Your thoughts needed...

[Tensleep]

In the last month I have been to several matches where an odd number of shotgun targets were used on some stages.
One, three and five shotgun shots were shot in addition to the standard two, four and six or eight.

I heard several shooters grumble about this. None of the top shooters at these matches were making noise, but there was some grumbling among the general run of shooters.

What are your feelings about an odd number of shotgun targets on a stage and why?

[Camille Eonich]

I don't have a problem with an odd number of shotgun targets on a stage.  For some reason people seem to think that an odd number od targets on a stage is unfair to double barrel shooters and that putting an odd number of shotgun targets in a stage is poor stage design because of that.

No one has been able to explain to me, why an odd number would be unfair to a double barrel shooter, in a way that has made me see the light as to the unfairness of it.  It all seems to shake out in the wash don't it?

[Major E A Sterner]

Howdy Sleep,
I think that some shooters feel that an odd number of targets favor the 97 shooters. The reasoning behind this is..."well, I have 2 barrels and I always load em both, why should I have to only shoot 1 barrel" Mostly I think it's a case of the shooter not knowing his/her shotgun well enough to know which trigger to pull when only loading the one barrel. Myself, I like having an odd number, because that way I can give that last target both barrels...after askin the RO if it's alright first.

[Tensleep]

If people think that double shooters are at a disadvantage on an odd number of targets they need to see some of the better shooters work their doubles.

At the Show-Me-Shootout I simply loaded 2 and dumped the unfired shell as if it were an empty.

[Doc Shapiro]

I don't like odd numbers of shotshell targets.  They ARE a disadvantage to a double shooter. 

It takes a talented shooter about 2 seconds to load and another .2 to fire.  That's 2.2 seconds for 2 shots.  For 1 shot, it still takes about 2 seconds to load, but a little less to fire.  That's about 2 seconds for 1 shot.

A talented 97 shooter will get off 1 shot per second.  So for 2 shots, about 2 seconds.  For the odd one, about 1 second.

That's a 1 second advantage to a 97 shooter for 3 targets.  For 5 targets it's also a 1 second advantage to a 97 shooter.  That second can make a difference.

Doc

[Camille Eonich]

There are all kinds of advantages in stages to different people.  If there is a short window to shoot out of a tall person has to stoop, if it's a tall window a short person has to reach.  At least with the shotgun you can choose your advantage or disadvantage.


If you get into seconds like that then how much of an advantage do double barrel shooters get over '97 shooters when the targets are placed close together.  The '97 shooter still has to take the time between shooting targets to load but the double barrel shooter already has two loaded.  At least with the targets further apart the '97 shooter can be loading as he swings.

[Stump Water]

Shoot two, move. Shoot two, move. Shoot two, move. Shoot two.  Advantage SxS?  Maybe.

But that doesn't address the "odd number" question.

Three SG targets. I'll pull three... advantage me.  Unless it's Red River Ray... hafta break his thumb 'er sumpin. 

[Foothills Drifter]

Howdy......
You put 'em out there and I'll shoot at 'em. Even or odd don't matter. I shoot a '97 and a double.....

Good shootin......
Vern...

[Boon]

OK...first off I know I am brand new and have never been tu a shoot.( And yup I should keep my mouth shut but I never been one fer doin that. ) Just because I just got started and all the shoots here ended over a month ago.  If I go to a shoot and meed new Pards or see familiar Pards that I already met, is that not a winner.  Whether I end a shoot in 1st place or last place, I am a winner for just going out and enjoying what I want to do. Sorry Pards fer my 2 cents worth but get back in focus on what the sport is about. meeting and being with Pards and doing what chu injoy.
"God Bless  CAS City"  and all the Pards what shoot and participate or just watch       

[Wymore Wrangler]

the number doesn't matter to me, only if they all fall down, so set them up and I'll shoot them...

[Coop Trawlaine]

Well, I say what the heck.   You have a target - blast away at it.    If I have an odd number targets, so what, just load the left barrel and pull the back trigger,,,,gee that ain't too hard to get the odd numbered one.

[Doc Shapiro]

Cammy, based on experiments that I've done with Bud, there aren't any stage designs where there is a real advantage to a SxS, except one.

Shoot 2, move shoot 2, etc.  And only then if the Club will allow the shooter to put 2 in the chambers while moving (action open), AND the movement is far enough that the SxS shooter can get 2 shells in while moving.

Doc

[Presidio]

Shootin' odd or even makes no difference ta me.  I shoot SxS, but I always plan a little ahead and form my strategy on how I'm gonna load my splatter gun.

Fer instance, 5 targets - 5 shells.  Shoot 2, Shoot 2, then load # 5 in my left barrel and shoot 1.

Geez, I oughtta be a math teacher or sumptin'

Gotta know yer firearms and what ya know of yer own capabilities.

[litl rooster]

Like Tensleeps I am going to load 2 and hopefully don't need the 2nd, and dump it. Now with a 97  you need to spend another second loading 1(according to Doc's theory) if you miss. It's part of the game, and that just what it is. I go to shoot and have fun. It's not like anyone earns their weekly paycheck at the club shoots. Honestly the I don't believe 4 SG targets is enough I am no means a fast shooter so I shoot for accurcy and for the enjoyment.

[Missouri Marshal]

I shoot a SxS almost all the time.  I don't see where odd number targets are unfair to a SxS shooter.  I if the stage calls for 5 shots, I have to load 3 times, if it calls for 6 I have to load three times.  As long as I am not penalized for loading an extra round on the 3rd reload it don't make any diferance.  I shoot a SxS by my choice.  I ain't the fastest but I can hold my own, and allot of times, beat the average 97 shooter.  If I don't like it, then I have the option of shooting a 97 too.  No reason to whine about a choice that I make.

[R D Henry]

It doesn't matter to me how many are out there...they're gonna get toasted by the smoky stuff either way!   

I shoot a double, and usually they time me with a sun dial or a calendar...so set em up...I'll get to em!      

[Toccoa Kate]

The only time it's mattered to me how many shotgun targets were out there was the day I forgot and pinned my badge to the right side of my 'spenders---ouch!!!!  Didn't realize why my shoulder was hurting so bad till someone handed me my bent up badge that had fallen off.... Tensleep knows speed doesn't matter to me as I'll always be slow, but I can't handle the pain my mistakes cause!!  Good luck cowboys!

[Ozarks Ranger]

I agree with Doc and Camille, in the 97 ya can load as you swing. if the targets are fairly close together it helps even out the time. another hint for the SxS ya can load the 4th or 6th almost as fast as loading 3 or 5  you can dump the other one out with the empty with out penality ( most SxS shooters practice pulling two at a time and for uneven stages you are fumbling around trying to pull 1 instead of two.)

Snake Eyes

[Sheriff A.E. Moses]

I guess if someone thinks there is such an advantage to one or the other, then why aren't they shooting that type gun instead of crying foul against those that do!

[Singing Bear]

If that's the way the stage was designed, so be it.  They can grumble all they want.  Me, I came to shoot.  I'll load 2 and shoot 2.  As for the advantages or disadvantages, out here the sxs's are just a bit faster since most of our 97 shooters only use their shotguns at our monthly matches.  Practice?  What practice?