded NEVER point the muzzle at anything you do not intended to destroy. Folks won't care if you're missing targets but if you muzzle yourself or another shooter that is a major problem.
Click to expand...
This is good stuff. I was curious about leading the target. Is this something you more or less develop a feel for after a few shots?
Click to expand...
Yep...after shooting for a bit and then finally breaking a few clays your brain will start seeing the lead. It changes from station to station on a formal skeet field because the angle between you and the path of the clay changes. There are two styles of leads...established lead where you get the barrel out in front of the clay by a foot or two and maintain that distance as you pull the trigger. The other is pass through where you accelerate the barrel through the bird and press the trigger as you're pulling past the target. This is how I personally shoot as it is much better in wild bird hunting scenarios. But don't think too much about that. Your brain will instinctively pick one of those two styles most likely. Just focus on getting in front of the target and not stopping the barrel as you shoot.
Click to expand...
Cool thanks.
 
Train your eyes to spot the clay as soon as it's released, that way you can track the speed and trajectory better and makes it easier to lead your shot.

 
Buckfast 1 said:
My friend went skeet shooting with his boss and his coworkers for a work outing last week. My friend has pretty limited experience shooting guns, but apparently everyone assumed that he knew what he was doing because he's originally from Georgia, so he just kind of rolled with it. The boss gave him his shotgun and told him to start things off. My friend gets up in front of his whole office and loads the shotgun shells in the shotgun backwards with the brass base facing towards the barrel of the shotgun. He said it was humiliating as his boss was trying to dislodge the misplaced shells from the shotgun as his whole office laughed at him.

Don't do that.
Click to expand...
I won't. At least I know that much.
 
We do a lot of skeet shooting out at my FIL's on the holidays. I'm no expert, but I'm solid. It's sort of cheating once you get used to the pigeon following pretty much the same trajectory over and over.

Shoot it quickly.

I'm not good with guessing feet/yards, but your effective range is likely a lot less than what you think (every beginner has to be told they are waiting too long).

Similarly, taking a 2nd shot if you miss the 1st virtually always a waste of a shell.

If you want to build your confidence, the easiest shot is the one with the pigeon running straight away from you (or rather, where the curve flattens out within your effective range).

It's more fun to find a position with the pigeon crossing your body and keep changing positions, but the straight shot might be good to go to at times.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
you should practice ahead of time by shooting any spare flower pots and stoneware you have around the house.

-QG

 
both eyes open watch the bead in your periperhal vision but focus on the bird lead and continue your swing when you are pulling the trigger do not stop take that ot the bank brohans

 
St. Louis Bob said:
Evilgrin 72 said:
Earplugs. After shooting about 30-40 rounds with a 12 gauge, I went home that night and tried to lie on the sofa and watch TV. All I could hear out of my right ear was "eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee." This is coming from a guy who's been on the floor for probably 1,000 metal shows. That #### is LOUD in whatever ear is nearest the weapon.

As the guy who took me the one time in my life that I went said :

(Heavy "cowboy" accent) : "It's point-n-click, EG, you can't miss !"
Click to expand...
Is your name Sterling by chance?
Click to expand...
Not even close.

 
pollardsvision said:
Shoot it quickly.

I'm not good with guessing feet/yards, but your effective range is likely a lot less than what you think (every beginner has to be told they are waiting too long).

Similarly, taking a 2nd shot if you miss the 1st virtually always a waste of a shell.
Click to expand...
All of this so accurately describes the one time I went, it's as if you were there.

 
Evilgrin 72 said:
St. Louis Bob said:
Evilgrin 72 said:
Earplugs. After shooting about 30-40 rounds with a 12 gauge, I went home that night and tried to lie on the sofa and watch TV. All I could hear out of my right ear was "eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee." This is coming from a guy who's been on the floor for probably 1,000 metal shows. That #### is LOUD in whatever ear is nearest the weapon.

As the guy who took me the one time in my life that I went said :

(Heavy "cowboy" accent) : "It's point-n-click, EG, you can't miss !"
Click to expand...
Is your name Sterling by chance?
Click to expand...
Not even close.
Click to expand...
You don't watch Archer,you should, it's awesome.
 
St. Louis Bob said:
Evilgrin 72 said:
St. Louis Bob said:
Evilgrin 72 said:
Earplugs. After shooting about 30-40 rounds with a 12 gauge, I went home that night and tried to lie on the sofa and watch TV. All I could hear out of my right ear was "eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee." This is coming from a guy who's been on the floor for probably 1,000 metal shows. That #### is LOUD in whatever ear is nearest the weapon.

As the guy who took me the one time in my life that I went said :

(Heavy "cowboy" accent) : "It's point-n-click, EG, you can't miss !"
Click to expand...
Is your name Sterling by chance?
Click to expand...
Not even close.
Click to expand...
You don't watch Archer,you should, it's awesome.
Click to expand...
I figured it had to be a TV or movie reference that I didn't get. I really do need to check that show out.

 
I won a medal in skeet contest. No schtick...

Two years ago, we went away to a massive family resort in Pennsylvania with extended family. Place is huge. It's out in the great wide open, lots of cool festive Fall/Winter activities. The kids did the Halloween parade, among a variety of other activities. And then we went for the trap shooting contest...

About 20 people entered. Most of whom were highly inexperienced shooters. Otis was, and looked like, a city slicker, and fit right in with the "weekender" crowd. But a few of the dudes there? They looked like they were from pretty much Alabama. Camo hats, crap kicker boots, and looked pretty comfortable around guns. Little did they know, Otis had done this before. Otis is surprisingly bad ### with a weapon. A wolf in sheep's clothing....

Round 1 began. Each round consisted of 5 shots. It became harder and harder to advance from one round to the next as folks in the tournament got eliminated.

It was brisk October weather. Leaves on the ground, a chill in the air. Otis puts on the headsets to muffle the sound. Of course, like an old man who can't hear well, I'm yelling PULL at the top of my lungs at the guy who was standing 3 feet from me. They fire out the clay. First shot. Air. Second shot. Air. Third shot? Air again. The instructor advises me to "relax." I take a deep breath, and knock down the next two targets.

This was the first round, so where was no elimination.

Next round, you need to make 3/5 to advance.

Otis steps up, knocks down 5/5. The crowd thins fast. And we're quickly down to a few guys left. Otis and a couple of dudes who look like gun dudes.

Next round, 4/5 to advance. Otis knocks down 5/5. Camo guy is now giving me the stink eye. "Effing city dude. He sucks." I could just hear it from him. Must be lucky shots.

We go another round of 4/5 to further thin the herd. Again, 5/5. Which is now clearly pissing off the Camo Crew.

We're down to the finals. Otis and the Camo Hat leader. Guy was such a camo hat hillbilly, I don't know how he got to so far north. Yet here we were.

The folks running the contest call out to Otis. I was up first, so my choice as to who shoots first. Before they finish the sentence, I jump up, a man determined. "I'll go." I've never felt in such a zone.

Otis gets up a man possessed, and immediately knocks down 5/5. Almost in rapid fire. Pull BANG Pull BANG Pull BANG Pull BANG Pull BANG. Just a guy taking care of business.

Camo guy gets up and just can't stand the pressure. He misses his third shot, misses again on his fifth.

He was so, so pissed. They stormed off, barely a handshake.

Otis takes it down. I still have the medal. It is a corny medal from a corny family resort in the middle of nowhere, but I've never felt so locked in and sure of myself. I keep it in my bag and take it everywhere. It's a reminder to just get up and get the #######ed job done, because that's what we men do. You don't complain, you don't make excuses, and for christ's sake, you don't get nervous. You stand up, you do your job, and you sit down.

So if you ever want to learn how to shoot? Son, I'm your guy. Lots of guys here have more John Deere stuff and more camo hats, but I'll bet none has the inherent shooting talent and ice water in his veins to help teach you how to be a winner.

Good luck, young man.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Otis said:
I won a medal in skeet contest. No schtick...

Two years ago, we went away to a massive family resort in Pennsylvania with extended family. Place is huge. It's out in the great wide open, lots of cool festive Fall/Winter activities. The kids did the Halloween parade, among a variety of other activities. And then we went for the trap shooting contest...

About 20 people entered. Most of whom were highly inexperienced shooters. Otis was, and looked like, a city slicker, and fit right in with the "weekender" crowd. But a few of the dudes there? They looked like they were from pretty much Alabama. Camo hats, crap kicker boots, and looked pretty comfortable around guns. Little did they know, Otis had done this before. Otis is surprisingly bad ### with a weapon. A wolf in sheep's clothing....

Round 1 began. Each round consisted of 5 shots. It became harder and harder to advance from one round to the next as folks in the tournament got eliminated.

It was brisk October weather. Leaves on the ground, a chill in the air. Otis puts on the headsets to muffle the sound. Of course, like an old man who can't hear well, I'm yelling PULL at the top of my lungs at the guy who was standing 3 feet from me. They fire out the clay. First shot. Air. Second shot. Air. Third shot? Air again. The instructor advises me to "relax." I take a deep breath, and knock down the next two targets.

This was the first round, so where was no elimination.

Next round, you need to make 3/5 to advance.

Otis steps up, knocks down 5/5. The crowd thins fast. And we're quickly down to a few guys left. Otis and a couple of dudes who look like gun dudes.

Next round, 4/5 to advance. Otis knocks down 5/5. Camo guy is now giving me the stink eye. "Effing city dude. He sucks." I could just hear it from him. Must be lucky shots.

We go another round of 4/5 to further thin the herd. Again, 5/5. Which is now clearly pissing off the Camo Crew.

We're down to the finals. Otis and the Camo Hat leader. Guy was such a camo hat hillbilly, I don't know how he got to so far north. Yet here we were.

The folks running the contest call out to Otis. I was up first, so my choice as to who shoots first. Before they finish the sentence, I jump up, a man determined. "I'll go." I've never felt in such a zone.

Otis gets up a man possessed, and immediately knocks down 5/5. Almost in rapid fire. Pull BANG Pull BANG Pull BANG Pull BANG Pull BANG. Just a guy taking care of business.

Camo guy gets up and just can't stand the pressure. He misses his third shot, misses again on his fifth.

He was so, so pissed. They stormed off, barely a handshake.

Otis takes it down. I still have the medal. It is a corny medal from a corny family resort in the middle of nowhere, but I've never felt so locked in and sure of myself. I keep it in my bag and take it everywhere. It's a reminder to just get up and get the #######ed job done, because that's what we men do. You don't complain, you don't make excuses, and for christ's sake, you don't get nervous. You stand up, you do your job, and you sit down.

So if you ever want to learn how to shoot? Son, I'm your guy. Lots of guys here have more John Deere stuff and more camo hats, but I'll bet none has the inherent shooting talent and ice water in his veins to help teach you how to be a winner.

Good luck, young man.
Click to expand...
Great story, quintessentially Gekko-esque.

 
Most first time shooters are tense and uptight. The best way to handle that is to have several beers just before the shoot. To really show the guys that you're not a rookie, take a couple of beers out onto the range and crack one open in between shots.

 
Das Boot said:
Most first time shooters are tense and uptight. The best way to handle that is to have several beers just before the shoot. To really show the guys that you're not a rookie, take a couple of beers out onto the range and crack one open in between shots.
Click to expand...
I was thinking of taking a Xanax.
 
No, you want to hit the stimulants hard to help the fast twitch muscles activate. Start with a couple monster energy drinks, some dexatrim tabs, a couple lines of coke and then right before you go, beer bong 3 red bulls. You'll pretty much be The Terminator.

 
Otis said:
I won a medal in skeet contest. No schtick...

Two years ago, we went away to a massive family resort in Pennsylvania with extended family. Place is huge. It's out in the great wide open, lots of cool festive Fall/Winter activities. The kids did the Halloween parade, among a variety of other activities. And then we went for the trap shooting contest...

About 20 people entered. Most of whom were highly inexperienced shooters. Otis was, and looked like, a city slicker, and fit right in with the "weekender" crowd. But a few of the dudes there? They looked like they were from pretty much Alabama. Camo hats, crap kicker boots, and looked pretty comfortable around guns. Little did they know, Otis had done this before. Otis is surprisingly bad ### with a weapon. A wolf in sheep's clothing....

Round 1 began. Each round consisted of 5 shots. It became harder and harder to advance from one round to the next as folks in the tournament got eliminated.

It was brisk October weather. Leaves on the ground, a chill in the air. Otis puts on the headsets to muffle the sound. Of course, like an old man who can't hear well, I'm yelling PULL at the top of my lungs at the guy who was standing 3 feet from me. They fire out the clay. First shot. Air. Second shot. Air. Third shot? Air again. The instructor advises me to "relax." I take a deep breath, and knock down the next two targets.

This was the first round, so where was no elimination.

Next round, you need to make 3/5 to advance.

Otis steps up, knocks down 5/5. The crowd thins fast. And we're quickly down to a few guys left. Otis and a couple of dudes who look like gun dudes.

Next round, 4/5 to advance. Otis knocks down 5/5. Camo guy is now giving me the stink eye. "Effing city dude. He sucks." I could just hear it from him. Must be lucky shots.

We go another round of 4/5 to further thin the herd. Again, 5/5. Which is now clearly pissing off the Camo Crew.

We're down to the finals. Otis and the Camo Hat leader. Guy was such a camo hat hillbilly, I don't know how he got to so far north. Yet here we were.

The folks running the contest call out to Otis. I was up first, so my choice as to who shoots first. Before they finish the sentence, I jump up, a man determined. "I'll go." I've never felt in such a zone.

Otis gets up a man possessed, and immediately knocks down 5/5. Almost in rapid fire. Pull BANG Pull BANG Pull BANG Pull BANG Pull BANG. Just a guy taking care of business.

Camo guy gets up and just can't stand the pressure. He misses his third shot, misses again on his fifth.

He was so, so pissed. They stormed off, barely a handshake.

Otis takes it down. I still have the medal. It is a corny medal from a corny family resort in the middle of nowhere, but I've never felt so locked in and sure of myself. I keep it in my bag and take it everywhere. It's a reminder to just get up and get the #######ed job done, because that's what we men do. You don't complain, you don't make excuses, and for christ's sake, you don't get nervous. You stand up, you do your job, and you sit down.

So if you ever want to learn how to shoot? Son, I'm your guy. Lots of guys here have more John Deere stuff and more camo hats, but I'll bet none has the inherent shooting talent and ice water in his veins to help teach you how to be a winner.

Good luck, young man.
Click to expand...
Hey, Kim Jong, what's your handi?

 
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