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32 PULLUSA MAGAZINE SUMMER 2026 THE FIELD C OAC H K ELV IE'S C ORNER OR MOST PEOPLE, sight is synonymous with vision. But, to clay targ et athletes the sight is the tiny mechanical device at the end of the shotgun barrel. Sights, also referred to as ' beads,' are the guides on top of the barrel rib. These guides are in place to help athletes mount the shotgun properly and ensure a consistent 'sight picture' from target to target. SIGHT 101 The first thing the athlete notices when they pull the shotgun up to their shoulder is the sight, so it's important for the athlete to know how the sights should look like down the barrel when the shotgun is mounted properly. Typically, a shotgun will have a front bead which is located on the rib directly behind the muzzle. In many cases the shotgun will also have a center bead which is used to further help the athlete align their barrel. Shotguns with a middle or 'center bead' and a muzzle bead should be oriented to stack the center bead under the muzzle bead to create a figure-8 or snowman. Once an athlete has mounted the shotgun properly, and once the beads are stacked correctly, the athlete now has a 'sight pic- ture'—this is what the athlete should strive for each and every shot. F FINDING THE PICTURE OF SUCCESS by JASON KELVIE YOUR SIGHTS SETTING It's important to remember that you point a shotgun and aim a rifle. What this means is that shotguns are pointed in the general direction of the target based on the sight of the shotgun. JAS O N KE LVIE / USACTL C OACH EDUCATION AND SUPP ORT MANAGER