Intro to Sporting Clays

This is an introduction to the game of sporting clays. In this video, we provide tips on how to register for and attend your first competition. Videos are a compilation of cell phone videos from the past few months, and not with our current fleet of 4K Sony cameras and aerial drones (see our other videos!).
Disclaimer:
This video does not necessarily represent the views and opinions of the NSCA or Scorechaser. Logos were used with written permission from each respective organization. Please see their website for more information on how to register for and attend upcoming events!
NSCA:
nsca.nssa-nsca....
Scorechaser:
scorechaser.com/
Video and Sound Equipment:
Various cell phone cameras
Editing Software:
Final Cut Pro (Mac)

[@wfeiereisen]

Thanks for posting this. I'm a long time bullseye pistol and high power rifle competitor, but have neglected shotguns for my entire life. I'm now interested in learning about shotgun competition and a google search brought me here. Thank you. Very useful.

[@claylabusa]

Thank you for joining us. New Episodes and Podcasts in the works. Hope you find value in them.

[@donnielsen154]

Since this is an intro for beginners, you might want to mention things like only two rounds are to be loaded, the max payload is 1-1/8 in 12 gauge and the only shot sizes allowed are 9, 8.5, 8, 7.5. I have seen a few folks load their semi to the max and others using 3 and 3.5" load with large shot in them. Otherwise, a good intro video

[@MrSuperBlackHawk44]

I am a new shooter in the NC/VA area. Thank you for the informative videos !

[@claylabusa]

Awesome! What’s your home club?

[@BritGamingchanel]

This is the type of shooting we grow up with in the uk. Always a blast Hello from Yorkshire England.

[@claylabusa]

Thanks! Would love to shoot sporting clays in the country where it all began. The countryside in Yorkshire is spectacular, especially in the spring. Will have to check out the World English Sporting Clays Championship next time it is over there!

[@kevinyoung1447]

Thank you for your content! I love sporting clays and this is a very informative video! Stay safe!

[@Frankyfromnj]

Really well done.. you nailed it.. BTW, the channel is very good

[@claylabusa]

Thanks! Glad you’re enjoying it

[@duncnz9128]

Good stuff , Here in New Zealand we also have following pairs , this is where the button is kept pressed or instantly re pressed and 2 clays are released one behind the other .

[@jaober9]

Just started watching today and surprised to see Deep River on here as we shot there last Sunday!! This was a great video, incredibly informative.

[@claylabusa]

Wonderful to hear! Yupp NC is home-base so feel free to stop me on the course if you see me. Hope we earned your subscription!

[@jaober9]

@@claylabusa Already subscribed!

[@jaober9]

@@claylabusa Have you ever shot up at Kidds Place in Holly Springs? I have also been to Hunter's Point in Washington as my in-laws lived one town away. Great staff there as the gun we were using broke and the owner let us use his wife's gun.

[@claylabusa]

Absolutely! Have shot the NC Circuit very frequently in the beginning but now mostly shoot larger competitions and always practice st HP as it's my home club. I'm sure I'll see you around the course then!

[@robinhall7417]

Guys, another great video full of useful information! Well done.

[@claylabusa]

Thanks, Robin!

[@timbell7893]

Great video. Thanks for taking the time to develop this video and this channel.

[@claylabusa]

Thanks!

[@ahorsewithnoname935]

Great channel, looking forward to more content. I would say you missed two points. 1: Clean up the station before moving on to the next one. Don't leave empty water bottles or shell boxes. And pick up any obvious empty shells on the stand. 2: If the group behind you is shooting faster than your group and has to keep waiting for your group to finish, then let them shoot through. Meaning pause your group to let their group shoot the stand and go ahead of you. You won't feel rushed and they won't have to wait.

[@claylabusa]

Totally agree with all your points! Very good advice

[@iamfr00tl00ps]

Great videos guys! Can you do an intro to fitasc? It's a great game and yet not a lot of people shoot it.

[@RhymeNologist]

Funny you mention that…I’m literally filming that episode right now, haha. Getting some final drone footage. Thanks!

[@claylabusa]

On it!

[@tommygray2870]

I am a new shooter. Thanks for all the information.

[@claylabusa]

Absolutely, thanks for watching!

[@paulwilson7234]

A very watchable video. 👍

[@claylabusa]

Thanks!

[@harrywhite4181]

Great video.

[@claylabusa]

Thank you! Happy to hear it brought some value! Thanks for being a subscriber!

[@scottdavey1578]

Another great video and very informative. Would love to see a video from the perspective of a trap setter. How do they set up a course for normal club shooting vs a registered event. What can a shooter learn by looking at the trap before they call for a bird.

[@claylabusa]

Thanks, Scott! That’s a great idea. We’re actually planning a video following Rick Hemingway as he sets up a major shoot (East Coast Championship) next month. Should be really interesting.

[@zoominmicroscopy]

Thanks for the comment @ronmeyer Great video! I got all the information I needed.

[@claylabusa]

Thanks!

[@davedunn7759]

Great video👍🏻. Question; how much of a handicap will my F3 Supertrap be on a sporting range? I know you guys are using more flat shooting guns for obvious reasons.

[@claylabusa]

Hey! Great question. A dedicated coach could probably shed the most light on the subject, but the simplest answer is to give it a try! The F3 supertrap isn’t too far off from the super sport, as I understand it. Both are going to likely shoot a 60/40 or 70/30 pattern, so you may have a bit of difficulty on crossers. At the end of the day, it seems to be more about how the gun suits your personal shooting style, so don’t hesitate to give it a try!

[@brassgoblin]

Would love a video on how the ranking system works and what is a registered shoot vs non registered. How to move up from Class D ect.

[@claylabusa]

Sounds like a great idea, thanks!

[@Bigcountrychef]

Great video as someone that is about to dip my toe in this game I would like to see an explanation of what a Teal and Shondel Ect are

[@claylabusa]

Hey! That’s an excellent idea. Could do a combined video explaining target types AND presentations. Love it. Thanks!

[@Madshall45]

Thank you!

[@justinbobbitt1346]

Hey guys great videos. Was wondering if y'all could do a video on choke tubes, like differences if any between flush, and extended, or brand by brand is there a difference in pattern with the same constriction or how much difference is there between brand like briley modified vs Carlson modified...etc

[@claylabusa]

Hi Justin, thanks for the suggestion! We’re definitely looking at doing videos on chokes, incorporating some of the things you mentioned.

[@augustusrabara5572]

I am new to the sport, but only have a autoloader for hunting feathers. Are there rules for what shotguns are allowed in tournaments? Thank you...

[@claylabusa]

Hi, an autoloader is a great choice for sporting clays. Last year’s national champion, Joe Fanizzi, shoots a Beretta A400 semi auto. The NSCA rules only specify that the Shotgun be 12 gauge or smaller and in good working order. No more than two shells may be loaded at any time (so if your semi auto hold more, you aren’t allowed to load it beyond two shells). Ranges will tend to have additional rules. For example, many clubs require a minimum barrel length (generally in the 24” to 26” range). Also, many clubs will not allow tactical shotguns, with features like collapsible buttstocks, pistol grips, detachable magazines, etc. That’s not all clubs, of course.

[@augustusrabara5572]

@@claylabusa Thank you. I shot my first NSCA sponsored tournament, "Prickly Pear Open" in AZ. Had a great time hitting the sky. I shot my Browning A5 Autoloader which made a mess of the station from my shells. Could you make a video of current shell catchers that is effective and does not interfere with functions? I have a design in mind, but would like to know what the current market has and your opinion. Thank you...

[@ardenpowers7730]

Also following pairs . . . Thanks for sharing XD

[@claylabusa]

Yep! Haven’t personally encountered any following pairs yet, but know some places throw them. Thanks!

[@johnstrassner8061]

Y’all use 30 of 32” barrels?

[@adamstout3494]

Threw me off once when the ref was calling targets as 1's and 0's for dead and lost at a NSSA shoot. I've heard it called that way at NSCA shoots too, but far less common.

[@claylabusa]

Yeah, that would be pretty confusing. Have you heard any judges say “dead-a-pair” yet? Threw me off the first time I heard it, thinking it was some kind of joke!

[@adamstout3494]

@@claylabusa not yet! But I will be ready for it now.

[@Tk.utelab]

Are most places ADA friendly?

[@claylabusa]

There are definitely some clubs that do better with being ADA friendly but I have seen a lot of folks in some awesome rigs that assist with shooting this outdoor sport. Especially since the sport goes on regardless of weather/range conditions which can pose a challenge.

[@Tk.utelab]

Thank you.

[@claylabusa]

Anytime!

[@TheConfederate1863]

Is it expensive?

[@claylabusa]

Hi, it can be a bit expensive at times BUT doesn’t have to be. We’re getting ready to do a video on good equipment that won’t break the bank.

[@tommygray8520]

I am a new shooter. Only shoot sporting clay 5 time in 2021

[@claylabusa]

Welcome to the sport! Hope you enjoy the channel!

[@waxcritic]

Interesting activity but how sustainable is it? The environmental impact (lead and plastic waste) on woodlands and wetlands is of concern.

[@claylabusa]

Thanks for the comment! It’s a subject I don’t personally have a great deal of knowledge about, but have heard conversations on the subject (so only anecdotal evidence). Have generally heard that water and soil testing have shown surprisingly low levels of lead (once again, anecdotal). Since I don’t know, probably shouldn’t comment. Any range owners / operators who can weigh in?

[@jeffroberts760]

Lol dude, don’t fall for the climate change garbage

[@waxcritic]

@@jeffroberts760 my comment isn’t about climate change.