What's the best way to hit dropping targets?

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What's the best way to hit dropping targets?

You need to decide where you want to break it and where you are going to address it with the muzzles.

By John Bidwell

Wednesday, 01 October 2008

What's the best way to hit incoming birds, droppers, that hit the ground, say, 20 yards out from the stand?

Tuition
JOHN BIDWELL says:
This is a question that crops up in a number of guises on a fairly regular basis and it gets the same answer - the easiest way to break it is to maintain the lead on it from the moment you start to mount the gun until after you've pulled the trigger.

In other words, the muzzles stay beneath the target at all times.

What you don't want to do is let this clay drop below the barrels thereby impairing your view of it - if this happens you can-t help but lift your head from the stock and, for good measure, encourage you to stop the movement of the muzzles as well.

As with each and every other target you tackle you need to decide where you want to break it and where you are going to address it with the muzzles.

Chances are you might see this type of bird coming from a fair distance but one of the secrets to shooting it is not to start moving until it reaches the point you've already selected as your holding place.

If you mount too soon and don't pull the trigger you will simply end up aiming at the target as you track it, an act that makes it extremely difficult to get underneath and hit it.

Some birds are best broken just above their settling point but don't be afraid to take the shot a lot sooner if the target is comfortably in range before it starts to drop.

With targets like this the rate of drop increases when the speed slows down, and it might also start slipping off to one side just for good measure.

Taking this target a little earlier means it will be flying more consistently and the increased distance also gives your shot pattern a better chance to open out properly.

Wherever you decide to shoot it the golden rule is to keep your weight nicely over the front foot to discourage the possibility of head lifting and prevent that subconscious tendency to rock backward as a target drifts in toward you.