Shooting Helice ft. Mike & Braxton Oliver - Rules, Comparison to Sporting Clays & USHA Competitions

In today's exciting episode, we dive into shooting Helice with two of the shooting communities finest - Mike Oliver from Hunters' Pointe Sporting Clays and Braxton Oliver, a seasoned Team USA shooter with 16 years of experience in sporting clays.
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Mike Oliver, from Hunters' Pointe Sporting Clays, brings a wealth of knowledge and passion for the sport. Alongside him is Braxton Oliver, a standout member of Team USA and Krieghoff sponsored shooter, who has dedicated over 16 years to mastering the art of sporting clays and has earned numerous accolades along the way. Braxton and Mike Oliver bring us their perspectives in what it takes to shoot helice.
In this comprehensive guide, we break down everything you need to know about Helice shooting. Whether you're a seasoned shooter or a newcomer eager to expand your skills, this video is packed with valuable insights. We start by explaining the fundamentals of Helice, also known as ZZ shooting, and explore the unique mechanics of this dynamic and challenging sport, which uses rotating targets to simulate unpredictable flight patterns.
Next, we delve into the official rules governing Helice competitions, covering all the essential aspects from target release to scoring that make Helice a thrilling and competitive discipline. Mike and Braxton then discuss the key differences between Helice and sporting clays, providing insights into how the unpredictable nature of Helice targets contrasts with the varied but more predictable trajectories in sporting clays.
We also explore how Helice competitions are organized and run, highlighting the role of the United States Helice Association and how it adheres to the guidelines set by the Fédération Internationale de Tir aux Armes Sportives de Chasse (F.I.T.A.S.C.), the international governing body for the sport.
Shooting Helice in the United States is overseen by the United States Helice Association, which ensures that all competitions adhere to the high standards set by F.I.T.A.S.C. This organization plays a crucial role in promoting and regulating the sport, ensuring fair play and consistency across all events. F.I.T.A.S.C., or the Fédération Internationale de Tir aux Armes Sportives de Chasse, is the international authority that governs Helice shooting worldwide. Learn how their regulations influence the sport in the U.S. and connect American shooters to the global Helice community.
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Equipment I Use
Sony FX3
Sony A7IV
Sony ZV-E10
Sony 24mm f/1.4 GM Lens
Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM Lens
Sony 50mm f/1.4 GM Lens
DJI Mini 2 Drone
Camera Backpack
DJI Mic 1 & 2
Shotgun Mic - Sennheiser MKE 400
Shure sm7b Microphone
Disclaimers: All logos used in this video were used by express permission of Fiocchi USA, Cole Fine Guns & Gunsmithing, Westside Sporting Grounds, Ranger, Greenwood Custom Stocks, Castellani USA, Electronic Hearing Protection, SoundGear, Fennell Shooting School, and Krieghoff International.
Music: Used under license from Epidemicsound
This video, podcast, article, and channel are a product of Clay Lab USA, LLC. All Copyright protections apply.

[@donnielsen154]

I shoot it at Ravenwood north of Dothan, AL. Started it a few months ago after not shooting it for 30 years back in NV. Best so far is a 27/30, but wind, heat, etc. can play havoc! I wish it was cheaper as well; tournaments can get expensive with all of the fees. It is a very watchable game, unlike sporting or other clay target disciplines

[@claylabusa]

Awesome! Would definitely agree that it is a very watchable game. I'd say easier to film as well so I enjoy being around it as well.

[@iamfr00tl00ps]

Helice is so much fun to shoot, but it's so dang expensive. Great video, JP!

[@claylabusa]

Absolutely, a great challenge, fun to shoot but can definitely be expensive. However, that's where the bigger payouts come back in which is nice. I know that's why quite a few people enjoy shooting it more than clays at times is due to the chance at winning some real value in something that's a level playing field like Braxton was mentioning.

[@iamfr00tl00ps]

@@claylabusa 100%

[@reidzr2s10]

I shot Helice this past weekend here in Georgia, man that was hard. I only managed to separate the cap twice out of 10 targets. It is fun but very challenging.

[@claylabusa]

Absolutely! A great challenge for folks looking for something different for sure.

[@danhill6333]

Looks like a lot of fun to be had.

[@claylabusa]

It's extremely fun and frustrating to shoot haha sadly you could get very unlucky with bird presentations while your competitor gets pretty ones.

[@danhill6333]

@@claylabusa whole 'nother list of excuses to add to the repertoire. What does it typically cost to enter and how many birds. Or was that in video and I already forgot? 🤪

[@claylabusa]

@@danhill6333 haha prices weren't in there no but its usually about $3 a bird in places. can be a pretty penny at times but the payouts are always better for sure. 30 bird races are pretty typical. Definitely a much more laid back shooting experience than sporting.

[@youthroc]

I shoot helice! It's a lot of money and the payout can be anywhere between 10-40k and options is 200.00 minimum and peopel bid on you. For 30 birds it's 180.00 not including options and that's every day. You will spend around 2k for a 4 day shoot.

[@claylabusa]

Good payouts for sure, can be expensive for some folks but when the payouts can be that good then it can pay off for sure

[@youthroc]

@@claylabusa it's almost as much as live pigeon shooting! The Rick "doing fine" Mein has that down along with other shooters

[@claylabusa]

@@youthroc *cough, couln't mention any of that for obvious reasons in the video haha

[@youthroc]

@claylabusa I understand, and it's a great video. People don't realize how much you can win in this game I tell people it's so much fun.

[@mrsmith9079]

Automatic ball trap or Olympic trap is also random, isn't it?

[@claylabusa]

Yes and kinda, the best of the bunker trap shooters are able to basically do "card counting" to narrow down the potential of left, right, and center from the 3 traps at each station as the game goes on. Ill definitely have to do a video on bunker trap when able. This is the reason why they started enforcing hulls in the bin so shooters would stop throwing their shells to the side of the station their last target correlated to haha

[@thomasincantalupo3298]

Seems like a great game I like to shoot fictacl'

[@claylabusa]

It's definitely worth trying once for sure!

[@tanyaserna5967]

Can I use a 20 gauge shotgun to shoot helice?

[@claylabusa]

All good! Only gauges 12 and smaller may be used. Maximum loads for 12 gauges remain 1oz, 7-1/2 (Euro: 28g, 2.7 mm). Referees may check cartridges at any time and reserve the right to disqualify those found to be in violation.

[@johnmarkharris]

Looks like a slower version of trap with more variation and with traps above the ground.

[@claylabusa]

speed will definitely depend on the presentation for sure. not necessarily the speed of the bird but the window in which it is visible/killable to the shooter. I fly almost directly behind the box towards the fence and only pop out just before the fence line and then hopefully the witness cap is separated in time and falls in the fence line. Neat sport for sure.

[@clayshooterssupply]

Speed can be adjusted on the machines.... You can make it go much faster. The machines can also be set to accommodate wind direction.

[@claylabusa]

@@clayshooterssupply Absolutely!