Judging the Distance

[Ed Blake]

This is not a Parker thread so much as it is a general shooting thread. We were shooting 5-stand over Thanksgiving and noticed the 6-bird was way out there. So much so that when you connected with it there was a noticeable gap in the report of the gun and the break of the bird. You heard the gun and then ----- the bird broke. At what distance does this begin to happen? Since the 5-stand is on an old skeet field and the shooting stations align with the #4 position, I was judging the bird to be maybe 40 yards out. All other shots were instantaneous with the sound of the gun.

[Bill Murphy]

Late hits can happen at surprisingly short ranges when we are way off the bird for a light hit, especially behind.

[Gary Laudermilch]

We use the 40 yard rule when we see a delay between report and break. Of course it could be way beyond 40.

[Dave Suponski]

We see it all the time when shooting 27 yard handicap

[John Truitt]

More choke!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[William Davis]

Oceana ?

If so the 6 bird, depending on the wind is more than 40 yards. I figure the 4 bird on that course at 30-35. Anyhow breaking the 6 delay shot to break is very noticeable. Without plenty of choke it's a lost target

40 yard rule is probably a very good one

William

[Kevin McCormack]

Depends on the velocity of the load.

[Ed Blake]

Good point Kevin. We were using Herter's 1oz at 1,050 fps; however, others on the line were using everything from Gun Clubs to Wallyworld Winchesters. Still a gap in report and break. Yes, William Davis it was at Oceana, and the 6 bird can be broken with a skeet choke. I think the 4 bird is closer to 25 yards though.

[William Davis]

It can be broken with a Skeet choke, I have broken it with a 12 G O/U IC chokes and factory 1 1/8 oz # 8, but tight chokes and 7 1/2 is a better option.

It varies a lot depending on the wind, when you saw the delay its due to distance For sure.

William.

[todd allen]

If the target breaks after the shot, and before it hits the ground, it is a dead target. How far out it is doesn't matter.