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Here's a bit of an introduction to How to Break Clays.com
The whole point of writing stuff here is to have somewhere on the internet for you to find out what you need to start shooting clays safely with a few mates in a field, here you'll find I've done bits about how to shoot and how you can set up for an afternoon of fun clay breaking. I gain a lot of satisfaction from watching people enjoy themselves shooting targets that I have set up - the look on someone's face when they hit a clay for the first time is worth all the time and effort. Shooting uses some of the most basic of human instincts that everyone has and when it works you're hooked, most people want to come back for more. Once you've started shooting you will probably either pay to shoot at a local club or, like hundreds of others, go to a well known auction website and buy a trap which can be exceedingly dangerous if you don't use it properly. You'll find everything here that I've learnt from lots of people over several years clay shooting. What you are reading are my thoughts about how I shoot, how to safely set up a stand in your field and a few other bits and pieces - you name it, it should be here - if it's not then ask me and I'll try to find the answers for you.
Along the way I've learnt about the most important subject of all, SAFETY; different ways there are to put a gun in the right place in front of the target as well as a bit about guns, chokes, and cartridges. I know how to use, set up and then maintain manual and automatic traps - I can even tell you how to run your own shoot - been there, done that, still do it.
I started shooting as soon as I could hold a Gat, then went through airguns to a garden gun, .410 and ultimately the 12 bore that I favour now. I've shot tin cans, pests, pheasants, rabbits but there is nothing that can hold a candle to hitting clays that you can call over the hedge when you want them. Clays are by far the most important part of my shooting but as well as that I shoot .22 target rifle. My average is usually around 94.5 although higher scores have earnt me a place in the Eley Postal Competition final at Bisley, where I shot surprisingly well and came home with a nice piece of glassware! I am proud to be part of Framlingham Rifle Club whose highly skilled members have helped and encouraged me to shoot a couple of 100's amongst several 98's, please ask me for an introduction to the world of .22 target shooting - we're always looking for new members. My latest forays into the rifle range have seen me win FRC's Christmas competition and compete against the highly skilled Framlingham College shooting team.
My first experience of clay shooting came at a friend's birthday party many years ago, she had organised a laser clay shooting event in her back garden when it was a relatively new game; it was a brilliant evening, I was able to use a proper gun fairly well and the clay bug bit. There followed an introduction to 'proper' clays with my side-by-side and within 2 shoots I'd traded it in for an over and under. Since then I've shot regularly at my local club, High Lodge, as well as taking a gun whenever I go away for a few nights - my holidays are usually arranged to be within striking distance of gun clubs I want to visit!
Over the many years that I've been shooting clays, a vast amount of my enjoyment of the sport has been derived from setting up targets for others and watching them try to break as many as they can. During all that time I have gained a fairly good idea of what people want to shoot at and what clays to lay on, according to their abilities. Along the way I've tapped the brains of manufacturers, retailers, ground owners, professional shooters, ground owners as well as any one else who had knowledge to impart; the practical bits that I know are in my head through hands-on experience - I know my grounds, traps, clays and I know what the majority of amateur club shooters wants. From the Prince's Trust shoot, with traps mounted on a platform high above the trees for a 175 bird flush beside a 75 bird compact sporting layout, to one trap and two guns in a field it's all thoroughly enjoyable entertainment - whatever people want, I've probably setup and shot my own version.
The latest chapter in my shooting career has taken me in a slightly different direction from that which has gone before. You may have noticed the bit at the top of the page, that says it all really. I'm now taking my shooting knowledge and equipment to your homes - I'll show you how to experience the thrill that is clay shooting in the comfort of your own surroundings. Many people I talk to are keen to try clay breaking but they don't have the confidence to go to a club where there are strangers with skeet jackets and expensive guns; that's where I come in - I can set up the targets that new guns can hit and also guide them towards enjoying a sport for the rest of their lives; people who wouldn't normally try shooting can now learn gun handling skills and technique amongst their friends in their own time at their own place. I will supply everything you need to shoot clays whether you're a complete novice or an experienced syndicate gun; my events are social occasions for everyone where I can introduce my sport to complete beginners or show competitive targets for experienced syndicate guns in a safe, friendly environment. I am pleased to say that once again Framlingham College asked me to run the Inter-House Clay Pigeon Shooting Competition; a wonderful day was had by all!
Just remember that I'm an amateur club shooter who is thoroughly hooked on clay shooting and along the way I introduce many people to the sport, sharing my passion with anyone who will listen. I shoot an average of 70-75% and can score 85's for fun - what I do is regular social shooting, I don't take part in dedicated competition events, nor do scores matter too much to me. All I want to do is introduce people to my chosen sport; to help them find and enjoy for themselves the thrill and excitement that I derive from shooting clays. Any advice I give you on this site is based on my knowledge of shooting through having many years hands on experience running a club as well as being a qualified CPSA Safety Officer. What I tell you are my thoughts and pointers towards your being able to shoot effectively and safely.
****Back by popular demand - The Practice Shoot****
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Question and Answer Section
Why does it hurt when I shoot clays?
How far does lead shot travel?
How do I know if my gun fits?
Why can't I find the second clay?
How do I start clay shooting?
Why do flames come out of my gun?
How much shot is needed to break a clay?
Copyright of this page belongs to Andy, How to Break Clays.com - the website for the amateur clay shooter, July 2007.