Caldwell Shooting Supplies has been investing time and resources into creating some incredible clay target throwers, but their latest is a whole new invention for shotgun shooters. The ClayCopter hand-held thrower is a target launcher that uses an electric motor to spin target discs up to 15,000 RPM, but that’s not even the coolest part! With this invention, Caldwell designed ClayCopter targets to replace the outdated, fragile clay targets that shotgun shooters currently use.
While the Caldwell ClayCopter Launcher is coming soon, I got my hands on one early to test out with some friends. You know how building an AR-15 is like Legos for adults? Well, the ClayCopter Launcher is like a Nerf gun for adults. I haven’t had this much fun or laughed this hard trying to film a video and snap photos of a new product in a long time. My friends Steve and Josh joined me at Tennessee Silencer for an epic range day where we cared less about shooting guns and more about shooting the ClayCopter. Let’s dive into our range day and the benefits and features of the all-new ClayCopter.
No More Broken Clays!
Gone are the days of buying a case of clay targets only to find 25% broken before they even make it to the range. The ClayCopter targets are shaped like disks made from an eco-friendly green leaf-tested material. They feel like hard plastic or thick glass and have a decent amount of weight. They ship in containers of 50 targets and are available in 90 and 110mm sizes. We launched a few test rounds before shooting at them to see how the Launcher operates and how the discs fly. Not one of the discs broke when it impacted the ground, so I could recover the targets and relaunch them when it came time to shoot.
Rechargeable Battery
The ClayCopter runs off a Li-ion rechargeable battery. It inserts into the ClayCopter like an AR-15 magazine goes into a rifle. It also ejects like an AR magazine does by pushing a battery release button. The unit uses a USB-C charging port and has a battery level indicator on the side. This battery will launch up to 300 targets on a single charge. Caldwell sells the batteries individually to keep multiple on hand for longer range sessions.
Adjustable Speed
A dial next to the power button allows you to set the speed at which you want to launch the ClayCopter targets. Above the dial is a “Launch Power” indicator with four lights that tell you what speed setting you’re on. All four lights mean full power! The information I want to know is what velocity these targets fly at. The smaller discs seem to fly faster than the 110mm targets, but not by much. Depending on the direction of the launcher and wind, these targets can get away from you pretty fast.
Fun Flight Patterns
The ClayCopter Launcher can launch singles or doubles. You can even mix the targets and launch a 90mm with a 110mm target. These targets have a unique flight pattern that mimic a live bird’s flight path. Instead of a side profile that clay aerial targets give you, the ClayCopter targets present a full circular target when moving away from you. These targets also react a lot differently than a traditional clay target does when you nick the edge of one. It soars away opposite from the edge you impact. The copter darts as quickly in that direction as if you had swatted it like a bug.
Some Range Fun!
I took two very different shotguns to the range to see how well they shot against the ClayCopter targets. One was my GEN-12 3Gun edition shotgun made by Genesis Arms, a magazine-fed shotgun topped off with the EOTECH EXPS3-1 Holographic Sight. I compete in 3-Gun competitions with this shotgun and am challenged in matches with 60-100-yard slug targets, having to breach doors with buckshot and shoot dozens of aerial clay targets throw like trap, skeet, or from a pigeon toaster. The ClayCopter targets are great for training for 3-Gun competitions, as you can instantly launch multiple targets and change the flight direction and speed.
The other shotgun was my 686 Silver Pigeon I Vittoria 12-gauge shotgun, which I use for sporting clays, duck hunting, and, hopefully, a turkey hunt or two this year! Federal sent me their all-new Master Class 12-gauge ammunition, designed for sporting clays. It has a muzzle velocity of 1,235 feet per second, a length of 2¾ inches, a weight of 1 1/8 ounces, and a shot size of 7½. The new Master Class ammunition features a one-piece Podium wad, straight-wall hull, striated tube, high-antimony lead shot for a good balance of hardness and density, and inserted plastic base wad. I don’t know if it was the ammunition, choke, or shotgun, but Steve impacted two ClayCopter targets with one round half a dozen times.
Caldwell ClayCopter: Fun For All Ages!
I plan to bring the ClayCopter to the range more often and shoot a few targets for fun when possible. We, adults, had a great time reviewing the ClayCopter Launcher, and Josh and Steve now want their own device. Even if you have small kids who aren’t ready or able to shoot a shotgun, I guarantee they’ll love launching the targets. Caldwell made a great product that can be fun for the whole family!
ClayCopter Handheld Thrower Features
- Launches Caldwell ClayCopter targets up to 100 yards
- Throws single or double targets
- Rechargeable Li-ion battery launches up to 300 targets
- Spare battery packs are sold separately for extended-range sessions
- Variable speed for control of target speed and distance
- Two size targets available: 110mm and 90mm
- ClayCopter targets are lighter and resist breakage in transit compared to traditional clay targets
- ClayCopter targets are eco-friendly, Green Leaf Tested
- MSRP: $219.99
