Clay pigeon shooting now includes 15 types of competition. In all types, competitors with shotguns aim at saucer-shaped clay targets released from traps around the set range. The positions of shooting stations and traps vary with the type of competition.

Shooting range
Five shooting stations and fifteen traps. Each shooting station is a marked square, with a table or bench on which to place cartridges, etc. The traps are in five groups, three opposite each station.

a 1-5 firing points spaced 10ft 6in (3.20m) apart
b Distance to trap 49ft 3in (15m)
c Trap (group of three)

Gun
Any shotgun, 12 gauge bore or smaller, including automatic models. Compensators that may disturb other shooters are now allowed.

Types
Side by side
Single barrel
Over and under

Shooting range
Five stations, each 36in square, all using a single variable-direction trap.
The trap delivers targets at unpredictable angles, within adjustable limits.

Single-rise shooting
Only one target is thrown; the trap is set for it to fall in a defined area.

Double-rise shooting
Two targets are thrown simultaneously; the trap is set for them to fall in two separate defined areas.

Targets are the same as for trench shooting.

Guns are as for trench shooting. Recoil eliminators are not allowed.

Ammunition is as for trench shooting.

Diagram Legend
a 1-5 firing points spaced 9ft (2.74m) apart
b Distance to trap 48ft (14.64m)
c Trap

Shooting range

a 1-8 shooting stations
b high house
c low house
d 120ft 9in (36.82m)
e 63ft (19.21m)
f 18ft (5.49m)
g shooting boundary marker 66ft (20.13m) from target crossing point

There are eight shooting stations with two traphouses - the “high house” on the left and the “low house” on the right. From the high house the target emerges at 3.05m above the ground. From the low house it emerges at 1m.
Targets must pass through a central area and travel 65-70m in still air (except for UK rules where they must travel a minimum of 50.5m).
A timer mechanism releases the target from 0 to 3 seconds after the shooter’s call.
(Under UK rules the targets are released immediately.)

Targets are the same as for trench shooting.

The traps throw targets at angles that are set within certain limits.