Shotgun 101, McCracken style

[Girlwithagun]

I just got home from an awesome shotgun lesson with our very own Dave McCracken. Thanks to Dave for helping me! Hopefully I will remember everything you taught me, including just having fun with it! It felt great to smash those pigeons to pieces, although I want to be able to do it everytime!
My shoulder isn't hurting at all but my back and arms are from using those muscles I rarely have to use. I guess I need to get out to the range more to strengthen them up.
Thanks again, Dave and hope to see you at PGC again! I'll post the picture I took as soon as I get it off my camera.

*gets comfy in her chair and starts to read up on posts by Dave*

 

[sm]

GirlwithaSHOTgun


Hey - does this mean the 391 is a keeper?

I'm so glad you had a great time, and rec'd a personal Shotgun 101 from Dave. I'm jealous...I don't see how I will ever get one of these

If you can take NSAIDS ( like Advil) take one before you shoot next time.

With an unloaded gun of course, practice mounting correctly that gun / dryfiring at imaginary targets. This will build stamina, re -enforce correct mounting, swing and follow through. Say 25 for starters every day, then work up.

You WILL be rewarded by less fatige, powered birds, and a bigger grin next time out - I promise.

 

[anapex]

Hey - does this mean the 391 is a keeper?

Yeah it is, She just keeps giving me this big goofy grin about it. I also made the mistake of running a round of trap through it myself after Dave left. It shot A LOT better then the one rental 391 I had shot before. Now I just have to find a way to relieve her of it like she did with my 1911....

 

[sm]

Girlwithagun

anapex said...

you grin goofy,he put "misses" in YOUR gun, and probably gave it cooties...

anapex, get some reading glasses, snag a magnifying glass while your at it.
Ready?

The small print reads " What is your yours is hers and what is hers is hers" .

Got it?

 

[Dave McCracken]

Glad to help, folks. A couple things...

Shotgun 101 does work. It will not make an Olympic grade shooter out of anyone. It's designed to teach basic skills, get a new shotgunner over the first few humps, and let them have fun while learning the instant gratification of making a clay explode. Once the fun happens, the urge to do this again kicks in.

I use a trap range for the starting off part, but a skeet, wobble, 5 stand range, or a hand launcher will work also. Do use moving targets when possible.

Once you're hitting the majority of targets, change games, or toughen things up by shooting from a longer range or going to a tighter choke.

After a few sessions, keep a written score. This will show your progress.

You may want to count ONLY those targets that are annihilated. Not chips or lightly struck targets.Remember you're going for the leading edge.

Drymounts at home groove in your mount and builds those muscles you need for this up.

Do not let slumps mess with your head. Go down the checklist.

Mine reads...

Am I behind the gun and is it in the right place?

Am I standing facing where I want to break the bird?

Am I stopping the swing?

Am I lifting my head?

Am I focussed on DESTROYING that leading molecule?

Am I overintellectualizing or am I just shooting the thing?

And so on.

HTH....

 

[Girlwithagun]

Dave (McCracken) and Dave (ANApex) doing a flurry. Good fun!

Edit: Ok picture coming soon because somehow it wasn't added and it didn't let me delete this post...I'll try again.

 

[Hawk]

My biggest surprise returning to shotguns after a loooong layoff was how much and how long 75 rounds can hurt. And it's all from using muscles that don't ordinarily get used.

Oh well, it's only an issue after the first lesson.

Actually, the plan was for 100 rounds but my instructor said I was looking a little shaky after 75. I am NOT out of shape: round is a shape.

The seed has taken root (again). I can't wait to get back.