Clay Targets Explained:
Here is a detailed guide to the clay targets used in skeet, trap, and sporting clays, covering their types, manufacturers, physical specifications, and color variations.
The Clay Target Ecosystem
Clay targets, often called “pigeons” or “birds,” are the fundamental component of shotgun sports. While they may look like simple flying saucers, they are precision-engineered projectiles designed to fly consistently and break reliably when hit. The modern clay target is typically made from a mixture of pitch and pulverized limestone, though eco-friendly binders are becoming increasingly common. Understanding the different profiles and behaviors of these targets is critical for shooters, as each type presents a unique aerodynamic challenge.
The Standard 108mm Target
The “Standard” target is the workhorse of the industry, used almost exclusively in American Trap and Skeet, as well as the majority of presentations in Sporting Clays. It measures 108mm (approx. 4.25 inches) in diameter and weighs around 105 grams. Its design features a domed top and a stepped rim, which provides aerodynamic stability and allows the throwing arm of the trap machine to impart the spin necessary for a flat, stable flight. When you shoot a standard round of trap or skeet, this is the only target you will see.
The Midi 90mmTarget
The “Midi” is a deceptive target used primarily in Sporting Clays to mess with a shooter’s depth perception. Measuring 90mm in diameter, it looks exactly like a Standard target but is smaller. Because it is smaller, it creates an optical illusion; a Midi thrown at 30 yards can look like a Standard target thrown at 50 yards. This causes many shooters to misread the distance and “lead” the target incorrectly. Midis also decelerate faster than Standards due to their lower mass, meaning the window to break them is slightly tighter.
The Mini 60mm Target
The “Mini” is the smallest of the conventional clay targets, measuring just 60mm in diameter—roughly the size of a snuff can or a large bumblebee. These are often nicknamed “flying aspirins” by frustrated shooters. Minis are incredibly fast off the trap arm but lose velocity very quickly because they lack the mass to carry their momentum. They are typically used in Sporting Clays to simulate teal or distant game birds, requiring lightning-fast reflexes and precise gun movement.
The Pro 70mm Target
The Pro 70mm clay target is a specialty target used almost exclusively in Sporting Clays to bridge the gap between a Midi (90mm) and a Mini (60mm). It is designed to test a shooter’s ability to read speed and distance by presenting a smaller profile that maintains its velocity better than even smaller targets..
Key Specifications
The 70mm target is significantly smaller and lighter than a standard clay, which changes how it interacts with the air:
- Diameter: 70mm (approx. 2.75 inches).
- Weight: Approximately 43 grams (compared to ~105g for a standard 108mm target).
- Height: Roughly 19.4mm.
- Standard Colors: Most commonly available in All Orange, Orange Top, and All Black
Flight Characteristics
The 70mm “Pro” is favored by course designers because of its deceptive flight path:
- Initial Velocity: It is often faster off the arm of the trap machine than a Midi or Standard target due to its lower mass.
- Momentum: Unlike the Mini (60mm), which loses speed almost immediately, the 70mm Pro has enough surface area and weight to hold its line and speed for a longer duration.
- Visual Illusion: Because it is smaller than what shooters are accustomed to, it can trick the eye into thinking it is much further away than it actually is, often leading shooters to give it too much “lead.”
The Battue Target
The “Battue” is perhaps the most unique target in terms of flight characteristics. It has the same 108mm diameter as a Standard target, but it is virtually flat, resembling a wafer or a CD. Because it has almost no rim, it cuts through the air with very little drag, flying much faster than a standard clay. It is usually thrown “edge-on,” making it nearly invisible until it slows down, turns its belly to the shooter, and dramatically arcs downward. This target is designed to simulate ducks landing or maneuvering through timber.
The Rabbit Target
The “Rabbit” target is designed to roll and bounce along the ground rather than fly through the air. To survive the impact of bouncing over hard earth and rocks, the Rabbit is significantly thicker and harder than aerial targets. It measures 108mm in diameter but has a reinforced rim that resembles a car wheel. Because it is so hard, it is difficult to break; shooters often need to center cut the target to shatter it. Often times only “chipping” a target isn’t observed by the shooter or trapper. The Rabbits flying cohort is the Rabbue. The Rabbue or flying rabbit us intentionally launched into the air. When a heavy, reinforced Rabbit target is sent airborne at high speed, it carries a massive amount of momentum. It cuts through the air and can open or close its face depending on the angle of the thrower. In some circles the flying rabbit is called a rocket for obvious reasons.
Key Specifications
To survive the constant impact of hitting the ground at high speeds, the Rabbit target is constructed differently than a standard aerial clay.
- Diameter: Typically 108mm (the same as a standard target), though some manufacturers like Promatic use a 110mm mold.
- Weight: Approximately 105g to 115g. This added weight (compared to a standard target’s ~105g) and a thicker, reinforced rim give it the durability needed to withstand hard ground.
- Durability: Because of its tougher rim, it can be surprisingly difficult to break; a peripheral hit that might shatter a standard bird will often only “chip” a rabbit, which can be frustrating for shooters.
Flight (and Ground) Characteristics
The Rabbit target provides a distinct visual and aerodynamic challenge:
- Optical Illusion: Because the target is moving against the ground, it often appears to be moving faster than it actually is. This causes many shooters to over-lead the target and miss in front.
- Unpredictability: As the target hits small rocks or ruts, it can “hop” or change direction suddenly. Course designers often use “ski jumps” (small ramps) to force the target into the air, making it even more difficult to track.
- Deceleration: Due to ground friction, the Rabbit loses speed quickly unless thrown downhill. Shooters must match this slowing rhythm rather than relying on a constant lead.
Color Variations: Orange
The most common color for clay targets is Blaze Orange (often just the dome is painted, known as “Orange Dome,” or the entire target is painted, “All Orange”). Orange offers the best general visibility against a variety of backgrounds, particularly green trees and brown earth. The human eye is very sensitive to this wavelength, making it easier to pick up the target’s speed and trajectory quickly. In American Trap and Skeet, orange is the regulation standard for registered competitions.
Color Variations: Black and White
Black targets are frequently used when the background is the sky. If a target is thrown high into a bright blue or overcast white sky, an orange target can look washed out, whereas a black target provides a sharp silhouette. Conversely, White targets are used against very dark backgrounds, such as deep shadows, dense pine forests, or for night shooting under artificial lights. Good course designers in Sporting Clays will mix these colors to ensure the target is visible against the specific terrain of that station.
Color Variations: Green and Pink
In recent years, manufacturers have introduced Chartreuse Green and Hot Pink targets. Green targets are surprisingly effective against dark, earthen backdrops or in low-light winter conditions where trees are bare and brown. Pink targets are often used for charity events (like breast cancer awareness shoots) but have found a permanent home in some clubs because they offer excellent contrast against blue skies and green foliage, sometimes appearing “brighter” to the eye than traditional orange in hazy weather.
Material Composition: Pitch vs. Eco
Traditionally, targets were made with petroleum pitch, which is brittle and waterproof but not biodegradable. In recent years, environmental concerns have led to the rise of “Bio” or “Eco” targets. These are made using natural binders (like sulfur-free lignin or starch) that allow the target to decompose over time when exposed to moisture and UV light. While early eco-targets were criticized for being too hard to break or too soft to throw, modern iterations from top manufacturers now rival pitch targets in performance while satisfying environmental regulations.
Major Manufacturers
White Flyer is the world’s leading manufacturer of clay targets, in operation since 1892, producing standard, eco-friendly, and specialized targets for trap, skeet, and sporting clays. Other major manufacturers include Lawry Shooting Sports, Laporte, Eurotarget, and Corsivia, which provide high-quality, durable, and, in some cases, eco-friendly targets to the shooting industry.
Key Clay Target Manufacturers:
- White Flyer (Winchester Ammunition): The dominant manufacturer in the US market, supplying targets for major NSSA, NSCA, and ATA events. They offer traditional pitch targets, new “Eco Flyer” (PAH-free) targets, and “Blackout” targets.
- Laporte: A major international manufacturer known for inventing the “flash” target and providing high-quality targets for competitive shooting.
- Lawry Shooting Sports: Produces precise, consistent, and uniform targets, supplying them across North America.
- Eurotarget: An Italian company that provides high-quality clay targets, now with a presence in the American market.
- Corsivia: A manufacturer known for a wide variety of, and colored, clay targets.
- Champion Target: Known for producing reliable targets, with a production facility located in Richmond, Indiana.
Conclusion
The variety of clay targets available today allows course designers to create an infinite number of presentations, mimicking everything from a flushing pheasant to a bolting rabbit. For the shooter, recognizing the type of target is the first step in formulating a plan to break it. Knowing that a Midi will slow down faster than a Standard, or that a Battue will drop suddenly, allows you to adjust your hold point and lead, turning a confusing visual picture into a confident shot.
Photo Credit: White Flyer