When I started clay target shooting in the early 1970s, shotguns had fixed chokes, non-adjustable ribs, non-adjustable triggers and non-adjustable stocks. However, as time went on and shooters started adding these things with aftermarket offerings, manufacturers saw the demand and started incorporating/offering them as standard or options. This same progression of innovation is not limited to shotguns, as we have seen the same thing happening with many other products (e.g., automobiles).
Now fast-forward to October 5, 2021 — that was the release date of the Clay Hunt VR software. Ever since that date, users of Clay Hunt VR have been trying different ways to make the shooting games in this software feel more and more realistic and transform the games within Clay Hunt VR to perform as a training aid for real clay target shooting with the ultimate goal of improving one’s performance in the field or on the range.
With the Meta Quest 2 oculus and the two (handheld) controllers, the Clay Hunt VR could be utilized but not very effectively. Holding the two controllers in your hands made the games awkward to play. As a result, a few companies developed a device which primitively represented a stock, whereby the two handheld controllers could be mounted, and it could be held against one’s shoulder. This setup offered a fair amount of stability, whereby the Clay Hunt VR games could be played with a degree of consistency and accuracy.
In February 1855, Ralph Waldo Emerson became the owner of the phrase “Build a better mousetrap, and the world will beat a path to your door” — which essentially is a metaphor about the power of innovation. So, it is not surprising that since 10/5/2021, companies have been continually improving on a stock-like device which can be used with the Clay Hunt VR software.
One of the latest/newest entrants into this market is the MegaVR® Simstock. What seems to separate the MegaVR Simstock from other devices on the market is its adjustability.
After talking to many, many users of the Clay Hunt VR software, the most common request I heard is: “If I can only get the stock apparatus to feel more like my real shotgun, the more realistic I think I can use this software for actual training.” I believe the MegaVR Simstock has come as close to solving this request for Clay Hunt VR users as could possibly be.
The adjustments on the MegaVR Simstock are: Length Of Pull, Comb Height, Comb Angle, Comb Location (it slides back and forth), Butt Angle, Butt Rotation and Cast.
The MegaVR Simstock arrives in the box as two pieces. Using four small T-nuts, the two pieces go together quite easily. In order to get the MegaVR Simstock to match the dimensions of your real shotgun, the manufacturer recommends using the cardboard box the MegaVR Simstock came in (open it flat) and draw an outline of your real shotgun on the box. Then make adjustments to the MegaVR Simstock so it matches the outline. In doing this, I learned I should not tighten the T-nuts too tight in the beginning, so that I could easily move it on the cardboard.
The MegaVR Simstock comes with the right-handed controller grip adapter installed on the MegaVR Simstock and a left-handed controller grip adapter in the box and hardware to install it on the forend. (Note: for Meta Quest 3 and Meta Quest 3s users, only the right-handed controller is needed; for Meta Quest 2 users, both hand controllers are needed.)
In talking with users of the Clay Hunt VR who use a simulated stock apparatus, one of the major complaints has been that the simulated stock is so light in weight compared to a real shotgun. To solve this issue, the MegaVR Simstock comes with an optional add-on weight kit. This weight kit allows the user to add weight to both the front and/or rear of the stock. The weight kit allows the user to add up to 10 pounds of weight to the MegaVR Simstock.
I used the approach described above to adjust the MegaVR Simstock to match the dimensions of my Caesar Guerini Summit Impact shotgun. Since I have the Meta Quest 3s, I only needed to use the right-hand controller to use the Clay Hunt VR software. In the Clay Hunt VR software under “Options,” it allows the user to adjust the Pitch, Roll, Yaw, X-Axis, Y-Axis and Z-Axis settings. The user should adjust these settings such that the sight picture looks correct.
The ClayHunt VR software also allows the user to set the Point Of Impact (POI) inside the shotgun settings. The user should adjust this setting to where they are used to shooting with their real shotgun. With these settings set, the user should use the patterning board inside the Clay Hunt VR software to confirm their settings are correct and the VR shotgun is shooting where they want.
As part of my test of the MegaVR Simstock, I only had to make a few small changes to four of the six settings to get the two beads to line up as a figure eight directly in line with my right eye. After shooting at the patterning board screens inside Clay Hunt VR, I made a few more configuration changes and had the MegaVR Simstock set up to shoot where my eyes were looking.
I shot each of the clay target games within the Clay Hunt VR software. And, as I transitioned from game to game, I changed the POI within the software to be congruent with the discipline I was shooting. Since I spent time getting the configuration settings correct, when I changed the POI in Clay Hunt VR, the shotgun immediately shot to the new POI. The realism of the Clay Hunt VR software as a training tool (which includes a detailed analysis of each shot taken), and the ability to train with unlimited clays and shells, is a big reason why the popularity of this software, paired with the MegaVR Simstock, is increasing exponentially.
What makes the MegaVR Simstock so good is the multitude of adjustments it allows the user to make. For me, being able to adjust the overall length of the butt (which touches the user’s shoulder) and the pitch angle of the stock are the two features that make this stock feel as real as possible.
As more and more VR applications are created for clay target shooting enthusiasts, the accessories which accompany these applications will continue to be created and improved. However, for an individual who wants to start enjoying what VR offers the clay target shooter today, combining a MegaVR Simstock with the Clay Hunt VR software is as close as one is going to get to feeling like they are shooting their actual shotgun on the range. SS
Mark H. Taylor has over 40 years of shooting experience. He has won many regional, state, national and international clay target competitions. He is the author of the book Clay Target Shooting – The Mental Game and co-author of the book Break ’em All. Mark is a NRA Certified Advanced International Shotgun Coach and a High-Performance Shotgun Coach for USA Shooting. He is a Caesar Guerini and Cabela’s (in Thornton, CO) Pro Staff shooter, and teaches monthly beginner shotgun clinics at Colorado Clays in Brighton, CO, and travels nationally and internationally teaching coaching courses and working with world-class athletes. You can email him at [email protected].
