Shotguns

Shotguns are large-calibre firearms designed for short-range shooting. Unlike rifles, they have smooth barrels instead of rifling. Clay shooting shotguns are typically double-barrelled or single-barrelled semi-automatics.

Double-barrelled shotguns:

Over-and-under (O/U): The most popular type, with barrels stacked vertically.
Side-by-side: Less common due to their weight, but suitable for casual shooting.

Semiautomatic shotguns:

Single-barrelled: Offer convenience and reduced recoil.
Magazine-fed: Allow for multiple shots without reloading.

Gauges and calibres:

Gauge: The larger the gauge number, the smaller the calibre.
12-gauge: The most common gauge for shotguns.
20-gauge: Smaller and lighter than 12-gauge, but with slightly higher recoil.

Clay targets:

Standard clays: Saucer-shaped, 100mm diameter.
Midis: Smaller, 80mm diameter.
Minis: Even smaller, 60mm diameter.
Rabbits: Thick, tough clays simulating rabbits.
Battues: Flat clays that don't float on air, making them harder to hit.

Scoring:

Broken clays: Each broken clay scores 1 point.
Second barrel hits: In some trap competitions, a second barrel hit scores 0.5 points.

Popular shooting disciplines:

Skeet: Involves two trap houses and seven shooting stations. Targets are thrown alternately from each house, as singles or doubles.
Down-the-line: Five shooters stand in a line, each shooting at five birds from a trap.
Sporting: Simulates various bird hunting scenarios with a variety of clay target presentations.

Remember: Each shooting discipline has its unique rules and regulations, so research the specific requirements for the discipline you're interested in.