Clay Pigeon Shooting

[gamo2hammerli]

My two friends (One is a member here....namroud4diana24) bought new shotguns a little before Christmas and they haven't shot them (Too cold, snow etc.). They both bought and brought their pump action 12 ga. Bennelli Novasto the gun range....I brought my 12 ga. Remington 870 Magnum (Pump also). It was a first time for all of us.....we've never shot clay pigeons.

We went thru 2 boxes of shells each in a little over an hour and a half. The gun range only had one of those clay pigeon slingers so we took turns of 3 shots each. Namroud4diana24 (Paul) and I only had one time where we managed to shoot all three pigeons in one "session" (Pigeons are released 1 at a time). Our average was 2 out of 3. We had a great time....and then we went and shot our .22lr rifles and pellet gun (Only I shot an airgun).

[airiscool]

Stanley,
Congrats on your first time out "shooting holes in the sky". 2 out of 3 is very good for a first timer.  

BEWARE  It can be every bit as adictive as airgunning, and much more expensive !!!!:D    

Paul.

[gamo2hammerli]

Thanks. Yes, very addictive. If we had more shells we would've finished them off.

Serge, the other guy(Used to be an airgunner and is the one who sold me his Crosman G1 Extreme) is already planning to purchase a case of shells....10 boxes of 25 shells.

Btw, the other two like to have the shotgun shouldered before the clay is released. I have my shotgun pointed down and then shoulder it after the pigeon is flying. I told them I like it that way because it seems more real. I think later on they'll shoot this way.....when they're more comfortable and accurate with their shotguns.

[airiscool]

Yup, it's called a "gun-down" start. That's how I learned to shoot skeet and sporting clays.

I agree, it's better to learn that way. You can learn more about proper gun fit, position, and swing/follow through. Especially important if you bird hunt. After all, who walks around bird hunting with the gun up on their shoulder anyway ?

Gun-down starts used to be more commonly seen on US clay fields. It's the only legal starting position in international clays competions and up until a few years ago, same for sporting clays competion. Now, other than some old timers you rarely see anyone on a US clays field starting gun-down, except some guys practicing just before the opening of bird season.  

Paul.