Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
It pays to watch good shotgunners at the range. Regardless of game, the good shooters show themselves by the lack of wasted motion and the proper stance.
Stance starts with foot position. While exact position varies from shooter to shooter and shot to shot,basically the forward foot points toward the point where the bird will contact the shot cloud, AKA the break point.The rear foot is splayed and back a bit, usually maybe half a foot's length. For most shots, the weight is more on the forward foot. Lean into the shot for recoil control and focus.Keeping the front knee slightly bent and the rear leg straight but not locking that knee is how most folks do the leaning part. Do not bend your body at the waist.
How much to lean is debatable. Note how good trapshooters often use a very erect stance, while many good skeet shooters operate from a crouched position. Leaning into it aids kick control, but a more erect stance gives a little easier full swing, from the ankles up.
Caveat,the heavier loads need more lean for comfort, but for this I hope you're using the lightest loads you can find.Heavier loads are for later and as needed.
SC and field shots seem to use a variety of positions,and it pays to experiment and see how any position works for or against you.
A common mistake we shotgunners make with stance is the 90 degree turn stance to the target or break point. Think of a Medieval archer with his longbow and clothyard shafts. This doesn't work too well. All too often the butt is on the arm, not in the "Cup" inside the shoulder joint. This is guaranteed to cause pain as well as limit the swing, lift the face off the stock, and waste the shot.
Here's my suggestion for a starting position. Stand square to the break point. Feet should be about shoulder width apart.Hold your shotgun horizontally with the butt below the armpit a little, firing side forearm along the stock. Keep the muzzle below the projected flight path of the target.
Take a step as if you were going to walk to the target but stop after that initial step. Your nose, forward knee and the big toe on your leading foot should be more/less perpendicular. Mount the gun and call for the bird or take the shot if using a static target.
On flushing birds, move in slowly and at the flush, PICK YOUR TARGET, and step towards it as above, mounting during the step. You won't believe how much better your shooting will become.
Hope this helps, sing out if there's something I didn't cover or explain well....
Stance starts with foot position. While exact position varies from shooter to shooter and shot to shot,basically the forward foot points toward the point where the bird will contact the shot cloud, AKA the break point.The rear foot is splayed and back a bit, usually maybe half a foot's length. For most shots, the weight is more on the forward foot. Lean into the shot for recoil control and focus.Keeping the front knee slightly bent and the rear leg straight but not locking that knee is how most folks do the leaning part. Do not bend your body at the waist.
How much to lean is debatable. Note how good trapshooters often use a very erect stance, while many good skeet shooters operate from a crouched position. Leaning into it aids kick control, but a more erect stance gives a little easier full swing, from the ankles up.
Caveat,the heavier loads need more lean for comfort, but for this I hope you're using the lightest loads you can find.Heavier loads are for later and as needed.
SC and field shots seem to use a variety of positions,and it pays to experiment and see how any position works for or against you.
A common mistake we shotgunners make with stance is the 90 degree turn stance to the target or break point. Think of a Medieval archer with his longbow and clothyard shafts. This doesn't work too well. All too often the butt is on the arm, not in the "Cup" inside the shoulder joint. This is guaranteed to cause pain as well as limit the swing, lift the face off the stock, and waste the shot.
Here's my suggestion for a starting position. Stand square to the break point. Feet should be about shoulder width apart.Hold your shotgun horizontally with the butt below the armpit a little, firing side forearm along the stock. Keep the muzzle below the projected flight path of the target.
Take a step as if you were going to walk to the target but stop after that initial step. Your nose, forward knee and the big toe on your leading foot should be more/less perpendicular. Mount the gun and call for the bird or take the shot if using a static target.
On flushing birds, move in slowly and at the flush, PICK YOUR TARGET, and step towards it as above, mounting during the step. You won't believe how much better your shooting will become.
Hope this helps, sing out if there's something I didn't cover or explain well....
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