Looking out of my window at a big cock bird picking his way down a hedge, just beyond my garden, it strikes me that I shot fewer days this season than in any other since childhood. In truth, it showed. Rather than getting into my stride, I frequently found myself…
Instruction
If you’re looking for instructions on how to improve your shooting or maintain your shotgun or rifle then you’ve come to the right place.
This section offers advice from the finest professionals and shooting aces in the country, gun manufacturers and gunsmiths.
It covers everything from how a gun works, to shooting psychology, the anatomy of a shotgun and gun fit.
You’ll also learn how to deal with shooting in bad weather and how to shoot under pressure.
Finding the best position for rifle shooting
There are various positions from which you can shoot a rifle. But which is the correct position for rifle shooting for you? Let’s take a look at some options and see how you can improve. Remember you should not immediately expect 1in groups at 100m from these positions. Check and…
Giving the very high birds your best shot
High bird shooting is a specialist subject. Some devote themselves to nothing else, but is there an optimum barrel length for it? It might surprise you to learn that the fashion for long barrels is nothing new. Take a look at any of the fowling 4- and 8-bore shotguns from…
Techniques and skills for hitting the target
Investigating and improving shooting techniques Going-away targets, low incomers and high crossers are what clayshooters frequently want to investigate and improve, namely walked-up and driven grouse and pheasants. Straight lines The only targets that do not require the shot pattern to be placed ahead of the clay on its flightline…
What you need to know about focal planes
Many rifle shooters don’t really understand the difference between focal planes and it’s an aspect of rifle scopes that is often confusing to many. Basically, the difference between a first and second focal plane scope is where the reticule is positioned within the rifle scope. This affects the image seen…
A beginners’ guide to FITASC clay pigeon shooting
FITASC sporting is a great leveller. If there's any weakness in your clay shooting technique, be it with your gun mounting or swing, this discipline will find it!
Exercises you can do at home right now to improve your shooting technique
You’re probably very frustrated by the fact that you can’t go out shooting at the moment. However, you can use this time to improve your shooting technique and here I’m going to show you some exercises to improve your gun-mount. You can do them at home and practising them regularly…
How to shoot an air rifle more accurately
Mat Manning offers some key pointers to improve your airgun accuracy and get you on target
How to deal with eye dominance when shooting
Mary has her eyes opened to a shooting technique that stands accepted thinking – and teaching – well and truly on its head
Beaters’ day – time to get back to basics
Top tips to do yourself proud on beaters’ day Get your shooting kit ready the night before Practise mounting in the mirror 10 times Count 10 breaths in and out before the drive starts Point your leading foot where you’re going to shoot the bird Don’t lift your head off…
Are you having problems with high targets?
Love 'em or hate 'em - high birds can always pose a problem if your technique isn't up to scratch.
TOP TIPS: How to shoot a high bird
Many shooters, irrespective of whether they're into clays or game, often struggle to hit high birds
How to shoot long range targets and high birds
Clay shooting lessons: How to shoot long range targets and high birds! Mark Russell looks at evaluating long range and high targets.
Five ways to be a better game shot
1. Have a relaxed and positive attitude Shooting requires what might be called relaxed concentration. According to psychologists, you need to be ‘aroused’ but not too hyped up to do your best work in most sporting tasks. Developing your natural hunting instincts can be helpful. The best shots have fun,…
Rifle shooting the .243 calibre
The .243 calibre is a user-friendly cartridge for shooting deer, mostly roe, and perhaps the occasional fox at ranges out to 200 yards...
How much forward allowance do you need to give?
Shooting tips from coach Mark Russell. Here he takes a look at forward allowance, and turning sight pictures into words.
How to practise your gun mount at home
There is no substitute for regular gun mounting practise to achieve a smooth, fluent and efficient mount — bringing the comb up under the gun sight, aligning your shooting eye perfectly time after time. Exercises to practise your gun mount at home Use an unloaded gun and have a large…
Walked-up shooting and the going away bird
For clay pigeon shooting enthusiasts and game shooters alike, walked-up shooting is making more and more sense in these financially difficult times. Mark tells you how to prepare for typical going away targets.
Do this and you’ll be on the way to improving your clayshooting scores
Follow Mark's tips on how to shoot some typical sporting stands and see your scores improve!
How to alter the comb on a shotgun
See how a gunsmith alters the comb on a Beretta Ultralight shotgun.