As the UK and Ireland’s largest Clay Pigeon Shooting network, The Big Shoot just keeps on growing, with new venues always joining on board with us. The latest venue to do just that is our fantastic Northampton site. Here’s what you can expect when you pay them a visit.
Nestled within the wonderful Northamptonshire countryside, our fantastic new venue is based close by to excellent transport links. This includes the M1 at Junction 15 and the A508 road network. So, you’re just a short distance away from fantastic tourist attractions including Abington Park, The Racecourse, and more!
But, a visit to Northampton wouldn’t be complete without a visit to our awesome Clay Pigeon Shooting venue! Perfect for shooters of all levels of ability, you’ll be taking aim under close supervision of a friendly, qualified instructor. So, even if you’re new to Clay Pigeon Shooting, it won’t be long before you’ve mastered the basics. Soon enough, you’ll find yourself hitting those all important targets with ease as they are launched into the sky from all angles!
With full tuition and equipment provided when you arrive at our Northampton site, you’ll have everything you need for a truly memorable experience. So, if you’d like to find out any more information, visit the following link and you can do just that!
Here at The Big Shoot, we know that Clay Pigeon Shooting can sometimes be a bit confusing, especially for the beginner. To help make things that little bit clearer, we are proud to announce our new A-Z of Clay Pigeon Shooting, this time focussing on disciplines.
Disciplines are what we call the different forms of regulated clay pigeon shooting competitions and they were often divided into three main groups – English Sporting, Trap and Skeet. This time around we will run through the first three disciplines which span the letters A-C.
All Round
First up is All Round. This discipline is a real melting pot of disciplines in one overall round. These disciplines being Down The Line, Automatic Ball Trap, English Skeet and English Sporting. Depending on where this round is being held, all four of these must be held in line with their own technical rules and regulations. Each individual shooter must start in the same position for each round, but despite it being one shooter at a time, you are allowed a maximum team of five shooters per side. So, it’s time to round ‘em up, because a friendly game of All Round is ideal for groups of friends and family alike.
Automatic Ball Trap
This discipline utilises the firepower of six shooters per squad, as they each aim at one target per stand before moving to the right, ready to set sights on the next target. Two shots are allowed at each target, but Automatic Ball Trap, or ABT differs from similar disciplines because either shot scores equally on the boards. The targets used in ABT tend to be faster and come from a greater range of angles and heights as they are thrown at random trajectories from a single trap. All of these factors combine to make ABT the second most popular Trap discipline behind…well, you’ll have to wait until next time to find that out!
Compak Sporting
Compak Sporting is often confused with Sportrap (which will be introduced in future editions of this blog series) as they are similar-looking. But, the differences between the two are important. Firstly, Compak Sporting has one less stand and it also has a differing order of shooting. There are five traps overall, which provides a varied challenge for the shooter. There are three compulsory target trajectories – right to left, left to right and straight on. The final two targets are chosen by the designer at that particular shooting ground. Sound confusing? Don’t worry, because in Compak Sporting signs will be placed in front of each enclosure to help inform the shooter of the combination of shots to take.
Final Thoughts
So, that’s it for edition one of our glossary of disciplines in the A-Z of Clay Pigeon Shooting. But don’t worry, we’ve still got plenty of disciplines to cover in future editions so don’t forget to check back soon for these. In the meantime, if you’re feeling inspired by these three different types of Clay Pigeon Shooting, you can try your hand at any one of our Clay Pigeon Shooting grounds located across the UK.
Target sport fans, listen up! The Big Shoot have a double dose of shooting action heading your way! So, without further ado, it’s time to welcome on board our awesome new Selkirk venue – offering not only Clay Pigeon Shooting, they’ve also got Air Rifle Shooting too!
Situated on a picturesque estate within the Scottish Borders, the wonderful scenery goes on for miles. But, that’s not the only thing that makes our Selkirk venue a must-visit destination, it’s for the epic shooting action that you’ll get the chance to immerse yourself in!
Suitable for all levels of ability, the fantastic Clay Pigeon Shooting experiences at Selkirk are sure to provide a true test of your aiming skills. There’s a range of targets designed to challenge even the most experienced shooters. But, if 25 Clays isn’t enough for you, there’s packages offering up to 100 clays available. So, there’s sure to be a suitable option for you.
There’s even dedicated group shoot packages available too, so if you’re in search of the perfect venue for a stag/hen do, corporate event, or birthday party, then you’re sure to have a banter and fun filled day out with a visit to Selkirk! Superb catering facilities are available at their on-site restaurant, offering you the perfect chance to refuel after your shooting session.
Don’t think we’ve forgotten about the Air Rifles experience though! With 4 shooting positions and a whole host of challenging targets at their fantastic sheltered range, you’re sure to be in for a test from the very start. But, just wait until you hear about the awesome Rifle Shooting Range! Taking aim down a 100 metre long concrete pipe, you’ll get the chance to make full use of the first digital full-bore pipe shooting range in Scotland! There’s even a high-tech digital bullet tracking system to track your performance too!
So, no matter if you’re looking to take part in a Clay Shoot or an Air Rifles session, you’re guaranteed an awesome shooting experience either way! To find out more information, feel free to visit the following link.
The Big Shoot are always welcoming on board some of the finest Clay Pigeon Shooting venues across the UK and Ireland. Our Hexham venue is certainly right up there, and we’re proud to announce that they have won our Venue of The Month award for May! So, let’s not delay any further, it’s time to tell you all about this fantastic Clays site.
Set on a fantastic 1000 acre site on the grounds of Slaley Hall, there’s an abundance of Northumberland countryside views just waiting to take your breath away. But, if you let the views distract you, then you might struggle to take those clays down! Taking aim using a state of the art shotgun, you’ll be in for a challenging experience. It won’t be easy to blast the clays out of the sky, but after you’ve been provided with expert instruction, it will only be a matter of time before your inner clay assassin shines through! Here’s what recent visitors to Hexham had to say about their experience:
“We thoroughly enjoyed the day
blake our instructor was very professional and friendly he had just the right mix of safety and fun”.
Stephanie Wilkinson – Visitor to Hexham Clays
“loved it, will definitely book again in future!”.
Lauren Dean – Visitor to Hexham Clays
With qualified instruction tailor-made to suit shooters of all skill levels, you’ll find that there’s something for everyone at our fantastic Hexham Clays site. Think you’re ready to have your aiming skills put to the ultimate test? If so, then you can find out more information by visiting the following link.
Here at The Big Shoot HQ, we keep our eye out for all the latest and greatest in the world of Clay Pigeon Shooting, and this includes welcoming fantastic new venues on board. Well, here’s one with a difference – our Nottingham-Mansfield venue, which is the latest to offer the modern twist on Clay Pigeon Shooting – Laser Clays! So, sit back, relax, and read on as The Big Shoot tells all.
Placed perfectly in the Sherwood Pines Forest Park, your session will take place amongst some truly outstanding scenery. But, it’s not just the views you’re there for, it’s of course for the awesome Laser Clays experience our Nottingham – Mansfield venue provides! You’ll be taking aim using a state of the art shotgun that’s the real thing, only it’s been deactivated and modernised – firing out a harmless infrared pulse instead of using cartridges. In a true test of your aiming skills, you’ll set your sights on taking down the range of targets that are launched into the air – hit those targets, and your score will be registered on a digital scoring system.
It’s suitable for all levels of ability, so if you’re a seasoned pro looking to hone your skills, or a complete beginner, there’s something to provide a challenge to everyone. Full equipment and instruction is provided when you arrive, so you’ll have everything you need for an epic shooting experience with a difference! If you’d like to find out more about our new Laser Clays venue, click the following link and you can do just that.
St George’s Day is here again, which means it’s time to celebrate! There’s many different ways you can play your part in the celebrations, but what better way to do just that than smashing some clays! Here’s some of the best English Clay Shooters who have made a name for themselves within the sport.
George Digweed
Credit: Clay Shooting Magazine
Born in Hastings, Sussex on 21 April 1964, George Digweed is one of the finest Clay Shooters to have represented England over the years. Influenced by his grandfather, George began shooting when he was just 12 years old. He’s always been highly competitive, so he soon decided that a career within shooting was what he wanted to do in life. His first memorable competition win came in 1986 when he emerged victorious in the Home International Skeet Shoot, which took place at the Melton Mowbray Gun Club. Throughout his career, he’s gone on to earn numerous honours which means he’s most certainly placed his name within the Clay Shooting elite. His titles includes the following:
26 World Titles (13 Sporting, 11 Fitasc, and 2 Compak)
19 European Titles (15 Fitasc and 4 Compak)
4 European Compak titles
12 World Cups
Hannah Gibson
Credit: BASC
Hailing from Brighton, Hannah Gibson was inspired by her father to get into shooting. In her youth, she was a keen athlete – taking part in a whole host of sports. However, she eventually settled on shooting as her sport of choice. Representing Great Britain shooting Olympic Skeet between 2009 and 2011, Hannah made the decision to switch to English Sporting after this point. Her decision most definitely paid off though, as she became the British Open Sporting Ladies Champion in 2016!
Ed Ling
Credit: ITV News
Born on 7 March 1983, Ed Ling is not only a crop farmer hailing from Somerset, he’s also a renowned English sport shooter too! Representing Team GB at the 2004, 2012, and 2016 Olympics, he was able to earn himself a bronze medal in Trap shooting in the latter. He’s also earned honours in the ISSF World Shooting Championships too, earning silver medals in the Trap event at Grenada 2014 and Moscow 2017, in addition to a bronze which he earned in the Team Trap at Belgrade 2011.
Abbey Ling
Credit: TeamGB
As you might have guessed, Abbey Ling is in fact married to Ed Ling. Hailing from Somerset just like her husband, she’s also a highly regarded shooter just like him! Throughout her career, Abbey has become a five time world champion and Commonwealth Games medallist representing both Team England and Team GB. As well her shooting career, Abbey also works as the head female coach at Ling Shooting School.
Conclusion
Here at The Big Shoot, we’re always up for some clay shooting action – it’s totally exhilarating of course! So, why not put your aiming skills to the test this St. George’s Day? Find your nearest venue by visiting the link here. From all of us at The Big Shoot, happy St. George’s Day!
