How to lead a target when shotgun shooting ft. Ed Solomons - 3 Different Methods

Published on August 14, 2022
Duration: 14:28

This video by TGS Outdoors features Ed Solomons demonstrating three methods for leading a target in shotgun shooting: Pull Away, Maintained Lead, and an experimental Reverse Swing. Solomons emphasizes that lead perception is subjective and influenced by individual visual perception and gun speed relative to the target. He breaks down lead into three scientific factors: angle, speed, and distance, with angle and speed being most critical.

Quick Summary

Lead in shotgun shooting is controlled by angle, speed, and distance, with angle and speed being most critical. Perception varies; a faster gun swing requires less perceived lead than a slower swing. Methods like 'pull away' and 'maintained lead' offer different approaches to achieving the correct lead.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Lead Perception
  2. 01:11Gun Speed vs. Lead Perception
  3. 02:41The Three Factors of Lead
  4. 05:07Method 1: Pull Away
  5. 07:25Method 2: Maintained Lead
  6. 11:44Experimental: Reverse Swing

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the three main factors that control target lead in shotgun shooting?

According to Ed Solomons, the three scientific factors controlling target lead are angle, speed, and distance. Of these, the angle of the shot and the speed of both the target and the gun are the most critical elements to consider for accurate shooting.

How does gun speed affect perceived lead when shooting clays?

Gun speed significantly impacts perceived lead. A faster gun swing, like in the 'swing through' method, requires a smaller perceived lead because the gun is moving quickly relative to the target. Conversely, a slower or maintained gun speed requires a larger perceived lead.

What is the 'maintained lead' method for shotgun shooting?

The 'maintained lead' method involves positioning your shotgun barrel ahead of the moving clay target and holding that position, matching the target's speed. This technique requires the shooter to perceive and maintain the largest visual gap ahead of the target.

What is the 'pull away' method in shotgun shooting?

The 'pull away' method starts with the shooter's gun slightly behind or on the target, then smoothly accelerates the swing to pull away from the target to a steady lead. This typically results in a moderate perceived gap and is a common technique for various clay targets.

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