Definite Sporting Clays Ramblings

    As I think about shooting sporting clays, I gain an appreciation of how difficult it is to write about experiences that will interest other readers and be different from the other materials available on the Internet.  I believe writers call it "brain freeze".  I admit I don't have much of a brain to be affected by this famous phenomenon, but some questions have repeatedly concerned me as I continue to shoot.

• Am I writing this post to give advice to other shooters?
• Is my goal to try to become a tournament sporting clays shooter?
• Am I ever going to be (or want to be) an expert shooter by getting professional instruction?

• How much of this game is physical, and how much is mental?

    The first three are easy to answer.  No, not at the present time, but the answer could change.  The last question has been debated endlessly in any sport or activity and the Internet is loaded with wonderful personal accounts of the writer's perceived bias.
    Let's face it.  Some shooters have more natural ability than other shooters!  I was told once that great athletes make great coaches.  I think great coaches have the ability to channel the athletic ability of their available players to make the team successful. This thinking leads me to one goal for me.  I must use effectively what abilities I have and not become confused or frustrated with all the "gibber-jab" I hear about or read about from others.
    So, here are some mistakes I have made that affected me when trying to become a more effective shooter. These are not intended to be advice, but just my personal experiences.

1. More shot shell power doesn't relate to breaking more targets; usually the opposite is true to a point, of course.  Reloading my own shells has helped.
2. More expensive (better?) guns shoot better because of more consistent functionality and my perceived confidence in them. Poofs and misfires do affect me.
3. Consistency in breaking targets has resulted from using the same choke tubes in which I have confidence.
4. Shooting with friends is less stressful and more fun than shooting with strangers.
5. Shooting a course with the idea of "beating some one's pants off", or getting even doesn't work.
6. Shooting with one eye shut doesn't work for me.
7. Pointing my lead foot too close to, or too far away from where I can break the target affects my score.
8. Trying to calculate the proper lead on a crossing or falling target makes me stop the gun and miss the target.
9. The ability to concentrate on a particular day does affect my score. (Maybe some of that "psycho-babble" is true.)  Rushing home to see my favorite football team play is a culprit.
10. I cannot "spot shoot" unless forced to so by the target presentation.
11. Shooting a different gun or a different gauge of gun keeps me from getting bored and creates a personal challenge.
12. Shooting in too large a squad or too small a squad affects my score.

    These are just a few of my thoughts, and I'm sure you've had similar experiences.  Have I missed some big experiences you notice?  Please let me know of some of your preferences or observations that may be different from mine.

    I can't close without a promised complaint.  Why do some courses feel the necessity of making the course so difficult?  Most shooters come to break targets, not to be challenged to a point of frustration.  "How do you ever get better unless you shoot at very difficult or nearly impossible targets?", you ask.  Not every shooter desires becoming a tournament or professional shooter.  It reminds me of going pheasant hunting as a young boy with members of my family.  We didn't care how many pheasants we saw or got, it was the fun and fellowship we shared that was important.  I would hope that the people who own and set up the courses are trying to get shooters to come back again, not drive them away.  I do appreciate some locations that provide differing levels of challenges for different shooters.
   Sorry to ramble on so much.  Come back and keep shooting.

Bad Weather Job

    Wow, the weather in Ohio is really cold, so I don't think I'll shoot this week.  However, I did look at my reloading area here in the basement and realized I should clean up some of the clutter that had accumulated since I started reloading.  After moving some of the larger objects around, I found that the clutter fell into ten distinct categories.  Here we go:

1. Rabbit clutter - clutter that seems to multiply fast, like empty shell casings and empty shell boxes.
2. Get-to-it-someday clutter - equipment that needs to be fixed or installed.
3. Memories clutter - old shooting pictures (Who are those people?), trophies (one!), patches, and old emails from shooting friends.
4. Mysterious clutter - objects you find, you're not sure what they are, but you decide you might need them some day.
5. Paraphernalia clutter - extra gloves, sun screen lotion, hats, sunglasses, shooting vests, ear waxed ear plugs, and insects repellent.
6. It used to be important clutter - old powder containers, bags containing 6 to 10 old wads that you no longer use, pages of reloading information, and psychological shooting strategies gleaned from the Internet.
7. Inheritance clutter - old shotgun shells you got from your dad or uncle, their old hats, old shotguns that you are scared to fire, and die sets for reloaders you've never heard of.
8. Gluttony clutter - old McDonald's wrappers, dirty coffee cups, candy bar wrappers (never partially eaten contents), empty Diet Coke cans, and stained paper plates.
9. Miscellaneous clutter - found stuffed in one of the few drawers you have, and you don't know what to do with it.
10. Snob clutter - Winchester coffee cups, long outdated Browning calendars, $75 titanium choke tubes that work no better than $30 Carlson choke tubes, a Krieghoff catalogue, and John Deere pocket knives with one broken blade.

    So, what is a super-organized guy, like me (OK, I lie!) to do?  I could get several garbage bags and start throwing things away;  I could build more storage cabinets so I could close the doors and hide the clutter; I could buy 8-10 large plastic storage containers so I would have to search through all of them to find something I needed; or I could  just keep stepping over and around stuff.

     What did I do?  First, I sat down and typed this post so I wouldn't have to organize the clutter.  After all, I know where things are located and a new system would just further confuse my 60 year old brain!

    Truthfully, next, I did use the opportunity to take pictures of all my shooting "stuff", priced them, and placed the pictures and pricing information on my computer into a database.  ( A computer nerd and a shooter?  Say what!) I guess all shooters worry about something happening to them and the family not knowing the value of all their treasures.

    I then went to "WallyWorld" and purchased large, clear plastic containers ( so I could see into them without opening them) to place the possessions into. (Yes, I did buy a large waste paper basket).  Finally, I fired up the old Brother label maker to mark the boxes and typed a list of the contents to be placed in each container.  Phew!  I'm so tired I need to go shooting to recover!  Do you have more ideas about how to deal with clutter?

Remember, a chip is still a broken target!  Have fun.

"To disarm the people is the most effectual way to enslave them."
- George Mason

Choosing to Choose Sporting Clays Success?

    Shooting is fun; whether shooting bows, pistols, rifles, shotguns, slingshots, marbles, or rubberbands.  We have a great variety of ammunition for each type of gun.  I've read that in man's early history, some men were better meat gatherers than land tillers or herders.  (or tax collectors) Maybe that explains the presence and popularity of so many weapons in the United States.  Humm...  Back to my article.

    I guess the shooter has to decide whether to specialize in one specific gun and ammunition or to shoot a wider variety of guns and ammunition.  Even though I am very competitive, I've chosen the middle ground: limiting myself to sporting clays and using several different gauges and different guns.  How, do you ask, can I become a competent shooter by switching guns each round each different day?  Good question.  I still get frustrated when my scores are not very consistent, but I get pure joy and satisfaction just shooting with great friends.  I worked inside for 38 years and shooting sporting clays is a great release.  I've observed contestants at big events literally shaking between shots.  Why would I want that much pressure again like teaching and coaching?

    I would be the first to admit that I do receive satisfaction when I beat someone when I shoot a .410 gauge and they shoot a 12 gauge.  Ha!  I have found out, however, that I do shoot my 12 gauge much better after a completing a round with a smaller gauge gun. 
   Now, back to the title of this post.  To prevent boredom and to satisfy my scientific mind, I have worked on the following procedures:

1. Changed choke tubes according to the target's distance and presentation.
2. Used the same choke tubes regardless of the target's distance and presentation.  Both open, or both skeet, or both I.C., or both Mod.  I even mixed them all at random.
3. Compared the ability of shot  sizes #7 1/2, #8, and #9 to break targets.
4. Compared Clays, Longshot, Red Dot, Universal Clays, Winchester Lite, and Unique powders in ease of reloading and "bang" factor when shooting.
5. Recently, shot 1 ounce 12 gauge and 7/8 ounce 12 gauge loads.
6. Shot guns with shorter barrels compared to guns with longer barrels.
7. Spun around to the left before shooting at each station. (You think?  Ha!)
8. Visualized the breaking point of the target, took 2 deep breaths, (got dizzy)  practiced  mounting the gun before the shot, and told myself I would break the target, and drank coffee only after I had completed the round. (Been reading too much, huh?)

    Wow!  Sounds like a mess doesn't it?  I have settled on certain results of this haphazard testing:  I do carry cartridges loaded with # 7 1/2, #8, and #9 sized shot for closer or more distant targets.  The # 8 and #9 shot is loaded with Winchester Lite powder with published recipes for 1 ounce and 7/8 ounce loads.  I use mostly I.C. choke tubes, but keep Mod choke tubes available for longer shots.  I found using skeet or open chokes didn't help me break more targets significantly.  I also chose Unique powder as the major propellent because I found good Unique recipes for the 12, 16, and 20 gauges.  I did find it easier to shoot lighter, shorter guns, but longer guns fit me better and therefore I broke more targets with them.  In a later post, I will discuss my adventures with different brands of guns.  If you are having a bad day, try spinning around to the left at each station.  Ha!  Believe it or not, I have seen shooters start hitting targets again following this technique.  Do you think relaxing helps?
    What are some of your preferences?  Is there anything I missed?

    I just spent several paragraphs and too many word for my 60 year old mind to handle coming to two final ideas:  C O N F I D E N C E!  C O M F O R T!  If I am confident and comfortable with whatever groups of variables I am using while shooting, I do break more targets more consistently.  Some of the "old guys" I shoot with say "Do what works for you."  Maybe some day I will really get serious. 

    I was observing a grandfather giving his grandson tips on shooting techniques,  "Place your left foot forward."  "Put 70% of your weight on your left foot."  "Crouch by bending your knees to a 1/4 squat." "Call for the target", etc, etc.  When the young boy didn't call for the target, grandpa was puzzled.  "What's your problem, son?"  "Can't move!"  said the boy.  Ha!  Ever been there?

    At least I don't get bored, and I can blame missing a target on "Darn Brownings", "Too long a shot for a .410 gauge.",  "Condors are junk!", or "Oops, I had the wrong choke in the gun."
    What is my next shooting gripe?  Manufacturers not making more new true 16 gauge guns, ammo, and reloading supplies.  We all can't afford those old "sweet 16's"
   Have fun!  Keep "shootin".

Unexpected Reloading "Fun"

    Greetings!  Is there a reason to reload your spent shotshells when component prices have increased so much?  "Yes", some serious shooters say because the reloads will be more evenly powered and accurate than purchased shells.  "No", other shooters say because reloading is difficult, time consuming, and exasperating.  Reloading my own shotshells was a logical progression in my interest in shooting sporting clays.  I wanted the experience and cost was not the main issue. (It is definitely cheaper to reload .410 and 28 gauge than purchasing them.)  Also, I like to experiment because I am an old science teacher.

    First, after some advice from other reloaders, I purchased a MEC Sizemaster 12 gauge reloader.  Next, I researched the internet and read the instructions very carefully.  I chose Clays powder, figure 8 wads, 209 primers, and green STS shells.  Finally, with the proper charge bar bushing, I embarked on my adventure with reloading.

    Some early observations:

• I didn't have enough hands to follow the process with any speed.
• Lead shot and powder have a tendency to cover the full extent of your reloading area.
• Pouring lead shot in the shot bottle is next to impossible without a good funnel. See above.
• Some final crimps were too deep, some crimps had holes that loose lead fell out of.  Re-read observation 2.
• Some of my first creations had crinkles in the sides of the shells.  Yes, I finally read all the directions and made suggested adjustments to the reloader.
• I didn't make sure a new primer fell into the reloading slot.  Guess what falls out the bottom of the shell when it has no primer.  Re-read observation 2.
• Those darn shells are really slick.  Re-read observation 2.
• Someone distracts me ( or I become engrossed in a sports program on T.V.) half way through the process and I can't remember where I left off.
• It is easy to invent swear words during early reloading attempts.  It's hard to believe a machine can be in the wrong and ruin my shells.
• It is a good idea to check the shot and powder bottles regularily when reloading.  Humm... how many shells did I reload with an empty powder container?

    I am exaggerating somewhat, ( you think?), and after reloading the first couple of boxes, I  began loading shells that any shooter would be proud of.  They were pretty, felt balanced, and fit in my gun.  Now a troublesome question arose.  Have you seen pictures of exploded guns and the physical mayhem that results from a bad shell?  I though about putting an old shotgun in a vice, tying a string to the trigger, and hiding behind an over-turned picnic table, and then setting the gun off.  Finally, I got up the nerve and tested the reloads on a sporting clays course.  For some reason, I didn't hit the first few targets.  I finally realized I must open my eyes when shooting!  Ha!  I have reloaded ever since.  Have you had similar or different experiences?

    Now, some grumbling.  I needed to Internet research some reloading information about 16 gauge shells.  This gauge has fallen into disfavor with the "clay gods" and good information is scarce.  I found some sites that wanted me to pay for the information or join a special 16 gauge group by paying a group fee.  I can understand a company wanting to make money, but the same company sells the required reloading components.  Kind of defeats the purpose of their company!  I thought shooting was a sport where participants freely shared information to enhance the growth of the sport.  This selfish attitude of not freely sharing reloading information is typical of arrogant, elitist actions.

    Phew, now I feel better.  My New Year's resolution was to be more positive.  I was positively upset.  Ha!  Have fun shooting and embrace the sport for what it is.