Aiming a shotgun vs rifle

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Kanwar88

CGN Regular
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Hey CGN

I went trap shooting the other day, my second time going. The first time I went, I was told by one of the fellows there that I should forget everything I know about rifle shooting as shotguns are different. I was told not to use the iron sites, but instead shoulder the gun and shoot naturally keeping my eyes on the target. My first round I shot a 12/25 followed by a 17/25.

When I went again, this weekend, I had forgotten the advice and started using the iron sights, and shot a 20/25.

My friend told me I was doing it wrong and I should keep eyes on the target both eyes open and not use irons.

I am unsure as to what path to take. Rifle style, or my friends advice.
 
Really it's whatever works for you.

I just recently tried shooting with no bead (broke off while trying to replace it with my favourite - a green FO front), and found I shot WAAAY better than I expected. Really made me focus on the target rather than the bead getting in the way.

I find shotgun much more 'instinctive' than rifle shooting, and a lot more fun for new shooters as well.
 
After a while of shooting trap you'll completely forget there's even a bead on the gun. Just shoot whatever feels right for you now and it will change over time.

I barely even look down the barrel when I shoot skeet, just a natural movement for me at this point.
 
Beretta-Skeet said:
After a while of shooting trap you'll completely forget there's even a bead on the gun. Just shoot whatever feels right for you now and it will change over time.

I barely even look down the barrel when I shoot skeet, just a natural movement for me at this point.
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No he is better to forget about the bead now than get into the sport and wish he did
I remember when I started shooting shotgun I would mention the bead and go to shoot the next round only to find out it was gone
The old shooters at the club would take it off on me.
Now I see nothing but the target not even the barrel most times which is why I am such a terrible rifle shot unless the target is moving I am deadly. :)
 
Its hard to say I do close my opposite eye particularly when shooting off my weak shoulder, I shoot off both shoulders since I the year I broke bones in my right hand almost missed opening day of bird season to let it heal, but I shoot best when I forget the bead and focus strictly on the target regardless of eye open or closed.
For me if a shotgun fits well aiming rarely happens in the sense a rifle shooter thinks of unless shooting a turkey or crippled waterfowl, as has been said before it feels more like pointing.
 
Forget that there is even a bead on the shotgun, and point it, rather than trying to aim it precisely. Concentrate on the target,not on the sights or the bead.
 
Okay, thank you for all the advice, but I have a follow up question.

I plan on getting into 3 gun competitions, is the idea the same, or for that it is recommended I use the bead?
 
3-gun is a little different because your targets are stationary (for the most part anyway) but I've always found that the same rules apply anytime you require fast, or faster, paced shotgunning.

1) make sure the gun fits you
2) keep your head pushed firmly into the stock
3) focus on the target

If you follow those 3 rules the gun will naturally point where you are looking everytime without even thinking about it.
 
I trick I was taught was leave the shotgun you use all the time in a spot you walk by regularly (make sure your following gun storage laws and keeping safety the priority). Every time you walk by it shoulder it. Pick a random safe spot to focus on and snap the gun up to point at that spot. After a while it becomes fluid and natural. You become so in tune with the firearm that you don't need to think about it, it will slide into your shoulder and point exactly where you are looking.
 
Not aiming takes practice, but the results are worth it.

When I'm doing it right, I feel like I'm looking through a zoom lens at the target. The clay bird looks big and the gun's muzzle is a ghost.
When I'm doing it wrong, I feel like I'm looking through a wide-angle lens down a long barrel at a distant target.

I do find that I'm more inclined to slide into aiming when shooting trap than I am when shooting skeet. Probably because I shoot trap with the gun pre-mounted but shoot skeet from a low-gun position.
 
If you never shot clays before, its easier if you get someone to hand throw some "hangers" at the beginning. Once you can nail those, start tossing them across.
 
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