gun position at call of "Pull"

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Down loaded the ATA rules and am wondering.
I ATA trap does the shotgun have to be aimed in the direction of the trap house or can the shooter hold the gun at his side when calling "pull" then shoulder the firearm and fire.

I find I hit more when the gun is at my side and I bring it up then when I have to follow the clay from aiming at the house or below it. I also noticed I dont even use the bead sights. Its almost as if the gun has a mind of its own and "poof" a dust cloud.
 
In registered ATA trap there is a rule that a person can not do anything that would destroy the harmony of the shoot/squad.....I think if someone was shooting with a lowered gun, some of his squadmates might complain and this would be considered in contravention of the rule as it is not usually done and may be unsettling to other shooters. If a "puller" is being used, it would cause problems for them as they would not be used to a call of "pull" from someone with an unshouldered gun. These "call" problems created by the individual could also be considered as " desrupting the harmony of the shoot. Just my thoughts as an ATA shooter on and off for 25 years or so.
 
ben hunchak said:
In registered ATA trap there is a rule that a person can not do anything that would destroy the harmony of the shoot/squad.....I think if someone was shooting with a lowered gun, some of his squadmates might complain and this would be considered in contravention of the rule as it is not usually done and may be unsettling to other shooters. If a "puller" is being used, it would cause problems for them as they would not be used to a call of "pull" from someone with an unshouldered gun. These "call" problems created by the individual could also be considered as " desrupting the harmony of the shoot. Just my thoughts as an ATA shooter on and off for 25 years or so.
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I think that if there was a complaint, the only alternative would be for those who do not wish to be squaded with a gun down shooter to choose another squad, however I think that the gun down shooter is within the rules of the A.T.A. 2007:

http://www.shootata.com/pdfs/Rulebook_2007.pdf

Section IV I 14.

I would have copied and printed the exact section, but for some reason this page would not allow me to copy.
 
How often is the "harmony of the squad" rule actually applied and what is it usually for?

During my brief time shooting registered ATA I saw the harmony rule mentioned to shooters who were too slow to shoot, talking on the line or otherwise being disruptive but I've never seen it actually applied. I'd be hard pressed to think shooting gun down would qualify if it's not specifically forbidden by the rules.

The best bet is to shoot sporting clays. No problem with gun down at that game. ;)
 
[hijack]
The 'Harmony of the squad/shoot' rule sounds like the all encompassing 'a$$hole rule'. As someone who is frequently involved with shoot management I really like it, and try to include it in any shoot I am involved with (5 or 6 a year).

I've been fortunate to never have to enact it, but essentially it gives shoot management grounds to deal with 'undesirable situations' that may not be explicitly covered within the rules (generally someone being an a$$hole).

[/hijack]

Now that said, I can't imagine that shooting with a low gun would interfere with the squad if you are being safe. Also, are you actually participating in ATA competitions or just shooting at the club? If just shooting at the club, who cares? You are presumably a member, so go shoot your targets how ever you like (with in the bounds of safety). It's not an ATA competition so such rules don't apply.

Brad.
 
bmcrae said:
[hijack]

If just shooting at the club, who cares? You are presumably a member, so go shoot your targets how ever you like (with in the bounds of safety). It's not an ATA competition so such rules don't apply.

Brad.
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Being involved in ATA trap off and on for a very long time, I have seen many shoot gun down in practice, but not one at a registered shoot. I know many who like to squad with shooters they know and I have no problem with that. I also know many who would blame a gun down squad mate for their own own bad performance.
 
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I shoot all my Skeet and most Trap (except 25 yd. handicap :)) with the gun down as in Sporting. Had several wise owls tell me that I would score better with gun mounted but no one ever complained. If I thought it did bother other shooters I would gladly change, but I can't see how it could affect any one other than me.:)
 
Hmmm I'm not alone. I also prefer to have the gun down when calling for a target. Same as field shooting that way, probably more time to target, but I find I bust more birds from a gun down start. Smoother transition to target rather than a jerk(y) movement left to right (gun up start) as the bird comes from the hut? Good to know there are other shooters who do the same.
 
PGKris said:
Smoother transition to target rather than a jerk(y) movement left to right (gun up start) as the bird comes from the hut? .
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I doubt if anyone would use the term jerk(y) to describe the best gun up trap and skeet shooters. Gun up or a gun started from a lower position a very smooth transition to the target is often the sign of a superior shot.

Shoot whatever way you wish, and even in ATA competion the rules will support you!
 
You know what I mean. From the ready position lined on the house, you will have a shorter, less fluid movement to make, whereas from the gun down position, you can make a full swing, which will be a smoother motion to target. At least, that's how I see it.
 
Not a real good way to start off shooting in ATA events, you will just pi%% the rest of your squadmates off, either be disqualified for disturbing the harmony of the shoot, or at the very least end up shooting the event by yourself on the practice trap!!
 
m12man said:
Not a real good way to start off shooting in ATA events, you will just pi%% the rest of your squadmates off, either be disqualified for disturbing the harmony of the shoot, or at the very least end up shooting the event by yourself on the practice trap!!
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There is no way one will be disqualified because the rules allow a gun down mount, and there is no justification for changing assigned trap after the event starts. I would suspect that if the squad mates walk after the start of the event, they may be disqualified and not be allowed to re enter?
 
"Disturbing the Harmony" What exactly does that entail? I used to shoot trap ( 20 years ago) and was concerned and tried to concentrate more on the next clay I was going to call. I wasnt paying attention to the other shooters in reguard to how they stood, shot, dressed or the type of firearm they used. If the harmony is related to timing - For me with my gun down at the call of "pull", it may add another second. I just cant see it disrupting other shooters. It's not unsafe.
 
I think bmcrae put "Disturbing the Harmony" in its proper setting. Sure there are many, including myself who really enjoys shooting on a well timed squad, but when I call for my target, what happened before my turn or after my turn does not matter and it is my responsibility to score the target and if I do not, there is no one to blame except me.

Now this time between shots thing? Sure a certain rythem is nice, but I have seen shooters deliberatley or out of need vary the rythem. I have seen it many times, especialy in shoot offs. No matter what the rythem, the shooter who can deal with one target at a time, no matter what the rythem is usually the winner.
 
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