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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