Good Gun Mount What's the best way to perfect my mount? The best way to perfect your mount is to practice to perfection, but first let me share with you my five rules of movement: 1) Keep the weight of the gun in your hands and lead with the front hand, 2) Keep the head still, 3) Move at a comfortable pace, 4) Mount to the cheek, not the shoulder, and 5) Commit to the finish (i.e., commit to your break point and watch the target break). Never forget that a good gun mount starts with a proper stance and ready position. The following are the most common flaws I see in a … [Read more...]
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The Z
The Z "I’ve heard you talk about a ‘Z.’ What is the Z, and how should we plan for a target pair?" One fundamental principle of shotgunning is that gun movement between hold points and break points should always be straight lines. We plan these straight-line movements during pre-shot planning. When shooting pairs, the movement of our shotgun should be three straight lines between four points — like a Z. As you call for the target pair, you initiate your move from your initial hold point. You move to the break point of target #1,then to the hold point of target #2 and … [Read more...]
Rule of 16ths
Rule of 16ths "How does the rule of 16ths apply to shotgun fitting?" The “rule of 16ths” has been employed by gun fitters for more than 100 years. It is used to estimate the amount of additional cast-on or cast-off needed to yield the correctpoint of impact (POI) for a given shotgun and a given shooter. Basically, the rule says that for every 16th of an inch of cast added or subtracted from a shotgun at the heel, the point of aim (center of the pattern) will be affected by one inch for a target that is 16 yards from the shooter. So theoretically, if you are shooting two … [Read more...]
Ask the Instructor: Target Database
Target Database "If a properly fitted shotgun is supposed to shoot where you are looking and the key to hitting a target is to apply hard focus to the target, then why are we often behind every bird?” There are two issues at the heart of your question. First, you may be stopping or slowing your muzzle just prior to the break point. This is most commonly caused by an attempt to measure the barrel-target relationship at the end of your “stroke,” just prior to shot execution. Essentially, you are attempting to consciously measure and apply the appropriate lead, otherwise … [Read more...]
Ask the Instructor: Flinching
Flinching "I have a flinch I’d like to be rid of. What is the best way to break this bad habit?" Contrary to popular belief, a flinch is never a habit and is very rarely due to anticipation of recoil. Yet many will switch to lighter loads, some even converting to a smaller-gauge gun, in order to stop a flinch. By far the most expensive yet useless attempt to rid oneself of a flinch involves having a release trigger installed in a shotgun. Newsflash! The cause of a flinch is almost always the result of an interruption of the visual connection between the dominant eye and … [Read more...]