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Shotguns, Ammo, and Techniques For Skeet Shooting

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Shotguns are one of the most popular firearms for their ease of use and practicality as a recreational range gun and a solid home-defense tool. While effective in these applications, they’re also favored highly for competitive shooting sports like skeet shooting.  

Skeet shooting is one of the most popular shotgun sports around; great for new enthusiasts, it teaches how to safely shoot at moving aerial targets, making it great practice for bird hunting too. However, there’s a lot to learn before you can achieve any level of proficiency in skeet shooting. There are many different techniques and nuances to learn about, and in this article, we’ll introduce some of the core concepts to get you started.

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What is Skeet Shooting? 

If you aren’t familiar with the sport, skeet shooting is a dynamic discipline of clay pigeon shooting. The sport got its start in the early 1920s and has grown into one of the most popular pastimes for shotgun enthusiasts, widely recognized as a core shooting sport internationally.  

In skeet shooting, the clay pigeons are launched from two positions called houses. Both houses will launch clay pigeons so that they cross paths when flying. The flight path of the targets is predictable, but tracking each one, leading the target, and shooting them out of the air makes it a challenging and fun experience. At the end of the day, skeet shooting is an established and structured sport, making it more approachable for new enthusiasts. But how does it compare to other shooting sports? 

Trap shooting is another sport similar to skeet shooting, but the targets are launched from one position instead of two different ones. Likewise, the targets are launched at different angles and flight paths, which is meant to simulate the unpredictable flight pattern of birds.  

‘Sporting Clays’ is another clay shooting sport in the same vein; it’s even more complex, incorporating a mix of flying targets with differing paths like in trap shooting and ‘rabbit’ targets that roll across the ground. 

Whether you shoot trap, skeet, or sporting clays, many of the concepts and techniques are shared, though each will have its nuances to achieving the highest level of performance.  

Importance of PPE 

With any shooting sport, it’s important to the right PPE before shooting. Eye protection is essential when shooting clays. When clays break, they fragment into multiple pieces, which can have sharp edges. These fragments pose a serious threat to your eyes, so eye protection is a serious consideration. 

It may seem obvious to note this, but shotguns are loud. They hold a large amount of powder and have some of the loudest sound signatures around, generating upwards of 160+ decibels, more than enough to permanently damage your hearing. Due to this, it’s crucial to have proper hearing protection. Earmuffs and plugs are paramount to ensuring your ability to hear is safe.  

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Skeet Shooting Techniques 

Skeet shooting is a simple as aiming at the target and shooting, right? Well, not entirely. Using open sights to shoot at moving targets can be a challenge. Fortunately, there are some solid techniques that can help you yield some better results when shooting.  

Stance 

As with any shooting discipline, your stance is an important contributor to structure and consistency. Ideally, for skeet shooting, your lead foot (left for right-handed shooters; right for left-handed shooters) should be slightly forward, facing the range, with your other foot positioned slightly back for better balance. Keep your feet shoulder width apart and have a slight bend in your knees. Lean slightly forward, as doing so will give you a firmer foundation for handling recoil. Many beginners make the mistake of leaning back to counter the weight of the gun, but the result is a weaker stance that does little to resist recoil. 

Aiming with Both Eyes Open  

When using iron sights, it’s common for enthusiasts to close one eye so that they can better focus on the target. While this helps with stationary targets, it isn’t great for shooting skeet. Instead, you should practice keeping both eyes open. Doing so gives you access to your peripheral vision and lets you put full focus on the clay. Once you have the flight path tracked in your sight, you can lead the target and shoot. If done properly, you’ll hit the clay, no problem.  

Target Leading Methods 

Swing-Through Method: The swing-through method for skeet is one of the easiest for new enthusiasts to pick up. Essentially, this style of shooting involves you aiming your shotgun at a moving target and developing a ‘swing’ motion to follow it. At the beginning of the swing, you acquire the target. During the middle of the swing, you lead the target and shoot with your muzzle aimed just in front of the clay. At the end, you follow the target to see your impact.  

This is one of the most intuitive methods of shooting skeet. If you’re new to shooting clays, it’ll take some time to get the mechanics of the process down. With some practice, you’ll commit it to muscle memory and put it to effective use.  

Sustained Lead Method: The sustained method of leading targets is slightly more challenging than the swing-through method. Essentially, you make the same swinging movement as you would when using the swing-through method, however instead of finding your point of lead on the target mid-swing, you begin your swing with the muzzle already leading the target. As such, you’ll need to already have an idea of how fast the target is moving prior to it being launched in the air.  

Unless you’re already familiar with shooting skeet, we don’t recommend starting out with this leading method. After you’ve grown accustomed to shooting with the swing-through method and have a strong grasp and how to effectively lead the clays, then you try out using a sustained lead. At the end of the day, this leading method gets you a quicker lead on the target. If you’re competing for time or shooting more than two targets at a time, it’s a great method to use.  

Snap shooting: Snap shooting also requires considerable experience. Instead of following the flight path of your target, snap-shooting simply involves raising your shotgun and aiming at an estimated point of where the target is going to be. It’s unlikely that you’ll need to use this method when shooting skeet, but if you’re in a scenario where you need to make a quick shot, it can be beneficial. For most skeet and other clay shooting applications, you probably won’t need this technique, but it’s worth practicing simply for the sake of being prepared.  

Best Shotguns for Skeet Shooting 

There are a lot of shotguns available on the market, but for skeet shooting, it’s most common to use semi-automatic shotguns, or over-under models.  

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Over Under Shotguns 

Over under shotguns are, arguably, the most popular skeet shotguns. They’re characterized by having two barrels in a vertical configuration (hence the name over under), that break open on a hinging system to eject and load shot shells. They offer exceptional balance, making them a more than a solid choice for shooting skeet.  

There are a lot of manufacturers producing high-quality over under shotguns. Models like the Mossberg Silver Reserve Field Shotgun are a great affordable option for beginners. It’s lightweight, comes standard with a bright fiber optic bead sight, and has a 28-inch barrel. Being a more basic model, it’s usually priced around $600, but at times can go on sale for less.  

For a more mid-range model, the CZ USA Redhead is another solid pick. Instead of using black polymer furniture, it comes with a wooden stock and forend, as well as added rubber padding in the buttstock. Also, it features an enhanced sight radius, comes with a corrosion resistant finish, and comes standard with a scrolled receiver. These shotguns are typically priced around $1,000, but can cost more, depending on the package 

When it comes to high tier over under shotguns, few models are as popular as the Browning Citori. Browning needs little introduction, as they are one of the oldest and most well-known shotgun manufacturers. Each Citori model is made from high-quality components, culminated together to form a lightweight and accurate over under. They can come with enhanced controls, light stocks, and enhanced sight options. Depending on the model you look at, the price of these shotguns can range from as little as $2,000 to as much as $5,500+. 

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Semi-Automatic Shotguns 

Semi-automatic shotguns are another excellent choice for shooting skeet. They can store multiple shot shells in their ammo tubes, usually around 4 to 5 shells, and offer much quicker fire rates than over under shotguns.  

If you’re interested in a beginner-friendly semi-auto shotgun, the Weatherby Element is a solid pick. Depending on the model you look at it, they can come with either wooden or black synthetic furniture, and they have a standard capacity of 4 shells. They’re capable of chambering larger 3-inch shells and are inertia-operated. Overall, it’s a great starter shotgun that’s usually priced around $700.  

As far as mid-range shotguns go, models like the Winchester SX4 Field are tough to beat. Priced around $1,000 (lower when on sale), they come standard with walnut furniture, a 3-inch chamber for larger shells, and feature a bright fiber optic bead sight. Like the Weatherby Element, the SX4 also has a 4-shell capacity. Overall, it’s an accurate shotgun, perfect for skeet shooting, and is usually priced around $1,000, depending on the model. 

If you’re more interested in a premium build, look no further than the Beretta A400. The Beretta A400 is their current flagship shotgun model. Depending on the model you look at it, they can come with either synthetic or wooden furniture, various barrel lengths, and different bolt finishes. While available in more standard configurations, more premium models can feature walnut stocks with adjustable combs, high vent ribs, and lighter weight materials. As such, the prices on these shotguns can vary anywhere from $2,000 to upwards of $5,000+.  

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Best Gauge for Skeet Shooting 

One of the common arguments amongst enthusiasts about shotguns is which gauge is best. A shotgun’s gauge is like a rifle’s caliber in that they define different shell and casing sizes, respectively. On shotguns, some of the most popular options are 12 Gauge and 20 Gauge. Of the two, 12 Gauge is the most popular, but both are often used by enthusiasts for skeet shooting.  

If you’re going to be shooting skeet recreationally, you can get by with either a 12-gauge or 20-gauge shotgun. Both options have a plethora of different specialized shot types that make them easy to pick up and start using. That said, 12-gauge offers the most variety compared to other gauges. Also, if you plan on shooting competitively, 12-gauge is your best choice; many competition leagues require the use of 12-gauge shells, so you won’t be able to take part if you aren’t using one.  

For those reasons, we recommend sticking with 12-gauge, simply for their variety and competitive allowance. That said, if you’re just shooting recreationally and want less recoil, 20-gauge is a good pick, but keep in mind that you won’t have the same capabilities as you would with a 12-gauge shell.  

Ammo/Shot Types 

Ammo plays a big part in skeet shooting. Moreover, there is a lot of ammo available for shotguns, comprising different sizes and types. For skeet shooting, it’s common to use #9 or #8 shot. They offer a solid pellet count and denser spread, making them a good pick for shooting clays.  

Though this shot size is available for both 12- and 20-gauge shells, the larger size of 12-gauge shells accommodates more space for the shot. Comparatively, a 12-gauge shell can hold more lead shot than a 20-gauge shell of the same variety. This goes to our previous recommendation of using 12-gauge shells. 12-gauge shells will provide you with the best chance possible of hitting your target, and although they come with an increase in recoil, it can be managed easily with proper technique.  

Regardless of which one you go with, it’s crucial to look for ammo that will provide you with consistent performance. Many reputable brands like Remington, Winchester, and Federal are popular options, but other brands like Sellier & Bellot and Fiocchi are solid picks too.  

Conclusion 

Shotguns have been, and will continue to be, a fan-favorite for their adaptability to fit multiple shooting disciplines. Skeet shooting easily stands out as one of the best entry sports for new enthusiasts. With its more structured setup and execution, it’s easy to pick up while providing a fun challenge that’s difficult to master.  

When it comes to shooting skeet, or any competitive shotgun discipline for that matter, choosing the right shotgun is crucial. There are a lot of options to choose from, and while we mentioned some of the most popular above, they’re only a brief glimpse into the world of competition-ready shotgun models. We highly recommend researching all the options available to you; doing so will set you up for success when shopping for your shotgun, whether you choose a pump-action or one of the models mentioned above.  

With your shotgun chosen, you’re ready to get out to the range and start practicing for your upcoming skeet competition. Before you head out to the range, it’s crucial to make sure that all your gear is in order, especially your ear protection. Check out our guide on ear protection for shooting and hunting to get an idea of what to look for when shopping for some.