How Much Lead? Part III

Welcome back.­­­­

 “Breaking more targets and shooting your best 

is dependent on your use of the fundamentals, 

and a dependable shooting system."

We’ve covered two of the four foundation shooting methods…Maintained Lead (ML) and Pull Away (PA). That leaves Swing Through (ST) and Churchill (CH). ST carries all the same advantages as PA which are many. Both eliminate all the confusing measuring and are downright trustworthy in the shooting box, confirmed countless times. While I very much want to begin our discussion on Churchill…allow me to cover CH in our next post.

PA and ST have one common trait: muzzle acceleration away from the target followed by a prompt, right-now trigger pull. No measuring of leads. If that sounds like our description of PA, it’s because it is. So, what’s different?

As mentioned previously, early in the swing, the muzzle can be placed a) slightly behind the target; b) on the target; or c) slightly ahead of the target. The muzzle is now where it is supposed to be early in the swing. For consistency purposes, the necessary swing precision is in place and working. Whether to choose a), b) or c), depends on your personal strengths and shooting style. Not always mind you but many of my students want to rush their gun out in front of the target as early as possible. Typically, too far. This results in their gun decelerating (measuring) at the trigger pull, ultimately causing a miss behind.

To build swing precision, I have him/her come up slightly behind the target. Two things happen…both are very advantageous. First, the target is used as a visual block, keeping the muzzle from racing out too far ahead. This is the gun control I keep speaking of, now accomplished. Second…because our shooter obviously knows not to pull the trigger behind the target…he/she will push ahead, to shoot in front of the target. As the gun accelerates, the trigger is promptly pulled. X X X X X X. Trust me now, this works beautifully. As does doing this with b) and c) above.

To build the ST method correctly…no Random Gun Movement (RGM) early in the swing…the target is intentionally allowed to pass the muzzle SLIGHTLY. That sight picture…the bird in front/barrel behind (all in our peripheral vision)…that picture is held through the middle of the swing. NOTE: we can’t let that small gap behind the target get too large. If it does, swing precision has been officially compromised. RGM.

If all of this sounds slow and tedious in building a good swing, it most definitely isn’t. It all happens in a few short seconds. Please remember…if you are serious about breaking targets more consistently…regardless of age, gender or skill level…the precise steps in a swing are required.

We could stop here on the explanation of the ST method. Let’s not. Assuming ST has been practiced and reinforced, let’s put it to work on the course where the ST method really shines. 

Crafty target setters frequently set a presentation that gives us little time to swing and shoot. Maybe it’s that first target on a True Pair where we have to break it quickly before the second target escapes? Time on both targets will be short. How well we do or don’t manage our time on the first target will likely decide our score on this Station. 

In setting up on the first target…we will deliberately place our Muzzle Hold Point (MHP) slightly too far in, closer to the machine. Slightly. On purpose. Knowing the target will likely get past our gun when the trap fires. We are planning on that! Two steps now. First, when the trap machine fires, immediately, GENTLY begin moving the gun…picking up speed as we go. In one long second, we will see the target ease past our moving gun. Good. It’s exactly where we want it to be! QUICKLY – RIGHT NOW PLEASE, swing THROUGH the target and pull the trigger NOW. That first target will go down, leaving us time on the remaining target. XX XX XX.

None of this works with a rushed swing, off the target line and out of control. At least not consistently. Set up properly and then executed correctly, ST can be a joy to use when the target setter deliberately takes time away from us. Like PA, it works wonderfully on other, more common crossing targets as well.

Part IV we’ll discuss the Churchill shooting method. Where and why it predictably fails…where it excels.

Random Gun Movement, the Swing Through method and other methods, along with important aspects of good shooting are explained in my  Paragon teaching classes and in my 3 books Take Your Best Shot, To The Target and Beyond The Target (Daniel Schindler). Shooters from around the world tell us they read these books 3, 4 or 5 times and refer back to them when their scores go down. These books offer a direct path to better shooting and higher scores. 

Thanks for joining us here. Be safe and I hope to see you out on the course.

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About Dan Schindler

Dan Schindler is one of only 60 worldwide members of the Guild of Shooting Instructors (UK) and is one of the most highly respected Sporting Clays and Wingshooting Instructors in the US. Dan is an NSCA Level III Instructor (since 1995) and founded the Paragon School of Sporting with one goal in mind. Whether it be for the advanced competitor or providing the basics to the entry-level shooter, Paragon provides the simplest, most practical and most effective Instruction, Coaching and Mental Training for the Sporting Clays, Skeet, Trap & Wingshooting enthusiast. Dan Schindler helps shooters alleviate a lot of their frustration by taking the mystery out of breaking targets, calling their own misses, and making their own corrections. Lessons are fun, enlightening and our clients learn to shoot better in minutes!  

Dan Schindler's Books

"Recommended for shooters of all skill levels, Coaches, Instructors

and parents of youth shooters."

Take Your Best Shot (Book I), 3rd Edition is THE Gold Standard Primer It's all about the fundamentals, a requirement for good shooting. This book is used by high school and college shooting teams, recreational and competitive shooters from around the world. Solid, valuable, concise information that has helped thousands of shooters shoot more consistently with higher scores.

To The Target (Book II) Builds on the steps outlined in Book I. Emphasises Gun Management skills when the trap fires, creating a consistent, reliable, trustworthy swing.

Beyond the Target (Book III) is for shooters of all levels, filled with valuable information, clay target truths. Entertaining and a culmination of 3 decades of Dan's life's work as a teacher, competitor, published writer, and much more.

Here's what Shooters, Coaches and Clay Shooting USA saying...

Take Your Best Shot (Book I), 3rd Edition

To The Target (Book II)

Beyond The Target (Book III)