Barrel Length   I am considering moving up to 32-inch barrels from 30-inch barrels. Most of the shooters at my club now shoot with 32-inch barrels. What are the pros and cons of moving to a longer barrel?   With all other factors being equal (shell, load, etc.), there is no appreciable advantage in shooting a shotgun with a 34-inch or 32-inch barrel length over one with a 30-inch barrel. In recent years, the trend has been toward longer barrel lengths without regard to the size and height of the shooter or balance of the shotgun. This is a mistake, in my opinion. This trend is … [Read more...]

Driven Birds   I live in England and I am primarily a driven bird shooter. Traditional shotgunning techniques don’t seem to work with this target. I’ve read Churchill and Stanbury but I have never seen the 40- to 60-yard driven bird addressed in a video. Any advice?   Simply put, the preferred technique for engaging a driven target is pass-through, also known as swing-through. I’m not a big fan of swing-through in most circumstances, but anyone who tells you that sustained lead will work on a driven target hasn’t shot driven targets. First, let’s define a driven bird as an … [Read more...]

Trigger-to-Grip Length   I have a problem with the gun going off before I want it to. An instructor told me I “choke up” on the gun. He said I tend to grip the shotgun too far up toward the receiver. I’m shorter than average and have a small hand. What should I do?   It sounds like you are shooting with a gun that has a “reach” or trigger-to-grip length that is too large for your hand. Trigger-to-grip length is the distance between the trigger and the end of the pistol grip of your stock. When this dimension is appropriate for you, your trigger finger easily reaches the trigger … [Read more...]

Practice Rounds   Do you believe shooting a round of 50 or 100 is the best type of training there is to increase your scores in sporting clays, or do you believe there are other routes to achieve percentage growth in this game?   Practice is most beneficial if you adhere to three basic rules: 1) Practice to address a specific aspect of your game; 2) Practice toward a specific goal; 3) Remember game play is critical. Let’s cover one at a time. When you initiate a practice session, you should be focused on one or two specific aspects of your game. Mastering a technique needed … [Read more...]