Clay Target Q&A
With Russell Mark, Olympic gold and silver medallist
Questions: russell@corporateshootingstars.com.au
Q I read with interest a previous column you wrote in the Australian Shooter on the disadvantage Trap shooters have when shooting with one eye closed, as opposed to those who shoot with both eyes open. I am left-eye dominant, but have to shoot clays from my right shoulder as I just can’t seem to shoot from my left side, as I do everything else in my life right-handed. I close my left eye and seem to shoot okay. Read more
Q I enjoy your monthly column to the point where I am now contemplating joining a clay target club just to have some recreational fun and maybe in the future join the occasional competition. I have enjoyed many forms of shotgun shooting over the past year, but I was wondering what you believe the best type of clay target event would be for me to join. Read more
Q Do you recommend earplugs or earmuffs when you are shooting? I have had a set of earmuffs given to me for my birthday, but when I mount my gun to my shoulder, I often knock the earmuffs from my head. Are earplugs sufficient? Answer
Q I was interested to know whether there has been any follow up with the International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF) as to the inclusion of Sporting Clays in future Olympic Games. Answer
Q I recently bought a new shotgun after years of buying older secondhand models. I have never patterned a gun before, but was convinced to do this by several people who said it would help me set the shotgun up with the correct stock height position as it has an adjustable comb. I did this at 30m because I thought this is the average distance where clays would be broken. Read more
Q In your opinion, if you were to buy only one shotgun to shoot every possible type of shotgun sport, ranging from the Olympic clay target events such as Trap, Double Trap and International Skeet right through to the domestic events of DTL, American Skeet and Sporting Clays, but also having to use the same shotgun for hunting ducks, geese and quail, what shotgun configuration would you use? Read more
Q I have purchased a secondhand Trap gun, which I am told is about 20 years old. Being reasonably new to the sport of clay target shooting, I am a little confused about all the numbers and symbols on the barrel under the fore-end. Can you shed some light on this for me? Answer
Q I have been shooting Trap for more than one year now and have worked my way back to a 21m handicap with a standard Miroku Trap gun. Do you have any suggestions that you can give me to improve for when I shoot from this distance and even further back? Read more
Q My son is 18 this year and has been shooting normal Trap at our local club for the past year. He is now a competent A-Grade competitor and is no longer eligible for Junior Awards in domestic events. However, under International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF) rules, he will still be eligible to shoot as a junior for a couple more years. Read more
Q I am told by many people that I ‘cant’ my shotgun to the left and this will hold me back from improving. I shoot a Beretta 682X Trap shotgun with a raised rib. In layman’s terms, can you please explain what ‘cant’ is and tell me if it makes a difference to how I shoot, especially with this raised rib gun? Read more
Q Over the past 12 months, I have really started to enjoy clay target shooting. I recently went to a range that shoots at night and shot very poorly. I am told you need to shoot a different technique when shooting clays under lights. Is this true and what color shooting lenses are best when shooting at night? Answer
Q I would like you to settle an argument about shooting at the Olympics. I was told that live pigeons were once used instead of clay targets at the Olympic Games. Is this correct? Answer
Q I started shooting several months ago and I am not sure what eye I should be closing. I do most things in life right-handed, although I do play golf left-handed. How do I determine which shoulder I should be shooting from? I feel very uncomfortable shooting from my left shoulder. Answer
Q I have been looking at buying a secondhand Miroku shotgun to shoot clay targets and to hunt with, but several people have warned me not to purchase this particular firearm because the wood in the stock has a couple of ‘knots’ in it instead of the normal long ‘stripe’ grain that you see in many guns. Read more
Q I am having trouble understanding what the term ‘dram equivalent’ means on my boxes of shotshells. Are more drams better than fewer drams? I have some boxes with ‘3 drams’ printed on them and others that say ‘3.5 drams’. They are 1.125oz loads. Can you shed some light on this? Answer
Q Can you please tell me what the maximum load I can shoot Trap with is? I have heard different versions of what is regarded legal and how is it regulated. Also, is there a limitation on the velocity of the shotshell? Answer
Q I am having trouble with a shotgun of mine that I believe shoots very high. To correct myself here, I know the gun doesn’t shoot high, but that it’s the height of the stock and where my face sits on the stock that makes it shoot high. Read more
Q I am curious about getting an adjustable comb fitted to my Beretta 686 shotgun, as I have never really been happy with either the height of the stock in relation to the barrel or how straight my eye is down the rib of the barrel. Read more
Q I need to settle an argument I have with a longtime shooting colleague. He shoots a 28" barrel over-and-under shotgun and I shoot a 30" barrel. We both want our firearms to shoot higher at their point of impact, as we intend on shooting some Trap targets. Read more
Q I shoot Down the Line at various clubs in New South Wales mainly for fun, but I would like to get better to the point where I could shoot competitions. There is one range where I shoot at on the coast and I find it very hard because the targets always appear very low there. Read more
Q I bought a Miroku Grade 10 Sporting shotgun about 12 months ago, which I really enjoy shooting, but I seem to be looking down the left side of the barrel after I have mounted the gun. I was told there are only two solutions to this: grinding the wood off the left side of the stock or actually bending the stock over to give it more cast. Read more
Q I was at a major Sporting Clays event late last year watching several competitors whom I am told are the country’s best. I am only a C-grade shooter, so I hoped to pick up some tips. The only thing I learned was the art of ‘claiming targets’. Read more
Q I read with interest an earlier article you wrote about the position of your left hand on the fore-end of your firearm and the angle your elbow should be positioned in. My biggest battle is trying to understand where to position my right elbow. Read more
Q My father gave me a beautiful Browning shotgun, which I want my son to use to shoot clay targets with when he gets older. I have tried it a few times, but the gun stock is definitely too high, which I have confirmed by patterning the gun. Read more
Q I have an old shotgun that I shoot fairly well, but it recoils upwards after firing the first shot. I am told that altering the pitch at the end of the stock will correct this problem. Is this true and will modifying the pitch change where the gun actually shoots? Answer
Q Can you tell me the advantage of buying a gun with a case-hardened action? I like the appearance of them, but don’t really understand if this process is only for cosmetic reasons. How is it done and does it actually make the gun stronger? Answer
Q What is the advantage of having a trigger mechanism that has leaf-type firing springs, as opposed to a mechanism that has coil springs? Answer
Q Can you explain to me the purpose of a mid-sight for my barrel? I have recently tried a friend’s gun that had one and I found it easier to aim at targets. Answer
Q A year ago I bought a very expensive Italian shotgun and had it fitted to me by an experienced firearms dealer. My problem is since I bought this shotgun, no matter what I try I cannot hit any target that goes to the right. Read more
Q I am constantly confused where to position my left hand (I am a right-handed shooter) on the fore-end of the gun. If I hold it short or near the action of the gun, I think I shoot the targets faster, but if I hold it at the end, I feel I can point the gun better, however, I often feel like I am overstretching. Read more
Q I have set up a gun to shoot DTL over the past couple of years that I am very happy with and I have now reached AA Grade. This gun shoots reasonably high (60 per cent). I have now taken up shooting Olympic Trap and have bought another gun of exactly the same brand and barrel length, which is 75cm. Read more
Q Is there any particular reason why the price of shotshells is continuing to climb? With two kids shooting, it is becoming hard to stay involved in the sport and if things don’t change soon, we will have to look at another activity. Answer
Q Some time ago you wrote in the Australian Shooter that there was no chance that Sporting Clays will ever become an Olympic event. I am now told that you will have to eat your words. Is this true? Answer
Q I am astounded on how much we pay for new shotguns here in Australia compared to what the price they are advertised on websites in the United States. Is there any law against getting someone with a dealer’s license to import a gun from overseas into Australia for me? Answer
Q Russell, my father recently passed away and he has left me his reloader and all of the components that go with it. Over the past two years with the cost of lead escalating and with less reloadable hulls available at gun clubs, I am starting to think its no longer worth the time and effort. Read more
Q I am currently looking at putting a portable clay target thrower on my farm. We own a property that is several hundred hectares and where we will be shooting at least 500m from the nearest neighbouring boundary. What I am wondering is exactly how far I should actually leave as a safety template. Read more
Q I have been shooting Sporting Clays, Skeet and DTL for a couple of years now with very mixed results. I like experimenting with different things with my guns and ammunition. I was recently told that practising with very tight chokes will help me improve my accuracy. Read more
Q I have been involved in a debate for several months with a couple of shooters about shot strings and whether they actually exist. Is it an advantage to use a really tight choked gun to get a longer shot string working for me? Answer
Q I have been shooting Sporting Clays with particular 32g shotshells for targets that are in the range of 35m and further with limited success for the past year. Is this in my head or are lower-velocity shotshells the way to go? Read more
Q Do you think the Clay Target shooting sports are in jeopardy here in Australia? I keep hearing about a decline in numbers, but what worries me is that I have also heard of the same trend in the United States. If they are in trouble in the US, then I would have concerns about us here in the future. Read more
Q I recently purchased a new trap gun and it has a stock called a Monte Carlo on it, which sits very low on my shoulder pocket. It also recoils a little harder than what I am used to and it seems to kick upwards, especially when I am using heavier shotshells. Read more
Q I have been shooting Trap and Skeet at several different clubs in Queensland and I have noticed how much variation there is in the speed of the targets. Is there a rule that states exactly how far a clay target must be thrown, no matter what climatic conditions are occurring? Read more
Q I have the Clay Target shooting bug at the moment and I admit that I am really excited by the sport, even though I am only practice shooting at present. I am shooting in and around Melbourne two or three days a week, but would really would like to see if I could make some money out of the sport. Read more
Q I have recently been trying out some 24g loads on Trap that I won at a Christmas shoot. I found them extremely easy to use as far as recoil was concerned and the breaks I am getting with them are superb. Most times there is nothing, but dust left. Read more
Q I am totally confused about the choke tubes I have for a secondhand Perazzi 12-gauge MX 8 shotgun that I purchased recently. It has had variable screw-in choke tubes fitted after the first owner purchased the gun. Can you enlighten me as to what each choke tube may be? Read more
Q I have been shooting Sporting Clays just for fun for a couple of years and I have never mastered the Springing Teal target which goes straight up in the air. Everyone says I shoot under it, so I raised the adjustable comb of my gun a couple of millimetres, but it didn’t seem to do anything. Read more
Q I have been shooting with one eye for the past five years with only limited success. I shoot from the right shoulder, but I am left eye dominant. I have tried shooting from the left shoulder, but this is too ‘unnatural’ for me. I have tried two eyes many times and have no success at all. Read more
Q Do you find that listening to music helps you shoot better? Answer
Q When you are shooting in a competition, I was told the only thing that will postpone the match is a thunderstorm with the possibility of a lightning strike. Is this correct? Answer
Q I have been trying different shotguns to use in Sporting Clays, but I am having trouble determining whether or not I am looking down the centre of the barrels when I mount the gun from the ‘off the shoulder’ position. Do you have any tips on how to mount the gun more consistently? Answer
Q I want to make my gun swing much quicker as I feel my barrels are too heavy causing me to shot behind all the hard angled targets. I was told putting some weight in the stock of my gun will help. What is your opinion? Answer
Q I want to settle an argument with a friend of mine that I shoot with. Is it possible to determine the flight path of a target before it is released on any of these new clay target machines such as the ones they use at the National Shooting Ground in Wagga Wagga? Read more
Q I was told recently that a group of shooters were being used by the Institute of Sport as ‘guinea pigs’ to see whether large doses of caffeine help clay target shooters. Does caffeine help? Answer
Q I was wondering what you think about practicing my Trap and Skeet skills by using very tight chokes to train with and then opening up the chokes to normal for competition? I believe this might fine-tune my accuracy. Answer
Q Is there any reason why my granddaughter can’t shoot clay targets as good as men? Answer
Q I have been shooting Trap for several years and I am still confused about where to start my gun in relation to the trap house when I call for the target to be released. What is your opinion? Answer
Q I have been shooting centrefire rifles for many years and have recently started shooting shotguns. I have only ever loaded my own ammunition for rifle shooting but I am surprised that hardly anyone reloads for clay target competitions. Is this cost or quality related? Answer
Q What is the ideal weight for a Trap Gun? Answer
Q I have noticed many shooters these days use step-rib or raised ribs on their barrels. Can you tell me the advantages or disadvantages of these ribs? Answer
Q My club shoots some of its events at night time under pretty good lights. What are the best color lenses to wear at night? Answer
Q Lately, I have seen clay targets at our local gun club that don’t break completely but have little pieces fly off the side of them that are hardly noticeable. Even if the target does not break completely is this still classed as a hit when only a tiny chip comes of it? Read more
Q My son has recently started shooting clay targets and likes all of the disciplines. I was told that soon Sporting Clays will become an Olympic event. Is this correct? Answer
Q Is there any correct way to stand when shooting clays? I shoot just for fun but I can’t find any instructional books on how to do the basic things. Answer
Q Would you recommend training for big events by making the targets faster so that when the competition day arrives the targets will appear easier? Answer
Q I have read many articles on patterning guns and I am very confused. I have an old Beretta 680 Trap Gun that I shoot fairly good DTL with. I recently patterned the gun with a friend at 40 yards as I was told this is the recognised standard distance for patterning shotguns. Read more
Q I was told recently that 90 per cent of shotgun shooters need a custom-made stock to shoot clay targets competitively. In your opinion, is this true? Answer