Craig, Awhile back John Higgins was at Backwoods for two months offering clay shooting instruction. One thing I heard him say to many students, "shooting skeet is the best practice for sporting clays, especially stations 3,4,&5.
Now for a little laugh. I read in Sporting Clays USA magazine a while back. One of the instructors who writes a regular column, stated " you have to let you sub conscious take control of your conscious mind." I guess that means you should shoot unconscious. LOL

Tom

He's right because crossers are the targets with lowest hit rate most shooters. Only thing is take 3 4 & 5 low gun and if the club will let you, behind and in front of the shooting box. Same target all the time get good at it then go to longer targets, it's another thing.

William

I will only give you a tidbit of information because I normally charge $400 an hour for individual instruction and I don't want to overcharge you. OK, here goes. Light gun, heavy gun, put them in your hands in shooting position. Move the gun with your eyes and your body the same way, regardless of the weight of the gun. Overpower or muscle the heavy gun so that that it feels the same as the light one. Use your eyes to approach the target, not your arms. When you start the heavy gun, don't let the weight of the gun slow you down. Don't swing either gun like it is a bat. The gun is attached to your upper body and should move with the target at the same speed, no matter the weight of the gun. Gun too heavy? Remember, you are a man and shouldn't notice. Gun too light? Don't push the gun at the speed you are physically able to push it. That is too fast. Follow the target with your eyes and pretend that the gun is not there. It is hard to overswing on a target that you are actually seeing well. Why in hell should you swing the gun faster than the target is moveing. Use your eyes to determine how fast the target is moving. OK, that's it. No charge.

I shoot better when I'm aggressive no matter if it's a 12 or a 410.
When I shot registered skeet I used a Beretta 687 EELL with 30 inch barrels and Briley sub gauge tubes. My scores with the 20ga were better and I ended up shooting the 20 in the 12ga event and doubles. Back then we didn't have the lighter 12ga loads we do now.

The .410 SKEETER that I owned a few years back weighed 6 lbs., 12 oz. with either set of barrels. (both were 26") I shot better skeet scores with that gun than any 12, 16, or 20 that I ever used.

I think that tubed gun gave you a few more ounces in the barrels and some folks just do better with a gun that is slightly heavier in the front end to help with a smoother swing for the way they hold the gun.

What point did we miss?






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Thanks everyone excellent input. When I forgot about the gun I shot well when I started thinking about how little and light it is i struggled. If I got aggressive with the target i way over swung. If I slowed down my swing it smoothed out. Practice practice it's fun to work on a skill outside your comfort zone.

I'm looking for it. If Daisy finds she will hold point until we figure it out:rotf:

Craig lets shoot a round of 20ga at Hausmanns. Maybe we can help each other, it's been a very long time since I had to swing an 8lb 12 ga:eek:
Some of us will arrive Wed to shoot Rock Mtn on Thursday if you would care to join us. I plan on shooting the upgraded 28 at the Rock.

OK, another $400 worth. Dean, I doesn't know what "Other folks" as you describe them, do with a heavy gun or a light gun. It is your job to shoot well with all guns. You are not locked into one gun or the other. You must learn how to shoot all guns rather than to have an excuse for the gun you are shooting today. Dr. Truitt doesn't excuse himself when he is shooting a light gun or a short gun. He shoots them all well and makes his corrections over the next few months. OK, this was not a freebie. You owe me $400.

Think about it golfer can strike the ball well 9 iron through the Driver. Reason is he practices the whole bag of clubs. Set up is different short clubs to long, causes no problems as long as he sets up properly for the shot. Shotgun no different.

William