My pre-shot routine for sporting clays, or five stand.

A - I look at the pair and try to determine at least three things:

1) I visualize the line the bird is taking and try to determine at what point along that line I first have sharp focus on it. Often I pick a cloud, tree limb, or something in the background that the bird crosses where I see it clearly so I will have a reference point to insert my gun.

2) I get a general idea of distance and speed, no calculations here, just info for the subconscious to use.

3) I determine which bird of a pair needs to be taken first, and where the second will be when I kill the first.


B) I think .......... "I can kill these birds, one at a time". (I shoot fixed chokes, M and M, so I never think about chokes. Since I shoot the same choke in both barrels I don't have to fiddle with a barrel selector. I never wonder if I should be shooting spreaders. If the birds are inside 50 yards I shoot 8s, if longer, 7 1/2s. I have the utmost confidence in my equipment.)


C - I mount my gun on the bird's line and a little past the spot on the line where I first see it clearly. When mounting I glance quickly at my beads to make sure they are stacked. They always are, because my gun fits me, but it is part of my routine. I hold that muzzle EXACTLY on that spot and lift my head slightly off the stock and look toward the trap, or even at it, if it is visible, I do NOT allow my gun to track back toward the trap as I look back with my eyes. My hands want to follow my eyes back toward the trap, but if I allow this two things happen .......... my muzzle drops below the line and I end up coming back up to the line, and I also end up chasing the bird. I got in a habit of doing that, and it was very detrimental to consistency. I call for the bird and watch it intently as it approaches my muzzle. Remember, my muzzle is EXACTLY on line with the bird's approach. As it nears my muzzle I make a very small and controlled move to establish the proper lead, and I trigger the gun. Sometimes shooters tell me they can't see my barrel even move to establish that lead, but it does, often minutely.

One trick I have learned that helps me immensely on fast quartering away birds, or crossers, that come from a hidden trap, is to start a very slight gun movement along the line before I actually get focus on the bird. I start the movement at the sound of the trap, because I know the bird will appear any second. This has the effect of slowing down the bird for me, and makes my small move to establish lead much more controlled, and unhurried. I NEVER, EVER let the bird catch my muzzle. I shoot something between sustained lead and pull away, I guess. But never, ever, swing through. I never let that bird outrun my gun.

As my buddy and instructor, Bill, says ........... "more eyes, less hands".

SRH

May God bless America and those who defend her.