Jack,
One of the most important thing championship SC shooters share in common is the ability to "read" the targets. They are good at analyzing the target's path and determining the best point to break the bird. Trap setters can be sneaky and know how to make the path of the bird look deceiving. Each group of shooters will be given two "show birds" at each stand so they will know the targets' paths before they attempt to shoot. If you are the first gun on the stand PAY ATTENTION to the show birds because you only get one look. If someone is shooting ahead of you, continue to study the target paths as they shoot.
Most targets on most SC courses can be broken with IC chokes, but some are a little farther out. If you are shooting a double gun, of course you will often have different chokes in each barrel. Once you determine where you will break each target, do as Harry suggested and let that be your guide as to which barrel to use on which target. I always shoot the closer target with the more open-choked barrel, even if that means firing the left barrel first (sometimes the first target is farther than the second). Also, determining where you will break the target allows you to pre-position your stance so that as you swing to the firing point you will be optimally positioned when it comes time to fire. Once you position your feet to be optimal for the breaking point, if the target is a hard crosser from the extreme left or right, you can "pre-wind" your swing a little by rotating at the waist towards the point where the target will first appear without disturbing the positioning of your feet.
Most (but not all) targets are missed behind. This may be because of not enough lead, but more common is a stopped swing with no follow-through. If you are used to snap-shooting roosters this may be a habit that you have unknowingly developed (not saying you have, but just to watch out for it). Keep the barrels swinging after the shot. I try to remind myself to continue the swing on the pieces of a broken bird, or the remaining path of a missed bird. This may not be possible on the first bird of a pair because of the need to get on the second one quickly.
Rabbits are ??? just different every time. The only tip I have for them is a personal thing I picked up on my own. If they are thrown briskly over rough ground there will often be a point where they tend to make a big hop. I always look for the big hop and take them in the air (even if it isn't at the point I planned for). The reason is that when they make a big hop, for a brief moment their path becomes predictable as long as they are airborne. When they are on the ground they are completely unpredictable and always seem to know how to hop over your pattern just as you pull the trigger. One good thing is that you can usually see your shot and tell if your lead was right or wrong.
Battues are the thin flat targets. They will eventually curve and roll over on their side as they fly. Usually you should wait for that to happen before taking them because they present a much bigger target at that point. They are razor thin and difficult to break from the side, so wait till they show you at least some of their top or bottom as they roll over.
Minis are the ones that look like little orange nickels shot out of a cannon. They are usually not as fast as they appear because 1) they appear faster because they are small, and 2) they lose velocity quickly because of their lack of mass. It's just an illusion to be aware of.
You're going to have a ball, by the way, whether you shoot well or not. Good luck!
Jim
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05-22-2010, 08:13 PM
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