Shotgun Discipline You NEED To Try | What I Learned Shooting FITASC
Oct 31, 2024
Shotgun Discipline You NEED To Try | What I Learned Shooting FITASC
This year, we checked out the FITASC World Championship in Hudson Wisconsin. After becoming highly intrigued, we knew that we had to try our hand at this awesome shotgun discipline. This is my first time shooting FITASC. Will it be a disaster? Or will I be golden? Today we find out! Either way, we had a blast, and learned a lot.
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But first, what is FITASC?
FITASC is a common side game at Sporting Clays shoots. We got our first opportunity to compete at the Minnesota state sporting clays championship held at Hunts Point Gun Club near Brainerd Minnesota. Having never done this before, the nerves began to creep up as soon as we entered the parking lot. Not to mention, we were running late and had no idea where to go. It was a rocky start to say the least.
Parcour #1
After arriving the nick of time, I threw on my vest, stocked up with shells and grabbed my Beretta 694 Pro Sporting with the TSK stock. We had planned on reviewing this shotgun and thought, what better way to get hands on experience than using it in a competition. Retrospectively, I probably should have selected a gun I was more comfortable with, but I shoot for YOU the viewers. So be sure to check out our 694 Review!
This competition featured 100 total targets divided between 4 parcours. Each parcour was divided into 3 different shooting stations called "pegs" that all utilize the same set of traps. As I shot my first shots and rounded out the first peg, I was still felling equally nervous and excited to compete in FITASC.
My biggest takeaway from the first parcour was that experienced shooters always had a plan for each target presentation. One of those experienced shooters was a young man named Andrew who I've known for quite some time. Having Andrew on our squad was awesome. It was nice having an extra set of eyes looking at how I could approach, and break targets better. As a collegiate shooter, Andy excels in just about every discipline such as trap, doubles trap, skeet, doubles skeet, sporting, super sporting, and of course, FITASC. After shooting 21 out of 25 at the first parcour, the nerves tamed down a bit, and I was understanding more of what I needed to do to see continued success at the upcoming parcours. Mainly, I needed to figure out how to properly plan my shots.
(Pictured: Andrew with his K-80)
Parcour #2
The second parcour presented some challenging targets with a lot of speed that often came flying out from behind cover. Unfortunately, this was my worst parcour shooting a 19 out of 25. However, The targets weren't the only thing presenting a challenge at this parcour. Just as we were about to finish up the final peg, the rain came, wind blew, and the lightning caused a pause on all shooting. On a positive note, this gave me an opportunity to get some feedback from Andy, and chat with the rest of our squad. Andy pointed out that some of my hold points were a bit behind, and I was letting birds get out ahead of me too quickly.
The rain and lighting continued for about an hour. In the meantime, it was in my nature as a shotgun reviewer to find out what my squad mates were shooting. Andrew was shooting a Krieghoff K-80 Parcour - Which we've found to be a very popular shotgun among FITASC competitors. Other shotguns included a Kolar skeet, Benelli Super Sporting, a Caesar Guerini Invictus 2, and a Browning 725 Sporting.
Parcour #3
Even though the cold rain continued, the lightning had stopped which permitted us to continue shooting. I had to channel my exhibition shooting instincts at some of these targets as I quickly forgot where some of the birds were coming from - The cold rain had chilled me to the bones, and it was definitely hindering my target focus. I was reminded once more just how important it is to create a plan. But my inner trick shooter prevailed and I ended up shooting my best round at parcour 3. I think the rain delay helped me as it removed my mind from constant shooting. I was able to tame my nerves and re-energize which helped me take a fresh approach when we resumed. I rounded out the third parcour with a 22 out of 25.
Parcour #4
The fourth and final parcour was fantastic. The rain quit, we had dried up a bit, and we were back and ready for the action. I felt very confident with these targets. I was able to get consistent and good hits. By this time, I had a good idea of what I needed to work on and consider for the next time I shooting FITASC. Although my 21 out of 25 at parcour 4 wasn't my best score, I felt as if it was my best shooting.
My first big takeaway: Be Prepared, and be on time! I think my initial nerves would have been much less if I would have allowed myself a little buffer time at the beginning rather than jumping right into shooting. Weather isnt always predictable, but I think having more warm/rain gear also would have made my experience generally more enjoyable.
My second big takeaway: Learn how to make a plan. At every peg, shooters get the opportunity to see all the target presentations without shooting them. The most experienced shooters always had a system to digest the presentations, analyze their hold/break points, and execute their movements in their head before ever shooting their gun. Having never done this before, I had no idea what the best strategy was to read the birds, and remember where they were being thrown. This was especially true on the pairs.
Conclusion
After 100 targets, I ended with an 83. With all things considered (new gun, new discipline, new squad mates) I feel that this is decent score. In fact, I finished second in my class (Class C) What I learned through this experience is that pretty much everyone misses. Andy, who is much more experienced than I in FITASC ended with an 86. The point is this: Don't let your fear of failure get in the way of trying something new. Yes, Shooting FITASC for the first time was a blast. But the bigger success was getting out of my comfort zone, humbling myself, and stepping into something I had never done before. So get out there, try something new, and remember, to live target focused.”
