Sporting Clays Terminology

• 5-Stand: A sporting clays game where shooters rotate between 5 stands on a compact course, taking 5 shots at each stand. Targets are released from 8 machines in a sequence posted at each stand. The game consists of 25 shots and is ideal for groups of 5 to 15. It is also an NSCA competitive event.

• Broken Bird: A target that is already broken when it comes out of the thrower.

• Chandelle: A target that arches in a rainbow-like trajectory.

• Controller: The device used to command the thrower to release targets with the push of a button.

• Counter: The RFID chip card inserted into the controller clip to activate it and count the number of targets thrown.

• Dead: A target hit by the shooter with a visible piece broken off.

• Dust: When a shot hits the target but only results in dust; the target is not actually broken and is considered a miss.

• Ear Protection: Foam ear plugs or muffs used to prevent hearing damage from shotgun fire.

• Eye Protection: Eyewear such as sunglasses, safety goggles, or prescription lenses used to protect the eyes from debris.

• FITASC: An international form of sporting clays governed by the Federation Internationale de Tir Aux Sportives de Chasse, where shooters fire from three “pegs” with a combination of singles and pairs, totaling 25 targets per course.

• Lead: A substance used in some shotgun shell pellets, though steel is also commonly used. Lead is denser than steel, with steel pellets being about one-third lighter.

• No Bird: A target that fails to come out of the thrower due to a machine malfunction.

• Pull!: The command given by the shooter to release a target, historically requiring a trapper to physically pull a lever; now accomplished by pressing a button.

• Punch Up/Punch: Moving to a higher NSCA class, requiring a specific number of punches.

• Range: The area or course where sporting clays shooting takes place.

• Report Pair: In sporting clays, targets are released consecutively; the second target is released when the shot at the first target is heard (the “report” of the gun).

• Round: A set of targets; typically 100 targets for sporting clays and 25 targets for 5-stand.

• Show Pair: A demonstration of one target from each machine before the shooter begins their turn.

• Single: One target thrown by itself.

• Skeet: A shotgun sport involving targets thrown from two machines crossing in the air, with shooters shooting from seven stations in a semi-circle. The game consists of 25 shots: 17 singles and 8 doubles.

• Solo Delay: A setting on the controller that provides a 3-second delay between pushing the button and the target being thrown for solo shooters.

• Sporting Clay/Target/Bird/Clay Pigeon: Synonyms for the clay target being shot, typically made from pitch and lime in various sizes, colors, and shapes.

• Standard: A dome-shaped target, 108mm in diameter, used for trap, skeet, and sporting clays. It simulates a bird’s steady flight.

• Rabbit: A target the same size as the Standard but with a tougher rim to bounce along the ground, simulating a rabbit.

• Midi: A slightly smaller target, 90mm in diameter, creating an optical illusion of being farther away.

• Mini: A 60mm target that departs the machine quickly but slows rapidly due to its lighter weight.

• Battue: A thin, flat target the same size as the Standard, designed to fly faster and roll as it falls.

• Sporting Clays: Often referred to as “golf with a shotgun,” this sport involves shooting five pairs at ten different stations, totaling 100 shots, with varying target presentations.

• Squad: The group of individuals with whom you are shooting.

• Stand: The shooting position or cage from which clays are shot.

• Teal: A target that moves straight up, stalls at the top, and comes straight down.

• Thrower/Trap: The automated machine that throws the target into the air.

• Trap: A shotgun sport where targets travel away from the shooter at various angles from a single machine. Shooters take five shots from each of five stations, totaling 25 shots.

• True Pair: In sporting clays, targets are released from both throwers simultaneously.

Shotgun Terminology

• Bead: A round bead at the top of the barrel, used as an aiming device. It is less commonly used in sporting clays, where keeping both eyes open is preferred.

• Choke: A constriction at the end of the shotgun barrel that affects the width of the shot pattern.

• Over-Under: A double-barreled shotgun with one barrel positioned above the other, each holding one shell. The break action opens to reload.

• Pump Action: A single-barreled shotgun with a sliding mechanism to eject spent shells and load new ones. Typically holds a limited number of shells.

• Rib: A raised plane above the barrel of a shotgun.

• Safety: A mechanism to prevent accidental discharge. The safety should always be engaged until ready to shoot.

• Semi-Automatic: A single-barreled shotgun that fires one shell per trigger pull and automatically reloads.

• Side-By-Side: A double-barreled shotgun with barrels positioned beside each other. Each barrel holds one shell, and the break action opens to reload.

Shot Shell Terminology

• Bore: The inside diameter of the shotgun barrel.

• Brass Head: The bottom of the shell that holds the primer.

• Case/Hull: The plastic or paper casing that contains the shot and gun powder.

• Dram Equivalent: A measurement of gun powder in the case/hull indicating the ammunition’s power.

• Gauge: Describes the size of the gun’s bore, reflecting the number of lead pellets of the same diameter that equal one pound. A smaller gauge number indicates a larger bore.

• High Brass: The taller and thicker brass head of a shell, designed to withstand higher pressure magnum loads (not used in sporting clays).

• Length: The length of the shotgun shell, affecting the number of pellets and energy.

• Magnum Load: Ammunition with a dram equivalent of 3-1/2 or greater (not used in sporting clays).

• Ounce: The total weight of the pellets in the shell.

• Powder Charge: The gun powder in the shell that expands when ignited to propel the shot.

• Primer: The small cup containing a flammable substance that ignites the powder charge.

• Shell: A loaded shotgun ammunition round, including the hull, primer, gun powder, wad, and shot.

• Shot: The pellets fired from a shotgun barrel.

• Shot Size: The diameter of individual pellets.

• Wad: The paper or plastic component that separates the powder charge from the shot.