It may not feel like it right now, but warmer days are just around the corner, and with them comes the start of the clay season proper. To help you kick things off the right way, we have gathered tips and insight from suitably qualified individuals, covering everything from kit to technique. So whether you are a hardcore competitive clay crusher or a die-hard game shot hoping to stave off boredom during the feather-free months, their sound advice should ensure you enjoy a summer of success.

Gun and gear

Kit
The most obvious point to cover in the gun and gear category, which we won’t dwell on for too long, is to ensure that your clay shooting kit is all in good working order. This includes checking the function/batteries on your ear defenders, checking the condition of your glasses, trying your skeet vest on for size (Christmas can be cruel), and gathering it all together into a range bag of some description so that you have the whole lot easily to hand whenever you leave for the clay ground. Remember that many grounds will only allow you to shoot if you are wearing the proper PPE (glasses, ear defenders and cap), so ensure you have all three packed and ready to go.

If you plan to shoot registered competitions you’ll also need to check that your CPSA membership does not need to be renewed, or you’ll find your competitive calendar severely limited. CPSA membership also includes £10 million public liability insurance and up to £125,000 personal accident insurance, so you can kill two birds with one stone and enjoy your shooting, safe in the knowledge that you are covered for any accidents.

Your gun
The second point concerns the most important tool of all – your gun. According to gunsmith Alex Smith – of Alex Smith Guns,Winchester – now is the time to get your gun in for that all-important annual service. That’s the same one you’ve never missed once in all the years you’ve been shooting.

Alex advises: “If you’ve been shooting game all season, now is the time to get your gun in for its annual service. If you are a pure clay shooter, hopefully you took the initiative and did it during the winter months, well ahead of the competitive season kicking off.

“A service checks for barrel deformities, defects and cracks in the stock, and involves taking the gun apart so that the internals can be cleaned and maintained. A service can pick up any little issues that the user can’t see or get to.

“Much like an annual car service, a yearly gun service means there is less chance of something serious going wrong with your gun, potentially while you’re using it. It is especially important not to skip it if you are out game shooting in all weathers, as your gun will have been exposed to more damaging conditions.

“It’s also a great time to get any stock alterations you might need taken care of, and to iron out any little issues you’ve noticed during the game season. If you do use your gun for game, it’s also the best time to get it booked in for reblacking if required – don’t leave it until right before the next season starts or you might find it’s not ready in time. Finally, take the chokes out of your gun and give them a good clean – I’ve seen some chokes well and truly ruined when this small task has been neglected.

“Many people with modern over-and- unders will only take them into a gunsmith when something goes obviously wrong. My advice is that it is well worth taking care of your gun and nipping any potential issues in the bud before they become bigger problems, which are not only costly but can be dangerous.

“I’ll quote George Digweed here, who once said that we spend a lot of money on game shooting, yet some people do not practise throughout the year on clays. So first, even if you consider yourself a pure game shooter, it’s worth spending a little on clay practice to keep your eye in during the off-season.

Second, for the cost of an annual service it would be a shame to have your day’s shooting ruined by a malfunctioning gun.”

Cartridges
It’s arguable that your ammunition is just as important as your gun, and if you’ve been shooting game you’re obviously going to need to consider which shell you will be switching to for clays. It can be worth heading to a ground that has a pattern plate and checking how a range of shells perform in your gun before taking the plunge.

Cost is always a major factor here, and there are some absolutely fantastic club rounds on the market, so you don’t have to splurge to get a decent all-round shell. For example, Fiocchi F Blu is a cracking shell for the price. Remember that buying in bulk is always cheaper than grabbing a few boxes from the clay club on the day, so get organised and stock up in advance. 

Just Cartridges is very handy for online purchasing and sometimes has great deals if you’re simply looking for a good bargain. The more serious competitors among us are likely a little fussier about what they put in their guns and perhaps don’t mind spending more for something a bit special.

If you are serious about competing you’ll need to weigh up whether you are happy to practise with a club round and switch to something a bit juicer for competitions, or whether the benefit of shooting the same load in training and competition is worth the additional cost. How to go about choosing the right cartridge deserves an article of its own, but do consider things like recoil, wad material, weight and speed in relation to where and what you will be shooting. Some of the best Sporting shots carry a few long- range shells in their pocket that can be called on if the course setter decides to present a super long-range target – Lyalvale Express Power Gold in No.6.5 shot is a great one to consider for this.

A final note is that if you plan to shoot abroad this might affect your choice of shell for the season, as you can only travel with so many and there are some brands that are not sold internationally. So do your homework and choose wisely.Crowd

You can read the full article in our May 2024 issue, on-sale 9 April 2024. Don't want to miss an issue? Click HERE to subscribe to Sporting Gun.