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Encyclopedia > Skeet shooting

Skeet shooting is one of the two major types of competitive shotgun shooting at clay targets (the other is Trap shooting). There are several types of Skeet, including one with Olympic status (and so often called Olympic Skeet), and many with only national recognition. A pump-action and two semi-automatic action shotguns, 20 boxes of shotgun shells, a clay trap, and three boxes of clay pigeons. ... Clay targets also known as clay pigeons, are non-kiln fired clay discs, primarily used in skeet shooting or trapshooting as moving targets. ... Trap shooting in Ohio, c. ... For months before the Olympic Games, runners relay the Olympic Flame from Olympia to the opening ceremony. ... Officially referred to only as Skeet, the Olympic Skeet shooting event was introduced to the program in 1968. ...

Contents


History and general principles

Skeet was invented by Charles E. Davies, an avid grouse hunter, in 1915 and evolved to its current setup by 1923. It originally used live pigeons but eventually changed to clay. In 1926 a contest was held to name the new sport, and Gertrude Hurlbutt named it skeet, which is derived from the Scandinavian word for "shoot". During World War II, Skeet was used in the American military to teach gunners the principle of leading and timing on flying targets.


Skeet is a recreational and competitive activity where participants attempt to break clay disks flung into the air at high speed from a variety of angles. The clay discs are typically 4 inches in diameter and flying at 80 mph.[citation needed] The firearm of choice for this task is usually a high quality shotgun although many shooters of American skeet and other national versions still use inexpensive semi-auto and pump action shot guns with great success. The use of clay targets replaced the more traditional target of live birds, as a cheaper, humane and more reliable alternative, one reason they are also called clay pigeons. An assortment of modern handheld firearms using fixed ammunition, including military assault rifles, a sporting shotgun (fourth from bottom), and a tactical shotgun (third from bottom). ... A pump-action and two semi-automatic action shotguns, 20 boxes of shotgun shells, a clay trap, and three boxes of clay pigeons. ...


The event is in part meant to simulate the action of bird hunting. The shooter shoots from 7 positions on a semi-circle, and an 8th position halfway between stations 1 and 7. There are two houses that hold devices known as "traps" that launch the targets, one at each corner of the semi-circle. The traps launch the targets to a point 15 feet above ground and 18 feet outside of station 8. One trap launches targets from 10 feet above the ground ("high" house) and the other launches it from 3 feet above ground ("low" house). At stations 1 and 2 the shooter shoots at single targets launched from the high house and then the low house, then shoots a double where the two targets are launched simultaneously. At stations 3 through 5 the shooter shoots at single targets launched from the high house and then the low house. At stations 6 and 7 the shooter shoots at single targets launched from the high house and then the low house, then shoots a double. At station 8 the shooter shoots one high target and one low target. The shooter must reshoot his first missed target, or if no targets are missed, must shoot his 25th shell at the low house station 8. This 25th shot was once referred to as the shooter's option as he was able to take it where he preferred. Now, to speed up rounds in competition, the shooter must shoot the low 8 twice for a perfect score. A hunter on horseback shoots at deer or elk with a bow. ...


Olympic Skeet

Main article: Olympic Skeet

Olympic Skeet is one of the ISSF shooting events. It has had Olympic status since 1968, and, until 1992, was open to both sexes. After that year, all ISSF events have been open to only one sex, and so females were disallowed to compete in the Olympic Skeet competitions. This was somewhat controversial due to the fact that the 1992 Olympic Champion was indeed a woman, Shan Zhan of China. However, women had their own World Championships, and in 2000, a female Skeet event was introduced to the Olympic program. Current men's World Champion is Vancouver, Canada native Mark Borland who practices with up to 65 different targets in a single evening. He attributes his incredible skeet stamina to a background in hunting, dedicated practice and natural talent. Officially referred to only as Skeet, the Olympic Skeet shooting event was introduced to the program in 1968. ... The International Shooting Sport Federation recognizes several shooting events, some of which have Olympic status. ... 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1968 calendar). ... 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ... The ISSF World Shooting Championships are governed by the International Shooting Sport Federation. ... This article is about the year 2000. ...


In Olympic Skeet, there is a delay of between 0 to 3 seconds after the shooter has called for the target. Also, the shooter must hold his gun so that the gun butt is at mid-torso level until the target appears.


Nationally recognized versions

American Skeet is administered by the NSSA (National Skeet Shooting Association). The targets are shot in a different order and are slower than in Olympic Skeet. There is also no delay after the shooter has called for them, and the shooter may do this with the gun held "up", i.e. pre-mounted on the shoulder (as is allowed in Trap shooting). Trap shooting in Ohio, c. ...


Other national versions of Skeet (e.g. English Skeet) typically make similar changes to the rules to make them easier.


Misuse of the Term "Skeet"

The term "skeet" refers only to the specific game and variants described above. A common misuse of the term is to describe any form of shooting at clay targets as "shooting skeet" or even to refer to the targets themselves as "skeets" but this usage is technically incorrect.


External links


  Results from FactBites:
 
Skeet Shooting - A simple description of Skeet Shooting (327 words)
The word "skeet" is derived from the Scandanavian word for "shoot."Credit for naming the game goes to Gertrude Hurlbutt, a Dayton, Montana housewife, who in 1926 won a contest for naming the new game.
If you want to shoot better in the field, enjoy a day at the gun club, or compete with the top skeet shooters in the world for honor and glory (notice that I left out money), then skeet shooting is a great sport.
The basic difference between skeet shooting and trapshooting is that in skeet, most of the targets are crossing targets and in trapshooting, all of the targets are outgoing targets.
Skeet shooting - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (802 words)
Skeet shooting is one of the two major types of competitive shotgun shooting at clay targets (the other is Trap shooting).
Skeet was invented by Charles E. Davies, an avid grouse hunter, in 1915 and evolved to its current setup by 1923.
Skeet is a recreational and competitive activity where participants attempt to break clay disks flung into the air at high speed from a variety of angles.
  More results at FactBites »


 

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