THE INTERVIEW up close & personal With clay shooter
Ranald Hutton When did you first start shotgun shooting? I first started shotgun shooting about 15 years ago but only became a serious competitor earlier this year
there are differences within their Skeet layouts. I’ve noticed that it’s possible to learn the characteristics of a particular ground. What shotgun, cartridges and chokes do you use? I use Eley Olympic Blues, 28gr 8’s and 1/4 and 1/4 Teague chokes in my Perazzi MXS.
What do you enjoy when you are shooting and what disciplines? I enjoy learning technique and enjoy seeing good target breaks. Shooting 25 straights followed by the customary “fist pump” congratulations by the other squad members gives encouragement! National Skeet is my only discipline for this year as you can “learn your trade” with these targets but occasionally shoot Sporting in practice. What do you enjoy when you are shooting and what disciplines? I have been a competing archer 52
Photograph by Linda Mellor
What made you take up shotgun shooting? My interest in shooting began when I had the opportunity to shoot some simple targets at the Game Fair! I broke the first one and was “hooked!”
Ranald Hutton
at top International level and have experience which is helping me in clay shooting. In competition, shooting a 25 straight was my first target and then build on that, shooting 2 of them within a round, the ultimate goal being a 100 straight! I relish the challenge of resolving a problem either of technique or psychological in nature if it develops during a competition. I regularly work with my coach Bob Purvis (Editor: Shooting
Scotland’s previous Q&A clay shooter!), who can identity any flaws in my shooting. How often do you shoot? I shoot every Wednesday and at Weekends. Do you have preferred shooting grounds? My regular ground is Morton Clays but I enjoy shooting the other grounds. It is necessary to shoot at different grounds as
Who would you credit as helping you on your shooting journey? Charlie Geddes, Ian Hutchison and especially Bob Purvis have all helped me on my shooting journey. What do you have in mind for your shooting over the next year or two? What do you have in mind for your shooting over the next year or two? What good advice would you like to share? For anyone aspiring to shoot competitively, I would advise good gun fit, a good coach and experiment with a cartridge/ choke combination which gives best results and maximum confidence!