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(DIR) Return to: Clay Pigeon Shooting
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#Post#: 11336--------------------------------------------------
Clay Shootin
By: semiauto Date: July 9, 2013, 1:52 pm
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Clay Target Shooting
Clay pigeon shooting, also known as clay target shooting, and
formally known as Inanimate Bird Shooting, is the art of
shooting at special flying targets, known as clay pigeons or
clay targets, with a shotgun.
The terminology commonly used by clay shooters often relates to
times past, when live-pigeon competitions were held. Although
such competitions were made illegal in the UK in 1921, a target
is still called a “target” or “bird”, a hit is referred to as a
“hit” or “kill”, a missed target might be described as a “bird
away” and the machine which projects the targets is known as a
“trap”.
Clay target shooting has at least 20 different forms of
regulated competition called disciplines, although most can be
grouped under the main headings of trap, skeet, and sporting.
Sporting Clays
The English Sporting discipline has the sport’s biggest
following. While the other disciplines only use standard
targets, in Sporting almost anything goes. Targets are thrown in
a great variety of trajectories, angles, speeds, elevations and
distances and the discipline was originally devised to simulate
live quarry shooting, hence some of the names commonly used on
sporting stands: springing teal, driven pheasant, bolting
rabbit, crossing pigeon, dropping duck, etc. Disciplines in this
group include English sporting, international (FITASC) sporting,
super sporting sportrap, and Compak sporting.
This discipline can have an infinite variety of “stands”.
English sporting is the most popular form of clay shooting in
the UK, and a course or competition will feature a given number
of stands each of which has a predetermined number of targets,
all traveling along the same path and speed, either as singles
or doubles.
Each stand will feature a different type of target; e.g.,
crosser, driven, quartering, etc. International (FITASC)
sporting gives a much greater variety of targets in terms of
trajectory and speed, and is shot by squads of six competitors
in rounds of 25 targets at a time. Super Sporting is a hybrid of
the two preceding varieties. There are also other formats such
as Compak sporting and Sportap in which five cages are
surrounded by a number of traps, and shooters fire a specific
combinations or singles from each stand according to a program
displayed in front of the cage.
Maze Clays Shooting
This is a new shotgun game that offers sporting clays and FITASC
target presentations on a skeet/trap or open field. This is
possible by using a movable support system that carries the
release buttons (wired or wireless setup) from 6 to 9 traps and
the dual safety screen in any place on the field. As a result
the shooter can shoot in safe conditions upon target
presentations in varying range (10 to 60 yards) and varying
angles (sharp to wide).
Trap Shooting
Targets are thrown either as singles or doubles from one or more
traps situated some 15 m in front of the shooter, and are
generally going away from the firing point at varying speeds,
angles and elevations. The most common disciplines in this group
are:
• Down-The-Line (DTL) Single Barrel
• Double Rise
• Automatic Ball Trap (ABT)
• Olympic Trap
• Double Trap
• Universal Trench
• Helice (or ZZ)
Down-The-Line
Also known as DTL, this is a popular trap shooting discipline.
Targets are thrown to a distance of 45 to 50 metres at a fixed
height of approximately 2.75 metres and with a horizontal spread
of up to 22 degrees either side of the centre line. Each
competitor shoots at a single target in turn, but without moving
from the stand until all have shot five targets. Then they all
move one place to the right, and continue to do so until they
have all completed a standard round of 25 birds. Scoring of each
target is 3 points for a first barrel kill, 2 points for a
second barrel kill and 0 for a miss (maximum 75 points per
round). Variations of this discipline are single barrel, double
rise, and handicap-by-distance.
Olympic Trap
As its name indicates, this is one of the disciplines which form
part of the shooting programme at the Olympic Games. A trench in
front of the shooting stands conceals 15 traps arranged in five
groups of three. Shooters take turns to shoot at a target each,
before moving in a clockwise direction to the next stand in the
line. Targets for each shooter are thrown immediately upon his
call and are selected by a shooting scheme (program) that
ensures all competitors receive exactly the same target
selection, but in a unpredictable randomised order to the extent
that there will be one straight, two left and two right targets
for each stand from any one of the three traps directly in front
of him/her; guessing which one is next is impossible unless the
shooter is on his/her last five targets.
Olympic trap targets are set to travel 76 metres (+/-1m) at the
top of trench level marker peg, unless the terrain is dead flat,
at varying elevations and with a maximum horizontal angle of 45
degrees either side of the centre line (being where the target
exits the trench). Scoring is on the basis of one point per
target killed, regardless of whether this is achieved with the
first or with the second barrel unless it is a final where the
top six scorers shoot off as a single barrel event, regardless
of local club grades if any.
A simpler and cheaper to install variation of this discipline is
known as automatic ball trap (ABT) where only one trap is used
and target variation is obtained by the continuous oscillation
of the trap in both horizontal and vertical directions in order
to give the same spread of targets as in Olympic trap.
Similarly, the targets are also thrown to a maximum of 76
metres.
Universal Trench
A variation on the theme of trap shooting, sometimes known as
five trap. Five traps are installed in a trench in front of the
shooting stands, all set at different angles, elevations and
speeds, and upon the call of “Pull!” by the shooter any one of
the five machines, selected at random, will be released.
Horizontal angles can vary from 0 degrees to 45 degrees either
side of the centre line and target distance is between 60 and 70
metres. Elevations can vary, as in other trap disciplines
(except DTL), between 1.5 and 3.5 metres above ground level.
There are 10 different schemes available.
Skeet Shooting
Skeet is a word of Scandinavian origin, though the discipline
originated in America. Targets are thrown in singles and doubles
from 2 trap houses situated some 40 metres apart, at opposite
ends of a semi-circular arc on which there are seven shooting
positions. The targets are thrown at set trajectories and
speeds. The main disciplines in this group are English skeet,
Olympic skeet and American (NSSA) skeet.
In NSSA discipline, targets are released in a combination of
singles and doubles, adding up to a total of 25 targets per
round, from the High and Low trap houses on a fixed trajectory
speed. Variety is achieved by shooting round the seven stations
in a semicircle. Scoring is on the basis of 1 point per target
killed, up to a maximum of 25.
In English skeet (by far the most popular of the skeet
disciplines), the gun position is optional (i.e. pre-mounted or
out-of-shoulder when the target is called) and the targets are
released immediately upon the shooter’s call.
In Olympic skeet, the targets travel at a considerably faster
speed, the release of the target can be delayed up to 3 seconds
after calling and the gun-down position is compulsory. There is
also an eighth shooting station, midway between the two houses.
Electrocibles or Helice Shooting
Originating in Belgium during the 1960s, helice shooting is
similar to trap shooting, but the clays are equipped with a
helice that will give the clay an erratic and unpredictable
flight. The helice is composed of two winged plastic propellers
with a white clay in the centre.
Plastic propellers holding a detachable centre piece are rotated
at high speed and released randomly from one of five traps. They
fly out in an unpredictable way; so-said buzzing through the
air. It is designed specifically to simulate as closely as
possible the old sport of live pigeon shooting. Its original
name of ZZ comes from the inventor who made them out of zinc,
and had previously shot a specific breed of pigeon called a
zurito; hence the term the zinc zurito. It is great fun to
shoot, but can also be a very competitive sport with World and
European Championships being held on the continent every year.
Targets
The targets used for the sport are usually in the shape of an
inverted saucer, made from a mixture of pitch and pulverized
limestone rock designed to withstand being thrown from traps at
very high speeds, but at the same time being easily broken when
hit by just a very few lead or steel pellets shot from a
shotgun.
The targets are usually fluorescent orange or black, but other
colours such as white, or yellow are frequently used in order
that they can be clearly seen against varying backgrounds and/or
light conditions.
Targets are made to very exacting specifications with regard to
their weight and dimensions and must conform to set
international standards.
There are several types of targets that are used for the various
disciplines, with a standard 108mm size being the most common
used in American Trap, Skeet, and Sporting Clays while
International disciplines of these same games use a slightly
larger 110mm diameter size. Only the standard 108/110mm target
is used in all of the trap and skeet disciplines. Sporting
shoots feature the full range of targets (except ZZ) to provide
the variety that is a hallmark of the discipline.
All three sports use a shotgun, and in the sporting disciplines
are sub-classified by the type of game the clay target
represents (pigeon, rabbit, etc.). The two primary methods of
projecting clay targets are airborne and ground (rolling).
Naturally, the simplest method of throwing a clay target is by
hand, either into the air or along the ground. This method is
the simplest, and many “trick shot” shooters throw their own
targets (some able to throw as many as ten birds up and hit each
individually before any land). However, a multitude of devices
have been developed to throw the birds more easily and with more
consistency. A plastic sling-like device is the simplest, though
modern shooting ranges will usually have machines that throw the
clay targets in consistent arcs at the push of a button.
Standard
The most commonly used target of all, must weigh 105g and be of
110mm overall diameter and 25–26mm in height for International
competitions and for American competitions they must weigh
approximately 100g (3.5oz) and be of 108mm (4.3in) overall
diameter and 28.0–29.0mm (1.10–1.14in) in height.
Midi
Same saucer shape as the standard but with a diameter of only
90mm; these targets are faster than the mini and standard types.
Mini
This target is sometimes likened to a flying bumblebee at only
60mm in diameter and 20mm in height.
Battue
A very thin target measuring about 108–110mm in diameter, it
flies very fast and falls off very suddenly simulating a duck
landing. They are generally more expensive than other targets.
Rabbit
A thicker, but standard 108–110mm diameter flat target in the
shape of a wheel designed to run along the ground.
ZZ
This is a plastic, standard sized target attached to the centre
of a two-blade propeller of different colour designed to zigzag
in flight in a totally unpredictable manner.
Traps
Traps are purpose-made, spring-loaded, flywheel or rotational
devices especially designed to launch the different types of
targets in singles or pairs at distances of up to 100 metres.
These machines vary from the very simple hand-cocked,
hand-loaded and hand-released types to the highly sophisticated
fully automatic variety, which can hold up to 600 targets in
their own magazine and are electrically or pneumatically
operated. Target release is by remote control, either by
pressing a button or by an acoustic system activated by the
shooter’s voice.
Target speeds and trajectories can be easily modified and varied
to suit the discipline or type of shooting required.
Guns
Clay target shooting is performed with a shotgun. The type of
shotgun used is often a matter of taste and affected by local
laws as well as the governing body of the sport in competitive
cases.
All types of shotguns are suitable for clay pigeon shooting,
however the ability to fire multiple shots in quick succession
is generally considered important. Some skilled shooters will
use a single shot firearm in order to add to the challenge.
Traditionally Over and Under and Side by Side shotguns have been
popular, however semi-automatic and to a lesser extent
pump-action have been making gains, particularly as the cost of
reliable, accurate semi-automatics have come down over the last
decade.
Over And Under
(Sometimes shortened to OAU or O/U) As its name indicates this
gun has two barrels aligned horizontally and stacked vertically.
There is usually one trigger however some models have two.
Within this type there are three sub-groups of specification:
trap, skeet, and sporting. Trap guns are generally heavier and
longer barrelled (normally 30in/0.76m or 32in/0.81m) with tight
choking and designed to shoot slightly above the point of aim.
Skeet guns are usually lighter and faster handling with barrel
length from 26 to 28in (0.66 to 0.71m) and with fairly open
chokes. Sporting models most often come with an interchangeable
choke facility and barrel lengths of 28in (0.71m), 30 in
(0.76m), and 32in (0.81m) according to preference.
Semi-auto
This is a single barrelled gun that chambers a new shell from a
magazine automatically after each shot, but which requires the
shooter to press the trigger for each shot. This design combines
reduced recoil and relatively low weight with quick follow up
shots.
Side-by-side
(Sometimes shortened to SS or SXS) Like the over and under,
there are two barrels, however instead of being arranged in a
vertical stack they are next to each other on a horizontal
plane. Side-by-sides are harder to aim for new shooters, as the
two barrels does not provide the same instinctive feedback as
the single visible barrel of a semi-automatic or O/U. Modern
production of SXS weapons is limited, in favour of O/U, and
older weapons are usually not rated for steel shot, preventing
their use on many shooting ranges.
Pump-action
This is a single barrelled gun that reloads from a tubular
magazine when the user slides a grip towards and then away from
themselves. Pump-actions are popular with casual shooters in the
US. It is far less common in Europe. The pump-action is
inherently slower than all but the single barrel break action
and thus follow up shots are more difficult. In addition to this
they have the mechanical complexity similar to the
semi-automatic but lacks the recoil reduction.
Single-shot
Virtually all single shot shotguns are break action; they
operate similarly to the over and under and the side-by-side
except they have only one barrel and can hold only one shot.
They are very inexpensive, and not popular for clay pigeon
shooting. Also their low weight and solid actions result in
excessive recoil which further diminishes their appeal for high
volume clay shooting.
Cartridges
Shotgun cartridges are readily available in gun shops and at
shooting grounds, and within limitations as to the shot size and
the weight of the shot load are suitable for clay shooting at
CPSA affiliated grounds and for use in events coming under CPSA
rules. Though home loaded cartridges allow the user to customize
the ballistic characteristics of their shells, they are
generally not allowed at clay pigeon shooting events unless
specified otherwise.
The instructions and specifications are printed on the boxes.
For clay competition, shot size must not exceed 2.6mm/English
No. 6. The shot load must be a maximum 28g (0.99oz) for all
domestic disciplines; or 24g (0.85oz) for Olympic trap, Olympic
skeet, and double trap; up to 28g for FITASC sporting (from
2005); and 36g (1.3oz) for helice
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