In terms of best pellets, three things need to be considered before you can even begin to explore the accuracy you crave: pellet calibre, pellet types and pellet weights. In the UK, we are restricted to rifles with a muzzle energy of less than 12 foot pounds. If you want more power,…
Improve your shooting
Want to improve your shooting? It is something we all aim for and every shooter could learn something new to refine their technique.
We asked Mark Heath, head instructor at West London Shooting School for some top tips. He has taught hundreds of people to shoot, both beginners and those who have been out in the field for years but who have fallen into bad habits along the way.
He says:
- Don’t underestimate the need for concentration when shooting, as opposed to aggressive speed and lack of focus. Lacking concentration will not get you anywhere.
- Shooting large amounts of cartridges can become expensive. Instead invest in a couple of lessons with an instructor who can analysis your faults and correct them for the future. This will result in less cartridges being used to perfect your shot.
- Having a well fitted gun is essential for this sport. If your gun is not shooting where you are looking you are playing shooting roulette. You may win and you may not.
- Follow a pre-shot routine that works for you, allowing you to build up your confidence and perfect your routine.
- Find a cartridge that you have confidence in and stick to it! If you keep changing and are swayed by the latest trend this will not help keep your consistency.
Read through the following articles for more tips on becoming a better Shot.
Airgun springer advice for newcomers with Mike Morton
When considering airgun springer advice, there’s one question you have to ask first: what’s the difference between a springer and a PCP? Recoil! This can adversely affect the way a shooter interacts with their rifle, and this will affect their results on target. But unlike pre-charged pneumatics, springers and gas-rams…
The importance of fitness on a shooting day
You know the feeling. You’re only two-thirds of the way through an enjoyable day’s shooting yet suddenly you feel wearier than a sleep-deprived dormouse. This morning you had all the exuberance of a freshly lit firework on New Year’s Day, but now your energy is plummeting. Not only does it…
How to improve your airgun marksmanship
Airgun marksmanship is a person’s ability to hit what they’re aiming at, and in order to achieve this there are four basic principles that need to be applied. I was recently asked to teach a lesson on this subject. That sounds easy enough, because we adopt these principles each and…
How to get the most out of fox calling
I looked at the subject of fox calling last summer, but as there’s only so much you can say in one article, I thought it worthy of further examination. In essence, when you’re luring foxes aurally you can either use a prey-distress sound or that of another fox. It is…
Zeroing a scope – Mike Morton’s advice for airgun shooters
You’ve got yourself a new rifle, you’ve attached a scope and you’re ready to shoot – but first you need to zero. Zeroing a scope, which is sometimes referred to as sighting in, means aligning the sights on your rifle with the point where the pellet strikes at a certain…
Shotgun ribs – what are they and why are they there?
When shooting, we keep being told to look at the target, so what’s the point of the rib? Well, no matter how hard you try, the rib will still be in your peripheral vision. How much you are aware of the rib varies for each shooter but, believe it or…
So you want to get into shooting? Here’s how to start …
If you are looking to get into shooting of any kind, this easy guide will give you plenty of hints and tips
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…
How to improve your visual focus on the clay target
Often my pupils come to me with the request that they need to do something to help them focus on the clay target. So when I am giving a lesson on this, here’s what I run through. (Here’s a run down of the different clay targets and how to deal…
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 be a better Shot
All of us would probably like to admit that we’d like to be a better Shot than we are. We might have been shooting out in the field for years, but there is always room for improvement. Refining our technique is something we should all work on. I thought it…
Improve your driven shooting – here are 10 reasons why you might be missing
Driven shooting: Understanding why you miss will improve your driven shooting.
Tips to make you better at walked-up pheasant shooting
Have you been invited walked-up pheasant shooting for the first time? If so, congratulations because it’s a sought-after invitation. However it can be a daunting prospect for the beginner. On a walked-up shoot you don’t have total control of the birds and you don’t know how they will be presented,…
Get better at game on clays
It’s that time of year when an invitation to shoot rolls into the inbox and stings the average game Shot into confronting the fact they haven’t picked up a gun in something approaching a year. In the age of COVID-19, that might even be two years for some of us,…
Pheasant shooting tips
Looking forward to going out into the field in the next few weeks? I’ve compiled a list of pheasant shooting tips for you to follow, so that you can check your technique and that you are doing things correctly. (You might also like to read what to expect on your…
What to expect on your first day pheasant shooting
Wondering what to expect on your first day pheasant shooting? Tony Bracci, Bisley instructor, former keeper and Sporting Gun contributor advises: Do some research into where the shoot is, which will give you a clue on how the birds will be presented. Rolling hills or prime arable land? Don’t rely…
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. Here is how to prepare for typical going away targets.
Swinging the gun – how to improve your technique
Looking at all things swing related - and how getting it right can increase the number of targets you hit.
What are the best barrel lengths for different shooting disciplines?
Does one size fit all when it comes to shotgun barrels? No it doesn’t. There are suitable barrel lengths for different shooting disciplines, whether you’re shooting a variety of types of clay target or live quarry. Get your choice right and your shooting will be helped. Get it wrong and…