[ysr_racer]

I took a lesson with Dan Carlisle at Raahauge’s last weekend and here’s my review.

I was a little hesitant to spend $185 for an hour and 1/2's instruction. But my fears were soon alleviated when Dan had me hitting targets that I had previously struggled with. In no time, with his help / instruction I was able to break 50 yard crossers with ease.

When I first arrived, Dan had me shoot about 20 targets so he could get an idea of what I knew (not much) and what I need help with (a lot). We talked for a few minutes about what he wanted me to do. Then it was on to shooting. I would shoot, then we’d talk then I shoot again. This went on for the remainder of the time. At each station Dan would reinforce “his” method.

Dan teaches “pull away”. I had been shooting a combination of “swing thru” and “sustained lead”. I found Dan’s method easy to use and much easier to break clays with. Now I have a good idea of what to practice. Before I would just go out and bang away.

All in all, I had a good time and learned a lot. I’ll try it out this Sunday at the “fun shoot” and report back.

Brad

[Dave McCracken]

Thanks for posting that. Many of us, including your kindly old grey haired Moderator, could benefit from coaching.

When money gets better, I plan on a clinic or six. Not to mention a progressive reloader and components by the hundredweight....

[Al Thompson]

Can you describe the "pull away" method?

Great review - thanks.

[ysr_racer]

Sure Al,

But keep in mind I've only had 1 lesson :)

Let's talk about a standard left to right crosser. Think station 4 in skeet.

As I understand it, there are 3 basic ways to get the muzzle of the gun in front of a clay target.

1. Swing thru: You let the bird beat the gun and swing the muzzle thru it along the flight path until you're in front of it and pull the trigger.

2. Maintained lead: You get the gun in front of the bird and keep it there for a few feet until you pull the trigger. (at station 4 it's about 3 feet)

3. Pull Away: You mount the gun in front of the target (never letting the bird beat you) and keep it there for a few feet and as you pull the trigger you accelerate slightly.

To use station 4 as an example, if you premount the gun and look at the high house, when you call PULL, the bird will beat or pass the barrel. Now you're behind it and need to swing thru it to catch up. As you pass you pull the trigger.

For maintained lead, you never let the bird get in front of you, keep the gun about 3 inches in front (at station 4) and pull the trigger.

For pull away, from a low gun, my hold point would be about the center stake but I'd be looking at the high house. I mount the gun about an inch in front of the target, track it for a few feet, gently accelerate and pull the trigger.

It works better on sporting clays target, where you have more time as the bird is in flight longer.

On station 4 I used to use a combination of swing thru and maintained lead. I don't shoot that much skeet. I'm a sporting clays shooter.

Hope this helps, like I said, I've only had 1 lesson. I would buy a tape or take a lesson if you need / want more info.

[Al Thompson]

Got it! Many thanks...

[ysr_racer]

Here's more info:

http://shotgunsports.com/cgi-bin/webchat.cgi?category=Clay_Talk&num=6625&startnum=1