We've come to the end of our shooting method series. I hope you've enjoyed your time here as much as I have. I've purposely saved for last what I consider to be the best, most reliable, all around shooting method,...Pull-Away.
The pull-away method is a superb foundation method for multiple reasons. First, it starts the muzzle on the target. That's a great reference point. Being on the target puts the gun on the line and matches the target speed. Those 2 results equate to gun control, a fundamental requisite and primary objective in our game.
Second, after establishing harmony with the target, the muzzle is pulled away from the bird. The pull away is smooth and fluid. It is a feeling, not a measurement. It's a very natural extension of the swing—first on, then away from the bird—creating the third advantage of this method: follow through.
As I said above, the pull-away method promotes critically important gun control, and does it without stifling or stiffening the swing. It does all this first with clear visual images of the barrel and bird attachment, a solid confirmation of correct barrel placement. This is followed by a noticeable increase in gun speed as the muzzle leaves the bird. There's no need for lead measurement, the pull away move takes care of lead reliably and very consistently.
It has been said many times before,..."95% of the top shooters in the world are pulling away from the target when they pull the trigger." My personal experience has shown the percentage to be higher than that.
I also believe maintained lead is a superior method for slow targets. But, as a staples method, pull-away gets it done, day in and day out, on ranges all over the world—consistently. High birds, low birds, fast birds, long birds, no one method covers more target presentations reliably than pull-away. It deserves the good reputation it has and I recommend it highly.
