Learning to shoot the .410

[todd allen]

When I was growing my game in the target world, I learned a lot from the older guys in the game. Steve Carmichael, Earl Scripture, Dan Bonillas, etc.
Steve C. told me that the more gun movement you made, the more chance you had of missing the target.
The challenge with the "little guns" for me has always been slowing the 12 ga target gun muscle memory input that gets applied to the little gun.
I like to start the dove season here with something different like the .410, or in this year's case, a somewhat diminutive Parker 16 hammer gun.
I started the dove season with 4 misses in a row with the 16.
The bore size is less of an issue than the weight and dynamics of the "little guns", and is something I sometimes struggle with.
I started my target shooting career with a Model 12 30" vent rib trap gun, that I also used on ducks.
As a kid, I shot that gun quite well! Then a svelte little 6 lb 20 ga SxS came into my life, and a light bulb came on. Less input, more game birds in the bag.
Then a Nitro Express .410 dropped into my collection, and later a beautiful little NID .410.
The need for a light touch and minimalist input really came into focus with the .410s.

[Bill Murphy]

Yup, the .410 requires a light touch as well as many rounds. When I knew what end the shot comes out, a few years ago, I ran 246X250 with my Model 42 Cutts gun, all rounds back to back. I was out to shoot just a couple of rounds of practice, but just kept shooting as long as I was doing well. I have never shot my regular K-32 skeet gun as well. My friend, Kevin McCormack, shoots sporting clays with a .410 Citori and does as well as with bigger guns.

[Mike of the Mountain]

Originally Posted by todd allen

When I was growing my game in the target world, I learned a lot from the older guys in the game. Steve Carmichael, Earl Scripture, Dan Bonillas, etc.
Steve C. told me that the more gun movement you made, the more chance you had of missing the target.

Todd, as my first coach taught me decades ago, "Random gun movement loses targets." I agree with Steve C. 100%.