Shooting Ground Etiquette

[@tomsterism]

As a Yank who has mostly shot casually on the trap and skeet fields of the Southeastern United States, this was an excellent introduction to a more formalized approach to one's comportment on the field, while also incorporating the Safety aspect. Well done, sir!

[@michaelplank8966]

There's no need for it some do some don't I was a brit now a American same in both countrys

[@garyK.45ACP]

Thank you, interesting video. I really enjoy your videos and your coverage of good sporting guns. I was curious to see the differences of etiquette compared to the USA where I shoot. Not a lot of differences actually. Your advice on hearing and eye protection is great, and YES, wear a cap! Most shooting ranges here require ear and eye protection, I have never been to one that doesn't, but can't speak for every range in the country. For sporting clays, a lot of shooters wear a shell pouch on a belt which holds 50-100 cartridges. Shooting vests (skeet vests) are very popular also, especially for choke tubes, etc. In general, shooters here do not carry their guns in a slip (case) while shooting. I have seen a few shooters do this, particularly when they have very expensive guns. It is a person's option, but not considered a point of "etiquette" and I have never been to a course that required guns to be carried in a slip. It is customary to carry break action guns open and empty, just as you demonstrated. Semi autos and pump action are carried open and empty, muzzle up. Semi-autos are very popular for sporting clays here, and even more so for skeet. Pump actions are not as popular for target shooting, but they are very popular for hunting and many casual shooters use them to "practice" for hunting. They are allowed at any course and no one considers a shooter using one to be "inferior" in some way. A chamber flag is optional, but most people don't use them. I think Americans are just more comfortable with the presence and sight of firearms. A lot of clays/skeet/trap shooters have a loaded handgun tucked under their vest or shirt also...just because they always have a loaded handgun tucked under their shirt. Those just stay tucked under their shirt or vest. It would not be good etiquette to take out and display one's handgun on the clays course. Chamber flags are required in some organized competitions, but not most of them that I have participated in. Break actions are closed, muzzle up, when in racks. Pumps and semi autos are left open in racks. Of course, guns are loaded only on the stand. Most ranges limit loading of pump or semi-autos to no more than two shells. Even if you will take 4-8 shots from a stand, 2 shells at a time is the limit. There is no such thing as a "shotgun certificate" so we can skip all that part. Most shooters either handload or order cartridges in bulk for home delivery. Some few states do not allow home delivery of ammunition. At least until a federal court strikes down that law as unconstitutional. Most states do not require guns in vehicles to be in a slip (cased) but most shooters will case their guns in a vehicle, to protect the gun from damage.

[@prebaned]

He said you have to show your shotgun Certificate. My Lord, im sorry for you fine subjects across the pond. They'll take your hands if they could. Nice video and pretty much spot on.

[@BRFCBlueWhiteArmy]

Yea because its the proper way to be around firearms. Hence why we are alot safer over here

[@christhomas4296]

Thanks for the video, really helps as I am new to shooting and just had lessons so far Now I have my licence through the gap I have is the car to the first stand as my instructor has always sorted clays and cartridges etc - might seem very minor but would help demystify the process more for new shots Thanks for all the great content

[@blackbear9326]

Great advice on shooting etiquette. Thank you.

[@michaeldelrossi4487]

Great Video, I take Family Members to the Range and they are handling Shotguns like a Paintball Gun!

[@seaviewtrawler8840]

Very important advice. Thank you for sharing this with us.

[@juandominguez2524]

Excellent advice.!!! Thank you for your experience and sharing this with us.

[@markwierzbicki5307]

Great video! Almost a much watch prior to going on any shoot.

[@ronaldjohnson1474]

Safety is universal. These requirements may seem formal, but they are necessary. The only thing missing is to always obey the range officer.

[@richhemmings]

Really appreciated this video, thank-you!

[@Frozzie33]

The thing I detest. Is people breaking the gun and ejecting the spent cartridges straight into the bin. Just think it's bad practice

[@harrypersaud9422]

Hi David great video you should do a video for shooting glasses and vests

[@johnh8197]

On a sporting clay range in America it is very common to see people using carts or small pull behind wagons. Myself I use a little wagon to cart multiple firearms, ammo, choke tubes and tools, first aid kit and drinking water ect. I never place my firearm in a gun rack. When I am finished shooting I clear the firearm, place it back into the sleeve. Do you guys use carts over there?

[@TSCTheshootingchannel]

Hello, no we don’t tend to see carts atall in the UK, on the odd occasion when people are carrying multiple guns yes people will use a cart but not normally if only carrying one gun

[@juandominguez2524]

Very good info. Thank you for sharing this with us. Question 🙋‍♂️ you use a 28’ or 30’ barrel?

[@hughp00]

Thank you David. Insurance . Hmm not sure if it is available as a independent product in the USA or if would be considered a part of a home owners personal liability coverage. Might be a good thing to find out about.

[@patm95]

I generally leave the bolt open with my semi auto without a flag. Is that frowned upon?

[@MAHareyoureal]

Very informative

[@vickyw1740]

Great video thank you so much. Would like to see a video on. Hokes and how to tell the sizes, I have the ones the gun shop put in and have no idea about the size the three in the box!

[@tonymuschara7756]

I don't recall any mention of the use of the firearm's safety. I do not 'safe' my o-u while shooting, always breaking the action after discharging my shot. However, I do safe my semi-auto after shooting. However, after several embarrassing attempts to shoot with the safety on, I have learned to check my safety off after loading my shells while standing in the frame.

[@michaelplank8966]

As a old brit turned American we don't bother with it other to be nice to everyone but it was the same in england I wear a t-shirt and a grocery bag that all you need and I can keep up with the best it supposed to be fun and relax no equipment needed

[@iosebabuladze8667]

Thanks 👍

[@tonymorgan3526]

Great video, I'd love to see a video on shot size and chokes that would help so much, especially if you are new to shooting

[@RabidMortal1]

In the US we really have an "anything goes" attitude towards what you wear while shooting. Personally, would prefer something closer to the British approach in the video more, where "dressing the part" acknowledges that shooting is something that is both serious AND fun.

[@wdk7621]

I wholeheartedly agree. I have friends that will go hunting dress up like a tree and wash their clothes and stuff called no sense ! But we'll make fun of you for dressing nice for clay shooting

[@Nat_Shaw]

Been clay target shooting 3 times before with the RAFAC, and have seen many with no ear, eye or head protection. Even their kids have none. Please ensure your protection is key! Especially for children

[@buckshotaaa]

On a sporting layout i always carry my gun in a slip, it only comes out when it's my turn in the cage for no other reason than to protect it. I have personally witnessed countless stocks getting dinged up from broken clay fragments. In a trap shooting scenario the clays are going away and pose no danger from flying fragments. Just my take on it.

[@grahammarsden5847]

I bought a semi auto recently to try it out and I asked at my ground how they preferred people to carry them around the ground before taking it out myself

[@danielsmith2758]

What did you pick up?! I’m currently looking to buy a semi auto

[@TSCTheshootingchannel]

@@danielsmith2758 Hi Daniel if you give Toby or David a call at The Oxford Gun Company they will take you out wit5h a Auto to try before you buy and you can try a few of them 01844 238 308 Thanks TSC Team.

[@grahammarsden5847]

@@danielsmith2758 I didn’t want to spend too much in case I didn’t get on with it so a beretta A302 for £250

[@TSCTheshootingchannel]

@@grahammarsden5847 Hi Graham give me a call on 01844 238 308 I can find you something for that if you still want that.

[@dinnerwithfranklin2451]

Thanks for this. Very useful show.

[@timbell7893]

A very basic video for those who shoots a lot. However, it is a great video for people that are interested in shooting or just getting started. I think sometimes people that have been shooting a long time don't take the time to help others learn how to shoot. Just in my opinion, I think that every shooter should be willing to help a new shooter. Great video David.

[@jolyonbrooks2898]

Very good

[@emzzy81]

hi david can you carry your gun out the slip around your ground great vt

[@mrdavidpollock]

CPSA insures for a lot more than BASC now, including game shooting. I think I am right in saying that BASC insurance no longer includes legal cover. Also I think BASC has rolled over too many times with regard to our sport and legislation. Sometimes I think it's only a matter of time before the sport becomes too exclusive and expensive and disappears completely in the UK.

[@dr.william.a.horton]

Not a lot of shooting schools in my area.

[@kevinvajda]

Cheers David for another great video

[@josephsmith6848]

When your testerone level drives the hair from your head onto the vast grassy plains of your back you've really only got 2 choices. Get buff and some mad ink, or, get smart and wear glasses like a scientist.

[@garethjones1]

Do grounds allow pump actions?... Asking for a friend 🙄

[@grahamallison6704]

My club does (CDCC near Cheltenham) and several members and I use them regularly. We just have a rule of only 2 cartridges in a gun at any time. This covers pumps, autos and the 3 barrel guns.

[@garethjones1]

@@grahamallison6704 nice one. Are most grounds OK with it in general?

[@grahamallison6704]

@@garethjones1 I have been using them for 25+ years and although there aren’t always rules against them, many do look down their noses at you for using one. This in my experience has been of the more image conscious shooters and grounds. Many years ago I was on a CPSA Safety course at another ground and the instructor even had a dislike for semi autos, we had been told to bring a gun and he nearly had kittens when I said had brought a pump action. My club is no longer CPSA affiliated as we cater for grass roots shooters for some friendly safe shooting. 200 members, so we must be doing something right. 🤪

[@buckshotaaa]

If you can use a pump and compete on a similar level on sim pairs at a sporting ground as shooters with o/u and semis...more power to you.

[@forddude1976]

David always says buy your first gun from a shooting school, I would like to this is great advice I did just that I bought a ATA sp nickel. And on my second time shooting it I hit 41 out of 50. Because the gun is the right fit for me, because it's been fitted by someone with years of experience.

[@haydenwilkins4252]

I have something worth discussing which has bothered me for a long time. Which is, gun bias from double barrel shooters towards semi auto shooters, almost racist behavior. I am a game bird hunter in New Zealand and have done more than most amount of shotgun shooting at live birds, and safety is paramount in the field where you have less control over the situation. When i first started showing up to the local gun club to have a pre opening warm up I was given a breech flag to put in my auto, which is fine and I understood their concern. But I have noticed that there is very little showing from the double barrel club that their gun is empty and safe to walk round the stands. Just in the last couple of years I've noticed that straight after stepping back from the stand, the double barrels are going straight in the slip to be walked around with, and I have no idea if that gun is loaded or not. I leave my gun out of the slip to display that the gun is not loaded with the flag visible. What say you???

[@garyK.45ACP]

Interesting comment. Not an issue in the USA where I shoot. Semi autos and pump guns are popular all around. Semi-autos in particular are very popular. While there are snobs, of course, a gun snob in the USA is just as likely to own a "snobby" semi-auto as a "snobby" Over/Under. I have never been to a club that requires guns to be carried in a slip (case) and very few people do. I can imagine the same question being raised..."Hey, is that thing loaded?" An uncased gun with the action open is quite obviously unloaded. Actions are open when not in use, of course. I have never been to a course that required chamber flags for semi autos or pumps.

[@jaseyb1]

Most of the "hate" towards semi autos is that you get many that dont bother picking up thier empties and just walk off to the next stand

[@garyK.45ACP]

@@jaseyb1 Is this a problem in the UK or NZ? Where do you shoot? At the clubs I shoot at in the USA, where autoloaders are common, each shooting station has a at least 1, usually 2, magnetic sticks for picking up empty hulls. It is considered etiquette to pick up your empties after everyone has fired their shots at that stand. No one looks down on an autoloader shooter unless you leave empties scattered all over.

[@Mr_Zimm]

Why do his ear muffs weigh so much?

[@raydavies7328]

My one concern about assuming a shotgun is safe whilst in a slip is, a mistakingly loaded shotgun in a slip is a potential killer.

[@markwierzbicki5307]

Although you are correct a mistakenly loaded gun in a slip is a potential killer. However, 1, if your gun fires while in its slip, or when putting it in or removing from its slip, you are either putting it in or taking it out incorrectly or have a damaged gun and it shouldn’t be in use, 2, as shown in the video the gun should be broken as it comes out of and prior to going into the slip. As such if you miss that there are cartridges in the breach when closing the gun, maybe you shouldn’t be in charge of a gun. The same with breach flags for semi autos. All guns are loaded until proven otherwise, so get that flag in.

[@rastamoose]

You dont need to look professional, also you can just buy a hunting jacket/coat like my dad did for me. Im only 13 nearly 14 and i have had this coat since i was 10-11 and they are warm, comfortable and thick for hunting where theres alot of trees and brambles we walk through.

[@richardbrown4294]

You didn’t mention the NGO.

[@ianevans67]

I was always told never to walk around with a gun over your shoulder always carry it open balanced at the hinge or over your arm. I've been hit in the face by a stock when someone turned around. I think it's very bad practice

[@kevinharker1840]

The most annoying thing is, and ive spoke to Mark Winsor about this is people talking when a shooter is on a stand, bloody bad manners, especially for junior shooters who find it hard to concentrate.

[@suino1433]

Is it possible for a person in Ireland who is not filthy rich to join a gun club? It costs €650 to buy a Huglu 12 gauge but it costs nearly €900 to join a gun club and then €750 per year after that.

[@suino1433]

I worded that badly - is there an alternative to an expensive gun club?

[@iannewton6013]

no mention at dress code

[@andrewwood1481]

Another great video

[@michaelkennedy8573]

Why is a shotgun without the forend done ?

[@Jolly56Roger]

Good advice ,as for auto's you are best putting it in a slip !

[@nathl2321]

Great video. I was wondering the correct way to handle a semi auto on clay ground as I was thinking of maybe trying one. Thanks 👍🏻👌🏻

[@TSCTheshootingchannel]

Thanks for the nice comment if you give The Oxford Gun Company a call they have Autos as demos and can help you pick one and go out and shoot it. Thanks TSC Team.

[@rontaplin7451]

You’re comment about the BASC helping you if you have problems with your licence, is incorrect! They removed the insurance claim help a while ago!! Read the small print!

[@TSCTheshootingchannel]

We I had had someone that they were very helpful and if it was not for them they would not have a certificate and that was only back in June this year.

[@rogerdraycott3486]

Was taught that the bolt should always be open with the flag in

[@raydavies7328]

Another anomaly. The bolt assembly must be closed or almost closed when a flag is present.

[@silvershroud9291]

Not a vest wearer, shirt and chinos with a cartridge bag on.

[@DanielMorales-zq1xn]

Excelentes consejos!!!!!!!

[@dtaylor9673]

Good advice.

[@PipSpencer-yp7nh]

I understand and fully support the safety advice, especially where gun handling goes. But a skeet vest? Really? Ok, yes, I could afford a skeet vest, but shooting is expensive enough without having to "wear the uniform". I shoot wearing work trousers that come with pockets that are very handy for holding cartridges. I've turned up to shoot in hi-vis work clothes. Part of shooting, whether in gun clubs or game shoots, needs to move away from the archaic image of it being for well off people. I spent much of my life not getting involved because of the image that the shooting community portrays.

[@michaelplank8966]

Dave all my friends shoot with normall clothers cheap ear plugs thats it i dont even carry a slip just a say gun plastic sainberry bag that it all of us just have a ball no gesr you dont need anything

[@michaelplank8966]

I don't wear a hat or jacket just tea shirt I like being unhindered

[@michaelplank8966]

You want to carry the gun big end down otherwise the barrel on cheap cashes can poke though iv seen it carried both ways

[@michaelplank8966]

Its a mith it means nothing at rockey creek we wear tee shirts and jeans i dont carry my gun in a slip most dont just safe just be thoughtful thats it were there to realX no clothing or hat needed

[@michaelplank8966]

There is non im polite i wear shorts now with big pocketts no shooting vest it restricks me i make not have a gun cover but a red flag for saftey a like haversack i carry up to 200 shells a water i wear my hearing and my coulord clases and some gun oil its all in one bad i got at the boot fair for 5 bucks thats it no kick great fitted gun great turkish guns

[@tompugh388]

I cannot stop thinking about that terrible baseball cap....I've been on shoots where you would get turned away if you arrive in that sort of attire!

[@jaseyb1]

The worst gun handling i see is at ALL cpsa reg shoots its shocking ,

[@tudorwynphillips6458]

👍👏

[@dave_724]

Ears and eyes most importantly i’m guilty of never wearing a hat and only wearing sunglasses but that’s enough to stop a clay i personally prefer to always have my gun in a slip to stop any potential damage from falling clays or other people banging there gun into mine. you don’t need to carry your shotgun certificate i’ve been pulled over before and they know that your an fac or shotgun certificate holder it’s on there system.

[@kevindonaldson8655]

I've been shooting at clay grounds for fifteen years. Was this video really necessary? 😆 Next clip: Proper etiquette of opening and closing a FUCKING CAR DOOR!!!!! 👍 Cheers - massively useful, full of absolutely vital information 👍

[@michaelplank8966]

Iv been shooting in england for 40 plus years its so over the top no dave we are adults never seen anything like this in the old days game keepers came no slip no hearing no nothing they said its the way keepers were they nor do most hunters have hearing or eye wear i do but im a grown adult

[@michaelplank8966]

There's is non you go to have a good time please stop this nonsense be safe be friendly be safe no cap no vest gun ear plugs and shells Ina crockery bag have fun I do