Sustained Lead vs. Target Focus

[TrapperReady]

As I mentioned in another thread, I found myself using a sustained lead method of shooting this weekend... which is in direct contrast to my normal "swing-through" or "pull-through" technique. As I've thought more about this, I'm a bit perplexed.

I've always tried very hard to follow the maxim of "Watch the Target!". In other words, I pretty much ignore the barrel and sight, and focus on making sure that I've got a good view of the leading edge of the clay or bird I want to drop. In the past, when I've been able to really notice the front bead during the swing and/or shot, then I tend to do poorly.

However, as I've replayed the many crossing presentations I shot (quite well I might add) this past week, one thing is clear... I was paying attention to the bead. Not exclusively, but definitely more than normal. It was enough that I could tell almost exactly how much I had been leading a particular target (2', 4', 18", etc...). Normally, when using swing-through I only pay attention to "seeing some daylight" or "seeing a lot of daylight" ahead of the target. Typically, if a fellow shooter asks me how much lead I give a target, I can only answer "some" or "a bunch".

Now, I know skeet shooters who almost exclusively use sustained lead, and they know exactly how much they need for each station. IMO, they must be paying some kind of attention to the front bead, despite the claims of "target focus".

So what do you think? Does a sustained lead method of shooting require more attention to the bead... and if so, does that detract from focusing on the target?

 

[Dave McCracken]

With sustained lead, I'm more conscious of the barrel's position, not so much the bead. I do better with swing through, though that is slowly changing.

Some fine shots tell me that being able to do both methods is crucial to becoming a good shotgunner. IMO, just as important would be recognizing when to use either.

 

[kudu]

I use sustained lead for the most part. I am not aware of the bead so much, but I am projecting a measuring tape out there in front of the target and focusing on that point. Being mostly a skeet shooter, I find myself swinging through trap targets because of less percieved lead. Sporting clays my mind assesses the target and my head takes over from there, usually a sustained lead.

IMO it's all good.

 

[PJR]

Does a sustained lead method of shooting require more attention to the bead... and if so, does that detract from focusing on the target?

I shoot both methods and sustained lead does require more awareness of barrel position than swing through. I work hard to keep my use of sustained lead/pull away to a minimum but find it works best for me on dropping targets.

The analogy I would use is the difference between a zoom lens and a wide angle. The zoom has you on the target exclusively while the wide angle means you are seeing more in the periphery but the central focus must remain on the target

Sustained lead often leads to shooters measuring targets. Watch enough other guys and you can notice when they do it. Their gun slows down just before they shoot and most often they miss behind.

Paul

 

[45auto]

IMHO, I don't think sustained lead requires more "bead focus". It may seem that way to you now because you are new to it and trying to "measure" lead difference since you didn't swing past the target.

I use it on certain shots and in the beginning it was difficult because I did focus more on the bead(more time), and I missed a lot. Once I went back to focusing on the target, the bead was "gone", so to speak.

It's good to be able to shoot both styles depending on the targets.