How can I shoot clays that come overhead from behind?

ShootingUK is the complete shooting resource for the British shooting community. From shotgun licence and shotgun certificate information to gun reviews, game shooting, clay shooting and more.

| Next

How can I shoot clays that come overhead from behind?

The simplest way to achieve a kill is to pick the kill spot, decide where you're going to see the bird clearly and then address the muzzles mid-way between the two.

By John Bidwell

Friday, 29 August 2008

My bogey bird is anything that comes overhead from behind.

Things have got so bad I now dread going into the stand knowing full well I'm going to walk away with a big fat zero on my scorecard. Can you PLEASE help?

Tuition
JOHN BIDWELL says:
This type of target can easily catch anyone out because it's flying in the opposite direction to our natural gun mount.

To get a better idea of what I mean you should watch how a fellow struggler goes about the task.

Stand to one side and you will probably see that he adopts a weight forward stance so that when his gun comes to the face and shoulder the muzzles are going in the opposite direction to the target.

All sorts of things can now go wrong.

First he will stop the gun and lose sight of the clay behind the barrels and fore-end forcing him to lift his head to regain visual contact and, second, he will then stab at the fast retreating clay with his gun muzzles, missing high and behind.

To hit this bird consistently you must move the gun muzzles with it as the stock comes to the shoulder, and the only way to do this is to start with the weight on the back foot. Aim of the game is to keep the muzzles under, and ahead of, the target from start to finish.

The simplest way to achieve this is to pick the kill spot, decide where you're going to see the bird clearly and then address the muzzles mid-way between the two. Now rock onto the back foot, look up and call for the bird.

As soon as it appears start mounting the gun and, at the same time, begin transferring your weight to the front foot - a movement that will drive the gun forward with the target.

As a rule of thumb I would say the gun needs to be securely mounted by the time you're mid-way through changing weight from back to front foot.

To ensure the gun keeps moving in the required manner the shot should be taken just before the exchange is complete.

Done correctly the target will stay in view above the barrel from the moment you clap eyes on it to the second you squeeze the trigger.

Successful shooting on this type of target is all down to timing so do spend time practicing the right moves and gun mount at home.