Shoot reports and news 2024

41/50 on sporting today including straighting the high Pheasant. Dropped most on overhead driven clays which isn’t usually a big problem for me. Still happy as in the 40’s again so the improvements seam to be staying with me.

Northampton today. After an absolute kicking at east of England last week (64) I was happy to hit a few today and finish on 93.

I shot the FITASC qualifier event at St Dials yesterday. Apart from dabbling in one or two previous FITASC shoots I've never really shot a real FITASC event.

WHAT AN EYE OPENER!

I wasn't in any way prepared for what would be near 5 hours of shooting but only 100 targets with multiple 45 minute plus breaks in between each set of 25 targets. Apart from a little water, I didn't have enough hydration and didn't carry anything to eat to keep the blood sugars up and I paid the price. The two previous FITASC shoots I have done have had no longer than 15 minutes between layouts which is about the time it took to walk between them and I (foolishly) expected this one to be the same.

I did OK on the first Parcourse which turned out to be the hardest rated. The first break really took the wind out of my sails and once the adrenaline had faded my performance dropped off dramatically. I was missing birds that I would have smashed 1000/1000 times on any regular sporting course. Second and third parcourse were dismal and a real test of technique and speed with targets fast, low to the ground with a short window in which to shoot them. With the gun out of the shoulder I have neither so missed a lot of singles with both barrels, some targets hitting the ground before I could get a second shoot off. I did ok on the first part of the last parcourse which had some long targets on but came unstuck on the final part when the course reverted to fast, low and side on targets.

I did learn that my gun is far too long in the stock so I'm mounting with the butt of the gun from under my arm rather than further forward. This resulted in a missed mount on more than a few occasions. I have light bruising on my bicep to prove it. Unfortunately I have one of the few Brownings that doesn't use the inflex style butt pad so I have to get something custom made up to shorten the stock a little.

I didn't capture my score, somewhere near the bottom I would imagine. The only positive I can take away from the day is that everyone has to start somewhere and the only way from here is up and next time I'll be better prepared.

I believe that part of one parcourse was reffed by Wynno from this forum? I didn't want to make myself known as it wasn't the time or place and I had face somewhere down near my ass at that point anyway.

Also worth noting that a few of chaps on my squad were exceptional both in their performance and the guidance they were willing to pass on. I learnt a lot about the amount of planning required (over and above that of ESP) like footwork and positioning within the hoop. It's a good community which you don't often see when shooting a squadded ESP event where other shooters rush off to the next stand as soon as they've shot.

Clear Miss said:

I shot the FITASC qualifier event at St Dials yesterday. Apart from dabbling in one or two previous FITASC shoots I've never really shot a real FITASC event.

WHAT AN EYE OPENER!

I wasn't in any way prepared for what would be near 5 hours of shooting but only 100 targets with multiple 45 minute plus breaks in between each set of 25 targets. Apart from a little water, I didn't have enough hydration and didn't carry anything to eat to keep the blood sugars up and I paid the price. The two previous FITASC shoots I have done have had no longer than 15 minutes between layouts which is about the time it took to walk between them and I (foolishly) expected this one to be the same.

I did OK on the first Parcourse which turned out to be the hardest rated. The first break really took the wind out of my sails and once the adrenaline had faded my performance dropped off dramatically. I was missing birds that I would have smashed 1000/1000 times on any regular sporting course. Second and third parcourse were dismal and a real test of technique and speed with targets fast, low to the ground with a short window in which to shoot them. With the gun out of the shoulder I have neither so missed a lot of singles with both barrels, some targets hitting the ground before I could get a second shoot off. I did ok on the first part of the last parcourse which had some long targets on but came unstuck on the final part when the course reverted to fast, low and side on targets.

I did learn that my gun is far too long in the stock so I'm mounting with the butt of the gun from under my arm rather than further forward. This resulted in a missed mount on more than a few occasions. I have light bruising on my bicep to prove it. Unfortunately I have one of the few Brownings that doesn't use the inflex style butt pad so I have to get something custom made up to shorten the stock a little.

I didn't capture my score, somewhere near the bottom I would imagine. The only positive I can take away from the day is that everyone has to start somewhere and the only way from here is up and next time I'll be better prepared.

I believe that part of one parcourse was reffed by Wynno from this forum? I didn't want to make myself known as it wasn't the time or place and I had face somewhere down near my ass at that point anyway.

Also worth noting that a few of chaps on my squad were exceptional both in their performance and the guidance they were willing to pass on. I learnt a lot about the amount of planning required (over and above that of ESP) like footwork and positioning within the hoop. It's a good community which you don't often see when shooting a squadded ESP event where other shooters rush off to the next stand as soon as they've shot.

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You should have said something, everyone is friendly including the refs
Introduce yourself if I’m reffing at the next fitasc shoot, or any where else if you see me.

wynno said:

You should have said something, everyone is friendly including the refs
Introduce yourself if I’m reffing at the next fitasc shoot, or any where else if you see me.

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Next time I will. You were on the last set of targets before I could carry my sorry ass back to the car and sulk so I wasn't in the mood to speak to anyone. Nothing personal!

Clear Miss said:

I shot the FITASC qualifier event at St Dials yesterday. Apart from dabbling in one or two previous FITASC shoots I've never really shot a real FITASC event.

WHAT AN EYE OPENER!

I wasn't in any way prepared for what would be near 5 hours of shooting but only 100 targets with multiple 45 minute plus breaks in between each set of 25 targets. Apart from a little water, I didn't have enough hydration and didn't carry anything to eat to keep the blood sugars up and I paid the price. The two previous FITASC shoots I have done have had no longer than 15 minutes between layouts which is about the time it took to walk between them and I (foolishly) expected this one to be the same.

I did OK on the first Parcourse which turned out to be the hardest rated. The first break really took the wind out of my sails and once the adrenaline had faded my performance dropped off dramatically. I was missing birds that I would have smashed 1000/1000 times on any regular sporting course. Second and third parcourse were dismal and a real test of technique and speed with targets fast, low to the ground with a short window in which to shoot them. With the gun out of the shoulder I have neither so missed a lot of singles with both barrels, some targets hitting the ground before I could get a second shoot off. I did ok on the first part of the last parcourse which had some long targets on but came unstuck on the final part when the course reverted to fast, low and side on targets.

I did learn that my gun is far too long in the stock so I'm mounting with the butt of the gun from under my arm rather than further forward. This resulted in a missed mount on more than a few occasions. I have light bruising on my bicep to prove it. Unfortunately I have one of the few Brownings that doesn't use the inflex style butt pad so I have to get something custom made up to shorten the stock a little.

I didn't capture my score, somewhere near the bottom I would imagine. The only positive I can take away from the day is that everyone has to start somewhere and the only way from here is up and next time I'll be better prepared.

I believe that part of one parcourse was reffed by Wynno from this forum? I didn't want to make myself known as it wasn't the time or place and I had face somewhere down near my ass at that point anyway.

Also worth noting that a few of chaps on my squad were exceptional both in their performance and the guidance they were willing to pass on. I learnt a lot about the amount of planning required (over and above that of ESP) like footwork and positioning within the hoop. It's a good community which you don't often see when shooting a squadded ESP event where other shooters rush off to the next stand as soon as they've shot.

Click to expand...

I got told a good tip for fast low targets by an experienced fitasc shooter. Lean forward and it brings the gun much closer to the mounted position whilst keeping the stock below your line.

Westfields for us on Sunday and a thoroughly enjoyable course. Straightened 5 of the stands, inc stand 3 which I was chuffed with as that battue was fast, but messed up 2 which cost me dearly. Never hit the 2nd target on stand 2 (l-r). Was first in and on reflection it was still rising and I never went up with it, and the first target stand 11 (r-l) only hit 1 of but don’t know where I was. But once again, a great set of targets and something for everyone.
Was a tad muddy!!

Clear Miss said:

I shot the FITASC qualifier event at St Dials yesterday. Apart from dabbling in one or two previous FITASC shoots I've never really shot a real FITASC event.

WHAT AN EYE OPENER!

I wasn't in any way prepared for what would be near 5 hours of shooting but only 100 targets with multiple 45 minute plus breaks in between each set of 25 targets. Apart from a little water, I didn't have enough hydration and didn't carry anything to eat to keep the blood sugars up and I paid the price. The two previous FITASC shoots I have done have had no longer than 15 minutes between layouts which is about the time it took to walk between them and I (foolishly) expected this one to be the same.

I did OK on the first Parcourse which turned out to be the hardest rated. The first break really took the wind out of my sails and once the adrenaline had faded my performance dropped off dramatically. I was missing birds that I would have smashed 1000/1000 times on any regular sporting course. Second and third parcourse were dismal and a real test of technique and speed with targets fast, low to the ground with a short window in which to shoot them. With the gun out of the shoulder I have neither so missed a lot of singles with both barrels, some targets hitting the ground before I could get a second shoot off. I did ok on the first part of the last parcourse which had some long targets on but came unstuck on the final part when the course reverted to fast, low and side on targets.

I did learn that my gun is far too long in the stock so I'm mounting with the butt of the gun from under my arm rather than further forward. This resulted in a missed mount on more than a few occasions. I have light bruising on my bicep to prove it. Unfortunately I have one of the few Brownings that doesn't use the inflex style butt pad so I have to get something custom made up to shorten the stock a little.

I didn't capture my score, somewhere near the bottom I would imagine. The only positive I can take away from the day is that everyone has to start somewhere and the only way from here is up and next time I'll be better prepared.

I believe that part of one parcourse was reffed by Wynno from this forum? I didn't want to make myself known as it wasn't the time or place and I had face somewhere down near my ass at that point anyway.

Also worth noting that a few of chaps on my squad were exceptional both in their performance and the guidance they were willing to pass on. I learnt a lot about the amount of planning required (over and above that of ESP) like footwork and positioning within the hoop. It's a good community which you don't often see when shooting a squadded ESP event where other shooters rush off to the next stand as soon as they've shot.

Click to expand...

Sounds like a traditional sporting Fitasc with long breaks in between. On those occasions you have to put the whole day aside, if you weren’t prepared for that then psychologically it would not have done your shooting any good at all.
In recent times it’s either shoot right through or with a break in the middle.
I must say I tend to prefer the old style Fitasc but you have to know what you are going in for.
For me Sporting Fitasc done properly is the “Rolls Royce” of sporting clays.

chippy said:

I got told a good tip for fast low targets by an experienced fitasc shooter. Lean forward and it brings the gun much closer to the mounted position whilst keeping the stock below your line.

Click to expand...

Thanks. Advice I was given on the day was prior to calling for a target was to set the end of the barrels at the line of the target and then lower by a further 4" so that as the barrels rise when mounting, you'll then be on the line of the target and not above it and having to compensate.

I'm fairly experienced with shooting from a gun down (or even gun folded over an arm) position with game shooting but nothing that was learnt on peg could have prepared me for the speed and precision required for FITASC.

chesterse said:

Sounds like a traditional sporting Fitasc with long breaks in between. On those occasions you have to put the whole day aside, if you weren’t prepared for that then psychologically it would not have done your shooting any good at all.
In recent times it’s either shoot right through or with a break in the middle.
I must say I tend to prefer the old style Fitasc but you have to know what you are going in for.
For me Sporting Fitasc done properly is the “Rolls Royce” of sporting clays.

Click to expand...

I can see the attraction of having the shoot cover an entire day should it take place on a sunny day in June. I can't imagine that it would be much fun in the colder and wetter months unless the ground had a nice club house to retire to in between setups.

The amount of planning required to shoot well is far beyond anything that would be required on a sporting course. I was very fatigued by the second parcours. A few of the other shots in the squad had explained their process and they had pretty much every shot planned including footwork, body position, hold points, pick up points etc for the entire layout before they had even gotten into the hoop. With ESP you would only need to make a maximum of 12 plans of attack and 24 differing targets across the entire course. There's probably more than 24 individually presented targets in one parcours.

Clear Miss said:

Thanks. Advice I was given on the day was prior to calling for a target was to set the end of the barrels at the line of the target and then lower by a further 4" so that as the barrels rise when mounting, you'll then be on the line of the target and not above it and having to compensate.

I'm fairly experienced with shooting from a gun down (or even gun folded over an arm) position with game shooting but nothing that was learnt on peg could have prepared me for the speed and precision required for FITASC.



I can see the attraction of having the shoot cover an entire day should it take place on a sunny day in June. I can't imagine that it would be much fun in the colder and wetter months unless the ground had a nice club house to retire to in between setups.

The amount of planning required to shoot well is far beyond anything that would be required on a sporting course. I was very fatigued by the second parcours. A few of the other shots in the squad had explained their process and they had pretty much every shot planned including footwork, body position, hold points, pick up points etc for the entire layout before they had even gotten into the hoop. With ESP you would only need to make a maximum of 12 plans of attack and 24 differing targets across the entire course. There's probably more than 24 individually presented targets in one parcours.

Click to expand...

chippy said:

Northampton today. After an absolute kicking at east of England last week (64) I was happy to hit a few today and finish on 93.

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I went the other direction Chippy, after some minor glory at E of E shot Jett Hall which was another tough shoot but in a different way (more fast going away and simmos) and scored 60. At least it won’t count on my averages.!

chesterse said:

Sounds like a traditional sporting Fitasc with long breaks in between. On those occasions you have to put the whole day aside, if you weren’t prepared for that then psychologically it would not have done your shooting any good at all.
In recent times it’s either shoot right through or with a break in the middle.
I must say I tend to prefer the old style Fitasc but you have to know what you are going in for.
For me Sporting Fitasc done properly is the “Rolls Royce” of sporting clays.

Click to expand...

Totally agree, when we started shooting first time around, many years ago we only shot FITASC and would travel all over the place every Sunday, going up to Derbyshire, down to Southern Counties and Wyle Valley and yes, it was an all day shoot but it was enjoyable and a lot of my “old” friends in the shooting world are from them days, you spent nigh on the whole day with them and got to know everyone from all over the country.

I too prefer the old way of FITASC shooting but the cost has put me off now and the travelling! At least if I’m travelling a couple of hours to a sporting I can shoot, have a coffee etc and be home at a reasonable time!

My second outing at NCSC on Sunday for DTL. finished 6th in class on 267/300, dropping 8/100 targets overall, which apparently is ok. The targets are not difficult for me, it's the concentration!

Great squad to shoot with and I'll be shooting this discipline again for sure.

I love Fitasc but don’t shoot a lot of it. Have to admit I prefer shoot 50, 30 min break then shoot 50. I really struggle with loads of breaks as I cannot switch off. Weather plays a big factor as well.

Redricks today, wet and muddy, put bit of a dampener on a very good round of clays, I never really shot anything with consistency, nothing too tricky or eyesight tests, will return when this biblical weather does one.

Redricks today the weather was quite kind just a little light drizzle. And although I don't like giving credit to mossy it was a very goo

Charliedog said:

Redricks today, wet and muddy, put bit of a dampener on a very good round of clays, I never really shot anything with consistency, nothing too tricky or eyesight tests, will return when this biblical weather does one.

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I was there yesterday didn't shoot till 1.10pm so missed the rain. I thought it was a good round with a couple of interesting sim pair's that could be shot either way round. A longish incoming crosser deceived me on stand 11 needing double what I thought. Finished on 86.

Did my first registered esp since the british this last weekend. Went to Blyton in Lincs, nice round of entertaining clays, nothing too silly. Slipped up badly on stand 4 with only a 2 out of 8 that just wasn't good enough. Finished on 81 which wasn't too bad, but definitely 5 or 6 light of a half decent score.

Also found out that after years of shooting and being in C, B, A back to B then back to A again that I have finally landed in AA.

Heard nothing but good things about Blyton,it`s definitely on my `to do` list.

I had a good day at Gunsite on Sunday (although not scorewise.) Started on the pool shoot dropping only 1 which was a real confidence booster.
The forecasted rain did not appear and I had to strip off a couple of layers, shooting in a tee shirt and shooting vest when the sun came out.
The shoot was the usual mix of targets, some gimmies and some not, with enough "not" to trim 19 off my card, could have been better on a good day but enjoyable nevertheless (as always)
Winning scores were 99 each by R. Faulds and M. Myers - dream on!

Not so good today following 2 weeks away due to the inclement weather.
37/50 on sporting and to be fair, it wasn't a terrible days shooting. There were a few that I'd usually be hitting but otherwise, OK. A really poor effort on skeet but in fairness, the heavens opened as we started to shoot. Still great to be out shooting rather than watching.

Westfields today. Discovered that the A419 Swindon to Cirencester was closed so travelled through just about every little Cotswold village doing the scenic route. Parking was a bit hairy as the far field had an inch layer of liquid clay in places making it like an ice rink. (4x4 a distinct advantage.)
Oh the shoot? just about the softest I've done for many a moon, the stats say the average was 85% so that speaks volumes, I wasn't just having a good day (sadly.) To be fair there were still a few that needed full attention and were a pleasure to shoot. I shot well above my average missing 7 simple birds due to my own lack of concentration rather than being beaten by cunningly devised targets.
All in all it makes up for some of the tougher shoots I have done recently and was not a bad day.