New shooters coming into our sport are often discouraged by their early scores on a Sporting Clays range. While out and about, I see and hear this many times. Our shooter is “only” breaking about 50% of his or her targets, maybe a few more, but always well below their expectations. This, of course, is completely understandable because they are comparing their scores to others who just shot in the 80’s or possibly a 90 something. What the heck is going on?
Here’s the example of what’s going on. Hummelstown Field & Stream is a small gun club just minutes outside of downtown Hershey PA. I was there in the 1980’s when Sporting Clays was introduced in America. That’s when the club opened its 50-bird range to the public. Those who headed to Hummelstown for this “new” clay target sport, arrived with their field gun…a pump, side by side or an older auto of some kind. That’s what we all had and off we went to demonstrate what each of us could do. Using Lincoln manual machines, the target presentations were new to everyone and not overly difficult as are so common today. Nevertheless, and very much to our surprise, we were humbled!
Waiting to start our round on Field 1, the line of shooters was long indeed. Such was the tremendous popularity of this new game. Not only was the club parking lot full, the drive up the hill had cars stacked up on both sides. With a little patience though, it was a grand time for all and, when finished, we all went to the back of the line to shoot again!
Some of the original score sheets are likely still filed in a back room at the club. So, back in the 1980’s and early 90’s, what scores were folks shooting in their round of 50? The “average” score was in the high teens and the rare few in the mid-twenties! And don’t forget, by today’s standards, those were not difficult targets at all. But they obviously were for all of us at that time.
If I remember correctly, it was Bill Costello who first broke an impossible on that 50-bird course. After which, not surprisingly, many of us went out and bought the same gun Bill used! As the years passed, scores eventually rose and much higher scores are common today. But not in the beginning, which is pretty much where we all started. And why, as a new shooter, your score today might not be where you want it to be…but is very likely where all our scores started. So, cheer up and know you’re in good company.
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More About Dan Schindler
Dan Schindler is one of only 55 worldwide members of the Guild of Shooting Instructors, U .K. and is one of the most highly respected Sporting Clays and Wingshooting Instructors in the US. He is an NSCA Level lll Instructor having certified 230+ Instructors for NSCA and Paragon. Dan 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 & Wingshooting enthusiast. We promise you an enlightening, memorable experience!
Books
Discover a clear, direct path to quickly shoot better or competing at a much higher level? Check out Daniel L. Schindler's three books written in concise, simple, plain language that helps every shooter build a solid foundation, compete at a higher level, and takes the mystery out of their shooting:
Take Your Best Shot (Book I) is all about the fundamentals, a requirement for good shooting. This manual is used by individuals and some of the most successful middle school, high school and college shooting teams across the US.
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. Excellent article in Clay Target magazine and other positive reviews
Beyond the Target (Book III) is for shooters of all levels and filled with valuable information, clay target myth crushers and truths. Entertaining and a culmination 3 decades of Dan' life's' work as a teacher, competitor, writers and much more. Released June 17, 2017. Excellent review from customers around the world! Shipped to 8 countries.
From the Editor
"Beyond The Target captures the very soul of Dan Schindler’s teaching - unvarnished observations, thoughtful training regimens, and a deft, student-centered style that invites learning at every turn. Schindler writes that this is not a book of addition to the musty orthodoxy of Sporting Clays instruction. Instead, this is a story of smart subtraction, slicing through the tried-but-maybe-not-so-true gobbledygook that keeps shooters forever mired in performance plateaus . . ."
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