Instruction

shoot battue clays

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.

Barrel length

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…

improve clayshooting

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…

first focal plane

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…

Shooting on beaters day

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…

Struggling with recoil

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,…

gun mount practice

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…

going away bird on clay ground

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.