The Three Methods of Obtaining a Lead When Shotgunning

Whether you are wingshooting or clay shooting,directly at the target and moves with the target
establishing which type of lead shooter you areuntil time to shoot, the shooter then "pulls ahead"
will improve your consistency and accuracy. Thereof the target to obtain lead and fires. Where in
are three methods of obtaining lead on a movingthe "swing through" method the shooter trails the
target. The "swing through" method, the "pulltarget.
ahead" method, and the "sustained lead" method.Many experts believe this helps to solve the most
All of which have there advantages anddifficult aspects of shotgunning, target speed and
disadvantages. Let's examine the three.direction. By pointing at the target your brain
A "swing through" shooter allows the target toautomatically calculates these variables, enabling
pass the barrel of the shotgun and follows theyou to accurately decide the proper lead.
target until just before pulling the triggerThe third method is the "sustained lead" method.
accelerates the barrel past the target, generatingPreferred by many target shooters, "sustained
the lead. When you hear people coaching "followlead" matches gun speed with target speed but
through" when shooting, this is the method theyinstead of pointing at the target, the shooter
are teaching. Much like a golfer or a bowler, evenstays in front of the target at all times.
after pulling the trigger, the shooter continues hisThe idea here is the shooter always stays ahead
swing until the target breaks(or not).of the target and is in the right positiion longer,
I am a "swing through" shooter. I do not see lead,giving the shooter a better chance of hitting the
as most "swing through" shooters don't. Oftarget earlier and more consistently. I've also
course this is only perceived, as there is a lead onheard this type of shotgunnng referred to as
any moving target, especially crossing shots. By"window shooting". Basically the shooter leads the
following behind the target and then firing as thetarget to a particular "window" or predetermined
barrel moves past the target it gives the shooterspot and fires.
the perception of shooting directly at the target. IIf I had a recommendation for a beginner it would
like this fact because trying to maintain a lead forbe the "sustained lead" method. This method
me seems unnatural.teaches to obtain the proper lead early and gives
Critics of "swing through" state that this methodthe shooter the most control over each shot.
puts the shooter behind from the beginning andAlso, when shooting doubles, it allows for early
forces the shooter to wait until the last minute tobreaks on the first target , leaving ample time to
obtain the proper lead. I find it can cause forlocate and break the second target.
"riding" a target too long which makes the shotAs for me, I've been "swinging through" for years
more difficult and puts me out of position for theand trying to change that would be like trying to
next shot.make myself right handed, just not going to
Next, we have the "pull ahead" method. In myhappen.
opinion, this is very similar to the "swing through"Which ever method you prefer, stick to it and be
method. The main difference being that with theconsistent.
"pull ahead" method the shooter points the barrel