Clay Shooting Explained

Missing a clay is a completely normal part of clay pigeon shooting, even for experienced shooters. Every missed target provides useful feedback, helping you understand whether you shot too early, too late, above or below the target. Learning to recognise these mistakes is one of the quickest ways to improve your technique and consistency. It's easy to assume that missing is caused by poor aim, but that's rarely the whole story. Good clay shooting relies on balance, gun mount,

The main difference between 12 bore and 20 bore shotguns is the size of the barrel and the amount of shot they fire. A 12 bore has a larger bore diameter and typically fires a greater quantity of shot, producing a wider pattern that can make breaking clay targets a little more forgiving. A 20 bore is lighter, generates less recoil with comparable loads and is often preferred by younger shooters, smaller-framed adults and those looking for a lighter gun to carry. Choosing betw

Most clay pigeons leave the trap at between 40 and 70 miles per hour, depending on the shooting discipline and how the trap has been set. Combined with changing angles, heights and distances, that gives shooters only a brief moment to judge the target's flight, mount the gun and take the shot. The speed of clay pigeons is only part of what makes the sport so enjoyable. A crossing target often appears much faster than one travelling directly away from the shooter, while climbi

Despite their name, modern clay pigeons are not made from natural clay. A modern clay pigeon is manufactured from a mixture of limestone and pitch, a petroleum-based binding material that creates a strong, consistent target capable of withstanding launch speeds of more than 60 mph while still shattering cleanly when struck by shotgun pellets. Consistency is one of the most important qualities of a clay pigeon. Every target is manufactured to a precise size, weight and balance

The name clay pigeon shooting dates back to the early days of the sport, when live pigeons were released as targets during shooting competitions. As attitudes towards animal welfare changed, reusable artificial targets were developed to replicate the speed and unpredictable flight of birds without using live animals. Although the equipment has changed dramatically, the original name has remained. Today, clay pigeon shooting uses biodegradable clay targets launched by mechanic

Clay pigeon shooting is the sport of shooting specially manufactured flying clay targets with a shotgun. Launched by mechanical traps, each target follows a different flight path, testing timing, concentration and hand-eye coordination in a safe, controlled environment. It's a sport that can be enjoyed recreationally with friends and family or pursued competitively at club, national and Olympic level. One of the reasons clay pigeon shooting continues to grow in popularity is