The game-changing art of gun mounting

A consistent gun mount is the foundation on which shotgun marksmanship is built. It is critical to becoming a top-notch shot

- Written by Michael Yardley • Photography by Callum McInerney-Riley

Certain qualities identify a first-class shot: good, balanced stance (especially as the trigger is pulled), excellent vision and timing and, not least, consistent gun mounting. Many never learn to mount a gun really well. They may never realise their potential as a result. Too often the mount is rushed and performed with insufficient control of the muzzles. The common error is to 'bash and slash' – in other words, to slam the gun up to the shoulder too quickly and then slash at the bird. Wild, inconsistent shooting inevitably follows. And those who rush often rush to a stop and miss their mark behind with puzzlement.

Unless you are shooting at a static pattern plate or a bird coming straight on or moving straight away, the mount will generally incorporate the act of swinging the gun too. Usually, moreover, the swing begins before the mount is completed, or should do. With that stated, let us consider the simple mount first – without the swing. Let us also note that mounting the gun well in any circumstance is dependent on having a gun that is appropriate for you in regard to weight, barrel length and, critically, fit. Knowledge of your eye dominance is also important (if in doubt, get it professionally checked).