Over the coming weeks we will bring you a selection of 'Top Tips' from our team of instructors. This week we hear from the Royal Berkshire legend that is Nigel Muir!
Nigel Muir, now in his third decade as a shooting instructor, is instantly recognisable not least due to his booming laugh. Lessons with Nigel are much sought after, with his game shooting experience informing his teaching and making him a busy man throughout the year.
The following are Nigel’s Top Tips for people to bear in mind;
- Book a gun fit check
There are many aspects to successful game shooting, but having a consistent gun mount is one of the most important and fundamental. The essential foundation of this, and in fact for anybody looking improve their shooting, is to have a gun that fits them.
If, for whatever reason, your gun does not shoot where you are looking (that’s at the target by the way!) then a miss will be inevitable. These sessions, with their use of our new pattern plates, can also be used to help you discover the best possible cartridge and choke combinations for your gun and chosen quarry.
- Book some lessons
Shooting is a perishable skill. Whilst you will not forget what you’re trying to achieve, if you put your gun away for a few weeks, let alone months, your timing, speed of swing, connection and focus will suffer.
If only to ensure you get the most from the day and to show your quarry due respect,
do have a lesson before your first day or, at the very least, practise.
I cannot count the amount of times a client comes to see me
during the game season saying “I know I promised to come during the summer” but, when asked when they are going to have their first day the answer is “tomorrow”! I do like a challenge, but giving me just one hour to get rid of 8 or 9 months of rust is tricky!
- Get your gun serviced well in advance of the beginning of the season
You have a properly fitted gun, a sound technique, your shooting booked and paid for, cartridge bags full, the 4x4 serviced and breeks dry cleaned.
It is the first day and you are in the hot seat, everyone is watching. The first bird appears coming straight at you, high, safe and challenging. You start to move, push the safety off, pass it’s head, squeeze the trigger and CLICK!
Gun smiths are busy all year round, but you are much better off finding, fixing or preventing any problems well in advance!
Good luck with practising these tips over the summer. But to really get to grips with them, why not book a lesson with Nigel?