Judging the Distance
 

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.

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

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

We see it all the time when shooting 27 yard handicap

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

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

Depends on the velocity of the load.

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.

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.

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.