What chokes?

[animal79thecat]

Hello again,

I have a Browning 325 and have been using plus mod (half) in the top barrel,and imp cyl (quarter) in the bottom barrel since i started shooting a year ago.

Can anyone suggest a more optimum setup,considering i am struggling to hit fast distant crossers...and would heavier cartridges,like 28g be better for this sort of thing?

many thanks,

Animal.

 

[Gavin]

It's won't be the chokes, fast distant crossers need at lot of lead and a smooth swing, take a fast 40 yard bird I'd be seeing 10 ft+ . If struggling with crossers start shooting one at 20yards and move back 5yards every time you break 4 in a row. You will be very surprised at how much in front you need to be at 40-50yards 

 

[MJJ]

Hold point, Gun mount, Line and lead are key. 28g are the most common in use, no more range in them, just more shot/pellets. What range do you call 'Distant'?

 

[animal79thecat]

Hold point, Gun mount, Line and lead are key. 28g are the most common in use, no more range in them, just more shot/pellets. What range do you call 'Distant'?

Dont know how far off they are exactly,but i kind of get the feeling the shot just isnt reaching them,if you know what i mean.

 

[EdSolomons]

The shot will be reaching believe me, try and get someone who knows to spend some time showing you the ropes.

 

[7iain7]

sometimes  its possible to work out the lead on high and or distant crossers. 

Watch someone who is hitting the distant crossers and the time from the "bang" to the clay breaking how much has the clay traveled ?

That traveled distance from bang to clay breaking is your lead.

 

[chippy]

Dont know how far off they are exactly,but i kind of get the feeling the shot just isnt reaching them,if you know what i mean.

i know what you mean i was the same when I started. And after 14 years it still amazes me just how far in front you have to be sometimes. 

 

[Geordieboy]

There is no substitute for having a great coach.  I have used John Wells who is brilliant at getting you to shoot with instinct.  I shoot with Ryan Sperling who is just a brilliant coach.  His approach to technique and his ability to get you hit what you can't are 2nd to none.  Measuring lead is a sure fire way to miss.

The pellets definitely get there........I've seen 80yd birds break!  Find a gun that suits and fits.  Shoot a shell you are comfortable with......and spend some money on a good coach.  I shot game as the son of a gamekeeper all my life (lots of years believe me), and only learned how to shoot properly in the last 3 years!!!!!!  That was down to great coaches.  I can't recommend this enough!

Incidentally, both of the above have shot (and still shoot) for the England Internationals.......They know what they are talking about!

 

[Tron]

Hitting distant crossers has little to do with good/bad chokes and a lot to do with practice and (now this is VERY important) optimal gun fit.  This is where a very slight issue with drop at comb can make or break you.

 

[Will Hewland]

Not sure I would focus on gun fit with big crossers. I would say gun fit is more important on stuff you shoot AT. Big crossers is more spacial awareness, because there is an inherent disconnect between the gun and your eye, which is looking at the target ideally. (I recently borrowed a preposterously ill-fitting gun for a few shots at a huge-lead target and hit the first pair).

Oh and the topic should be "which chokes".

 

[Les53]

The shot will be reaching believe me, try and get someone who knows to spend some time showing you the ropes.

Well I'm not a sporting shooter, but I will go with the above! Chokes are often just another thing to blame when targets are not hit! Oddly enough, the subject of chokes is less discussed amongst trap shooters, most seem to use 3/4 and full or half and full, depending on the discipline in question of course. Yes there are a few variations, but it never seems to be a hot subject though.

 

[kingo15]

When i had my muller 1 choke in which is probably a bit wider open choke that 1/4 i could hit the high towers at risely which is about 120 ft.

As others have said nothing to do with your chokes. 

 

[DavidJ]

Not sure I would focus on gun fit with big crossers. I would say gun fit is more important on stuff you shoot AT. Big crossers is more spacial awareness, because there is an inherent disconnect between the gun and your eye, which is looking at the target ideally. (I recently borrowed a preposterously ill-fitting gun for a few shots at a huge-lead target and hit the first pair).

Oh and the topic should be "which chokes".

My problem exactly. I seem to loose all awareness of where my barrels are pointing in relation to the clay on targets that need big leed. I can't seem to reliably repeat or adjust as required. Help!!!!

I shoot quarter / quarter and will on occasions change one of them to half. I recently shot 35 ex 40 with these in my Beretta SP1. I was shooting in a squad with two lads using U1 and U2 both managed 28. I won't be buying any. I'm now a firm believer that good technique hits targets. I just need to find it for longer targets. 

 

[FreeShot]

In my case - as Will suggested it is all about spacial awareness and "to be in sync" with the bird (tho I believe that gunfit is mandatory) - sure one must show you the ropes first,  then it is all down to practice and then comes the  confidence that is the key to be "bold and smooth". In my case it all came down to equalize my gun and bird speed on every crosser (I am shooting maintained lead on those). And once it got in my blod I began to "feel it", since I unconsciously began to deploy pull away on longer birds (never knew I can do it tho). Of course once midis and minis are sneaked upon you it all goes out the window...

 

[animal79thecat]

It's won't be the chokes, fast distant crossers need at lot of lead and a smooth swing, take a fast 40 yard bird I'd be seeing 10 ft+ . If struggling with crossers start shooting one at 20yards and move back 5yards every time you break 4 in a row. You will be very surprised at how much in front you need to be at 40-50yards 

Haha,youre right! Cracked it after only about 10 shots.Gave it about a bus length of lead (which feels weird),and lo and behold,started shattering em.

Another main problem i have with most clays,is keeping the hits consistent.Even when im sure i am right on em,i just seem to miss for no apparent reason,even if i have just broken one the shot before.

 

[ehb102]

The shot will be reaching believe me, try and get someone who knows to spend some time showing you the ropes.

Sez the man who broke clays at 55 yards using a 425 with quarter chokes and 21g cartridges. (It was to make the same point to me.)

 

[Gavin]

Haha,youre right! Cracked it after only about 10 shots.Gave it about a bus length of lead (which feels weird),and lo and behold,started shattering em.

Another main problem i have with most clays,is keeping the hits consistent.Even when im sure i am right on em,i just seem to miss for no apparent reason,even if i have just broken one the shot before.

We all do that (well I do) head lifting and checking the lead can be the main causes you have to see the lead with out looking at it. Happens me when I'm been too carefull 

 

[Nimbusgb]

Another main problem i have with most clays,is keeping the hits consistent.Even when im sure i am right on em,i just seem to miss for no apparent reason,even if i have just broken one the shot before.

Welcome to clay shooting! So much of this game is between your ears rather than in your hands!

i'd rather spend the cost of a set of chokes on a couple of sessions with a good coach!

 

[Markh701]

i'd rather spend the cost of a set of chokes on a couple of sessions....... in the pub.