If you have a competitive nature, you may want to find some ways to make your shooting hobby more exciting. Luckily for you, there are many different types of shooting sports out there today. In the Summer Olympics alone, there are fifteen different shooting events! Some involve a pistol while others utilize a shotgun, and others still, a rifle.
Some even combine the use of all three types of guns. If you are new to the world of shooting sports and curious about the different types, here are five popular shooting sports.
Target Shooting
Probably the most popular shooting sport, target shooting is exactly what it sounds like. You use the gun of your choice to shoot from a specific distance at a circular target. Points are awarded based on where the shots hit on the target. This is similar to playing darts, except with bullets instead! Some of these competitions use pistols while others use rifles.
Clay Pigeon Shooting
Clay pigeon shooting involves shooting clay discs (or “pigeons”) in midair with a shotgun. The discs are meant to mimic birds in flight and it is a popular competition among avid bird hunters because it is good practice for the real thing.
Game Shooting
This type of shooting involves the hunting and killing of any wild animal. This can be for sport or for food – often both. It is one of the most common shooting sports in the world for a reason. Game shooting is a great skill to have because you get something tangible out of it, and it is also an excellent way to get in touch with nature.
Cowboy Mounted Shooting
As the name implies, cowboy mounted shooting requires the player to shoot at different targets at varying distances, all while riding on horseback. This is a particularly challenging sport as one needs not only to be a skilled shooter but also a talented horseback rider.
Metallic Silhouette Shooting
Meant to mimic shooting live animals, metallic silhouette shooting involves shooting at metal targets in the shape of the silhouettes of various mammals. It is slightly easier than hunting actual animals because the metal targets do not move. Don’t worry, human-shaped silhouettes are illegal in most countries.
Gun sports can be a wonderful way to spend some quality time with your family and friends. Check out your local area for shooting ranges and gun clubs and contact them to see what types of competitions they may hold. Make sure you are well-trained in gun safety and have had plenty of practice shooting and then try entering one – you may be surprised at how much fun you have!