Pumpguns and follow-through

yorgi

yorgi

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I've always had a liking for pump-action shotguns. Started with a Mossberg 500 and a LH Wingmaster. My go-to gun is a Browning BPS which I use for just about everything nowadays.

My shooting capabilities are pretty average but I do admit that I have much better scores with earthbound game than I do with the feathered variety.

Every good shotgun shooter stresses the importance of a good follow-through with the barrel but I find that the mechanics of pumping the forearm interfere with a smooth swing.

Other than hitting the clays, can anyone suggest any tips or tricks that will improve my success?
 
Finish your shot before pumping your shotgun. Maybe some practice with a single shot to make the first one count will help. Don't worry about getting the next round loaded until you finish the first. Just an idea might help you.
 
I have a set routine that I go through everytime I fire a pumpgun. Basicly acquire target, "paint" through target, pull trigger at correct time, continue stroke, eject empty as soon as I register a hit or miss.
 
Follow-through is often misunderstood. What is important is not stopping the gun when the trigger is pulled. Follow-through is a means to an end. Once your gun goes bang continuing your follow-through is wasted motion. Once the gun goes bang pump the action and carry on.
 
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Claybuster said:
Follow-through is often misunderstand. What is important is not stopping the gun when the trigger is pulled. Follow-through is a means to an end. Once your gun goes bang continuing your follow-through is wasted motion. Once the gun goes bang pump the action and carry on.
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Amen brotha
 
Turkeyslayer 1300 said:
Basicly acquire target, "paint" through target, pull trigger at correct time, continue stroke, eject empty as soon as I register a hit or miss.
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or you could acquire target and maintain proper lead or insert gun on target and pull away, or put lead on target and let lead dimiinish, and pull trigger at correct time. Have I forgot anything other than spot shooting ?
 
In skeet i shoot, drop the gun and bit while I pump the action, then acquire the incommer.
I find this works best for me, because i tend to freeze if I try to pum with the gun on my shoulder.
Cat
 
Droping the gun a bit between shots is not just limited to those who shoot pump guns. I have noticed deliberate dropping of the gun by some very good sporting and skeet shooters. It seems to be more common among those who shoot the move, mount, shoot method. While it is not classic Todd Bender, dropping a bit as Catnthehatt says will probably help with the pump between shots.

The pump gun is my first love. When I got back to sporting I started with a well worn 870. I took the gun off my shoulder and re mounted on most pairs. When you get used to one, you do not remember the pump movement. Now I can not help but notice the pump moverment, It is a torn rotator on my left shoulder that keeps me from having a pump gun in every gauge.:(
 
yorgi said:
I've always had a liking for pump-action shotguns. Started with a Mossberg 500 and a LH Wingmaster. My go-to gun is a Browning BPS which I use for just about everything nowadays.

My shooting capabilities are pretty average but I do admit that I have much better scores with earthbound game than I do with the feathered variety.

Every good shotgun shooter stresses the importance of a good follow-through with the barrel but I find that the mechanics of pumping the forearm interfere with a smooth swing.

Other than hitting the clays, can anyone suggest any tips or tricks that will improve my success?
Click to expand...

I notice you use a BPS friend. During clays/skeet/trap shooting has anyone given you greif over using a bottom loading shotgun for this?
I ask because I own Ithaca M37s.

I find this subject about point swing and reload, very interesting, you experienced guys please keep talking.

Cheers
 
Brutus said:
I notice you use a BPS friend. During clays/skeet/trap shooting has anyone given you greif over using a bottom loading shotgun for this?
I ask because I own Ithaca M37s.

I find this subject about point swing and reload, very interesting, you experienced guys please keep talking.
Cheers
Click to expand...


No-one has made mention of it yet Brutus. Pretty unobtrusive while loading and no bother to anyone else with the bottom-eject unloading. Thanks for all the good tips from everyone.
 
yorgi said:
through with the barrel but I find that the mechanics of pumping the forearm interfere with a smooth swing.
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I should have mentioned this earlier. Pumping the forearm should never interfere with a smooth swing, because pumping the forearm comes after the smooth swing and shot. You should never worry about the second shot until you have mastered #1,

Now if you are worried about clay target doubles like skeet similtaneous pairs, it is not unusual for a new shooter to feel like he/she has to pump for his/her life to get the second target. You will find that the key to hitting both targets and making it look easy is to know that you have lots of time and there is no need to rush. You need a plan to take the rush out of the pair. The easiest way to do that is with a competent instructor and practice.
 
if you play paintball and use a pump action gun i would like to know the benefits of that over a semi automatic gun my first guess would be air effency but i am not sure.
 
Brutus said:
I notice you use a BPS friend. During clays/skeet/trap shooting has anyone given you greif over using a bottom loading shotgun for this?
I ask because I own Ithaca M37s.

I find this subject about point swing and reload, very interesting, you experienced guys please keep talking.

Cheers
Click to expand...
Can't see why anyone would give you grief. I've shot with guys using 37s and BPS and it wasn't an issue.
 
Brutus said:
I notice you use a BPS friend. During clays/skeet/trap shooting has anyone given you greif over using a bottom loading shotgun for this?
I ask because I own Ithaca M37s.

I find this subject about point swing and reload, very interesting, you experienced guys please keep talking.

Cheers
Click to expand...

I used to shoot Trap at a club where the participants had always had a mixed variety of shotguns ranging from breechloading double guns to semis/slide actions. I noticed all kinds of pumps 870/BPS/M37/Win 1300 etc and those guys perfromed real well and more often than not they shot as well or better than the guys holding brand name O/Us :).

One guy in particular used an old M37 in 20ga and never seemed to miss a bird.
 
Covey Ridge said:
Droping the gun a bit between shots is not just limited to those who shoot pump guns. I have noticed deliberate dropping of the gun by some very good sporting and skeet shooters. It seems to be more common among those who shoot the move, mount, shoot method. While it is not classic Todd Bender, dropping a bit as Catnthehatt says will probably help with the pump between shots.

The pump gun is my first love. When I got back to sporting I started with a well worn 870. I took the gun off my shoulder and re mounted on most pairs. When you get used to one, you do not remember the pump movement. Now I can not help but notice the pump moverment, It is a torn rotator on my left shoulder that keeps me from having a pump gun in every gauge.:(
Click to expand...

I actually drop it a bit when I shoot my SXS guns as well!:p
Cat
 
Covey Ridge said:
You should never worry about the second shot until you have mastered #1,
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That is precisely the issue I'm having... My technique, including follow-through, taking the first shot on passing geese or ducks is fairly good. As anyone who's exclusively used a pump can agree with, reloading is by now instinctive. The big problem is the jerkiness and stop-go motion associated with it.

I guess I have to treat every shot as a first shot and "catch up" to the second or third target after completing the first shooting cycle.
 
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