Shotgun Quad Load. Mastering proper shotgun loading techniques is crucial for speed and consistency in dynamic shooting disciplines. In a recent video for Shooters Global, 10-time world champion Lena Miculek shares a step-by-step guide to one of the most effective loading methods — quad load.
“Once you have your shotgun in a loading position — whether it’s over your shoulder or under the arm — the quad load really breaks down into three parts,” says Lena.
Step 1: The Grab
Everything starts with the correct grip. As Lena explains, your hand should go to the very top of your shell caddy, regardless of its design.
“We want our thumb to be placed on the second row of shells… and we’re using just the absolute tips of our fingers,” explains Lena.
It’s important not to “roll” the shells deep into your hand — this can interfere with maintaining the proper thumb position and control over the second set of shells.
Step 2: Positioning the Shells
This is where most shooters make mistakes when performing the shotgun quad load.
“… shells have to go in a straight line into the mag tube,” says Lena. “We need to make sure we’re coming in as flat to the gun as possible.”
In other words, the shells should enter the magazine tube in a straight line, as flat as possible, without angling them.
Step 3: The Load
When the shells are aligned, it’s time for the push. Lena emphasizes: “Keep palm pressure on the gun… and push forward. My thumb doesn’t break away from my palm when I push.
She also warns against a common mistake — never let the second set of shells cross over the receiver.
“We want them to travel in a straight line along the side of the receiver,” says Lena.
Practice and Patience
“Quad loading is a bit of a juggling act,” says Lena. “When you’re learning to juggle, they’re going to hit the ground — and that’s all right. It’s part of the process.”
Lena suggests training with a timer: “I have my dry fire drill set up in my timer. I react off the buzzer, do the load, and the timer tracks my time when the hammer falls.”
This allows you to measure the time from the buzzer to the completion of the load, helping you improve both speed and accuracy over time.
If you’re looking for a shooting timer to track your progress, you can learn more about it here. Keep training, stay consistent, and don’t get discouraged by mistakes — with enough reps, the quad load will become second nature. Good luck, and happy training!
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