VOIGT5

PRO TIPS with MICHAEL VOIGT - LESSON 5

Loading a Shotgun

Today we want to talk about loading a shotgun. After hitting your targets, reloading is the most valuable skill in USPSA Shotgun. Done correctly, you can save valuable time on the other competitors. Depending on the division that you are in, there are different equipment and techniques to use and that is what we’ll discuss today.

Let’s start with the open division, the main advantage to open is the speed loader tube. This tube holds 4 rounds that can be inserted in about the same time that a limited shooter would put one round in the gun. I’ve made two modifications to help me with this. One is the rod that help guide the follower, the other one is the feed ramp that I have put on the gun. When the tube comes into here this helps guide it into the shell well. One of the key elements is the position of your equipment.

Let’s go through the whole sequence just as it would go. We’re starting with the last shot, as I bring the gun down I invert it. Grab the loading tube, trap the butt stop against the abdomen, drag the tube across the hooks and push down on the follower with an arching motion.

At that point I can turn the gun back over and present it back to the target just like we did with the first shot earlier. Let’s try this at full speed.

Let’s talk about the limited shotgun. There are two places to put shells for limited. One is on the belt carrier and the other ones are on arm bands. We’ll go through the sequence for the arm band. With the gun in the shooting position, I want to keep my left hand in that position as I rotate the gun over, this keeps the shells in a good close proximity to the shell port. So as I load I am going to start in the bottom and work my way up.

Now let’s talk about the belt carrier. Starting with the gun in a firing position, as I come down I am going to invert the gun, grab several shells at one time. When I grab these shells I am only going to use my index finger along the back edge of the carrier. Strip these off as I bring them up to the shotgun, I am going to trap the shotgun butt again against my abdomen and manipulate the shells so that my thumb is on the back edge. Making sure that I feed each one into the gun. From that point I am going to turn the gun over, come back on the target. Now let’s try this in real time. Practice these tips until next time and I’ll see you on the range.

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