Sporting Clays Successful Shooting Practices (Or Not?)

    Shooting sporting clays successfully seems to be an easy task.  However, the opposite is true.  Novices arrive at a clays course with a shotgun (usually a pump or semiautomatic) and a pocketful of ammunition, hopefully not high power field loads.  The first timers shoot 50 to 100 rounds and have a great time.  As the novices mature when shooting additional rounds, they become more competitive and more aware of other participants and try to copy observed techniques and equipment, just as they would in any other sport.  Advice and online articles are abundant about what they should do to become a "successful" shooter.  My problem is this:  How many of these "successful" practices actually make a significant difference?  Ten years of participating in the sporting clays events have led me to question several practices "good" shooters follow.

• Many shooters change their choke tubes several times as they proceed through the course.
• Manufactured expensive shells break more targets than cheap brand-named store purchased ones.
• Longer barrel guns smash more targets than shorter barrel guns.
• The more expensive shotguns last longer and break more targets than cheaper shotguns.
• Self reloaded ammunition is more effective than purchased ammunition.
• O/U shotguns break more targets than semiautomatics or side by side shotguns.  This observation could be in any order according to the preference of the shooter.
• It is better to use low recoil loads when practicing.
• Cheek pads and butt stock pads are very effective when used to "soup up" a sporting clays shotgun.
• Extended choke tubes break more targets than factory flush chokes.
• Some shooters have different pockets for reloaded shells with combinations of shot size, powder amounts, shell make, primer make, and even wad type depending on the target presentations.
• 12 gauge shotguns break the most targets the most often.
• Shooting glasses. (Enough said)

    These observations are a lot to think about when we shoot to have "fun".  Each one probably has some merit in becoming more successful at sporting clays courses.  Are these practices just personal theories?  What do you think or are there other practices you've noticed that bother you?
    Your assignment: What two or three practices you follow when shooting sporting clays work best for you?
    Have fun, keep shooting, and keep your eyes open.

"That rifle on the wall of the laborer's cottage or working class flat is the symbol of democracy.  It is our job to see that it stays there."
-George Orwell-
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Should We Reload Our Own Shotgun Shells (Or Not)

    Reloading shotgun shells sounds like a good idea, but is it really?  This idea has been discussed at length on the Internet in forums, blogs, magazine excerpts, and other shooting sites.  In this blog I will attempt to organize some of the advantages and
disadvantages of the shotgun shell reloading process. I, myself, have wavered back and forth between buying new shells and reloading old ones.

Advantages:

1.  Cost is probably the major factor when reloading.  Several gauges of shells are not manufactured at as high a volume as the more popular 20 gauge and 12 gauge shells.  New 16 gauge, 28 gauge, and 410 gauge ammos are very expensive and hard to find. 
2.  The loads can be tailored to meet the preferences of the shooter depending on the use of the shell for a certain sport or hunting situation.
3.  Successful reloading creates personal satisfaction.  We all love the bragging rights.
4.  Reloading is a great hobby and helps pass the time.

5.  Some shooters say the reloads are more consistent in speed and other performance factors as compared to the chain store "cheapies".
6.  Safe experimentation can be done to stimulate and continue the interest in new shooting combinations.  Boredom can lead to less participation and frustration.  I can't wait to get to the course to try a new load.  Golfers buy new clubs.  We buy new shotguns or use new reloads.

Disadvantages:

1.  The initial cost of a reloading machine, powder, primers, reloadable hulls, wads, and shot is prohibitive.
2.  Learning how to properly reload shot shells is a time consuming, difficult process for many shooters.
3.  Reloading is a process that has potentially dangerous procedures, materials, and outcomes.
4.  Reloading is probably not cost effective for low volume shooters or newbies.
5.  Not much money is saved reloading 12 and 20 gauge shells because of their easy cheap availability.
6.  In recent years, reloading supplies have been harder to find and the component's prices have increased dramatically.
7.  Reloading requires both time and a proper location in our homes.
8.  Many shooters do not like to save their spent hulls while shooting at a clays site.
9.  Some shooters find it difficult to develop confidence in their reloads, especially if they have periodic bloopers.

    I hope this blog has helped you decide whether you wish to reload or not and has not confused you further.  I realize the decision is a personal one depending on many factors that change from person to person.  I took the plunge to reload long ago and reload mainly for fun, to accomplish a challenging process, and to continue experimentation.  Us old science teachers like to experiment.

Half the lies they tell about me aren't true.    -Yogi Berra-