People shoot for different reasons. Some shoot for the pure joy of watching orange clays become puffs of dust. Others love to plink — punch paper, clang steel, and create shooting games. Then, some take their love of shooting to another level. This group longs for podium finishes. Some take their passion for shooting to the field with the ultimate goal of punching lungs and filling the freezer. 

At Browning, we understand that shooting is a personal journey, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. It doesn’t matter which type of shooting fuels your fire; our unwavering commitment is to provide you with the best firearms in the world, designed to enhance your shooting experience. Moreover, we’re dedicated to equipping you with fantastic advice — tips and tactics that will elevate your skills and make you a better shooter. 

As makers of the world’s finest firearms, we’ve assembled a fantastic group of Browning Pro Staff shooters. We are also fortunate to have several top-tier outdoor writers and television personalities who trust our firearms. Recently, we pooled together an excellent group, and each shooter provided tips and tactics to help you take your shooting to the next level. Enjoy!

Shooter: Matt Bartholow

Position: Browning Pro Staff Shooter

Matt is one of the best trap shooters in the world. At the 2023 Grand American, Matt set a new record with his third-in-a-row and fourth overall World Doubles Championship.

Matt Says... 

“When switching from clay shooting to hunting, or vice versa, understand that the object you’re shooting at will behave differently. Switching between trap, skeet, and sporting clays can pose the same target differences. The flight angles, point of impact, and sight picture will all differ. 

Keep this in mind when you find yourself switching the type of targets you’re shooting at. If you’re switching between clay target disciplines, you may consider shooting a couple of practice rounds before entering a competition, so any technique changes are fresh in your mind.

It also helps if you make adjustments when switching between types of firearms. Stance, forearm grip, and how you pull the trigger are all examples of the little things you may have to alter when switching between types of firearms. Typically, rifle targets are stationary, and there is little room for imperfections. Switching to shotguns and a fast-moving clay target is much different. A wide, squared-up stance is vital to move freely and swing to that target. Also, extending your front hand further out into the forearm of the gun can help to give you more swing control on those moving targets.” 

Shooter: Scott Haugen

Position: Outdoor Writer

Scott is known for his precision accuracy with a rifle and being one of the most proficient hunters of his time. Haugen is a legend and has multiple big-game records to his credit. He is also a world-renowned waterfowl enthusiast.

Scott Says ...

“If you want to improve your shotgun shooting, ignore the bead and go with the flow. Last season, a buddy asked what color the bead was on the end of my Maxus II. ‘Red, no, green!’ Was my reply. I honestly had no idea. Next, he told me I had no bead and hadn’t all season —that I broke it off on one of our first hunts. I never look at a bead when shooting waterfowl or upland birds. If you’re overcome with the need to find the bead before pulling the trigger, try looking down the barrel and letting the gun go with the flow of the bird. Think of throwing a ball at someone who is running. You don't try to calculate their speed, how hard to throw the ball, and with what trajectory it should be launched. Instead, you lead them and toss the ball. The flow of shooting a shotgun should be just as smooth. Don’t aim a gun when hunting waterfowl and upland birds. Acquire the target, swing, lead, pull the trigger, and keep swinging or following through. Shooting with both eyes open can help remedy the urge to aim a shotgun.

“Never take a shot at a big game animal, hoping you hit it. You should know the bullet will hit the mark whenever you pull the trigger. If you miss, you should be shocked as to why; then stop and figure out why right then and there. Know the distance, your gun, scope, and bullet performance, and then take a steady rest and fire. Many hunters get in a rush the moment they spot an animal. Slow down, don’t let the animal hear, smell, or see you, and you often have plenty of time to calm down and take an ethical shot. Control your breathing, get a precise range, and get a solid rest, be it prone or on shooting sticks. Don’t pull the trigger until the crosshairs are rock steady.”

Shooter: Alex Wampler

Position: Browning Pro Staff

Alex has been a professional sporting clay shooter since 2013 and has multiple titles to her credit. Wampler is also working on her Ph.D. at UC Davis and is an accomplished hunter. 

Alex Says...

“I always use a pre-shot routine, and I highly recommend it. There’s a lot to visualization. I suggest developing a personal a pre-shot routine using visualization techniques before calling for the clay. I use B.R.A.S.S. This stands for Breathe, Relax, Adjust, See the target, and Slow down. This works exceptionally well for me.

“One of the remarkable things about becoming a better shotgunner is that you can do much to improve without ever going to the range. I recommend practicing gun mounts as often as possible. Be sure that the shotgun is unloaded — check it multiple times — and then start practicing mounting the gun to the shoulder. If you do this often, even a few minutes a day, you’ll notice improved comfort and performance.” 

Shooter: Cody Robbins 

Position: Host of Live 2 Hunt with Cody and Kelsy,

Cody is a world-class big-game hunter, television host, and seminar speaker who has traveled the world chasing his hunting dreams.

Cody Says...

“As a traveling hunter and outfitter, I come across too many people who shoot a caliber that may be too big for them. I’m unsure if this is an ego thing, but shooting a rifle you can honestly say you’re comfortable with is essential. So many times, in a hunting camp, I’ve overheard that one guy who makes fun of others for not bringing a big enough gun. This guy usually misses the mark when he gets his opportunity. Shoot a rifle that you can control, is comfortable, and fills you with shooting confidence, and you’ll kill more big-game animals. It’s all about bullet placement, my friends.” 

“Another helpful rule I live by when it comes to hunting and shooting — whether hunting for myself or taking a newcomer — is always trying to find a way to get some stable contact on the trigger arm. Even if the shot isn’t far, added stability can prevent a flinch or a pull to one side or the other. If I’m sitting and using shooting sticks, I always get my knee up to create a point of contact for my trigger elbow. If you’re standing and shooting from sticks, get creative and find a way to get some stability on your trigger arm. If there isn’t a tree, get your hunting buddy to stand beside you and push into your arm. It can make a world of difference in your shot placement.” 

Shooter: Foster Bartholow 

Position: Browning Pro Staff

Foster, like his brother Matt, is a trap-shooting legend. He has been named to the ATA All-American team three times, has multiple titles to his credit, and is an accomplished hunter.

Foster Says...

“When heading out on the range, Matt and I are often asked, ‘What choke tubes do you use for trap and why?’ My simple advice is not to be afraid to throw in a full or improved modified when heading out to shoot ATA singles. With a tighter pattern, you can see exactly where you shoot on the clay target, and having a stricter choke gives you a ton of confidence when you leave that orange clay in a wad of black smoke.”

“Another tip for more experienced shooters is instead of focusing directly on the center of the clay target, dial your eyesight on the leading edge of the clay where the black ring and orange dome meet. This helps define the clay target more precisely and allows the shooter to lock on the clay when coming out of the house.”

“If you notice yourself behind or in front of the clay, adjust your hold point slightly to make getting to all targets easier. Last, go out with complete confidence in your gear, and don’t rush. Rushing leads to a lack of mental focus on the task, which is destroying each clay target. Take your time and get them all with your Browning shotgun!”

“If you’re heading into the woods, fields, or water hunting, take the time to learn your Point of Impact (POI). This can change depending on the choke tube and ammunition used. For example, if you use the same Browning choke with five different types of ammo, you’ll likely get five different patterns and POIs. Relying on your gun patterning center POI for a duck hunt because it was on for dove or pheasant hunting might not be the best method for success. Different shot sizes, shot types, and ammo speeds all factor into the performance of your firearm. No one wants to be embarrassed in front of their buddies when that lone drake comes floating in on a string. Don’t be that person. Put in the time to learn your Browning, and great things will follow come hunting season! I’ve had tremendous success in the field with my Maxus 2, and I'm confident you’ll love it, too!”

Shooter: Willi Schmidt

Position: Former television host of Pure Hunting on the Sportsman’s Channel for 11 seasons.

Willi is an influential outdoor personality and an incredible hunter. He has turned his love of the outdoors into his career. 

Willi Says...

“You are at the range to sight in your rifle only to find you aren’t hitting paper.  Here is a little trick to help you out. Move the target to 50 yards so the target is more prominent. With your gun pointing down range in a rest, remove your bolt and look down the barrel. Adjust the rifle so the target is visible through the barrel. Without moving the gun or rest, look through your scope.  Presumably, your crosshairs are on the edge of the target or entirely off-target. As you continue to look through the scope, adjust your crosshairs so they intersect on the bullseye. Replace the bolt and fire a shot. Assuming you hit the paper with the first shot, and it is reasonably close to the center of the target, move the target to 100 yards and shoot again. You should still be on paper and can start your normal process of sighting in.”

“Longer-range shooting has continued to grow in popularity. There are so many improvements in the rifles and optics that hitting your target at a more extended range is getting more manageable. There are many ways to improve your long-range accuracy, but one that does not seem to get much attention is ensuring the gun is level.  You may have calculated the proper distance and windage, but if you tilt/cant the gun at the shot, you will be off the mark.  The longer the distance, the more off you will be. Visually, you may feel your gun is level, but uneven terrain between you and your target can sometimes be deceiving. Using a level is the only way to ensure the rifle is level. Many scopes and mounts come with levels built in. If yours does not, many aftermarket ones are available that are easy to install and worth the relatively minimal cost.”  

There you have it: 12 shooting tips that will help you have more fun, increase shooting comfort, ensure you climb the podium, and fill the freezer.