Standard setter
Sporting Gun|May 2023
Charles Smith-Jones believes the beautifully made Miroku MK38 is a top-class gun of choice for any serious Sporting clay shooter and good value for money, too
Standard setter

Sporting clays, as opposed to the more readily anticipated targets featuring in Skeet or Trap shooting, offer more of the unpredictability encountered in live quarry shooting. Layouts tend to be based around 10 to 15 stands set out in a natural setting and offer a variety of targets with different ranges, speeds, trajectories, angles and target sizes.

The discipline dates back to the early 1900s, when shooting grounds looked to provide practice for driven game shooting. Since then, Sporting has evolved into the highly popular and often very competitive branch of the sport that we enjoy today.

Evolution 

Even as late as the 1970s, the serious Sporting clay shooter still had to rely on Trap or Skeet guns if they wanted to employ anything other than a game gun. Many found themselves seeking the competitive advantages offered by a longer-barrelled Trap gun, and at first Miroku simply flattened off the stock of their 3800 Trap gun to enable it to shoot more to the point of aim as opposed to high. They also opened out the chokes to make them more suitable for Sporting ranges.

Eventually, the MK38 appeared as Miroku’s purpose-made response, adding a proper Sporter stock to what were effectively a Trap action and barrels. In doing so, they created a heavier and more controllable gun to suit extended courses of shooting.

Denne historien er fra May 2023-utgaven av Sporting Gun.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra May 2023-utgaven av Sporting Gun.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA SPORTING GUNSe alt
Thermal spectrum
Sporting Gun

Thermal spectrum

Paul Austin explores both ends of the thermal market with latest high-end release from Zeiss alongside a surprising entry-level offering from Xinfrared

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6 mins  |
August 2023
Roe, rucks and new ground
Sporting Gun

Roe, rucks and new ground

Jon Snowdon and his team have much to keep them busy and a new tool to help them

time-read
4 mins  |
August 2023
Tales from a lifetime of foxing
Sporting Gun

Tales from a lifetime of foxing

Join Mike Powell as he explores the evolving world of fox shooting, drawing from a career that spans seven decades

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2023
Fox rot about Charlie
Sporting Gun

Fox rot about Charlie

Patrick Hook responds to claims that fox numbers are dangerously on the wane

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3 mins  |
August 2023
The sniff of success
Sporting Gun

The sniff of success

Join Ryan Kay as he navigates the fascinating dynamic between a handler and their canine companion

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2023
Adventures of Nick & Ted
Sporting Gun

Adventures of Nick & Ted

A new chapter in the histories of Sporting Gun and Sporting Shooter has Nick Ridley reflecting on the dogs he has trained over the years he has been associated with the magazines

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3 mins  |
August 2023
The problem: Inflammation in the nervous system
Sporting Gun

The problem: Inflammation in the nervous system

Vet's advice

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3 mins  |
August 2023
Gundogs Q&A
Sporting Gun

Gundogs Q&A

No problem goes unsolved as Sporting Gun puts your questions to the gundog experts

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4 mins  |
August 2023
Stop-start!
Sporting Gun

Stop-start!

Fran Ardley continues her training tips on disciplining your dog to the stop whistle and the exercises you need to do

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2023
Gundogs at the Game Fair
Sporting Gun

Gundogs at the Game Fair

Organising the Game Fair's prestigious gundog competitions: behind-the-scenes with Francesca Prentice

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2 mins  |
August 2023