When Xs and scores come first, fancy wood and engraving take a back seat to what actually creates more broken targets. Allow me to preface what follows with some background.Common beliefs and advertising may very well differ from hands-on experience. What follows comes from decades of experience in the shooting box, in intense competition and behind my thousands of students. Those hard-earned experiences have been a tough teacher, all too often overturning long-held beliefs about what works and why. That is IF viewed with an open mind and a willingness to accept what those experiences show us. Emphasis on the word “show.” Gun in hand…if we know what to look ...

Here are two compelling reasons why owning the perfect shotgun is crucial, and it's essential not to confuse these motivations.Personally, I take pride in my exceptional gear, particularly my meticulously assembled shotgun, a testament to quality craftsmanship by S&S in Polson, Montana. The custom stock, courtesy of Mike Lupold, reflects unparalleled dedication, resulting in a firearm that has justified every investment. My commitment to excellence stems from a priority on achieving high scores, underscoring the irreplaceable role confidence in our equipment plays in success.Transitioning to a broader discussion about gear and expectations, analogous to the world of golf, one often ...

Step by planned step, do you know how to move your shooting forward? Performance and scores…measurable, noticeable improvement, in the box and on your scorecard? Is consistency replacing inconsistency? If not, you may wish to consider finding a competent coach to guide you. Keep in mind…when student improvement is the stated goal…the most important mission for all clay target instructors is to teach their students the required fundamentals. Why? So…after the lesson(s)… the student can continue to improve their game, on their own, at home, when their instructor isn’t standing behind them.  Wasn’t that the goal? The purpose of the ...

Welcome. Nice to see you here again.This article humbly offers you some lessons I’ve learned and some Truths. These Truths have come to me out of decades of intense study, serious competition, and teaching experience. Hard-earned experiences, learned first-hand, in the shooting box, on the trigger with teachers and scorekeepers behind me and behind my students whom I’ve had the privilege of working with over the last three decades.“The truth is like a lion;you don’t have to defend it.Let is loose:it will defend itself.”- Augustine of Hippo From those experiences, my students are shown what works and what doesn’t. Specifically. Just as important, if ...