Sporting clays - more lead for close targets?

[Clay]

I’ve heard more lead the closer the target. Trying to wrap my mind around this - insight appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Boats]

more lead means smaller lead and bigger spread but less range.

for closer targets more lead gives you a better chance for a hit on target

Obviously choke size also matters.

 

[John from MD]

When I was shooting sporting clays, I used 7.5, 8 and 9 shot loads and my shotgun had modified and improved cylinder choke tubes installed. I would adjust my barrel firing order, upper/lower or lower/upper and my shot load depending on the scenario presentation and what kind of targets were being thrown.

For instance, if I had a close in crosser and a simo teal, I would take the crosser with a improved cylinder and number 9 and the teal with a modified 7.5.

Like everything else, much practice and exposure is needed to get good at the game.

 

[fabsroman]

Velocity being equal and flight path being the same, the answer is no. Then, there is the type of target lead that you are using.

Shotgun Target Leads – Four Techniques Explained

There are four types of lead that can be used in shotgun shooting in order to break a target or hit a bird, they are; Spot Shooting, Swing Through, Pull away, and Sustained Lead. Each one of these can be effective given the right situation. In this piece, I will go over what type of lead is best...

www.gunsamerica.com

If I am using swing through lead on a target 10 yards away crossing left to right, I pretty much start behind the target, swing through it, and as soon as I am in front of it without seeing any daylight between my barrel and the target, I pull the trigger. Same target, going left to right, but 40 yards out. If I use swing through on it I need to see a lot of daylight between my barrel and the target before I pull the trigger.

Where exactly did you "hear closer the target, more lead"?

 

[fabsroman]

Now, the angle of the clay makes a difference too. A crosser usually requires more lead than a clay that is quartering away or quartering toward you. If a target is coming directly toward you or going directly away from you, there is no lead necessary. There are so many variables. However, everything being equal except for the distance the target is from you, the farther away it is the more lead it requires.

A quartering away bird starting even with you to your right requires less lead than the same target starting on your right but 20 yards in front of you. I have shot some doves at 60 yards and the amount of lead required is insane. Lots of clear sky between the barrel and the bird at 60 yards. A dove passing by at 10 yards at the same speed only requires that I cover the bird up and pull the trigger while continuing my follow through.

 

[fabsroman]

And I am assuming that your initial question dealt with lead as a verb (i.e., How much do you lead a target before pulling the trigger) versus lead as a noun (i.e., How much lead shot should I use in my shotshell on close targets). Let me know if you were referring to the grey, metallic, tiny pellets in the shotshell, and then I will be just as dumbfounded as you. Still dumbfounded about closer targets requiring more target lead than targets further away.

 

[Clay]

Thanks for the great answers and links. And appreciate folks asking about lead as distance or metal. I’ll find out where I read that quote about lead- have a couple books I’m reading.

 

[Hotrod Willy]

If you live in Maryland and shoot at the sporting clay course on the shore and pg and bull run. I would say #8s lm/lm or lm/Ic for chokes.