Shooting a few centimeters wide clay targets flying in front of you in two different directions at high speed? And be able to hit them? It's an incredible feeling, and it can become a sport you will love once you get started. Skeet requires speed, precision and hand-eye coordination. You can practice skeet for fun or in competition. If you are an experienced shooter or just want to get started, skeet is a great and popular option to explore. Start with step 1 to learn how to skeet.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Learning the Rules
Step 1. Know what you are shooting at
As with skeet shooting, in skeet you will shoot small clay targets that are thrown into the air to simulate bird hunting. They are usually orange and have a diameter of 10-12.5 cm. They are fired individually and simultaneously from two different points on each side of an arc of stations, where you will have to rotate, firing between 2 and 4 shots at each target. A skeet round consists of 25 shots.
Step 2. Use a skeet rifle
Generally speaking, a skeet shotgun is an over-and-under shotgun. While you could use any type of shotgun to shoot the skeet, this type of weapon is often referred to as a "skeet shotgun" among experienced shooters for its accuracy and range.
Consider adding relatively open barrels to improve accuracy and make sure you hit your targets regularly. This is a common addition among experienced shooters
Step 3. Learn the differences between the stations
When practicing skeet, you will move between 7 different stations in an arc (20 meters from the launch point) and a point slightly closer. You will always aim in the same general direction (towards the shooting range) but will change the angle on the targets as you move from point to point. There are two machines that release clay targets from either side of the shooting range, one low and one higher, and both will enter your line of sight and line of sight. The goal is to hit both targets.
Step 4. Learn the order of the targets
The order in which the targets are released varies from station to station. Generally, only one target will be fired from each car, although this will change along the way. Learning the order is part of the event strategy.
- At stations 1 and 2 a single target is fired from the tallest machine, and then a single target from the lower one. Then, another target will be released from the lower machine, and finally the two targets at the same time. During the simultaneous release, the goal is to shoot the highest target first. You will need to fire 4 shots at each station.
- At stations 3 and 5 a single target will be released from the tallest machine, then a single target from the lower one, for a total of two hits at each station.
- At stations 6 and 7 the order is exactly the same as in stations 1 and 2. One high target, one low target and then the targets at the same time. The only difference is that the low target will be fired first. At each of these stations you will fire four shots.
- At station 8, the station up close, you will shoot a high and low target. If you have not been wrong up to this point, there will be a bonus target fired by the smaller car.
Part 2 of 3: Shoot with Accuracy
Step 1. Get into position
If you have never fired skeet before, position yourself in any of the 7 stations equidistant along the semicircle of one side of the skeet court, between the high and low machines and fire a few practice shots to get used to the flying of the targets. Train to learn the times and flight trajectory of the targets.
Step 2. Get into the right shooting position
Facing the target, keep your back straight and spread your legs in a comfortable position. Bend your front knee slightly and put your weight on your front foot. Bring the shotgun to your back and hold it close to your body. Maintain a good grip on the barrel with your cheek and aim well along the shotgun.
Step 3. Practice moving the shotgun in an arc
When aiming, practice following the targets with the safety engaged and the shotgun unloaded to get an idea of the movement. Targets move pretty fast, so it's no surprise that experienced shooters need to develop good muscle memory to shoot well. Aim is less important than this. Once you've mastered the alignment move, it's time to shoot some targets.
Step 4. Learn to shoot in front of targets
It will take time to get to know the trajectory and the advantage that you will have to have, but when you understand it, you will hit the targets without problems. Adjust the lead time if you miss too often and jump from one target to the next. Use as much natural motion as possible to quickly follow each target and pull the trigger.
Step 5. Finish the movement
As in golf and basketball, you will need to finish shooting movements to shoot targets accurately. Imagine that your movement is like an arc that you activate by pressing a button, along which you will pull the trigger to fire. The arc does not stop after the shot. Keep moving the rifle along the trajectory of movement after pulling the trigger, but take your finger off the trigger when you have fired.
Part 3 of 3: The Next Step
Step 1. Join a shooting club
To get regular access to club facilities, join a skeet club. There you can meet other shooters, learn from their tips and start competing. Some clubs organize leagues that you can participate in.
Step 2. Join the National Shooting Federation (FITAV)
As a member of the federation you will be able to shoot in official tournaments, improve accuracy and scores, and rank.
Generally there are different skill levels, to allow you to compete against shooters of the same skill as you. Don't try to become the best right away. Focus on the shooting mechanics and keep shooting, and you'll eventually move up the ladder
Step 3. Consider taking skeet lessons
An experienced shooter can offer you useful advice, criticism and give you pointers to learn faster. As you get better at it, a coach can continue to help you in competitions, like a caddy does a golfer. Certified skeet instructors are invaluable help for beginners.
Step 4. Keep shooting
Reading skeet information won't help you become more precise. Work out. Shooting regularly will help you develop the memory shuffle needed to improve accuracy. After some time, you will rain clays.
Advice
- Use cartridges with fewer bullets and more gunpowder to take less recoil when you train.
- Practice moving the shotgun and aiming with an unloaded shotgun in front of the mirror until you are comfortable with the movements.
- Consider taking lessons from a certified instructor.
- The machine for the high clay pigeons is located about 3 meters from station 1, and the low one one meter above station 7.
- Start shooting skeet using a shotgun of a caliber that suits you and upgrade to more advanced gear as you improve.
- Make sure the shotgun is unloaded until you are in the station and ready to fire.
- Note that the machines shoot the targets 5 meters above the shooter, and cross at a central point 9 meters from station 8.
- Make sure the shotgun is unloaded when you're done shooting and are exiting the station.
- Always start moving the shotgun before taking aim.
Warnings
- Do not attempt to shoot targets without earplugs and safety glasses.
- Aim the rifle only in the shooting range, in the direction of the targets.
