Five-stand reloaded
By Darryl Groundwater
The Ripley Complex at Stewartdale became the first venue to trial the new version of shotgun Five-stand. Although similar to the Five-stand discipline that others are successfully running, SSAA Queensland looked outside of Australia to evaluate the Five-stand concepts used by the Americans and shooters in the UK. As the cost of ammunition is rising, there is a preference to utilise ten pairs and five single targets per round. Changing the structure of the discipline to be as economical as practical is beneficial to shooting costs.
The new version of 5-Stand was tested out and approved at Stewartdale!
Five-stand has, in the past, been well received by the shotgun fraternity. The Birdbrain discipline based over five stands became a drawcard for those who preferred unknown targets. Well received in the 90s, teams were selected by the results of state titles and national titles to compete in the USA and New Zealand. Although the successful results for our Association was commendable, we stepped away from attending the US events and focused on competing at the New Zealand Clay Target championships. Today, the Five-stand (caged) concept is one of the progressive shotgun disciplines strongly pursued by avid competitors.
Taking into account the strong attendance of aged shooters presently enjoying the clay target sports, associations have realised the growing senior age group necessitated a review of categories. Additional categories, based on age blocks, have been introduced by the majority of shooting associations in Australia and overseas. More than 240 guns competed in the recent 2026 ACTA Beretta Five-stand championships. 101 of these competitors were aged 55 years and older. The growing interest in this discipline by senior shooters could be based on the four following points:
- Ease of walking to the stands.
- Turnaround time for a round of Five-stand is approximately 25 minutes.
- Target distance is limited; thereby delivering high scores.
- High customer satisfaction and enjoyment.
The outcome when trialling a new version of any shooting discipline is often met with a degree of unpredictability and satisfaction or, dissatisfaction. So, an intrepid band of supporters, calling themselves ‘Friends of Ripley Sporting Clays’, organised the grounds, serviced the machines and set three 25-target courses to attract interest in SSAA Queensland’s new discipline.
Team leaders, Dan and Ray, moved containers, laid out the grounds, set the machines and organised the various colourful standard and exotic clays to deliver a successful outcome. 67 competitors braved the new discipline and, as anticipated, the outcome was enjoyable, competitive and entertaining.
The concept of SSAA Five-stand is to warm up each shooter with a single target, a report pair, then finishing off with the challenging simultaneous pair. Between six to eight traps identified with either letters or numbers release an assortment of standard and exotic targets. A menu board with a single target, a report pair and a simultaneous pair provides competitors with the opportunity to prepare for their next call. Incoming targets were set to fall within 25 metres of the shooting stands. Traps releasing quartering and ‘going away’ targets were positioned within 20 metres of the stands and crossing target flights were designed to be engaged within an imaginary line 35 metres from the stands.
Clever course setting for the simultaneous pairs provided the competitors with adequate time to engage both targets. With the introduction of the new SSAA Queensland Shotgun Rules, both targets can be scored with one shot, and both shots can be executed at one target of any pair. An additional new rule addresses a single target that denies the competitor a second shot (e.g., the target breaks on an obstruction) will be reinstated with only one shot to be loaded. This new rule avoids the wastage of a non-scoring shot to be fired.
The diverse target choice utilising up to five different traps for each stand is a stimulant for shooters to prepare for the pairs.
The success of our recent trial event was endorsed by the positive response from the competitors. Two interesting repeated comments were: ‘you have to get your head around each pair as your turn often comes too quickly for your next call’, and ‘remember the flight path of your next target’. The optional gun position on call was also well received. This new style of Five-stand can be shot in less than 20 minutes and allows the competitors ample time to sit and recharge for their next 25 targets. A round of 25 targets can be easily managed with five or six competitors, or fewer competitors if necessary.
Friends of Ripley Sporting Clays will host a three-day sporting clay event from August 14-16 (date changed from July 17). There will be a 50-target, side-by-side event on the Friday and a 200-target event over the Saturday and Sunday. Camping is available on the grounds. A flyer will be posted on Facebook.