I'd like to share some ideas and techniques for realistic and effective practice with your HD shotgun of choice.All of this has been tested and applies to all shotguns/ shooters. Remember to be SAFE at all times.
First, practice ammo. While it's cheaper, field or trap loads should not be used exclusively in practice sessions. One has to check out one's duty load(s). And, one has to get used to the recoil of same. BTW, IME, there's been some cases of incompatibility, where a given shell does not work reliably with a given weapon.. So mix the ammo up,use light loads if you wish(and if you're starting another shooter like a spouse or grown child)but always use some duty loads.
Next,targets. I recommend every range sessions include some clays,which can even be thrown like a frisbee.The idea is to get used to shooting moving targets and to concentrate on a spot,not the whole image.Other clays can be hung on strings, or set against a dirt bank.This is not only good practice, but fun.
For inexpensive but innocous man targets, use paper grocery bags. I've made L shaped target stands from scrap lumber and hung a bag over it. If you check,the side of a grocery bag duplicates the area of the vitals on a human.Of course,you can use commercial targets or cardboard also.
And try these....
Exercise I, set up 5 targets at distances from 10-25 yards. Starting off with a round in the chamber and 4 in the mag, shoot each target once. Time and score. Passing is at least 70% hits(count holes) in say, 6 seconds.
Exercise II, start with just 4 in the weapon and repeat Exercise I, combat loading your 5th round through the ejection port and firing.
Exercise III, hang some clay targets from your stands and hit them while they're swing ing in the breeze or use a string to get them moving.
Now some variations....
Set up a large box or other psuedo-barricade on your firing line and use that for cover. Try starting a course of fire and firing as you make your way to it for "Cover".Now shoot from your other shoulder, maybe you'll need that cover on that side sometime.
Designate one target as a hostage and hit everything else.
Try shooting 3 targets, reloading 2 rounds, shooting 2.
Try repeating in low light, or after aerobic running in place to duplicate the stress from actual AS scenarios.
Mix in a little hip shooting, and once in a while try a very close target.
All this will, IMO do more good than all the bells and whistles we seem to focus on. Have fun, and be safe.....
First, practice ammo. While it's cheaper, field or trap loads should not be used exclusively in practice sessions. One has to check out one's duty load(s). And, one has to get used to the recoil of same. BTW, IME, there's been some cases of incompatibility, where a given shell does not work reliably with a given weapon.. So mix the ammo up,use light loads if you wish(and if you're starting another shooter like a spouse or grown child)but always use some duty loads.
Next,targets. I recommend every range sessions include some clays,which can even be thrown like a frisbee.The idea is to get used to shooting moving targets and to concentrate on a spot,not the whole image.Other clays can be hung on strings, or set against a dirt bank.This is not only good practice, but fun.
For inexpensive but innocous man targets, use paper grocery bags. I've made L shaped target stands from scrap lumber and hung a bag over it. If you check,the side of a grocery bag duplicates the area of the vitals on a human.Of course,you can use commercial targets or cardboard also.
And try these....
Exercise I, set up 5 targets at distances from 10-25 yards. Starting off with a round in the chamber and 4 in the mag, shoot each target once. Time and score. Passing is at least 70% hits(count holes) in say, 6 seconds.
Exercise II, start with just 4 in the weapon and repeat Exercise I, combat loading your 5th round through the ejection port and firing.
Exercise III, hang some clay targets from your stands and hit them while they're swing ing in the breeze or use a string to get them moving.
Now some variations....
Set up a large box or other psuedo-barricade on your firing line and use that for cover. Try starting a course of fire and firing as you make your way to it for "Cover".Now shoot from your other shoulder, maybe you'll need that cover on that side sometime.
Designate one target as a hostage and hit everything else.
Try shooting 3 targets, reloading 2 rounds, shooting 2.
Try repeating in low light, or after aerobic running in place to duplicate the stress from actual AS scenarios.
Mix in a little hip shooting, and once in a while try a very close target.
All this will, IMO do more good than all the bells and whistles we seem to focus on. Have fun, and be safe.....
