What shooting stance/technique do you use for shotgun?

[Slaymoar]

I've shot many rifles in my life, but not that many shotguns. When I went to the range last summer, I quickly realized I should modify my shooting stance because that SBS was killing my shoulder.

So in the end I found a good stance that works great for me - its a modified offhand. I lock my upper body and swivel with my hips to acquire clays. The guys at the range said I wasn't doing it right, but it was working great so they said stick with what works.. I was comfortable so I kept it that way.

Here is what I do:

The only difference is I keep my right arm tucked against my body (unconventionnal for shotgun). The only thing I modified for shotgun is I roll my upper body forward a bit. I lean into the shot and let the recoil do its thing. The only thing that would help me would be a front grip since on a pump I have move my arm from posture to pump.


What is your posture?

 

[struff55]

You need to watch some AA class shotguners & learn a proper shotgunning technique or you will never be more than average at best .you can go on the net and Find many instructional videos

 

[TACTICAL111]

Not me, but a proper stance will do wonders for your game.

 

[Grouse Man]

Yeah, I've never seen anybody shoot a shotgun with your stance. Wingshooting is a dynamic sport; you need to be able to rotate your body, or at least your upper body. Indeed, simply take a look at some good skeet, trap, clays shooters on youtube and you'll see. Weight slightly forward, body leaning slightly into the gun, right arm out about 90º from the body, left foot pointing towards aim, etc.

Best bet is to let an experienced shooter show you. Then you can shoot 10 rounds of trap/skeet without too much discomfort. Just note what your sight picture looks like when you are hitting targets, and ensure you modify your stance/hold to get that same picture.

 

[R&R Rancher]

Good advise already here. The line I tell a new comer to remember is "Nose over toes"

Leaning way back the way the OP is makes the toe of the stock the only contact with the shoulder. When the gun is fired two things happen. First there is a small contact area concentrating the recoil forces which is painful. Second the recoil isn't in a straight line with the contact point so the recoil forces the muzzle to jump. The whole gun pivots and the stock smacks the shooter in the cheek. More pain

OP, follow the advise given, practice your form at home in the mirror and you will find shooting your shotgun a lot easier

 

[Claybuster]

Yeah, I've never seen anybody shoot a shotgun with your stance. Wingshooting is a dynamic sport; you need to be able to rotate your body, or at least your upper body. Indeed, simply take a look at some good skeet, trap, clays shooters on youtube and you'll see. Weight slightly forward, body leaning slightly into the gun, right arm out about 90º from the body, left foot pointing towards aim, etc.

I agree the OP's stance is, uh, peculiar but if he's hitting targets then it's working for him. You'll see all kinds of weird and wonderful stances at the Grand American none of which are supposed to work but the scorecard doesn't know how were standing when you fired the shot.

 

[Grouse Man]

 

[mbonner]

Thats Susan Natrass, 8 times World Ladies International Trap Champion. One of the best, if not the best Canadian shotgun shooter ever and still competing

 

[TACTICAL111]

I agree the OP's stance is, uh, peculiar but if he's hitting targets then it's working for him. You'll see all kinds of weird and wonderful stances at the Grand American none of which are supposed to work but the scorecard doesn't know how were standing when you fired the shot.

Agreed.
For the OP: I started with a 20" pump, then got a 20" SXS double trigger, then a semi 24", and now a O/U 28"/29+ with chokes, and compete with all of them.
Very unconventional to say the least, but I feel it made me the shooter that I am.

Point being: If you're smashing 100+ with you're style, then keep it up, and I mean that.
If you're not, and trying to push you're limits, learn from the top shooters. Shoot with as many as you can and absorb all that you can.
That's the only lesson that I learned from competition golf and it crosses over to skeet or clays just the same.

Above all, enjoy it, it's a wonderful sport. It will always challenge you to to be as good as want to be.

 

[beretta boy]

And the other photos are of Vincent Hancock ... US Olympic Skeet Champion.

I recognize Susan, but then again, have known her since she was in her early 20's
working on her Masters at McMaster in Hamilton.

If you really want to investigate "stance/technique", you might try to track down a copy of
"Game Shooting" by Robert Churchill ( 1990, Countrysport Press, Box 1856, Traverse City, MI. 49685)
Additionally, lots of good articles on a monthly basis by Chris Batha in Shooting Sportsman magazine
and often by others in Sporting Clays Magazine.

 

[sherlockbonez]

I think the stance OP posted would have gave him more movements than a traditional rifle stances since the trunk is unsupported and is free the swing left and right. But since the upper body is leaning back, you would not be able to manage the recoil effectively for followup shot(s).

Also, before you mount the gun, take a small step towards where you want to hit your target.

 

[9.3mauser]

I agree the OP's stance is, uh, peculiar but if he's hitting targets then it's working for him. You'll see all kinds of weird and wonderful stances at the Grand American none of which are supposed to work but the scorecard doesn't know how were standing when you fired the shot.

I suspect the OP will reach a certain level of proficiency then plateau. It would be better to do things correctly from the beginning than to try and break bad habits later. The British are big on "form" and if you have the proper form, then all you need is more practice. If you don't have good form it will be difficult to progress,

 

[VLT79]

I suspect the OP will reach a certain level of proficiency then plateau. It would be better to do things correctly from the beginning than to try and break bad habits later. The British are big on "form" and if you have the proper form, then all you need is more practice. If you don't have good form it will be difficult to progress,

I agree! That's one reason why I prefer working with new shooters. "Experienced" shooters are a pain in the a$$ to work with because muscle memory and habit (and a good dose of stubborness) steps in all the time!

 

[Claybuster]

I suspect the OP will reach a certain level of proficiency then plateau. It would be better to do things correctly from the beginning than to try and break bad habits later. The British are big on "form" and if you have the proper form, then all you need is more practice. If you don't have good form it will be difficult to progress,

The British are big on form but even they have no consensus. Having shot at both places what they teach at Churchill's is not the same as H&H even though there is lots of overlap.

There is no one right way. Take a look at the pictures of two champion shooters in this thread. Natrass' elbows are higher, Hathcock is more forward on the stock, has more weight on this front foot, Natrass's stock is higher in her shoulder and the position of the leading hand is different for both shooters.

I agree the shooter will plateau (most of us do) and his stance while perhaps okay for trap would be less useful for sporting clays or hunting.

 

[mbonner]

I have known Susan since 1983, when I refereed my first big shoot, Edmonton, World Moving Target Championships, in the rain..
Chris Batha is an excellent coach, I agree.

 

[mbonner]

Susan is shooting bunker trap, Vince is shooting Interntional skeet.

 

[NorthernCX]

Get your off hand forward, even on a pump- lean forward, left knee out over your toes, nose about the same. Depending on your stature (one of the solidest ladies I've seen run an 870 is about 100 lbs. soaking wet and looks like she's about to fall on her face), you can exaggerate the forward lean and soak up recoil- just don't lock your support leg. And get your cheek onto the stock as tight as you can. That has helped more students I've taught than anything else- they start off thinking that will hurt them more, but once the shotgun tells them different (usually through not taking my advice), they feel and see the difference and start listening.

 

[Soulfly]

Does anyone else get wood when they see a nice O/U? Or is it just me....

(Maybe not go as far to say I get wood... But, Well.. You know..)

 

[ss1980]

It's definitely different than shooting with a rifle. With rifle, you mostly shoot at stationery targets, with shotgun, you mostly shoot at moving targets. With rifle, you aim. Wish shotgun -- you point and keep the gun moving. Therefore, stances are significantly different. With rifle, the stance is more for stability and to limit the movements, especially in bull's eye disciplines. With shotgun, the stance allows for movement to expand the possible kill zone.

There are a number of techniques out there, depending on the country of origination, sport you'll be practicing, and your personal preference.

For 3 gun competition, it is this:

This is frontal shooting stance which is used by most competitive, law enforcement and military shooters.

1. Lean forward. This is very important and enables you to control recoil even after numerous shots.

2. Cheek weld. Put your face down on the stock. Shotgun should be placed between your eyes and target. That means that you need to learn how to put your shotgun exactly on a target when lifting it up.

3. Bring a shotgun tightly to a shoulder. If it is loose the stock will hit your shoulder shot after shot and you will come back from a range with black and blue shoulder.

4. Flex your knees, this way you will be able to control recoil with your body.

5. Don’t stick your right elbow out. Hold your elbows tucked in close to your chest. This will minimize your silhouette which is very important in home defense situation. Also, this ensures better maneuverability in close quarters environment.

6. Stand with feet about shoulder width apart.

7. Don’t put your left hand too far farward on the forend. Remeber that forend on Remington 870 located far from shooter, so you need to find a comfortable position or install a longer forend.

Practice often and you will have a proper shotgun shooting stance which will help you to shoot fast and accurately.

For upland bird hunting and clay disciplines, the stance is quite different:

 

[ss1980]

The best article I've found so far comparing rifle and shotgun shooting positions is this -- http://www.bunkershooting.com/rifleman.html. It's a very good read indeed.