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Skeet shooting is a recreational and competitive sport involving shooting at and breaking moving clay disks (roughly 110 mm in diameter and 25 mm in thickness) that are tossed into the air in the field of vision of the shotgun. The field for skeet shooting is a semicircle-shaped layout with two tower-like structures, called houses, located 40 yards apart at the two ends of the arc and facing each other. These structures house spring-type devices called traps that can fling clay disks into the air at a high speed.

Along the circumference of the semicircle-shaped skeet range there are 7 shooting stations , or pads, from where the shooters have to shoot at the clay disks. The 8th station lies midway on the chord joining stations 1 and 7. The left-hand-side house, located just behind station 1, is called a high house because it launches the disks from a height of 10 feet, whereas the right-hand-side house, located just behind station 7, is called a low house because it launches the disks from a height of 3½ feet.

Both the houses fling the disks diagonally across and away from the field in such a way that even though they are launched from different heights , their trajectories meet at a height of 15 feet above the crossing stake, a stake located 18 feet straight out from station 8. The trajectories of the disks are consistent. But in relation to the shooters the trajectory and the distance keep changing when they change their position from one station to the other as the shooting squad moves along the semicircle.

Skeet shooting is a sport in which participants use shotguns to shoot at clay targets tossed into the air at high speed by spring devices called traps , which are located in small structures called houses. Two houses – one high house on the left and one low house on the right – are set facing each other at the two end points of a semicircular skeet field and launch targets when a shooter gives a call. Seven shooting stations are located along the semicircular arc of the field and the eighth one midway on the chord joining the corner stations 1 and 7.

The high house launches targets from a height of 10 feet and the low one from a height of 3.5 feet, to reach a height of 15 feet at a distance of 18 feet away from station 8. This point is called the crossing point, the point where targets from the high and low houses cross each other.

The targets are flung diagonally across and directly away from the field of vision of the shooters, who are positioned at one of the eight shooting stations. The fundamentals of skeet shooting are quite simple and consist of learning the following lessons:

Handling the gun
Body position
Leading targets
Follow-through
Shooting

Gun Handling Fundamentals

The fundamentals of gun handling include learning how to handle a gun safely, how to make sure that the gun fits you properly, how to hold it and position it properly without injuring your arm and neck muscles, and finally how to load it and fire it. Only once you finish learning the gun control and gun handling fundamentals will you be ready to learn the skeet shooting fundamentals. And this may require months of practice.

Body Position Fundamentals

Once you know how to hold, load and fire a shotgun, the next thing you need to learn is the correct body stance. Proper stance implies that your body would be in a comfortable position for shooting. This entails setting your feet in accordance with the spot where you expect to hit the target and then turning at the waist to your hold position – the spot where you point the gun when you are ready to call for a target. Your feet position will determine where the gun is pointed at the time of firing and where the shot will be fired. This is directly related to the crossing point, or the middle of the skeet field.

Your feet should be positioned in such a way that the target can be shot comfortably over the crossing point, allowing for follow-through. The feet should be roughly shoulder width apart and parallel to each other, allowing proper weight distribution: 60% on the front foot and 40% on the back foot. After shifting more weight to the forward foot, lean the shoulders and trunk forward and bend the front knee slightly. From this position you can unwind while tracking the target to your breaking spot, which is usually near the midpoint of the field. This stance should be used on all stations.

A proper stance will allow you to absorb the recoil without loosing balance. Before each shot, make sure that you have the correct foot position and gunpoint position. And when calling for your target, it is very important to be mentally relaxed yet physically alert.

Leading Targets Fundamentals

Lead refers to the time compensation required in order to hit a moving target. The skill lies in anticipating how far ahead of the moving target to aim and shoot while tracking its trajectory. There are three ways to get your lead.

In a swing-through lead, you start with the bead behind the target, you overtake it and then fire as you swing through and out ahead of it.
In a pull-ahead lead, you start with the bead on the target, pull out in front of it, obtain your lead and fire.
In a sustained lead, you start ahead of the target to begin with, adjust your lead and fire.

Follow-through Fundamentals

Regardless of what lead style you develop, moving the gun to a point ahead of the target and stopping as you fire would probably mean a lost target. Your gun must be kept swinging smoothly and follow through after the trigger is pulled on every target. Follow-through contributes to good shooting fundamentals by maintaining your lead. Stopping the gun abruptly causes the shot to pattern behind the fleeing target.

Shooting Fundamentals

The fundamentals regarding shooting are:

Try to shoot with both eyes open because binocular vision gives a better depth perception. You will have a better sight of the target as well as of the bead on your barrel. Moreover, you will also feel more relaxed with both eyes open.
Always keep your gaze focused on the target, not on the bead. You should see the bead only as a reference point, either on the target or out in front of it if you are leading it.
Remember that you must fire as soon as you have obtained and checked proper lead. If you start rechecking your lead to be doubly sure of it, you are bound to slow down your swing and miss your target.
Never forget to follow through. Especially on those tough middle stations, 3, 4 and 5, a really positive follow-through is a must.
Maintain a stance that allows you to swing at the hips.
Lead the target (in other words, shoot in front of it).
Lastly, don’t get bogged down by problems like flinching and freezing, however frustrating they might be. Though these problems are a result of involuntary reaction of your subconscious to the anticipation of recoil, all that you may require to overcome them could be a slight fine-tuning of your mental setup.

SKEET





Skeet The Club has three skeet buildings. For those of you who enjoy a real challenge this is what you might be looking for. Bring your shotgun, bring your shells and pit your ability against two throwers from different directions.
Introduction To Skeet Shooting Skeet shooting is a recreational and competitive sport involving shooting at and breaking moving clay disks (roughly 110 mm in diameter and 25 mm in thickness) that are tossed into the air in the field of vision of the shotgun. The field for skeet shooting is a semicircle-shaped layout with two tower-like structures, called houses, located 40 yards apart at the two ends of the arc and facing each other. These structures house spring-type devices called traps that can fling clay disks into the air at a high speed. Along the circumference of the semicircle-shaped skeet range there are 7 shooting stations , or pads, from where the shooters have to shoot at the clay disks. The 8th station lies midway on the chord joining stations 1 and 7. The left-hand-side house, located just behind station 1, is called a high house because it launches the disks from a height of 10 feet, whereas the right-hand-side house, located just behind station 7, is called a low house because it launches the disks from a height of 3½ feet. Both the houses fling the disks diagonally across and away from the field in such a way that even though they are launched from different heights , their trajectories meet at a height of 15 feet above the crossing stake, a stake located 18 feet straight out from station 8. The trajectories of the disks are consistent. But in relation to the shooters the trajectory and the distance keep changing when they change their position from one station to the other as the shooting squad moves along the semicircle.
Skeet Shooting Fundamentals Skeet shooting is a sport in which participants use shotguns to shoot at clay targets tossed into the air at high speed by spring devices called traps , which are located in small structures called houses. Two houses – one high house on the left and one low house on the right – are set facing each other at the two end points of a semicircular skeet field and launch targets when a shooter gives a call. Seven shooting stations are located along the semicircular arc of the field and the eighth one midway on the chord joining the corner stations 1 and 7. The high house launches targets from a height of 10 feet and the low one from a height of 3.5 feet, to reach a height of 15 feet at a distance of 18 feet away from station 8. This point is called the crossing point, the point where targets from the high and low houses cross each other. The targets are flung diagonally across and directly away from the field of vision of the shooters, who are positioned at one of the eight shooting stations. The fundamentals of skeet shooting are quite simple and consist of learning the following lessons: Handling the gun Body position Leading targets Follow-through Shooting Gun Handling Fundamentals The fundamentals of gun handling include learning how to handle a gun safely, how to make sure that the gun fits you properly, how to hold it and position it properly without injuring your arm and neck muscles, and finally how to load it and fire it. Only once you finish learning the gun control and gun handling fundamentals will you be ready to learn the skeet shooting fundamentals. And this may require months of practice. Body Position Fundamentals Once you know how to hold, load and fire a shotgun, the next thing you need to learn is the correct body stance. Proper stance implies that your body would be in a comfortable position for shooting. This entails setting your feet in accordance with the spot where you expect to hit the target and then turning at the waist to your hold position – the spot where you point the gun when you are ready to call for a target. Your feet position will determine where the gun is pointed at the time of firing and where the shot will be fired. This is directly related to the crossing point, or the middle of the skeet field. Your feet should be positioned in such a way that the target can be shot comfortably over the crossing point, allowing for follow-through. The feet should be roughly shoulder width apart and parallel to each other, allowing proper weight distribution: 60% on the front foot and 40% on the back foot. After shifting more weight to the forward foot, lean the shoulders and trunk forward and bend the front knee slightly. From this position you can unwind while tracking the target to your breaking spot, which is usually near the midpoint of the field. This stance should be used on all stations. A proper stance will allow you to absorb the recoil without loosing balance. Before each shot, make sure that you have the correct foot position and gunpoint position. And when calling for your target, it is very important to be mentally relaxed yet physically alert. Leading Targets Fundamentals Lead refers to the time compensation required in order to hit a moving target. The skill lies in anticipating how far ahead of the moving target to aim and shoot while tracking its trajectory. There are three ways to get your lead. In a swing-through lead, you start with the bead behind the target, you overtake it and then fire as you swing through and out ahead of it. In a pull-ahead lead, you start with the bead on the target, pull out in front of it, obtain your lead and fire. In a sustained lead, you start ahead of the target to begin with, adjust your lead and fire. Follow-through Fundamentals Regardless of what lead style you develop, moving the gun to a point ahead of the target and stopping as you fire would probably mean a lost target. Your gun must be kept swinging smoothly and follow through after the trigger is pulled on every target. Follow-through contributes to good shooting fundamentals by maintaining your lead. Stopping the gun abruptly causes the shot to pattern behind the fleeing target. Shooting Fundamentals The fundamentals regarding shooting are: Try to shoot with both eyes open because binocular vision gives a better depth perception. You will have a better sight of the target as well as of the bead on your barrel. Moreover, you will also feel more relaxed with both eyes open. Always keep your gaze focused on the target, not on the bead. You should see the bead only as a reference point, either on the target or out in front of it if you are leading it. Remember that you must fire as soon as you have obtained and checked proper lead. If you start rechecking your lead to be doubly sure of it, you are bound to slow down your swing and miss your target. Never forget to follow through. Especially on those tough middle stations, 3, 4 and 5, a really positive follow-through is a must. Maintain a stance that allows you to swing at the hips. Lead the target (in other words, shoot in front of it). Lastly, don’t get bogged down by problems like flinching and freezing, however frustrating they might be. Though these problems are a result of involuntary reaction of your subconscious to the anticipation of recoil, all that you may require to overcome them could be a slight fine-tuning of your mental setup.
Basic Shooting Safety Rules. Rule 1: Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. This is the most important gun safety rule. A safe direction is one in which an accidental discharge will not cause injury to yourself or others. Never allow your gun to point at anything you don’t intend to shoot. Be especially careful when you’re loading or unloading. Treat every gun as if it were loaded. And make it a habit to know where your muzzle is pointed at all times, even when your firearm is unloaded. No one will be injured by an accidental discharge if you keep your firearm pointed in a safe direction. It’s as simple as that. Rule 2: Firearms should be unloaded when not actually in use. Load your firearm only when you’re in the field or on the target range and ready to fire. Never let a loaded gun out of your sight or out of your hands. Unload it as soon as you’re finished shooting - before you bring it into your car, camp, or home. Remember, unloading your firearm means unloading it completely, so there is no ammunition in the chamber or in the magazine. Before handling a firearm or passing it to someone else, visually check the chamber, receiver and magazine to be certain they do not contain ammunition. Always keep the gun’s action open when not in use. Never assume a gun is unloaded even if you were the last person to use it. Always check for yourself. Let common sense rule when you carry a loaded gun. If you’re in any situation that could risk accidental discharge - such as crossing a fence, wading through a stream, or climbing a tree - always unload your gun. Never pull or push a loaded firearm toward yourself or another person. And never carry a loaded gun in a scabbard, detached holster or gun case. Safe storage of firearms is just as critical as safe handling. Never store guns loaded and be sure to keep your firearms in a secure place where no one can get their hands on them without your knowledge. Take special care if there are children around. Kids are fascinated by guns. It’s a natural curiosity that can have tragic consequences when not properly supervised. Store your firearms in a locked gun safe or some other location that physically bars a child from gaining access. Ammunition should be stored and locked in a location separate from your firearms. Never leave an unsecured firearm or ammunition in a closet, dresser drawer or under the bed. Remember, it is your responsibility to make sure that children and others unfamiliar with firearms cannot get access to your firearms and ammunition. Rule 3: Don’t rely on your gun’s safety. Treat every gun as if it can fire at any time, whether or not there’s pressure on the trigger. Your firearm has been carefully designed to maximize performance and safety. However, a gun’s safety is a mechanical device and, like any mechanical device, it could fail. Human error is a more likely reason for a gun safety to fail. By mistake, you may think the safety is on when it really isn’t. Or the safety may have been disengaged without your knowledge. Or you could think your gun is unloaded when there’s actually a cartridge or shell in it. A safety is not a substitute for common sense. It’s merely a supplement to your proper handling of a firearm. Don’t touch the trigger on a firearm until you are ready to shoot. Keep your fingers away from the trigger when you’re loading or unloading. And don’t pull the trigger when the safety is engaged or positioned anywhere between safe and fire. Read your instruction manual to understand the exact location and operation of your firearm’s safety. Even when the safety is on, maintain control of your loaded firearm and control the direction of the muzzle. In other words, don’t rely on your safety to justify careless handling. If your firearm’s internal mechanisms are broken or have been altered, your firearm may fire even when the safety is on. Remember, you and your safe gun handling practices are your gun’s best safety. Rule 4: Be sure of your target and what’s beyond it. You can’t stop a shot in mid-air, so do not fire unless you know exactly where your shot is going and what it will strike. Never fire at a sound, a movement or a patch of color. A hunter in camouflage can easily be mistaken for a target by an impulsive shooter. Before you pull the trigger be absolutely sure of your target and what’s behind it. Make sure your shot has a backstop such as a hillside or dense material like sand. Remember, bullets can travel great distances with tremendous velocity. Know how far your shot will go if you miss your target or the bullet ricochets. Rule 5: Use proper ammunition. Every firearm is designed to use a certain caliber or gauge of ammunition. Using the wrong ammunition, mixing ammunition or using improperly reloaded ammunition can cause serious personal injury or death. And it only takes one cartridge or shot shell of the incorrect caliber or gauge, or which has been improperly reloaded to destroy your firearm. As a gun owner it’s your responsibility to make sure the ammunition you use exactly matches the caliber or gauge of your gun. Refer to the instruction manual to find out the specific requirements of your firearm. Always read and heed the instructions on ammunition boxes. Confusing shells or cartridges can cause serious personal injury or death and destroy your firearm. Examine your shells and cartridges closely and use only the precise caliber or gauge for your specific firearm. For example, suppose you accidentally loaded a 20 ga. shell into a 12 ga. shotgun. Because the 20 ga. shell is too small for the chamber, the 20 ga. shell could travel down the barrel and get lodged in the bore. If you then loaded a standard 12 ga. shell behind it and fire, the 12 ga. shot will slam into the lodged 20 ga. shell and may cause the barrel to explode right in your hands. This is commonly called a 12/20 burst, and it can kill you. Check all ammunition before you load it to make sure it matches your gun’s requirements. Every Remington cartridge and shell is head-stamped with its caliber or gauge for easy identification. Likewise, you’ll find the caliber or gauge of your new Remington firearm imprinted on the barrel. Reloading Requires Extra Diligence. If you’re an ammunition reloader, you are responsible for personally assuring that the loads and components of your reloaded ammunition meet your gun’s factory-tested standards. Never use ammunition which has been reloaded by someone else! Many shooters handload as a hobby or to save money on commercial, factory-made ammunition. However, it requires a thorough knowledge of reloading procedures and a deep respect for the explosive potential of gunpowder. Firearms are designed, manufactured and proof-tested to standards based on factory loaded ammunition. Handloaded or reloaded ammunition that deviates, either intentionally or inadequately, from load or component recommendations can be very dangerous. Reloaders must observe all possible safety precautions and practices related to the proper handling of explosives. Whether you’re a seasoned reloader or just starting out, you should study the subject, watch reloading demonstrations and talk to experienced reloaders. The first rule of reloading is to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the components you’re using. They’ll tell you to follow certain guidelines. Namely: Don’t mix or substitute powders or primers. Don’t use unknown or substandard components. Use only suitable components that have been factory tested by reputable ammunition, powder and bullet manufacturers. Always be sure to use the manufacturer’s recommended recipe when reloading. Not following these guidelines could result in severe damage to your firearm or yourself. Dangerously high pressure and explosions can result from an overcharge of powder, use of the wrong powder, incorrect shot selection or other deviations from established reloading guidelines. Be very careful. The process of reloading exposes you to environmentally hazardous materials. Lead is the most common substance in bullets and shot. It is important to handle lead bullets and shot with extreme care. Work only in a well-ventilated area and always wash your hands after exposure and before eating. Never smoke while reloading. Primers and powders are also highly toxic and flammable. So after reloading, be sure to clean up all materials from your work area. Don’t leave primer or powder spills anywhere on the floor or bench top. Dispose of all waste materials in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Finally, when reloading or handloading concentrate on what you’re doing at all times. Do not be distracted by talking to others, listening to the radio or watching TV while reloading. Never reload after or while consuming alcoholic beverages or drugs of any kind. You are working with extremely hazardous materials and you can’t risk even a few seconds of distraction. Remember, if you reload, you are the ammunition manufacturer and you are responsible for the performance and safety of your reloaded ammunition. Rule 6: If your gun fails to fire when the trigger is pulled, handle with care. If for some reason the ammunition doesn’t fire when you pull the trigger, stop and remember the 1st Commandment of Firearm Safety - always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Keep your face away from the breech, then put the safety on, carefully open the action, unload the firearm and dispose of the cartridge safely. Remember anytime there’s a shell in the chamber, your gun is loaded and ready to use. Even if you tried to shoot and your gun didn’t fire, treat your firearm as if it could still discharge. Rule 7: Always wear eye and ear protection when shooting. Your sight and hearing risk injury from shooting and should be protected at all times. Wear protective shooting glasses to guard against falling shot, clay target chips, powder residue, ruptured cartridge cases and even twigs and branches in the field. Also be sure to wear eye protection when you’re disassembling or cleaning a gun so that tensioned parts (like springs) and cleaning solvents don’t come in contact with your eyes. Continued exposure to shooting noise can permanently damage your hearing. On the range, where shooting volume is the loudest, be sure to use the maximum protection of a headset. And learn to use earplugs in the field, especially in confined locations like duck blinds. Rule 8: Be sure the barrel is clear of obstructions before shooting. Before loading your gun, open the action and make sure there’s no ammunition in the chamber or magazine. Check the barrel for any obstructions or debris. Even a small amount of snow, mud, excess lubricant or grease in the bore can dangerously increase pressure and cause the barrel to bulge or burst when firing. Use a cleaning rod and patch to wipe away anti-rust compounds or any other residues or obstructions in the barrel. Never try to shoot out an obstruction by loading another shell and firing! When firing, rely on your instincts. If the noise or recoil from your firearm seems off or weak, stop everything, unload your firearm and be sure nothing is lodged in the barrel. Remember the 12/20 burst? That’s what can happen when the barrel is obstructed. So always be sure you’re using the correct ammunition in your firearm and that it’s free of obstructions. Rule 9: Don’t alter or modify your gun and have it serviced regularly. Your firearm has been designed to operate according to certain factory specifications. You’ll jeopardize your safety and that of others around you by attempting to alter its trigger, safety or other mechanisms. So never alter or modify your firearm in any way. Like any mechanical device, a firearm is subject to wear. It must be maintained and periodically serviced to assure optimum safety and performance. Don’t allow anyone to service, repair or modify your Remington firearm unless they are a qualified Remington service facility. Proper cleaning and lubrication are also important to firearm maintenance and are necessary to assure accuracy, safety, and reliability. Before cleaning, always make sure that your gun is completely unloaded. And always clean the barrel from the chamber end to the muzzle when possible. Make it a practice to clean your bore every time you’re going to shoot. Be sure to clean your entire gun before and after long-term storage, and no less than once a year. It’s also important to clean your gun whenever it’s been exposed to adverse conditions such as rain, dirt, mud, snow, sleet or saltwater. For safe and dependable operation of your firearm, all parts of your gun must be properly cleaned and lubricated. Periodically inspect the internal workings of your firearm to be sure they’re clean and free of rust, unwanted dirt and debris. Use recommended lubricants on your gun and do not over-lubricate. Excessive use of a non-recommended lubricant could adversely affect the function and safe operation of your firearm. Remember, you are responsible for the proper care and maintenance of your firearm. Failure to properly maintain your firearm can not only damage or ruin your firearm, it can expose you and others to unnecessary risks of personal injury or death. Remington has a wide range of firearm care products and resources to help you get the best results cleaning your gun. Everything from solvents and lubricants to rods and patches. They’re all available from your Remington dealer. Rule 10: Learn the mechanical and handling characteristics of the firearm you are using. Not all guns are alike. They have different mechanical characteristics that dictate how you should carry and handle them. Anyone who plans to use a firearm should first become totally familiar with the type of firearm it is and the safe handling procedures for loading, unloading, carrying, shooting and storing it. Before you even unpack your new Remington firearm, read the instruction manual from cover to cover and familiarize yourself with the different component parts of the gun. Then read, understand and follow the ten commandments of safety. Shoot Sober There’s one other rule that must be followed when handling firearms. In fact, respect for this rule is necessary in order to effectively practice the Ten Commandments of Firearm Safety. The rule is: SHOOT SOBER! Alcohol, drugs and guns are a deadly combination. Never consume anything that would even mildly impair your judgment or physical coordination when you’re using a firearm. A staggering percentage of the shooting accidents that occur every year involve alcohol or drugs. Be smart. Shoot sober and stay alive.

Introduction To Skeet Shooting

Skeet Shooting Fundamentals

Basic Shooting Safety Rules.