Sporting Clays

[Gambia]

Never  seen this mentioned  in the TMA but here in the UK it is big business .Most shoots consist of five stands of six birds each that resemble different game birds  such as driven grouse, high pheasant ,crossing pigeon, springing teal  ,and always a bolting rabbit. The guns used are mostly sxs percussion which can be from bore size 12  to 20 and flintlock sxs  the same ,shot size is mostly number seven.To shoot 30 straight with a percussion can and is often done but with a flintlock is a littler bit harder.
Anybody out there shoot  this type of clay?
Feltwad.

A Flint Lock will not sercure a chicken house door

[Sir Michael]

Haven't tried sporting clays but I have shot trap.  Depending on future events the GRMM may soon be adding trap with either flint or percussion to our monthly shoots.

[melsdad]

Sporting clays is somewhat popular around our area. I can think of 3 different courses with multiple stations, all within an hours drive from me. However I don't know of any shoots that cater to traditional guns, but it sure would make it more interesting.

[Riley/MN]

Our Boy Scout camp has a 20 station course, but it only used once a year for a fundraiser. That makes it out of the price range for the average Scoutmaster to partake in, so a lot of the Scouts & Scouters man the stations.

This year I had the rabbit, but the ground was so dry and hard that some of the rabbits acted more like springing teal. It was fun to see the reaction of some of these shooters (who obviously do this on a regular basis) to a rabbit that was jumping 10' into the air...

[Fletcher]

The shotgun event put on at the Evergreen Sports Club in both the spring and fall Rondys is a form of BP Sporting Clays.

Immense fun and I wish other Rondys could or would do that.

On most of the shots you have to have a spotter call your hit/miss, since you can't see suat through that big puff of black smoke in front of you.

Good thing they only shoot single targets to accomodate single barrel shotguns and trade guns.  Doubles would be dang near impossible to see that second target !!

I have squeaked out a third place twice but the top two guys who always seem to come are unbelievably good!

[Capt. Jas.]

I shoot sporting. My son is a former state and national team champion. We also like FITASC.
Not a lot of difference between cap guns and cartridge with easy shots. No 60 yard Digweed crossers, etc. The long throw flints take some getting used to although they are more fun.

[Gambia]

My branch have an open shoot this Sunday the 13th there will be muzzle loading shots coming from most parts of the UK .If the weather  ok I hope to get some images which I will post.
Feltwad
A Flint Lock will not secure a chicken house door

[Riley/MN]

I hope to get some images which I will post.

I hope, too!

[Fletcher]

I love the King's English there Feltwad.  We yanks have lost the meaning some!

Translated:

branch = gun club ?

shots = shooters?

images = digital photos ?

 :lol:

[Gambia]

Quite right Fletcher I will try and remember to put the yank version in brackets.
Feltwad
A Flint Lock will not secure a chicken house door

[Sir Michael]

Feltwad, don't bother, if these colonials can't figure it out they don't need to know.  :rotf  :rotf  :rotf  :rotf  

[Kermit]

I haven't joined the local "rod and gun" club, because the last I heard, they didn't much like muzzleloaders. Slows down the shooting, as I understand it. Word was they'd let a muzzleloader shoot if no one else was on the range. Also didn't like ML rifles on the outdoor pistol range if pistols were present (nearest targets allowed on the rifle range are 100 yds). I got a VERY chilly reception when I asked about muzzleloader and airgun and archery accomodations. I'm afraid I didn't show enough interest in the bar. Or could it be that my '55 Chevy PU didn't fit with the Caddys and Beemers in the parking lot?

[Fletcher]

Kermit - that's too bad about the reception and I know there are a couple ML clubs up that way.

Check the Washington State Muzzleloaders Association website.  They have links and calendars for most of the clubs in the NW.

[Gambia]

The weather was good for our sporting clay shoot although the shooting was not as good,scores were average around 20 out of 30 with the winner on 25 .
There were 38 shooters  so it was a good turnout ,I could not but notice that a large majority of shooters are from the older generation there is not enough young shooters coming into the sport.It was a good day and enjoyed by all those that attended, there was one mishap witnessed by one shooter  who escaped injury  but that is another story see image.

Feltwad
A Flint Lock will not secure a chicken house door.

Bolting Rabbit
[albumimg:1qjiv1of]4537[/albumimg:1qjiv1of]

Break For Lunch
[albumimg:1qjiv1of]4538[/albumimg:1qjiv1of]

Lunch Time
[albumimg:1qjiv1of]4539[/albumimg:1qjiv1of]

The Winner
[albumimg:1qjiv1of]4540[/albumimg:1qjiv1of]

Every Shooters Nightmare
[albumimg:1qjiv1of]4541[/albumimg:1qjiv1of]

[nessy357]

I shot sporting clays for the first time this past Sept.  
They had 8 throwers from all different angles, also first time I've experienced doubles , where the second bird is activated by the report of the first shot. All of the shooters had SXS Muzzleloaders, I was using a 14ga, Scholefield(English) I just recently acquired a 16ga double made by Gourlays of Glasgow, plan on testing out next week.


Cheers Bob.