HALLAUSTIN
New member
I want to start shooting clays with a pump 12 but I have problems getting my cheek to the stock. Any tips? I am completely and totally clueless, I do fine if I already have my cheek in place.
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Looking for 12gauge tips and tricks
- Thread starter HALLAUSTIN
- Start date
Poor stock fit? Your shotgun should come smoothly up to your shoulder and cheek. Shotgun stocks aren't one size fits all, and many shooters try to make do with a stock that doesn't fit them. Have you tried temporarily raising your stock with some stick-on material (like the readily available Dr. Sholl's Moleskin)?
scottycoyote
New member
in what order are you bringing the gun to your face? Im no expert but from what ive read on tacital shotgun, you approach with the gun mounted or in your armpit but low, it should just swing up. If not that then id agree with zippy
Frank Ettin
Administrator
Two things:
[1] Stock fit. In a shotgun for wingshooting (flying targets) it's important that the stock fit the shooter properly.
[2] Instruction from someone who knows what he's doing. I've helped teach a lot of people to shoot flying targets and helped coach our clubs youth team. I would work with the student, correcting his positioning, evaluating the fit of the stock and showing him how to smoothly and properly mount the gun. It's the sort of thing that needs to be done hands-on, in person. I don't know how to do it on the Internet.
Also, the OP might get some better insights over in the shotgun forum, so I'll m move this there.
[1] Stock fit. In a shotgun for wingshooting (flying targets) it's important that the stock fit the shooter properly.
[2] Instruction from someone who knows what he's doing. I've helped teach a lot of people to shoot flying targets and helped coach our clubs youth team. I would work with the student, correcting his positioning, evaluating the fit of the stock and showing him how to smoothly and properly mount the gun. It's the sort of thing that needs to be done hands-on, in person. I don't know how to do it on the Internet.
Also, the OP might get some better insights over in the shotgun forum, so I'll m move this there.
OP, how close are you to MD? Stuff like this is a lot easier to diagnose FTF.
If you can't make it here in person,seek some instruction from a qualified instructor on proper fit and form. Both are crucial.
With a shotgun KNOWN TO BE EMPTY, practice mountng at home. Focus on the corner where walls and ceiling meet, and bring the gun to your face, not your shoulder. Repeat up to 25 times. Do this a few times a week.
If you can't make it here in person,seek some instruction from a qualified instructor on proper fit and form. Both are crucial.
With a shotgun KNOWN TO BE EMPTY, practice mountng at home. Focus on the corner where walls and ceiling meet, and bring the gun to your face, not your shoulder. Repeat up to 25 times. Do this a few times a week.
oneounceload
Moderator
Glad to see someone wanting to get into clay target shooting - its a lot of fun. A pump is handicap on clay games with pairs, but that can be addressed down the road.
There are only two games that do not allow a pre-mounted gun - International Skeet and FITASC - the international version of sporting clays. I mention that because you say you have no issues with the gun premounted. Unless you are shooting one of those disciplines, start with the gun mounted and work on the particular aspects of the game you are doing - foot placement, follow through, swing dynamics, lead, target acquisition, etc.
It MIGHT be something as simple as a poorly fitted stock, it might not - without a knowledgeable person actually watching you, it is difficult to say. Perhaps your local gun club has someone who can watch you and determine the cause.
Good luck and welcome to the FUN side of shotguns
There are only two games that do not allow a pre-mounted gun - International Skeet and FITASC - the international version of sporting clays. I mention that because you say you have no issues with the gun premounted. Unless you are shooting one of those disciplines, start with the gun mounted and work on the particular aspects of the game you are doing - foot placement, follow through, swing dynamics, lead, target acquisition, etc.
It MIGHT be something as simple as a poorly fitted stock, it might not - without a knowledgeable person actually watching you, it is difficult to say. Perhaps your local gun club has someone who can watch you and determine the cause.
Good luck and welcome to the FUN side of shotguns
Impossible to tell in a chat room ...you need someone local to help you / watch you mount the gun ....
If it doesn't fit ...it could be all kinds of problems .../ most pump guns have "field" combs with a lot of drop at comb and heel...
A couple of tips..:
a. with an empty gun ...do some gunmounting drills at home. Look at light swith accross the room ...close eyes...mount the gun / open your eyes ...and see if you're looking at the switch down the barrel. Do it 25 times a nite...and groove the gun mount.
b. next time to gunclub...take the gun to the pattern board...see if its hitting where you look with a full choke at 21 - 25 yds. If its not ...you need to make some stock adjustments.../ comb pad or something...
If it doesn't fit ...it could be all kinds of problems .../ most pump guns have "field" combs with a lot of drop at comb and heel...
A couple of tips..:
a. with an empty gun ...do some gunmounting drills at home. Look at light swith accross the room ...close eyes...mount the gun / open your eyes ...and see if you're looking at the switch down the barrel. Do it 25 times a nite...and groove the gun mount.
b. next time to gunclub...take the gun to the pattern board...see if its hitting where you look with a full choke at 21 - 25 yds. If its not ...you need to make some stock adjustments.../ comb pad or something...
TheKlawMan
Moderator
I do fine if I already have my cheek in place.
Take Dave McC up on his offer if at all possible. Still, I am wondering if the OP has a problem. Depending on what clay game he wants to shoot, aren't guns mounted (in place) before calling for targets in the most common forms of American Trap and Skeet? Regardless, still see Dave if you can or take a lesson as soon as possible if you want to continue to shoot clays.
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HALLAUSTIN
New member
I live in western NC, so it would be quiet a drive. But I think it is just user error. I will work on it and get back to you.
TheKlawMan
Moderator
Take a couple of lessons. Group lessons are fine. It will save you a lot of problems down the road and I am speaking from experience.
the rifleer
New member
Shrug your shoulder a bit after you get the gun to your shoulder...