Don't Look Down the Barrel | Shotgun Tips with Gil Ash

[@cgreeneblue]

Hitting targets moving toward or away from you creates more reliance on convergence and divergence of both eyes. It's a scenario like hitting a baseball coming toward you. That requires strong binocular coordination. 'Crossers' from left to right and vise versa on the other hand are more dependent on the 'smooth pursuit' function of the eyes; this can be done with just one eye, which is why a lot of people do just fine shotgunning with closing an eye and actually using the bead as a reference point. I think the issue of closing an eye, dimming an eye, tape on the glasses etc is very interesting as many people have different levels of success. I would really like an optometry professional to weigh in on this as I strongly think that the differences are caused by more factors than eye dominance. I concede that if you have the hours in (10, 000 + I'm sure) that Gil Ash does and your mounts are consistent and nearly perfect you can remove the bead from the shotgun. You have to put in the hours to be able to shoot essentially by the "feel" of your mounting position like he's describing. I'll contend that I think he is still aiming the gun. He is aiming by the 'Feel' of the mount. He is still referencing something on his body from his intended target except it is not the bead or even the barrel. He doesn't need to. I find it extremely impressive but unlikely to work for a lot of beginners. If you're a crossed eye / hand dominance beginner I think you'll have a rough time with these techniques. If you're a fairly -experienced right eyed, right handed shooter I suspect it is likely going to advance your shooting and feel like a more natural progression.

[@jeffjones5691]

I’m a cancer survivor that was unable to shoot shotguns for two due to where they implanted my port-a-cath. I got back into duck hunting this season and my shooting was horrendous. Compared to how I shot pre cancer it killed my confidence. After watching this video I realize I was doing what you say not to do. Thank you for making this video and I will try to watch everyone I can find on KZbin.

[@wtfwhereami]

Congrats bro, and good luck in the field. It's all about practice my dude, just like any other skill.

[@orangecub5496]

Hang in there buddy. I am getting back into it myself after open heart surgery and was terrified of the recoil. May God bless you and keep you well in Jesus name.

[@jflamen]

God bless

[@nialljamesbuckley]

Wait, when I go clay shooting i'm pretty sure i have both my eyes closed when I shoot. at least based on my score anyway

[@ridermak4111]

Now that's funny shit right there!

[@k.w5804]

hahahahaha

[@davidhobbins3636]

🤣🤣🤣

[@TheXyarddog]

Rider Mark .... I thought it was funny myself until you said the turd word .... the more we use that language , the less respect children and adults will have for GOD .... if I tick you off , then there You go .... I am 71 years old .... I was a RR Conductor for 42 years and I said more than I want to remember .... the people I worked with talked like gangs and prisoners .... and now that I have turned back to placing GOD above all else .... we would not have loved ones were it not for GOD , JESUS CHRIST , AND THE HOLY GHOST .... I had some hesitation before GOD told me to help anyone who might just be smart enough to read this .... yes ! , I said GOD speaks to me and not in Person and not out loud .... there is no way to explain how , other than tell Y’all _ if GOD EVER SPEAKS TO ANY OF YOU , YOU WILL KNOW IT FOR CERTAIN .... however , I usually feel unusually happy and comfortable in the chest/heart region .... I have been doing research and will continue to do so , already finding other Christians who experience the same tall tales , sadly to learn that - one can be a Christian their whole life and never hear one thing from THE HOLY TRINITY .... on FB a sick pervert ( with an affinity for boys , I suspect ) challenged me to prove what I say is true .... he was fighting madder than a Wet Hen .... sin comes from Satan and old man Lucifer seems to have that guy already bound with chains .... I can prove it to some on FB .... they know that very few people will read this comment on this site and I would not normally take the time to say this much , unless I had more viewers , but this is where I was when GOD wanted me to reach out to someone in particular .... nah , I would not normally have written about a 4 letter word .... lol ! .... it is Great to be a Messenger for the Holy Spirit .... I pray all will accept JESUS CHRIST .... CAN ANYONE NOT AGREE THAT OUR DOGS AND CATS SPEAK TO US VERY CLEARLY AT TIMES WITHOUT A WORD ? .... THERE’S A TRAIN A’COMIN’ ....

[@TheXyarddog]

Rider Mark .... when I said “ that guy “ earlier , I was talking about the guy who went Berserk on FB .... he mentioned boys to me in a real sick manner more than once .... so , I Prayed for his Salvation ....

[@packattackallday]

I agree with this. This summer was my first year ever doing trap and joined a league right away. I struggled at first trying to find a comfortable position and refining my technique. This shooter's tip on not looking down the barrel is 100% correct...especially when you're shooting from stations 1 and 5. Still something I'm working through myself...

[@paddyfoosenschaften]

Thank you so much for this video. I watched it just before going shooting this afternoon and I nailed 32 of 33 clays...I've never, EVER shot that well. Thanks!

[@djarnoldo516]

"Keep your eye on the target, mount the gun where the target is going, and never look down the gun." -- Great advice from the pro.

[@EricFullwood]

This is pure gold. I learned more in 2 minutes here than weeks at a range.

[@jeffreybutler3156]

If one is fortunate in life, one might chance upon the opportunity to learn from a true master who has the ability to explain things and teach such that one can't help but learn and improve. Teachers like that are few and far between. Gil Ash is one of those. I had the privilege of working with him yesterday. It was incredibly helpful. I can't wait to get out and work on what I learned.

[@frankmc2602]

I took OSP shooting class a number of years ago and my shooting improved dramatically. Both Gil and Ms. Vicki are excellent coaches. Their focus on the basics--consistently mounting the shotgun 100's of times over the course of two days--will ensure shooting consistency over the long term. Likely will take their same class again just to brush up on the basics.

[@lorrygeewhizzbang9521]

I half expected him to throw a "you dumb ass!" into the end of one of those sentences 😅

[@suzannemandeville5292]

At least he didn't tell you to "miss in front of the target!" dumbest advise ever!!!

[@stevecabapolous1172]

Well now I need Red Foreman to do a shooting tutorial.

[@ShortArmStrongArm]

I’m the only dumbass here.

[@jojo123469]

I practiced over and over on this mans tips and guess what it works . I have been hitting clays way more often. Thanks for the tip. Great video.

[@lisajohnson8566]

Well Gil, I have to say your system works. I'm a brand new shooter and I put 1000 rounds through my shotgun at the trap range aiming it like a rifle, one eye and looking down the barrel. Well I got to a point where my scores were static. I was frustrated and I watched this video for maybe the 4th time and next time I went out to the trap range and it took concentration I now keep both eyes open and as you said your gun will follow your eyes. When I do exactly what you tell me to do I not only hit the clay but I powder it. But when I fall back to over thinking the shot I'll miss every time. If I just trust my eye hand work your method works every time. Now I have to say it's not easy but a few thousand clays and this should be second nature. Thank you for all your great video's. I so would like to be able to break 20 out of 25 kind of consistently. So I'm practicing and having a good time doing it. Thank you!

[@jamescross6109]

Good advice. I've always gone with "You don't aim a shotgun, you point a shotgun". For me it's been especially tough as I'm right handed but left eye dominant. Rifles, no problem. Taught myself before i even knew what eye dominance is. Pistols, I use my left eye. Shotguns have been the hardest. But I always do pretty well.

[@johnwilson6707]

point and aim is that not the same thats my point

[@tyb525]

They say "point don't aim" but I guarantee they can't shoot from the hip if they've never practiced. They need the barrel in their vision. They're still aiming, they're just using a different method that requires hundreds of hours of practice to form muscle memory. Idk about you, but I can look down the barrel like a rifle and still see the moving target and lead it. There's no way a guaranteed straight line down the barrel is less accurate than the imperfect human eyes and brain.

[@liamjackson9512]

I've just started out, i'm the exact same right handed left eye dominant. struggling to find whats best for myself

[@goonerdotcom]

I like your style of teaching sir. To the point but light. Thanks a million.

[@crabtrap]

I looked down the barrel of a shotgun once.........then i ran my ass off!

[@BlondeWick]

Well, this hardly applies to anyone these days but, it's helpful to understand where your "overlap zone" is when you shoot a Side-by-side, still a bad idea to overconcentrate on the bead though. My 486 has an English straight stock, which for me has improved the fundamentals of my shooting incredibly. Without the ergonomics and "laziness" you can treat pistol-grips with; you will either develop your form and shoot better, or miss a lot and blame the gun for your deficiencies. Only been shooting for a year now, and started out on sporting clays in a "trial by fire" approach to the hobby; which only sunk in when shooting fixed launcher trap halfway through summer. I'm blessed for the things that Beretta has taught me, and glad I followed my heart getting it, because it certainly wasn't cheap, and it's fun to go from total rookie to only man shooting doubles on the local course(amongst my friends who got me into clays) in one year without shooting every weekend/week.

[@JB-tc8el]

Just so many amazing tips and shared experience. All of these videos are succinct, to the point and incredibly well explained or contextualised. Like the shoulder mount, flashlight video, Awesome!! Thanks.

[@nickycritic5269]

“Lemme show ya hhhhhhhwhy”

[@andre2679]

Nicky Critic Stewie Griffin. Cool hhhhwip

[@toob247]

These vids are greatly appreciated Mr Ash. I'm sure before youtube, people HADto travel and pay to get good info. I'm a rookie and I"m going to watch them all.

[@Srenfrow424]

I'm pretty sure this guy is also a minister or pastor, if not he's missing his calling.

[@johnwalthall4937]

he's got a pastors voice

[@timhenrywoodard9583]

"Now by the way, don't be drinking the Devils juice!"

[@alexgriffin8399]

Amen

[@xDIRTYSOUTHx]

@@timhenrywoodard9583 - Smoking Devil's lettuce.

[@stoutlager6325]

This or highschool shop teacher. Don't screw around.

[@SkinGripz]

I like this guy. Something about how he talks would be comforting if taking lessons from him. All the theory and knowledge in the world is lost if you dont understand or like an instructor.

[@MAGirlable]

It's because hearing him speak is like listening to Grandpa unleash his life's wisdom. You can't help but believe him!

[@businesstwentytwelve7615]

I walk away from guys like him. He's condescending.

[@nacholibre1962]

See above comment!

[@bigol9223]

@Universal Kombat We meet again.

[@bigol9223]

@Universal Kombat Never that, sir. Videos like these help one to learn and be prepared. Quite honestly interests every vigilant man should have.

[@Viv6560]

I started hitting more clays using this approach. It's all about hand & eye coordination, just like hitting a baseball with a bat. Thank you!

[@numarkaz]

This is some of the best and most effective shotgun advice I’ve ever gotten. Thank you Gil

[@superstishun]

When I looked at my thumb I saw 4 chins...

[@B33fisGud]

lol

[@stankygeorge]

What thumb!

[@usmale9112001]

Great advice and Gil seems like a pretty nice guy too.

[@jdelao99]

I'm new to bird and clay hunting, I've been shooting with one eye closed because of the double barrel or double target issue. Thank you for giving me something new to try.

[@haroldjeffers5830]

You have to shoot a lead for a moving target. If you look straight down the barrel, you miss behind the target. you can not look down the barrel and focus on the target at the same time. You look down the barrel to aim your rifle/pistol BUT you point your shot gun. Mr Ash is right on.He is truely a pro at what he does. Anything with a shot gun.

[@johnsimms818]

Only have sight in one eye so I never see two in any of these exercises and just for kicks and giggles I am right handed and shoot left with shotgun and rifles right handed with revolvers and pistols and this used to drive my army shooting instructors nuts . by the way I shot sharp shooter right handed and expert left handed so shooting is always an adventure for me .

[@BigLisaFan]

Got both eyes and shoot just like you! Long arms to the left, pistols to the right. My stronger right arm supports the firearm.

[@MASTRR0SHI]

i am only new to the sport, but my first time shooting clays for fun, i aimed down the barrel using the bead and hit every target. Now being quite interested in actually getting into the sport and shooting frequently, i went along to a club and had a go with an instructor. He told me not to look down the barrel and instead to focus on the target and your hands will automatically guide the gun to the target without looking at the barrel. now this concept sounded plausable, however i missed pretty much 90% of my shots (only by a fraction according to him) because i simply couldnt tell were exactly my barrel was pointing in relation to the target when i pulled the trigger, i mean if my eyes are on the target and not the barrel am i simply supposed to aim and pull the trigger by guessing that the barrel has aligned up with my eyes and the target? so confusing! advice/supporting info???

[@DirtRoadGroceryStore]

It's not guessing. Your brain will do it without thinking about it. Trying to think about it doesn't work. The most important part is to have a gun that fits and mount it properly. Everything else is automatic.

[@1yehny]

I've also read about looking down the barrel and providing a lead to the target. To me, this other way of breaking clays seems more intuitive. How can you have a steady mount of the gun and still be able to look at the target? I thought that your eye is the back sight?

[@shooters99]

Bro 100% same problem with me.

[@tyb525]

If you really don't aim a shotgun or look at the bead, you should be able to shoot from the hip and have just as good results. My point is, do what works best for you. Some people shoot great with on eye closed. Either way, your gun or target will be blurry, depending on if you have one eye closed or both eyes open.

[@markguzman7708]

OHHHHH! Talk about a derp moment. Now I get it. Excellent advice as always Gil. Thanks

[@supercop1985]

never thought about how looking at the bead effects the foreground. just as i dont look at my baseball bat while swinging at a pitch i shouldnt look at my shotgun while shooting targets. i am excited to go try this next weekend!

[@iankirk5875]

Amazing practical example with the thumb trick. Thank you from Yorkshire, UK.

[@beavisroadhog9629]

Yayuh

[@docholiday2795]

Wow that was one of the best videos ive ever seen. informative, interactive, funny, short, quality subject and likeable host.

[@swampwizardmf]

This tip is amazing! Took my shotgun out for the first time the other day was getting 1 out of 6 clays then I remembered the tip and watched the clay instead of the gun and got consistent 5 out of 6 clays hit

[@winstonsmiths2449]

Informative and humorous. Great job! I will try this out next range day in the desert.

[@jacobwilson489]

So I understand keeping your eye on the target and you'll see two guns... but then when do you know when to pull the trigger? Should the target be in between the two guns or on the left or right one?

[@Tuton25]

Jacob Wilson the biggest thing is consistency when mounting the gun...

[@57strub]

If you are right handed you will naturaly be looking down the left of the two. Ignore the right one. Lead your target with the eye that is looking down the barrel which will be the left of the two. The right image of the barrel is just your non domininate eye seeing the barrel but it is not in line with the barrel so ignore it.

[@APBass69]

Such a simple piece of advice but SO effective when put into practice , many thanks

[@pollopollo3531]

Love the way this guy teaches

[@McGrizzly.380]

Fantastic, concise, helpful!

[@webmastercaribou7570]

I still don't understand. I have always aimed where i want my shot to go with shotgun. (trap, skeet and sporting clays) I am not a pro but shoot better than most especially when shooting skeet and clays. I aim at my judged lead position depending on target speed and angle both eyes open. I always use the bead to aim where my shot will be going. It may not be right but has always worked for me.

[@Messier31NGC224]

You still use the bead, and have it lined up with your shooting eye. The difference is where your eyes focus. It's a limitation of our binocular vision.

[@falahaldoshan6417]

Thanks for the informative tubes. I have questions about why some over under bottom barrel shoot under the target? Would you mind explain?

[@Quentin217]

I am sure that Gil Ash's technique must work very well for him, but I can hardly imagine myself even trying to train in it. Just imagining him doing it is difficult for me. I am an old man, perhaps even older than he is, and I do what works for me just as I read of how to do it back in 1971. I line up the rib with the bead, point it at the near side of the trap house and close my left eye. When the target comes up, I follow it with the bead and pull the trigger as the bead passes the target. On rising straight-aways, I move it fast and squeeze as just as the bead fully catches up. The follow-through accounts for the required lead. On sharp angles, I give the target a foot and a half of lead before squeezing. On those, the gun seems to be swinging slightly slower as the target seems farther away when I squeeze. On slighter angles, I give less lead. The speed of the swing seems to be the more difficult thing to decide upon and execute. If I bollix a straight-away on my swing and cancel the squeeze to re-do the swing, the target is already falling when I actually fire on the second swing. In that case, i will pull up on my second attempt and stop about a foot and a half below the target and fire. For me that actually works sometimes, but it is needed seldom. With the birds that have feathers, I tend to do likewise but allow for them usually being a bit slower.

[@k.r.studio5876]

“Did you see two of me?” Hahaha, I can’t stop laughing, you are the best instructor. 🤣🤣🤣

[@goldog2816]

Thanks can't wait to go out and try it, just as soon as target rounds become available again, getting to where I hate to shoot the last of what I got

[@stephenkutney9626]

If anyone is going to try this method may I suggest that you give it a try for a while. I had to listen to the video a few times. From what I understand you look at the bird sideways down the gun while pointing in front of the bird. If this helps anyone. This is what I do right now. I point the gun at the bird. I look at the bead to match gun speed with the target. I then pull in front of the target. The more sideways I am to the target the more I lead. This has caused my shooting to improve.

[@Chatt5068]

If your have balanced eye dominance this will work. I am very left-eye dominate, but shoot right eyed with my left eye masked. A tip that provided by a friend about 20 years ago, I use frosted scotch tale over my left lens of my shooting glasses.

[@mixerman8]

I'm sure this works for some people. For me you should be seeing a very slight top of the rib, so you can see your mid bead just under your main bead making a figure of eight. You need to know exactly where your muzzle point is by looking down to the bead. Cant see how this can be more accurate?

[@dale5898]

Ten thousand thumbs up! Thanks for your hard work.

[@johnlong7504]

Thanks for the info-clip, nice Submariner too!

[@UnleashTheBeast007]

Gil, I'm right handed but left eye dominant (have issues with sight in my right) I shoot Rifle left handed so i can get a sight picture through the scope and have always shot left handed with shotguns for this exact reason (have always been told to look down the rib of the shotgun). should i abandon this and mount right handed and sight as you have explained in this video?

[@valleyquail1790]

Great tip!!! I’ll take all the help I can get! Thank you sir

[@kevjay777]

Maybe would have been a good idea to also show WHAT to do - not just what NOT to do? I 'discovered' the Kentucky Carry method last year and have been practicing it. It's much easier to handle a 3" mag with 00 buck for home tactical, and in tight quarters it makes perfect sense.

[@marvbanner2934]

Are you saying I should do what you said in the video and then progress to shooting with one eye open focusing on bringing the bead to the bird/target?

[@mIRCmAN]

This works 100%. I used both my eyes instead of one and only looked at the target. Got 23/25 targets when I was getting 10/25

[@sarahwiebe7738]

Your videos are so helpful. Thank you!

[@shootinugli]

Hmm...I must think about this. I may already be doing this without thinking. I see the bead, the lead and the target in my sight picture. Something to try at the range tomorrow morning. Thx!

[@w.drewturner1248]

Excellent instructor and video. Thank you.

[@lisajohnson8566]

Thanks for the advice. As a long time rifle shooter I just got my first over under and can't way to try it. I'll be shooting with your advice in mind. Thanks again.

[@dianacharron3899]

Lisa Johnson Jj

[@k-peezy2723]

If you're already trained to use both eyes while shooting a rifle, this is something that should fall into your grasp easily.

[@campriole5410]

What do you do when you have a dominant left eye and you are right handed? Thanks

[@crazydodgeburnout]

I certainly can grasp the concept of focusing on the target, but if you're now seeing two beads and two barrels, how do you find the appropriate lead on the target?

[@yves9893]

Am I the only one who felt like I was just schooled by a smirking guy who talks with the first assumption that I don't know anything and makes sure to remind me of it? My apologies if I sound like a jerk. It is a short and clear video; so thank you for that. But there was more in that video than just education. Perhaps it's because I already know and understand all of this even though I still have not shot my first round ever. At first I was frustrated that we are obligated to take a firearms course in Canada months before even being able to go out and purchase a firearm (which I did - just before everything closed because of COVID-19). So, to me at least, this is so basic (knowing how to aim my gun) that it felt like somebody tried to explain how a car is able to move forward now that I already have my driving permit. I understand that not all people may know this, but it sure makes me less frustrated that I had to take a mandatory basic firearms course.

[@TheNSSF]

When you shoot at clay targets, do you focus strictly on the target or do you look down the barrel toward the target? This simple 2-minute tip is great -- and it'll get you breaking more birds this weekend at the range. Looking for a place to shoot in your area? Search for one at buff.ly/1uQ6naW. buff.ly/1uQ6nb0

[@kickingpuppiesdrowningbabi381]

Thank you so much for being the first person who knows their stuff. Even the army scares me some times. They use 12g and smaller on big dudes with tactical stuff so it won't recoil and kill you as much for should fire. I have seen large WW1 and PREWW1 guns or large doubles that would not be on the shoulder. But it looks like they are under the armpit near the shoulder. They adjust stance. The small ones for ducks were shoulder or something. It almost feels like Kentucky Carry is good with a strap and front grip on a tommy gun too. I mean, who would expect to carry a 200r drum at the shoulder or do well at the hip? It's the small pistol or auto rifle guns that were shoulder and big rifles were for laying down on your belly with legs spread. LMGs like sniper, or like Tommy I listed if moving for firing. Aren't all SMGs machine pistols really since the tommy and other drums are sub MACHINEGUNS? If people laid down like I listed, then they should be able to have girls firing even 300mag+. Maybe I am off, maybe I am confusing people.

[@silvermurex8009]

+National Shooting Sports Foundation | NSSF i've been shooting real birds since i was 8 years old ,began with 410 and moved to 12 gauge...i rarely miss flying birds anymore ,birds are tougher than clays because birds can maneuver fast and are unpredictable and can change their speed and direction in a blink of an eye ..so here is the aiming way i developed over the years : i keep both eyes open ,i look down the barrel with both eyes , this makes me see 2 intersecting images of the barrel with the iron sight perfectly aligned ,one image is very transparent and the other is less transparent it's like i can see whats behind the barrel and like the barrel has become like a red dot sight transparent ,i think the most transparent one is what my left eye sees because i use my right eye to aim so the more visible barrel is the aim is straight and it's the one i use the aim from,with both eyes open i can see very clearly the target because i still see a good amount of vision field..sounds unusual and odd but i'm comfortable with it

[@mooutlaws32]

silver murex not unusual at all. That's how I grew up shooting quail.

[@paulmerritt7540]

best advice I ever saw!

[@djtblizzle]

This was HILARIOUS!! Lol! Thanks for the tip!

[@blythkd9017]

I don't shoot much trap or clays anymore, mostly just bird hunting in the fall each year. I never even see my gun, just the bird. No idea if that's right or not, that's just how I shoot. Pretty sure when I was shooting a lot of trap though, when I mounted my gun and hollered pull, I was looking at the trap house, not the bead on the gun.

[@grizz6370]

That's right. Beads on shotgun rib r just confirming that you have gun mounted correctly b4 u call pull. Then u must focus on target.

[@Chatt5068]

Very- . It also allows me to keep both eyes open and the masked eye does not interfere at all. My other option is to relearn to shoot left handed, buy a left-hand auto-loader or have my Browning eject hot empties across my face. I did finally spring for an O/U last year which would allow L-H shooting, but would also turn my other guns into closet queens. It is a cheap fix to try. Be aware that you may have a sense of imbalance for a few minutes until your brain adjusts to one-eyed vision.

[@frostygill]

This is incredibly helpful! Thank you!

[@waylonswaycraps]

I shoot looking down the barrel with the bead on the target ! I'm pretty positive when I shoot and don't miss often

[@hnchmen34]

Honestly some of the best shotgun shooting advice I've ever heard, and I've been shooting/hunting for coming up on 30 years...

[@TXejas19]

Do you have any tips?

[@hnchmen34]

@@TXejas19 Practice, my friend... practice, until it's easy...

[@rondoschiavoni8840]

I have a single action Rossi and the hammer is sorta in the way , so how do I line up the bead with the rear of the barrel an also I hear you should always aim lower at your target because the up kick will bring the shot higher .maybe you can explain both questions to me

[@jasondark8514]

freaking great tip! not sure why I've never thought of it... but man what a difference!!

[@scottallen158]

cant wait to try this technique! i have never heard of this b4; i was looking down the barrel, trying to get both beads straight then find the bird then lead the thing... no wonder i am 4/25 at the range. it all makes sense. thank you!

[@YaySlee]

I always use the bead and it's on point??

[@grizz6370]

Hey Gil, I've been shooting clays and flyers for almost 55 yrs now and I can't fathom all the deadhead comments on here. Evidently they can't pickup on the fact the targets are moving at a high rate of speed! Do u think any of them won A (1) registered shoot?

[@sevenrats]

This is really confusing. I don't have any idea what he's talking about. I tried what he said and there's no way to know where the gun is pointed unless you look AT the target but down the barrel from the rib to bead. I'm not saying I look AT the bead. I focus on the target but keep the gun mounted like it's welded to my shoulder and face and then just move the gun to the bird by turning my whole upper body like a turret. If someone could explain what he's doing I'll give it another try because what the hell.

[@chrisgreen4576]

he's talking about leading a crossing bird. If your gun is welded to your face, your looking down the barrel at the crossing bird, then you will always shoot behind the target for lack of lead. you need to look next to the barrel at the bird to lead it. learning how far to look in relation to the gun will just take practice.

[@MyKonaRC]

Go find another sport, thanks.

[@stephenkutney9626]

I didn't see two thumbs. Just one. I'm left eye dominate but I shoot right handed. I've been shooting skeet for years with difficulty. I shoot in the low 20's. I've shot a 25 only once. I tried shooting left handed for a season. It was not better for me. I shot for many years with scotch tape over my left eye. I find that covering my left eye or using the tape to be uncomfortable. The last few years I decided to shoot with both eyes open until I focus on the bird. I then shut my left eye.

[@timagosta3803]

I'm confused a little. im 18 years old and i have been shooting clays for sometime now and when i shoot i always aim just over the house and focus more out for when the bird is released yell pull. my confusion is when you say don't look down the barrel. i was taught point as well but when the gun is up i looked just above the barrel and use it as a reference. i usually hit in the twenties so I'm alright sometimes perfect 25 just wondering on why you say don't look down the barrel

[@Willenium2k4]

I remember finding this video years ago when I started getting into shooting properly. I was having a lot of trouble hitting my targets. After watching the video I tried to implement the new information, but found it to be pretty bad advice if I'm completely honest. A very important factor in shotgun shooting is proper head alignment (i.e looking straight down the rib at an appropriate height). Without that, your sight picture will never be correct and your scores will never be there.

[@pcpoliceliveleak5735]

This concept only works if you have a properly fitted gun and a perfect and consistent gun mount. If these two factors are not sorted out the gun will not be pointed where you are looking. However, if your gun has been properly fitted and you consistently mount to the right spot under your cheek bone your gun will be pointed exactly where your eyes are looking thus no need to look down the barrel and take your focus off the target. So, if you've tried not looking at your bead and can't hit anything check your gun fit and practice your mount until it's consistent and perfect.

[@scottbuckley6578]

Thats great info. Been in ro target shooting but getting into hunting never would of even thought of that

[@wayneparker9331]

Great advice and mental cue to improving your trap and skeet shooting. I will definitely try to remember this when shooting trap and skeet on my next trip to the range.

[@efjiongco]

Awesome awesome video. Straight blew my mind lol. This guy seems like a great teacher!

[@jordanebacher]

Serious question here, because I'm going trap and sleet shooting tomorrow. In order to aim the gun where the target is going to be, don't I have to look down the barrel? How do I know where my gun is pointed if I don't look down the barrel?

[@illusionfusion9719]

just close one eye, the main thing is to focus and concentrate.

[@teej783]

Check out a system called "Shoot Where You Look". You train with a bb gun with no front sight. You're training your brain. Remember when you first drove a car? You don't close one eye to drive on the right side of the road, do you? Athletes use the same technique to shoot a basketball, throw a football, throw a baseball, etc. The person catching a ball does the same thing. They don't look at their hands and line them up.

[@Joseph-uf7yb]

Stare at the target and follow your instinct.

[@57strub]

Bad advise. Do not close one eye ever when shooting. You can but you will never be a good shot.

[@MThrow]

Excellent tip.

[@Tonnsfabrication]

Makes sense! Dad always says when you drive a car you don't look down the hood and line it up with the road. Same with the shotgun, look at the target and your gun will naturally follow. I was blasting clays after that!

[@wildcampinginscotland6060]

Great video, I get my license tomorrow and I’m off to get my first shotgun! Bring on those clays for dusting!

[@BlueonGoldZ]

TheNSSF: There was an article I read on the internet that stated that you MUST shoot on the side of your eye dominance. For me, I am cross-dominant (right handed, left eye). What are your opinions on doing this? Is it possible for me to remain right handed and still be 'good'? I do not shoot frequently enough to tell you how well I typically do, unfortunately.

[@c.s.hunter2146]

Close your left eye, I’m left handed right eye dominant I close my right eye I never miss, try it out

[@charliesebbage9401]

Top tips my American friend, wish I could spend a day shooting with you. You seem a nice guy & passionate about what you do. Also good gun safety demonstrated 👍

[@outlaw1686]

I'm in a youth trap shooting team and I hit pretty constant mid to high 20s and my coaches were very impressed because my gun is a Remington 870 wing master and after a practice I hit 48 out of 50 and he asked if it was an improved choke. I have only been in the team for one year and when I started I was hitting 15 to 17 at most. but at one practice something just clicked and it was the best feeling I had ever gotten for a while. and I continued holding the 20s range for a long time. this was 4 months back though. but about a week ago I went to practice and hit a 18 and 19 for about 3 or 4 practices and I was getting annoyed because I have a broken collarbone and it was hitting on one of the practices and the coach kept telling me to do this do that and he was messing me up even more because he was always dogging me and correcting me even when I was hitting them. but I hit my edge back I was at practice and the first round I hit an eighteen and I just clicked and the second I hit a twenty-four.

[@Stustuffhere]

OUTLAW s

[@juliancatala7171]

Great video.

[@scrumpymanjack]

My eyes glazed over after about 10 seconds but that sure is some beautiful parkland in the background.

[@jimkurk5575]

i am old allready used to shoot in late 60's early 70's never done 100 but pretty consistent at 98/99 from 16yd and 96/97 from 22yd ported browning bt99 full, reloaded 7 1/2 shot, fitted my shotgun to me and i would practice in the house in the winter, you can practice without shooting if you know how but your shotgun must fit you and your stance must be rite

[@Jolly56Roger]

Great It actually works clever stuff ASH

[@digbugs]

I've never shot clays, I hunt jack rabbits and quail. Right-handed shooter right eye dominant, I focus on my target and I see two beads looking past the barrel. I line the barrel and the left bead in my vision up to my target giving it some lead (depending on distance)and I rarely miss. I think it just comes down to practicing until you find your sweet spot 😉

[@budgettacticool8593]

Great advice, I'll try it out however looking at the bead and aiming infront of it has worked great for me so far so even though it may be bad practice, it made me chuckle lol

[@albertbrooks2456]

😂 I loved the video and thank you! I’m going tomorrow morning to give this a try, I’ve been aiming my shotgun like a dang handgun and it hasn’t worked one bit 😆

[@danmcmahon7213]

Not only is it informative but very entertaining. There's something about Gil that just makes me laugh. \m/

[@TXejas19]

Wow! The thing with the thumb tripped me out.

[@charlessmith4242]

* Sounds like this fella is a proponent of the sustain lead method of shooting, which works fine for target shooting. His gun definitely fits him, or he has fitted himself to the gun. The point being, if the shooter is unable to consistently position himself squarely behind gun so that his shooting eye is able to look squarely down the barrel, he will always be an inconsistent shooter. To be proficient with a shotgun requires the shooter to concentrate on the target, but as he moves his body to acquire the appropriate lead his whole body should pivot from his ankles upward. This will help keep the shotgun in proper contact with both the area where the butt stock is contacting his shoulder, and with his cheek weld against the comb of the gun stock. If, when shooting, both the gun and the shooter are coordinated correctly in relationship to the target, the shooter will only have to deal with obtaining the correct forward allowance and a proper follow through. If a gun fits the shooter properly, there is no need to look at the front bead as log as the shooter understand where that gun throws its pattern. This brings up the question, what kind of pattern does my gun throw? Everyone should know this answer. Keep in mind, generally the higher your eye is positioned above the barrel the higher your pattern will shoot. A lot of hunters like their patterns to be 60% above the target and 40% below. That way they can keep the target in sight. Clay target shooters like their guns to throw patterns from 60/40 to 70/30 or even higher, especially trap shooters. Don't assume your gun is printing patterns that correspond to what you would like it to be. Check each gun.

[@James-tr9eg]

He's saying to do it that way because he uses both of his eyes/ they are both open when he shoots. if you only use 1 eye you stack your sights like a ice cream cone. your rear sight should be at the bottom your front sight should be stacked on it with no gap or over lap and the bird/clay pigeon should be stack on it. Now I'm not saying to aim dead on the target or you will miss you need to have a slight lead on it its pretty hard to explain. When I was Trap shooting I only used 1 eye so I could use the method I'm explaining. You also need to know where to point your gun on the trap house depending on what station your on as well as how to place your feet on each station/ foot positioning. I'm not going to sit here and say one method is better than the other, its just what works best for you. Most trap guns will usually shoot slightly high from what I was told now if this is true or not I'm not 100% sure. Also the type of choke you are using will make a difference as well. I tend to stay away from heavier loads which are generally silver 12 gauge rounds they really aren't that great for the gun and they make your pattern small when it meets the target vs your traditional rounds which are red in color.