Practical Shotgun

Courses, Positions, Reloading & Challenge

Practical Shotgun is designed to push you gently out of your comfort zone by varying how and where you shoot, rather than simply repeating the same action.

Depending on the course, you may find yourself shooting:

• Seated for one sequence
• Kneeling or low for another
• Standing or leaning through a window or barrier

Each set of three targets is positioned a short distance apart, requiring shooters to move swiftly but securely between shooting positions. The aim is to minimise time while keeping heart rate (and therefore accuracy!) under control. Once the next shooting position is reached, the shotgun is reloaded and the next set of knock-down targets is engaged.

A key part of the challenge is reloading the gun yourself. Shooters who can reload smoothly and calmly tend to achieve the best overall times, while those who rush or lose rhythm often give time back.

We operate multiple practical shotgun ranges, each with different layouts. The range we use varies with availability, weather, and season, some ranges work better in summer, others in winter, but the underlying philosophy remains the same: variety, challenge, and engagement.

We understand that not everyone can kneel, crouch, or move easily. Courses can be adapted to work around physical limitations wherever possible, ensuring everyone can take part safely and confidently without feeling excluded.

Instruction & Supervision

Every Practical Shotgun session is overseen by a dedicated Instructor, who controls timing, safety, and the overall flow of the course.

Full instruction is provided before anyone shoots, covering:

• Shotgun handling and safe loading procedures
• Movement between shooting positions
• Target engagement and muzzle awareness

Practical Shotgun is an unusual and relatively rare discipline, and we are fortunate to be able to offer it in this format. Most participants (including a lot of experienced clay shooters) have never tried anything like it before.

This structured approach ensures that complete beginners can take part confidently and score well!

How Practical Shotgun Fits Into Your Day

Practical Shotgun works exceptionally well as one discipline within a mixed shooting or multi-activity event, alongside rifle, pistol, clays, or karting.

It offers a very different feel to traditional clay shooting, adding variety, pace, and friendly competition to the day.

Like our other shooting disciplines, it is easy to slot into half-day or full-day formats and works well for:

• Corporate and team-building events
• Stag and hen parties
• Social and mixed-ability groups

Practical Shotgun sessions run slightly longer than our other standard shooting activities due to the additional briefing, movement, and reloading involved. For simplicity, pricing remains the same, but when building your event outline we allow extra time to ensure the experience is unhurried and enjoyable.

To give a guide to overall event timing, a two-discipline event combining Practical Shotgun and Rifle Shooting typically takes around 2 hours 15 minutes from arrival for groups of 6–7 people. For groups of 8–14 people, we would usually allow approximately 2 hours 30 minutes from arrival. This includes sign-on, safety briefings, shooting time, short breaks, and awards. Scoring is based primarily on accuracy, with time used as a tie-breaker where necessary.

Our standard format, timing, and pricing allow each participant to complete a single structured run, consisting of three shooting positions with three targets at each. Beforehand, participants receive three practice shots to familiarise themselves with the shotgun. This provides the perfect introduction for Practical Shotgun and still allows it to combine well with our other activities standard formats.

We can also create a bespoke event with extra runs or multiple courses if your budget and schedule allow, either as part of a mixed shooting day or as a dedicated Practical Shotgun experience.

Shotgun Duel Format

For groups who have already experienced Practical Shotgun with us, or as part of a more involved full-day event, we also offer an advanced head-to-head Shotgun Duel format.

This format is only run once participants have already been trained on the shotgun, its operation, and the required safety standards. It builds directly on the skills learned during the Practical Shotgun session.

Shooters compete side by side in controlled duels, each engaging a line of six reactive targets. The first shooter to successfully knock down all targets wins the duel.

The Duel format can be run as team vs team match-ups or as a bracketed competition to find the overall best performer in the group.

Shooting alongside another competitor adds real pressure, smooth reloading, composure, and accuracy suddenly matter even more. A small delay or rushed reload can make all the difference, which is exactly what makes this format so engaging.

Fast-paced, challenging, and hugely enjoyable, the Shotgun Duel is a favourite for groups who want to take Practical Shotgun to the next level.