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Shooting Clays: Field Stocks vs. Target Stocks
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May 14, 2012
Shooting Clays: Field Stocks vs. Target Stocks
By Phil Bourjaily
As I mentioned previously, raising the comb of a field gun with moleskin or a slip-on comb pad makes it work better for clay target shooting--especially trap. The question arose in the comments to that post: Why should guns have different stock dimensions for clays or birds, seeing as how both are flying targets? Good question.
The gun in the picture is a Remington 1100 trap gun. I bought it (for $250. Score!) from a friend who used it as his duck gun for many years. It’s the gun I give to any kid who is having trouble hitting trap targets, especially kids who are struggling to hit trap targets with a field gun.
It has a stock that is straighter than a field stock but not aggressively high (1-3/8” at the comb, 1-3/4” at the heel). For most people, it shoots just high enough that you have to see the whole bird over the barrel to hit it. I believe it’s a lot easier to hit birds (whether clay or feathered) when you see them, rather than when you have to cover them with the barrel.
So, why aren’t all guns stocked this way?
I have no answers, only theories.
Here’s one: since so much of target shooting is done with a premounted gun, you have an opportunity to wriggle your cheek down onto the stock of, say, a trap gun. In the field, on the other hand, you throw the gun up hastily and rarely cheek it as firmly as you would on the target field. Therefore a field gun needs a lower comb to compensate for the fact that most people don’t have time to “get down” on it.
The man I bought the 1100 from was a serious sporting clays shooter. He has practiced his gun mounting enough that it was consistent, whether he was shooting ducks or clays with the 1100. For him, a gun with a target stock was perfect for hunting. Your mileage may vary, as they say, but it’s something to think about.
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Comments (10)
And that was my point about a field gun. Most gunners that have to mount in a hurry do not want to duck their heads onto the stock. They want to mount the gun just as they are viewing the bird, and then cover it. IMO Sporting Clays lost a lot of respect when they gave in, and allowed a pre-mounted gun. I shoot quite a bit of trap still, and some sporting clays, and do so to be a better shot in the field. I never premount my gun. The mount is an integral part of being a good upland bird hunter, and waterfowler.
Glad I’m not the only person shooting a Frankenstein 1100. Willed my Beretta 686 EL to my son. I shoot skeet and clays now with an old 1100 given to me by a buddy that I’ve tweaked after slapping a new barrel on. I digress.
Given the above, I was shocked how different stock dimensions with a same Remington model. This gimme 1100 was originally a slugster. It patterned over a foot low at 30-yds. I tweaked the gun to same stock dimensions as a 28-ga Remington skeet gun, and then installed a Morgan pad. No idea what other manufacturers have for surprises.
BTW why is a Morgan Pad like Velcro? I can’t use a low gun with any of their recoil pads.
I believe in shooting the same gun fit for both competition & field. And I believe it makes a difference in the field. My purchase of a cynergy was fueled by wanting to be able to shoot 7/8 target loads but I wanted the gun to be in the goose field with me so I got the steel special in 3.5" and made the adjustments for a proper fit. A good fitting gun helps in both situations.
Even if you do not use the same gun for hunting as you do for target shooting you will still be more successful in the field.
Phil, are the euro-scatterguns set up this way from the factory? I have a couple of Berettas that have a high stock and pattern "above the bead" so to speak. I've found that I need to see the clay entire to get good hits. 25 years later, I can't shoot lower-combed guns worth a hoot, except when premounted (and then only relatively hoot-worthy.)
What is the thing on the side of the gun? Is it a shell catcher to keep the empties from messing with your peripheral vision?
I like to float a target or bird slightly above the barrels which is why I like SxS doubles for almost all of my shooting except for registered trap events. That is the game at which my Winchester model 12 trap gets used more. I still like shooting trap doubles with a Winchester model 21 monte carlo trap SxS. With stocks of more drop, a head up shooting style will still allow me to float a bird above the barrels, but I shoot better with a straighter, slightly higher stock.
pbshooter1217 -- it is a shell catcher which is required by the rules of our DNR's high school trap shooting league.
I have shot right handed semiautos forever and I never see the empties come out. Don't know why that is.
My field beater 11/87SP has an old straight trap stock and patterns about 60/40. I never think about floating a bird, just looking at it and pulling the trigger.
I still think most folks would shoot better with slightly higher combs.
Thanks for addressing the follow-up, Phil! I didn't apply the earlier post to my own experience but now I see your point clearly. This probably explains why I could hit so much better with the Winchester 37 than I usually did with Grandpa's old Iver Johnson Champion. The Winchester was definately much 'straighter.' Some of the guys in our old group expressed disapproval but, boy, did that old 16 ga. shoot! Same choke, ammo & gauge, BETTER SHAPE! :-)
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And that was my point about a field gun. Most gunners that have to mount in a hurry do not want to duck their heads onto the stock. They want to mount the gun just as they are viewing the bird, and then cover it. IMO Sporting Clays lost a lot of respect when they gave in, and allowed a pre-mounted gun. I shoot quite a bit of trap still, and some sporting clays, and do so to be a better shot in the field. I never premount my gun. The mount is an integral part of being a good upland bird hunter, and waterfowler.
pbshooter1217 -- it is a shell catcher which is required by the rules of our DNR's high school trap shooting league.
I have shot right handed semiautos forever and I never see the empties come out. Don't know why that is.
Glad I’m not the only person shooting a Frankenstein 1100. Willed my Beretta 686 EL to my son. I shoot skeet and clays now with an old 1100 given to me by a buddy that I’ve tweaked after slapping a new barrel on. I digress.
Given the above, I was shocked how different stock dimensions with a same Remington model. This gimme 1100 was originally a slugster. It patterned over a foot low at 30-yds. I tweaked the gun to same stock dimensions as a 28-ga Remington skeet gun, and then installed a Morgan pad. No idea what other manufacturers have for surprises.
BTW why is a Morgan Pad like Velcro? I can’t use a low gun with any of their recoil pads.
I believe in shooting the same gun fit for both competition & field. And I believe it makes a difference in the field. My purchase of a cynergy was fueled by wanting to be able to shoot 7/8 target loads but I wanted the gun to be in the goose field with me so I got the steel special in 3.5" and made the adjustments for a proper fit. A good fitting gun helps in both situations.
Even if you do not use the same gun for hunting as you do for target shooting you will still be more successful in the field.
Phil, are the euro-scatterguns set up this way from the factory? I have a couple of Berettas that have a high stock and pattern "above the bead" so to speak. I've found that I need to see the clay entire to get good hits. 25 years later, I can't shoot lower-combed guns worth a hoot, except when premounted (and then only relatively hoot-worthy.)
What is the thing on the side of the gun? Is it a shell catcher to keep the empties from messing with your peripheral vision?
I like to float a target or bird slightly above the barrels which is why I like SxS doubles for almost all of my shooting except for registered trap events. That is the game at which my Winchester model 12 trap gets used more. I still like shooting trap doubles with a Winchester model 21 monte carlo trap SxS. With stocks of more drop, a head up shooting style will still allow me to float a bird above the barrels, but I shoot better with a straighter, slightly higher stock.
My field beater 11/87SP has an old straight trap stock and patterns about 60/40. I never think about floating a bird, just looking at it and pulling the trigger.
I still think most folks would shoot better with slightly higher combs.
Thanks for addressing the follow-up, Phil! I didn't apply the earlier post to my own experience but now I see your point clearly. This probably explains why I could hit so much better with the Winchester 37 than I usually did with Grandpa's old Iver Johnson Champion. The Winchester was definately much 'straighter.' Some of the guys in our old group expressed disapproval but, boy, did that old 16 ga. shoot! Same choke, ammo & gauge, BETTER SHAPE! :-)
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