In my opinion,
Go get some lessons, this will teach you basics about lead etc and safety.
Once you have the basics and you go clay shooting you will get an idea what your average is. you can then move on to fit.
Fit with a shotgun is critical. But there is no point in spending money on getting fitted until you decide, you want to get serious about it.
You are shooting instinctively, see clay, raise shotgun, follow, get ahead and squeeze trigger. Completely different from rifle shooting. Once you are getting better, then get fitted. Fit is all about the shotgun “fitting”, so that when you lift the shotgun to your shoulder and put your head on the stock, you eye is lined up correctly with the rib, so you are not shooting above or below.
Historically, o/u are instinctively easier and more accurate for many people than a sbys. No idea why. It may be that many sbs rend to have a short stock, hence a shorter lop.
Right, lessons and getting fitted. Plenty of people advertise to do both, many of them are shit. I mean it. I went to someone and explained about, my ear defenders hitting the stock, he said, yeah, I had the same problem and moved to ear plugs. The problem was stock length. Found out, when I went to someone who was good at it.
A good person who is teaching you will be able to tell you where you are, behind, above etc.
Ok, let’s say you have gone out, got some lessons, you don’t do too bad and you want to go out hunting with it.
This is my opinion, and only mine. When you go out, you need to respect your quarry, your intention, no matter what species, is to take the life of an animal. Don’t just go out there, blasting and hoping to hit something. Learn your limit and distances. Shoot within your limits, this is where the clay shooting does help, as much as it can.
Respect your quarry.
Good luck, and enjoy it. It is a great sport.
