Interesting topic, Chuck.
I just returned this evening from a couple days at the Ga. State Sporting Championships. There was Sporting and FITASC competition there. This discussion reminded me of the error in thinking of many who decry pre-mounting in sporting clay competition. I have heard it put forth that those top shooters in the Sporting game would be out of luck if they had to shoot low-gun. That is nonsense. If the NSCA rules were changed to disallow premounting the scores may dip, but most of the top shooters now would be top Sporting shooters low gun. Why do I think this? Because the very same shooters at the top of the Sporting score sheets are also at the top of the FITASC score sheets.
It is only natural for the really competitive shooter to strive for perfection in scores. In Sporting this is very, very rare. There are almost NO perfect scores shot, except for charity events where the targets are set soft. It is easier to get to a high level of competency in Sporting by learning to shoot premount early on. Consistency in the mount is eliminated. Anybody can mount consistently if they take their time and check everything, then lift the head off the stock and call for the bird. There is a real reason that pigeon shooters shoot premounted. It is faster and more consistent. Argue that all you want to, but the facts speak for themselves. Why do so many S x S "proponents" hate premounting so bad? I can't answer that for others, but I have my ideas about it.
I won't be a part of the crowd that decries the premount in Sporting. I shoot premounted because I enjoy it. Premounting was already in place when I began competing in earnest. Would I be upset if NSCA eliminated premounting? No. It would probably be to my advantage competing, because I hunt birds so much. I also am not one of those competitors who complains about targets at a shoot. As long as we all shoot the same course(s) I could care less. The variety helps keep it interesting for me. Those who fuss about target setting are the same ones that would raise a hue and cry if they had to go back to low gun.
It is a shame when those who do not like a particular aspect of a clays game defame those who do enjoy it the way it is. I am not directing these comments toward anyone here in particular, and as tw pointed out previously, you can shoot any of these games any way you choose. Just don't expect to go to the top if you refuse to avail yourself of the best tools available to do so. Trying to shoot the very best scores possible is not important to most, but to some of us it is. It is just the competitive nature that some have.
JMHO, SRH
