shooting-sports/five-stand
Five Stand Shooting
Five Stand uses 6-18 target machines arranged around a single shooting line with five stations. Shooters rotate through the stations, engaging targets thrown at various angles, speeds, and distances.
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01 // LEARN
#01
What is Five Stand?
Understanding this shooting discipline
Five Stand uses 6-18 target machines arranged around a single shooting line with five stations. Shooters rotate through the stations, engaging targets thrown at various angles, speeds, and distances. Each station has a menu card showing the target sequence.
Often called "sporting clays in a phone booth," Five Stand delivers varied target presentations in a small space. A round takes about 15 minutes versus 1-2 hours for sporting clays. The NSCA governs American Five Stand; FITASC governs the international Compak format.
Types & Variations
NSCA 5-Stand
Compak Sporting (FITASC)
Super Sporting
Sportrap
02 // START
#02
Getting Started with Five Stand
Equipment, costs, and tips for beginners
Getting into five stand doesn't require starting with top-tier gear. Focus on safety fundamentals, basic equipment, and finding welcoming places to learn. The community is generally helpful to newcomers who show up prepared with the right attitude.
Essential Equipment
What you need to get started
112 or 20 gauge shotgun (semi-auto or over/under)
2Set of choke tubes (Cylinder through Modified)
3Size 7.5 or 8 shot shells
4Shell pouch or shooting vest
5Eye and ear protection
Safety & Rules
Know these before your first shot
1Five targets per station, 25 per round
2Menu card shows target sequence at each station
3Report pairs: second target launches on your shot
4True pairs: both targets launch simultaneously
5Gun must be open and empty while moving
Pro Tips for Beginners
Advice from experienced shooters
Study the menu card before shooting each station
Watch other shooters to learn target trajectories
Focus on the first bird in pairs; the second will wait
Adjust chokes between rounds if needed
Do not rush; you have time to process each target
What Does Five Stand Cost?
Realistic budget expectations
Getting Started
$600-1,000
Basic equipment to begin
Competitive Setup
$1,500-3,500
Quality gear for serious shooters
Per event/match:$20-35 per round
Ammo per session:$10-15 per box of 25
Hidden costs to consider: Same shotgun works for Five Stand, sporting clays, and skeet. Choke selection matters more here than in trap.
03 // ASK
#03
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about five stand
New to five stand? These are the most common questions from shooters exploring this discipline. The shooting community is generally welcoming and happy to help newcomers.
Find answers to common questions about five stand shooting. Can't find what you're looking for? Contact us and we'll help you out.
Five Stand uses a single shooting line with 5-6+ machines; sporting clays spreads targets across a walking course. Five Stand is faster (15 minutes vs. 1-2 hours), requires less space, and is often less expensive.
Report pair: second target launches when you fire at the first. True/simultaneous pair: both launch together. True pairs are harder because you must decide which target to shoot first.
Yes. The varied angles, speeds, and distances simulate hunting scenarios better than trap or skeet.
Yes, but slower on pairs. Semi-autos or over/unders are more competitive for doubles.
04 // FIND
#04
Upcoming Events
Find five stand events near you
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JUL
20
Hit More Clays!! NRA Basic Shotgun
Post navigation Previous post Range Closed – Easter Sunday 3179 Mozart Rd, Furlong, PA 18925
Monday, July 20, 2026
Wic En Shooting RangeWic En Shooting Range, Furlong, PA
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JUL
21
5 stand summer only
Shotgun Sports
Sporting Clays
5-Stand is a compact version of sporting clays. Shooters fire from five fixed stations (cages) while targets are launched from six to eight machines at different angles, speeds, and elevations. Each station presents a different combination of targets, keeping the challenge varied. | Detail | Info | |--------|------| | Targets per round | 25 | | Stations | 5 | | Format | Singles and doubles | | Skill level | All levels welcome | Faster than a full sporting clays course (30-40 minutes vs. 2+ hours) Same variety of target presentations Great introduction to sporting clays for new shooters Contact Horseshoe Fish & Game Club directly for current fees, start times, and any pre-registration requirements.
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Horseshoe Fish & Game ClubHorseshoe Fish & Game Club, Merrimack, NH
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JUL
21
5 stand
Shotgun Sports
Sporting Clays
Five-stand sporting clays at Monument Beach Sportsman's Club puts you on a walking course with varied target presentations that simulate real hunting scenarios. This is a practical test of your shotgun skills across 50-100 targets per round—nothing artificial, just different angles and speeds that keep you sharp. You'll move through five shooting stations, each with its own bird presentations. The course layout forces you to adapt your gun mount and lead for each stand, which is why shooters call it 'golf with a shotgun.' It's a solid way to measure yourself against real conditions.
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Monument Beach Sportsman's ClubMonument Beach Sportsman's Club, Buzzards Bay, MA
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JUL
21
Sporting Clays
Shotgun Sports
Trap
Sporting clays is a dynamic shotgun game where you move through a course taking shots at clay targets thrown from various angles and distances—it's golf with a shotgun, and it forces you to adapt instead of grinding the same setup all day. Each station presents different presentations that mimic actual game bird flight, so you're constantly problem-solving angles, leads, and target behavior. You'll shoot 50 to 100 targets per round depending on course design. This is where trap and skeet shooters go to sharpen their real-world adaptability.
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Brooklyn Sportsman's ClubBrooklyn Sportsman's Club, Brooklyn, MI
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JUL
22
5 Stand
Shotgun Sports
Sporting Clays
5-Stand is a compact version of sporting clays. Shooters fire from five fixed stations (cages) while targets are launched from six to eight machines at different angles, speeds, and elevations. Each station presents a different combination of targets, keeping the challenge varied. | Detail | Info | |--------|------| | Targets per round | 25 | | Stations | 5 | | Format | Singles and doubles | | Skill level | All levels welcome | Faster than a full sporting clays course (30-40 minutes vs. 2+ hours) Same variety of target presentations Great introduction to sporting clays for new shooters Contact West Bend Barton Sportsman's Club directly for current fees, start times, and any pre-registration requirements.
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
West Bend Barton Sportsman's ClubWest Bend Barton Sportsman's Club, Kewaskum, WI
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JUL
22
5 Stand
Shotgun Sports
5 Stand starts at 3pm and closes when there isn't any shooters left to shoot. Range fee is $1 and $5 per round of 25 targets. Contact Jim Jackson at 541.537.0431 for additional information.
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
Rrg ClubRrg Club, Mosier, OR