Objectives

  • Identify 3 items to check in order to determine proper ammunition
  • Identify 3 types of ammunition malfunctions & how to safely handle each type
  • Determine Your Dominant Eye
  • Learn 7 Fundamentals of Shotgun Shooting
Ammunition compatibility - Use ONLY the correct ammunition for your gun!

What type of ammunition should be used?

Check the gun!

What type of ammunition do I have?

Check the box, and sometimes the shotshell.

Double Check!

Check the gauge and the length!

Do they match what is on the gun?

Three type of ammunition malfunction:


  • Misfire - A failure of the shotshell to fire
  • Hangfire - A perceptible delay in the ignition of the shotshell
  • Squib load - The development of less than normal pressure or velocity after ignition of the shotshell

Misfires & Hangfires


If a shotshell does not fire immediately, it is EITHER a misfire or hangfire.
Response: Wait 30 seconds while keeping gun pointed in a safe direction. After that time, unload the shotgun carefully.

Squib Loads


If you notice ANYTHING UNUSUAL when a shot is fired, STOP FIRING IMMEDIATELY.
Examples of squib load differences:

  • Recoil - Recoil becomes extra soft or extra strong
  • Report / Noise - Gunshot "bang" is soft ("poof") or extra loud
  • Missing Wad - No wad seen upon firing
  • Shot - Loose shot/BB's fall out of muzzle
Response:
  • 1. STOP FIRING IMMEDIATELY
  • 2. Point gun in a safe direction
  • 3. Unload shotgun
  • 4. Check chamber is empty
  • 5. Check barrel is clear -- If not clear or cannot see, carefully run cleaning rod through the barrel
  • GUN MUST NOT BE FIRED UNTIL BARREL IS CLEAR!

What is your dominant hand?


  • Left
  • Right
  • Ambidextrous

What is your Dominant Eye?


  • Left
  • Right
  • None
Practical Exercise: Determine Your Dominant Eye

Cross Dominance

Cross dominance is when a shooter's dominant eye is not the same as their dominant hand.

Ways to handle cross dominance:
  • Switch Mounting Shoulder
  • Obstruct Eye

Fundamentals of Shotgun Shooting:


1. Stance
  • Align to breaking area
  • Feet shoulder width apart
  • Lead foot (left foot for right-handed, right foot for left-handed) 6" forward, toes outward
  • Knee of lead slightly bent
  • Back leg straight
  • 60% weight on lead leg, 40% on back leg

Stance should be comfortable and balanced and maintained before, during, and after the shot.

Practical Exercise: Practice stance

Fundamentals of Shotgun Shooting:


2. Hold Point

Hold points are different for each situation.
Hold point is the spot allowing for the least amount of correction to hit target.
Shotgun is pointed at the hold point, but eyes are observing the area target will first appear.

Fundamentals of Shotgun Shooting:


3. Mount

The act of bringing the shotgun into proper position to prepare to fire the shot. Butt of the shotgun in the shoulder pocket. Head forward on the comb without straining. Cheek pressed firmly against stock. Head is straight and level.

Fundamentals of Shotgun Shooting:


4. Focus on Target

Vision must be directed foward so the field of fire where the target will appear is in ("soft") focus.

Target must be in clear, sharp focus when shooting it. Concentrate and focus only on the target.

Target must be seen clearly as early as possible so the direction of flight can be indentified.

Fundamentals of Shotgun Shooting:


5. Swing

Swing starts with shotgun already mounted on shoulder. Swing starts with muzzle behind the target and accelerated to the target as shot travels to target.

Fundamentals of Shotgun Shooting:


6. Pull Trigger
Trigger must be pulled the instant the sight picture is correct.
Sight picture is the visual relationship of the muzzle to the target.
When swinging through a target, the correct sight picture is when the target appears directly above the muzzle.
FOCUS ON THE TARGET to acquire sight picture.

Fundamentals of Shotgun Shooting:


7. Follow Through
Continue to do everything you were doing when the shot was fired.
The gun must continue to move after shot is fired.

Conclusion

  • Can you name 3 items that must be checked to make sure you have the correct ammunition for your gun?
  • Can you name 3 types of ammunition malfunctions and what you do if they occur?
  • Explain what the dominant eye is used for in shooting? What is your dominant eye?
  • Can you name the 7 fundamentals of shotgun shooting?
  • Where must your focus be at all times when shooting a moving target?

Questions?



Next: Cleaning and Storing