The history of Skeet shooting Some 150 years ago, the shotguns that were putting a partridge or two in the pot for supper were using black powder explosive. It powered everything from the highwayman’s pistol to the Navy’s cannon. The flintlock-spark ignition system, with a cloud of smoke right in…
Clayshooting
Clay Shooting Classic 2022: a closer look at Orston Shooting Ground
The 2022 Clay Shooting Classic is fast approaching, but there is still time to register. To do so, just follow this link: https://www.orston.com/thursday-26th-sunday-29th-may-2022-clay-shooting-classic/ In 2016 Emily and Dan Martin moved to Nottinghamshire with a plan to take an already established shooting ground and make it even better. Since then they’ve…
Clay guns put to the test; here’s how to choose the best for you
Competition clay shooting is about controlled levels of focus. This is also true when it comes to choosing suitable clay guns for the task, given the bewildering range of guns on offer. (Take a look at our best clay shooting jackets too.) Best clay guns Ultimately, it comes down to…
Road to the Classic 2022: 10 Best shotguns for every budget
Wondering what the best shotguns for every budget are? We’ve put together a list of what you get for the money in terms of new competition guns. Inevitably we’ve had to trim the list to just the top picks, so there are plenty more excellent guns out there. The Clay…
Steve Scott shares his shooting routine – could it improve your clayshooting?
Olympic bronze medallist and professional shotgun coach Steve Scott is a strong advocate of pre-shot routines. Here, he takes us through the routine he uses for Olympic Trap. (Read here’s what you should know about trap guns and trap shooting.) “My aim is to shoot in a style that’s steady…
Clay pigeon shooting grounds just an hour from London
Thinking about starting clay pigeon shooting or wanting to keep your eye in now the season is over? The good news is that there is plenty of clay pigeon shooting near London and grounds that suit everyone from complete novices through to more seasoned shooters. None take longer than an…
Clayshooting at home: can I set up clay shooting on my own property?
Can you set up clay pigeon shooting on your own property?
Best clay gun slips – get the right case for your shotgun
Whether you’re a professional shooter who busts clays all year round, a keen amateur looking ahead to the summer season or a novice wondering what kit you need to get the most out of your experience, one thing that clay shooters all need in their arsenal is a well-chosen clay…
Helice shooting – what it is and how to start
Helice shooting, formerly referred to as ZZ, is relatively unknown in the UK, which is a pity and there is only a handful of grounds that have it on offer. Helice shooting in Dorset I was excited to learn that Dorset’s Purbeck Shooting School recently had a helice shooting layout…
Best clay pigeon traps: improve your shooting
If you’re fortunate enough to have some land, then you might consider setting up your own clay trap. (Read “Can I set up clay shooting on my own property?”) Providing you follow some key safety rules, then you’ll be able to practise your shooting in your own time, maybe introduce…
Clay pigeon shooting history: how it all began
Clay traps today are super-powerful, complex, remotely controlled and capable of throwing clays on many different flight patterns to simulate a variety of birds. (Read can I set up clayshooting on my own property?) Their journey has been long and storied, from the earliest days of competitive shooting at captive…
Why skeet shooting is a sure-fire way to improve your shooting skills
English Skeet shooting is one of the best disciplines you can shoot if you want to excel at the various forms of Sporting. That’s because it teaches you the absolute importance of correct stance and gun hold in relation to the target. It also demands total concentration and is a…
How to improve your clay shooting scores
Practice makes perfect and if you could spend all day on the clay ground practising your shooting there is no doubt that you would improve your clay shooting scores. However life has a habit of getting in the way and so there’s only so much time in the week you…
What’s the difference between a battue and a chondel clay target?
Clay shooting: What’s the difference between a battue and a chandelle target? Do you approach the targets in a different manner?
Best clayshooting grounds in the UK (according to our reviewers)
Clayshooting is increasingly popular as people want to enjoy an outdoor sport that is healthy, inclusive and accessible. Whether you’re a keen clayshooter who enjoys the challenge of the different clay disciplines or whether you’re first and foremost a game shooter who likes to keep their eye in out of…
Clayshooting competitions: Here’s how to shoot your way to success
When I’m preparing a relatively new clayshooter for clayshooting competitions my lessons follow a certain format. Once we have gun, clay cartridges, hearing and eye protection sorted we get straight out onto the ground. A lesson in clayshooting competitions We begin shooting a few easy targets to warm up and…
Clay pigeon shooting in Yorkshire – where should you go?
We’ve listed some of the best clay pigeon shooting in Yorkshire available. Two of the clay grounds featured here have a cast iron reputation for showing the highest driven clays in the UK. If you can do a job on what they throw into the stratosphere then you’ll be well…
How to hit the rabbit clay target
The dreaded rabbit clay target. It’s the one that most shooters dread and come unstuck by. You’ll hear clayshooters moan and groan about one as they walk to the stand. Then the excuses start and they’re talking themselves into missing as the elusive rabbit rolls along the floor. So what’s…
From springing teal to rabbits – the different types of clay targets and how to nail them
Over time, if you are to be a good all-round Shot, you need to develop a repertoire, or quite simply the knowledge to deal with each type of clay target and how you address it. Our instructors have covered the presentation of each type of clay target you’re likely to…
How to deal with the different clay targets
Maybe you’re new to clayshooting or maybe you’re looking at honing your technique after some months off. Whatever the aim, knowing how to deal with the different clay targets and how they are presented to you is key. Read our guide and you’ll not only understand the terminology, but you…