Mounting a Shotgun Guide: Perfecting Your Shooting Form

Properly mounting a shotgun is one of the most important skills any new shooter can develop. Whether you're getting into clay shooting, hunting upland game birds or waterfowl, or just practicing at the range, how you mount your shotgun plays a huge role in your accuracy and comfort. In this guide, we will break down the key steps to properly mounting a shotgun, how it affects your shooting accuracy, and why shotgun fitment is crucial for success. 

Shotgun Shooting Form

Before diving into the specifics of properly mounting a shotgun, it's important to understand the basic foundations of your shotgun shooting form. This will set the foundation for every shot you take.

• Stance and Posture: A proper stance is key when mounting a shotgun. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, leaning forward slightly at the waist, and your body facing the target. A stable foundation allows you to absorb recoil and maintain control of the shotgun, especially during the shot and on your follow-through. Your posture should be relaxed but ready, with your shoulders back and your chest open.
  
  

• Grip: Grip the shotgun with your dominant hand on the grip and your other hand holding the forend. Your grip should be firm but not overly tight. Too tight a grip can cause your muscles to tense, which affects your ability to move fluidly when mounting the shotgun and can result in missed shots. Keep your arms relaxed and your elbows slightly bent for better flexibility and ease of movement throughout your swing.
  
  

• Eye Alignment: Shotgun shooting is all about pointing and leading your target, rather than aiming. However, having a proper sight picture of your bead and your target still matters. When you're mounting a shotgun, your eyes should be focused primarily on the target, not on the bead of the shotgun. Your dominant eye should naturally align with the barrel once you bring the gun to your shoulder, allowing you to “point” the shotgun at the target with your body instead of aiming down the sights. As you focus on the leading edge of your target, your arms will naturally swing to where you are looking. 

The Steps to Properly Mount Your Shotgun

Mounting a shotgun correctly is a process, and practicing the steps will help you form a consistent, efficient routine. Follow these steps to mount your shotgun effectively:

• Starting Position: Begin with the shotgun held at a ready position in front of you. Ensure the barrel is pointed downrange or in a safe direction. Your hands should be positioned comfortably on the grip and forend, and the shotgun should be at waist height, ready to be mounted.
  
  

• Lift the Shotgun: Raise the shotgun by bringing the stock to your shoulder. As you are raising the shotgun, raise the elbow of your dominant shooting arm close to 90 degrees to create a pocket for the buttstock to fit into your shoulder. Focus on the stock making contact with the pocket of your shoulder and not your collarbone. The shotgun should naturally follow the motion of your body as you bring it up. Avoid jerking or forcing the movement— a smooth mount is key to starting your shot off right.
  
  

• Align the Shotgun with Your Cheek: As you raise the shotgun to your shoulder, your cheek should make contact with the stock. The cheek weld should be firm but comfortable—too tight or too loose can affect your sight picture and shooting accuracy. Your head should stay fairly upright, with your cheek pressed against the comb of the stock (the top part of the stock that aligns with your face) and your dominant eye looking down the barrel towards the bead. 
  
  

• Finalize the Mount: As the gun reaches your shoulder, make sure it’s fully secured in the pocket of your shoulder by pressing the stock firmly into your shoulder. The barrel should align with your line of sight toward the target without having to adjust your head. Your head should be properly positioned, and the stock should fit snugly against your shoulder without discomfort.
  
  

• Smooth Movement: Throughout the process, ensure your mount is smooth and controlled. A jerky or rushed movement can throw off your aim. The goal is to bring the gun to the shoulder in one fluid motion, with minimal unnecessary movement.
  
  

How Your Shotgun Mount Affects Accuracy

Mounting a shotgun properly directly impacts your shooting accuracy. Here’s how:

• Quick Target Acquisition: A correct mount helps you acquire your target quickly. When you mount the shotgun correctly, the barrel naturally aligns with your line of sight, and you can focus on the target immediately. If you mount the gun improperly or too slowly, you might end up missing your target by rushing your shot or getting behind the target. This can happen easily with fast-moving targets like clay pigeons or upland birds.
  
  

• Consistent Shooting: Repetition is key in shooting. If you mount your shotgun the same way every time, you’re building muscle memory that leads to more consistent shots. The more consistently you mount your shotgun, the more predictable your shot patterns will be, improving your overall accuracy.
  
  

• Reduced Movement and Discomfort: Properly mounting a shotgun reduces unnecessary movement and discomfort. If the stock fits well and is mounted correctly, you’ll experience less fatigue during long shooting sessions or fast-paced hunting situations. A well-mounted gun allows for smoother follow-up shots, reduced recoil, and increases your chances of landing a clean hit on multiple moving targets.
  
  

• Alignment and Pointing: When the shotgun is properly mounted, the barrel is naturally pointed toward your target. The proper cheek weld and shoulder placement help ensure that your body’s natural line of sight lines up with the shotgun, increasing the likelihood that the barrel is on target without you needing to adjust your sight picture before you take the shot. With proper alignment, it is also easier to lead your target and make more accurate hits. 

The Importance of a Properly Fitted Shotgun

Proper shotgun fit is essential for effective shooting. If the gun doesn’t fit you properly, you’ll struggle to mount it correctly, and your accuracy will suffer.

• Length of Pull: The length of pull refers to the distance from the middle of the trigger to the end of the stock, where it rests against your shoulder. If the length of pull is too long or too short for your body size, it can make mounting the shotgun uncomfortable and inefficient. The ideal length of pull allows you to comfortably mount the gun without overstretching or straining your body to wield the shotgun.
  
  

• Comb Height and Stock Shape: The comb of the shotgun should fit your cheek comfortably, allowing for an even sight picture. A stock with too high of a comb might make it difficult to align your eye with the barrel, while a stock with too low of a comb can cause you to struggle with target acquisition. The overall shape of the stock should also align with the natural angle of your body to ensure a smooth mount.
  
  

• Gun Weight and Balance: The weight and balance of a shotgun also play a role in how easy it is to mount. A shotgun that is too heavy might be difficult to mount quickly, while one that is too light might be more difficult to control during the shot. The ideal shotgun should feel well-balanced in your hands and comfortable when raising it to shoulder height.
  
  

• Personal Comfort: Every shooter is different, so ensuring that the shotgun feels comfortable in your hands and against your shoulder is key. If the gun doesn’t feel natural, it’s likely to hinder your accuracy, even if you’re mounting it correctly. Take the time to test different shotguns and make sure the fit is right for your body.

Adjusting Your Shotgun’s Fit

Sometimes, even with the perfect mount, you might find that a shotgun doesn’t fit quite right. That’s why it’s important to choose a shotgun that allows you to customize it to perfectly fit your body to have the best shooting experience possible. Savage offers several shotgun models with a range of customization options to achieve that perfect fit to help perfect your shot!

• Adjustable Stocks: Many shotguns come with adjustable stocks, allowing you to modify the length of pull or comb height. The Model 555 Sporting and Model 555 Trap both come with stocks that have adjustable comb height, so you can get the perfect sight picture every time you mount your shotgun.
  
  

• Buttstock Pads: Adding or removing a recoil pad can help adjust the length of pull. A thicker pad can add length if the shotgun feels too short, while a thinner pad can shorten the stock if it feels too long. The Savage Renegauge comes equipped with several options for recoil pads that allow you to adjust the comfort and length of pull for your stock.
  
  

• Stock Shims: Some shotguns allow you to add or remove shims to adjust the angle of the stock. This can help fine-tune the fit, especially if you find that the gun is too high or too low when you mount it. With the Savage Renegauge, you can adjust your drop and cast with these shims to find the fit that helps you take the most comfortable and accurate shots possible.

Mastering the technique of mounting a shotgun is essential for improving your accuracy and overall shooting performance. By following the proper steps to mount your shotgun, understanding how fit affects your shot, and making necessary adjustments, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a more proficient and comfortable shooter. Remember that practice makes perfect—so get out there and work on your mounting technique to see the improvement in your shooting results!