A series of brief articles cataloging the sport and gear for wing and clays shooting.
Shooting tower pheasants—birds released from height to simulate very high, curling gamebirds—requires a mix of discipline, correct gun mount, and precise timing. Here’s a clear, field-proven approach used on serious tower shoots in the UK and increasingly in the U.S.
Set Up Correctly
Read the Bird
Pick a Kill Zone
The Mount and Swing
Lead: Less Than You Think
Most of all, however, shoot safe. Always be aware of the shooters, dogs and bystanders around you.
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When it comes to shooting a shotgun, proper shoulder placement is crucial for accuracy and comfort. One key aspect of shoulder placement is the shoulder pocket, a term often used in the world of shooting sports. In this article, we will delve into what the shoulder pocket is and why it is important when shooting a shotgun.
The shoulder pocket refers to the space between your shoulder joint and your chest where the stock of the shotgun rests when you mount the gun. This area provides a stable base for the shotgun to recoil against when fired, reducing felt recoil and allowing for better control of the firearm. Proper placement of the shotgun in the shoulder pocket also helps to align your eye with the barrel, improving your aim and accuracy.
To find your shoulder pocket, start by bringing the shotgun up to your shoulder and resting the stock in the space between your shoulder joint and chest. The stock should sit firmly in this pocket without any gaps or slippage. Adjust your stance and gun mount as needed to ensure a comfortable and secure fit in the shoulder pocket. With practice, mounting the shotgun in the shoulder pocket will become second nature, leading to more consistent and accurate shooting.
Proper shoulder placement is essential for a number of reasons when shooting a shotgun. First, it helps to absorb and distribute the recoil of the shotgun, reducing the impact on your body and allowing for quicker follow-up shots. Additionally, shoulder placement affects the alignment of your eye with the barrel, which is crucial for accuracy. By consistently mounting the shotgun in the shoulder pocket, you can improve your shooting technique and overall performance on the range or in the field.
In shotgun sports such as trap, skeet, and sporting clays, mastering proper shoulder placement can make a significant difference in your scores. By focusing on the shoulder pocket and ensuring a consistent mount, you can eliminate variables that may impede your progress and become a more skilled shooter. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned competitor, paying attention to your shoulder placement when shooting a shotgun is key to unlocking your full potential.
In conclusion, the shoulder pocket plays a vital role in shotgun shooting, providing a stable base for the firearm and aiding in recoil management and accuracy. By understanding the concept of the shoulder pocket and practicing proper shoulder placement, shooters can improve their performance and consistency on the range. So next time you pick up a shotgun, pay attention to your shoulder pocket and feel the difference it can make in your shooting experience.
Recoil management: Placing the butt in the shoulder pocket spreads recoil over muscle rather than bone, making recoil feel softer and more controllable.
Consistent gun mount: A repeatable mount into the same spot every time helps with instinctive shooting and consistent point of impact.
Control and swing: Proper placement keeps the gun stable during the swing, especially important in sporting clays, skeet, upland, and driven shooting.
Injury prevention: Mounting too far out on the shoulder or on the collarbone can cause bruising, soreness, or even nerve irritation.
Too far out on the shoulder: Causes more felt recoil and can let the gun slip under recoil.
On the collarbone: Painful and often leads to flinching.
Too low or loose: Reduces control and consistency.
The toe of the buttstock should sit comfortably in the pocket without digging in.
The gun should come to your face first, then settle naturally into the shoulder pocket.
Your head should stay upright—don’t lower your head to meet the gun.
A properly fitted stock will naturally find the shoulder pocket without forcing it.
Given your interest in shotgun fit and stock design, this is one of those fundamentals that ties directly into length of pull, pitch, and recoil pad shape — all of which help the gun land in the shoulder pocket correctly every time.
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Shotgun grips come in various shapes, sizes, and materials, each designed to cater to different shooting styles and preferences. The most common types of shotgun grips include pistol grips, straight grips, and thumbhole grips. Pistol grips feature a vertical design that allows the shooter to hold the shotgun more securely with their dominant hand. Straight grips are straight in shape and provide a more traditional feel, popular among hunters and traditional shooters. Thumbhole grips have a hole for the shooter’s thumb to pass through, offering enhanced stability and control.
Description:
No pistol-style curve; the wrist stays relatively straight.
Common on traditional side-by-side shotguns.
Advantages:
Encourages quick hand movement and instinctive shooting
Easier to slide the hand back for opening the gun
Classic, lightweight feel
Disadvantages:
Less control under heavy recoil
Not ideal for high-volume shooting
Best for:
Upland hunting (quail, grouse, woodcock)
Walk-up shooting and traditional game guns
Description:
Pronounced curve like a handgun grip.
Very common on over/unders and semi-autos.
Advantages:
Strong control and recoil management
Comfortable for sustained shooting
Works well with heavier loads
Disadvantages:
Slightly slower hand movement for some shooters
Less traditional look
Best for:
Sporting clays, trap, skeet
Waterfowl and target shooting
Description:
A compromise between straight and full pistol grip.
Gentle curve with a slimmer profile.
Advantages:
Good balance of control and elegance
More comfortable than straight grip for many shooters
Allows faster hand repositioning than a full pistol grip
Disadvantages:
Not as much leverage as a full pistol grip
Best for:
Driven game
Upland hunting with modern loads
Shooters who want versatility
Description:
A straight grip with a rounded knob at the end.
Classic British design.
Advantages:
Helps maintain hand position
Retains straight-grip flexibility
Disadvantages:
Limited recoil control
Best for:
Traditional side-by-side game guns
Just as a wing and clays shooter strives for the perfect gun fit, they should consider the perfect grip for their shotgun.
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The 10-gauge shotgun is best used for hunting large game, such as waterfowl and turkey, due to its power and range.
Enter the luxurious fine gun room of the new Mallards Shooting Supply & Apparel and you’ll be amazed at the names of legendary shotguns resting in the red-velvet-lined cases: Fabbri, Purdey, Perazzi, Buchan, Holland & Holland, Beretta Premium along with vintage collectibles from LC Smith, Winchester and Parker Brothers (plus a selection of stunning Rigby rifles).
It’s Grand Opening Saturday night on November 15, 2025. The classical Julian & Sons built gun room, safeguarded by a massive vault door, is jammed with guests browsing and chatting. Among them are Grant Buchan and his wife Holly. Grant owns Scottish shotgun makers McKay Brown and Buchan Guns. The Buchans arrived from Scotland to help promote the new relationship between McKay Brown and Mallards. Grant explained that he had parted ways with fabled Griffin & Howe, his original East Coast agent, in favor of Mallards because he strongly believed that Mallards is the more visionary of a business partner in the marketing of best shotguns and their new joint program of organizing and promoting Scottish estate driven shoots to Mallard clients.
Beretta unveils the new AX800 Suprema, a ground-up engineered waterfowl shotgun that pushes the company’s performance, durability, and ergonomics into a new class. Built for serious hunters who demand maximum reliability in the blind, on the boat, and in the worst weather, the AX800 Suprema combines breakthrough gas-system technology, championship barrel engineering, and industry-leading recoil mitigation to deliver more effective shots, faster follow-ups, and less maintenance between hunts.
“The AX800 Suprema is the most advanced waterfowl shotgun we’ve ever built,” said Caleb McMillen, Beretta USA Sr. Product Manager for Long Guns. “Every part of this platform was designed and engineered to give waterfowl hunters an advantage: harder hitting and more consistent patterns, faster cycling, dramatically reduced felt recoil, cleaner operation, and a fit system that lets shooters fine-tune the gun to their body.”
Key innovations & features
Designed for real-world waterfowl hunting, the AX800 Suprema emphasizes both peak performance and field durability. The combination of B-LINK® Pro’s rapid, clean cycling, the Steelium® Pro barrel’s pattern control and recoil reduction means hunters can trust their first shot and their last, all season long. The AX800 Suprema will be available through authorized Beretta dealers in December, offered in a variety of finishes to match any environment or style. The release also complements Beretta’s recently launched Suprema Waterfowl Collection, a premium apparel line designed to keep hunters dry, warm, and concealed in even the toughest environments.
Stay connected with Beretta USA. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube and LinkedIn for the latest news, products, and updates.
About Beretta
Established in 1526, Beretta is the world’s longest-standing industrial dynasty, with a legacy spanning 16 generations of continuous family ownership. For nearly 500 years, firearms bearing the Beretta name have been trusted and used around the world. Beretta USA Corp. was established in 1977 and quickly became the provider of the most widely deployed sidearm in the U.S. Armed Forces. Today, Beretta USA is part of Beretta Holding Group, which includes over 50 global subsidiaries and 20 renowned brands. Beretta manufactures, distributes, and markets a complete range of firearms, accessories, and apparel. The company also owns and operates six Beretta Gallery retail stores worldwide.
For more information, visit www.Beretta.com.
Restriking is a process that involves reshaping the damaged portion of a shotgun barrel by using specialized tools and techniques. This method is commonly used to repair barrel bulges, dents, and other forms of damage that may affect the performance of the firearm. By carefully reshaping the affected area, gunsmiths can ensure that the barrel retains its structural integrity and functionality.
One of the key benefits of restriking is that it can help extend the lifespan of your shotgun barrels. Rather than having to replace the entire barrel, which can be costly and time-consuming, restriking allows you to repair the damage and continue using your firearm. This makes it a cost-effective solution for shotgun owners who want to keep their firearms in top condition without breaking the bank.
In the context of double-barreled shotguns (side-by-side or over/under), “regulation” refers to how the two barrels are aligned so that they both shoot to the same point of impact (POI) at a specific distance.
What “Regulation” Means
Shotgun barrels are not perfectly parallel. Because each barrel is offset from the bore centerline, a gunsmith must adjust their angles during construction so that:
Both barrels’ patterns overlap at a chosen distance (usually 40 yards for field guns, sometimes 21–30 yards for skeet).
Vertical alignment (over/under barrels) is correct.
Horizontal alignment (side-by-side barrels) is correct.
This ensures that when you fire either barrel, the pattern hits where you’re aiming.
Reloading shotgun shells can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to enjoy shooting sports. However, it is essential to prioritize safety when engaging in this activity. By following proper safety precautions, reloaders can reduce the risk of accidents and ensure that their reloading process is smooth and efficient.
Importance of Safety Precautions
Safety precautions are crucial when reloading shotgun shells to prevent accidents and injuries. Failure to follow proper safety measures can result in catastrophic consequences, including personal injury or damage to equipment. By incorporating safety protocols into their reloading routine, shooters can minimize the risks associated with the process and maintain a safe environment for themselves and others.
Early vintage Franchi shotguns, particularly the Franchi 48AL, are renowned for being lightweight, reliable long-recoil operated semi-automatic shotguns. These models are known for their excellent handling, making them popular for hunting, and early versions had steel receivers before the lighter aluminum receiver of later models was introduced. Other notable early models include the Franchi 48AL which features a 3-inch magnum chamber and steel receiver, and was likely produced in the late 1960s and 1970s.
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