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First Time Doubles-Wow!

4K views 22 replies 17 participants last post by  team henges 
#1 ·
Been shooting in league for a few years and shot doubles last night for the first time. Have to admit that I don't see how you guys do it. The book says I'm supposed to shoot the straight away first, but the second bird is in the next county by then. For some reason on station 4 and 5 I had better luck shooting the right target first. Must be wired wrong. I've shot sporting clays several times before where everything is a double, but this seemed quite a bit more difficult. Hats off to doubles shooters.
 
#3 ·
Don't make it harder than it is, Westie!! I'm guessing you're shooting that straightaway more like its a single.

Be RECKLESS with it. FAST. Sure, at first you'll miss some - even a lot of the first ones.

There's hold points (referenced off the trap house) that get you in the right spot, so it comes out right under the gun. See the flash, basically you pull the trigger. It's NOT a spot shot, but its close. For example, on post two, you'd hold about 10" in from the front right corner of the house, and parallel with the ground.

Doubles are fun...stay at it.
 
#4 ·
You don't need to be super fast or sloppy to shoot good doubles scores. With accuracy comes speed - but never the other way around. If there is a 'trick' it is that the gun shouldn't stop moving until after the second shot is away. You have plenty of time to get to the targets and shoot them but no time to waste on stopping then restarting the swing.

Take some time to watch a few really good doubles shooters and notice how fluid they are and also notice they don't appear to be in any rush. They also don't waste any time with things like bead checking or riding the target.

Above all - practice, practice, practice.
 
#6 ·
Problem with shooting station 4 and 5 in that manor is you are going to stop the follow though to go back and get the center bird. You basically are have to follow through on two birds. Very difficult. If you shoot the center target first, you will move the gun over and through the angle bird much more effertlessly. As stated above get the hold points for where that center target is going, and allow the bird to come to that point, which would be a slight angle up from level to the traphouse. Then swing to, and through the angle target in one fluid motion. Your swing should be a very slight angle up, if not straight across to the angled moving target. Ideally, but not necessary, this should be done before the angled target starts moving down, or past its crown of travel. As for station 3, shoot the bird first to the side you tend to do worse at on the angled birds. Because you know exactly where that bird is going to be. Usually right birds for righties. Doubles shooting is a very fun game. You are now hooked.
 
#7 ·
When you practice, if you can sign up for station three or after the lead shooter. This way you can determine a spot where you can hold the gun for the first bird to intersect it when it crosses your barrel. If by yourself call for a pair first in each station to get your starting point. This takes practice, to be able to shoot the first bird without having to move the gun.
 
#8 ·
I shot my first round of doubles in MD in the 80's. I would get the first target and be happy as hell and then remember theres a second target. I was shooting it about two feet off the ground. The score had already called it lost. People who were on the squad were yelling dead bird. This went on for some time and I heard the score say Damn Newbe. LOL. I don't remember my score but I was hooked. Even the other shooters and watches were having fun just watching. LOL
 
#10 ·
The first time for me was at the 2007 Southern Grand. I shot next to Colton Kant, 12 yr. old sub jr all american. After we finished he looked at me and asked "have you ever done this before?". In 5 years I still find it the hardest event for me shooting one eye. However, through constant practice (wasting entry fees at shoots) I've managed to get close to moving into C Class while I've moved up significantly in caps and singles. While it's the hardest for me, it's the most fun! Two things I have to remember for me to shoot well in doubles...1) shoot the first bird quickly and don't watch it break and 2)when you swing to the second, make sure your cheek stays on the comb.

blade819
 
#12 ·
Keep a look out for the next round of "Pro Tips" on Jim Scouten's Shooting USA. He was down at Ft. Benning last week and I happened to film my tip on ATA Doubles.

Some of my key points are mentioned above to include locating a hold point, not letting the first target above your barrel, and transitioning to the second target.

Jeff Holguin
 
#17 ·
Went back last night for my second dose of doubles. How in the world can a "normal" person miss so many straightaways? I swear that last night they were harder to hit at times. That was especially true on station one. Don't know if it's just because they're different, but man they sure are fun.
 
#18 ·
it is a learning experience. you just have to learn it. I do best when I use a sweeping motion, the gun moves through the first target path on it's way to the second target.I never see the first target break. It is faster and smoother. a glitch on my part can lead to a lost pair real easy, but it is so easy to hit a pair when it's working!
 
#22 ·
HMB is right...no straights.

Might help you to spend a few minutes looking at the targets on a properly set field. in calm winds, a properly set field is straightaway from halfway between post one and two, and halfway between post four and five.

so when you're on post one...its a very slight left angle.

and it still all comes down to getting that first bird quickly. Sounds trite, but the first bird sets you up for the second.

BTW, we have 200 doubles this morning here in Anchorage. I haven't been doing too well at them lately, but haven't been practicing much either. we'll see!!!
 
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