A few "how to shoot" questions.

[Roman2in]

I've been practicing with my pump action shotgun for a week or two already, got a few questions.

1) Is it a good idea to pull the fore end backwards (lightly) while shooting, so that as soon as the slide gets released, the fore end will immediately start moving backward? Or is it better to wait a split second before chambering a new round?

2) I have a hard time shouldering the shotgun. Every time I try it shoulders differently. Also, frequently the buttplate gets snagged on the t-short. Is there any specific technique that will solve these problems?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Dave McCracken]

1, yes. Not all shotguns will co-operate.

2, Practice. With a shotgun KNOWN TO BE EMPTY, practice mounting until things fall into place. You may have some fit issues also.

The archives are a gold mine of info. Enjoy....

 

[dispatch55126]

I can't say say how to cycle the action. I know pheasant hunting it seems like I can fire my 500 as quickly as I pull the trigger but I don't know how. I assume I'm waiting for the recoil and cycle the action as I'm resetting.

If the top of the buttpad is snagging your shirt, you're either keeping it too close or you're leading with the muzzle. Try keeping the muzzle pointed down slightly until the bottom of the buttpad catches the bottom of the shoulder pocket. Once you feel the stock in your shoulder, bring the muzzle to bear.

 

[Crazy Fingers]

If it's catching on your shirt, you are probably just sliding it up your chest and never taking it away from your body. When shouldering, I lift the shotgun up and outwards as I rotate the muzzle up. At the same time, I look at the target and lean in towards it a little. When the shotgun comes to rest on my shoulder, my chest is tilted slightly towards the target, my eyes never leave the target, and the shotgun is always in the same place. Make sure to keep both eyes open and never take your eyes off the target. Do not look at the bead. That's what works for me, anyways.

Just practice over and over again and it will become second nature. Use the bead every now and again to make sure your eye is lined up straight while you practice, but do not look at it while you are shooting targets.

 

[Roman2in]

Thanks for your help guys. It does seem like I slide the buttplate up the chest. Extending my arms a little seem to solve this problem, but it feels a little odd moving the gun that far away from the body. (and the stock is fitted properly to my arm length)