Ask The Instructor: Quartering In

Question: I am having trouble with fast quartering incomers, I can’t determine the proper Lead.

Answer: Like most target presentations, there is more that one way to break it and at least a dozen possibilities as to why you might be challenged by this presentation. But let’s focus on the more likely reasons for a miss on this target as well as a few potential variations. Acute visual focus on the target just prior to and through shot execution, and allowing the front hand to lead the muzzle of the gun to the target are critical, regardless of the technique you employ. If the target is on a flat trajectory, at approximately the same elevation as your shooting position, try using a “quartering move”, sometimes referred to as a “come to the gun” technique, instead of trying to guess and possibly measuring the lead. Establish a hold point approximately one third the distance from the planned breakpoint to the trap, let the target come to the muzzle, then decisively move the gun to the front of the target and execute the shot. Your gun speed will establish the proper forward allowance. Ensure you allow the target to come all the way to the muzzle before making your short decisive move to the nose of the target and pulling the trigger. If the target is either overhead or under your feet, I recommend using an intercept technique. Again, assuming that the target has a flat trajectory, attempting to follow the target line on a quartering target that is overhead or below your feet may cause you to inadvertently occlude the target with the gun. By establishing a hold point closer to your breakpoint and offset from the target line, you can intercept the target and avoid an inadvertent occlusion of the target with your barrel. Finally, if the target is descending at the breakpoint, essentially falling off the line, I recommend that you start with the muzzle slightly below the planned breakpoint, allowing the target to descend to the breakpoint as you execute the shot. This is a diminishing lead, or collapsing lead, technique.