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The Clay Pigeon

The targets used for the sport are usually in the shape of an inverted saucer, made from a mixture of pitch and chalk designed to withstand being thrown from traps at very high speeds, but at the same time being easily broken when hit by just a very few lead or steel pellets shot from a shotgun.

The targets are usually black, but other colours such as white, yellow or fluorescent orange are frequently used in order that they can be clearly seen against varying backgrounds and/or light conditions.

Clay pigeons are made to very exacting specifications with regard to their weight and dimensions and must conform to set international standards.

There are several types of targets that are used for the various disciplines, as follows. However, only the standard 110mm target is used in all of the trap and skeet disciplines. Sporting shoots feature the full range of targets (except ZZ) to provide the variety that is a hallmark of the discipline.

Standard: The most commonly used target of all, must weigh 105 grams and be of 110 mm overall diameter and 25-26 mm in height.

Midi: Same saucer shape as the standard but with a diameter of only 90mm.

Mini: This target is sometimes likened to a flying bumblebee at only 60mm in diameter and 20 mm in height.

Battue: A very thin, flat, wafer of a target of about 110mm diameter which flies very fast and falls off very suddenly.

Rabbit: A standard sized (but thicker) flat target in the shape of a wheel designed to run fast along the ground.

ZZ: This is a plastic, standard sized target attached to the centre of a 2-blade propeller of different colour designed to zig-zag in flight in a totally unpredictable manner.

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