First Look: Caldwell ClayCopter

by
posted on January 29, 2025
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
LEDE Claycopter On White

Caldwell has introduced shotgun shooters to a new spin on "shooting clays", providing an alternative target to traditional clays. The ClayCopter target system includes a powerful, lightweight, motorized handheld launcher that shoots one or two biodegradable discs—called ClayCopters—to distances of up to 100 yards.

Launching a claycopter

For nearly 150 years, traditional clay targets have been the most practical option for shotgun-sports enthusiasts eager to hone their wing shooting skills.  Traditional clay targets typically require heavy throwers that are bulky and cumbersome to store and transport. Clays are notoriously fragile, fly in predictable patterns, and come in heavy containers that often make transportation a real challenge. With the ClayCopter system, taking a thrower and targets to the range couldn't be easier. Designed entirely in-house, the portable launcher is lightweight at only three pounds, and packs the same power of a traditional electric thrower into a handheld motorized design small enough to fit in a range bag or backpack. The ClayCopter target discs are 70-percent lighter than traditional clays without sacrificing distance; are designed to break only when shot; and have a unique flight pattern that mimics real game flight, veering in different directions based on weather conditions and settings controlled by the user operating the launcher. Additionally, ClayCopter targets have obtained the Green Leaf Mark certification from Intertek, as they are constructed from eco-friendly materials that biodegrade faster than traditional clays.

Claycopters in flight

The ClayCopter launcher has an integral high-speed motor capable of spinning the target discs up to 15,000 RPM, launching them in singles or pairs to distances up to 100 yards.  The handheld launcher is designed to feel comfortable and secure when operating, reducing fatigue and freeing the user to fully maneuver the device to easily alter target distance, angle, and direction.  Additionally, the ClayCopter launcher is packed with features, including a speed adjustment knob near the trigger, a removable "mag style" rechargeable lithium-ion battery capable of 300 launches on a single charge, and a status indicator that displays launch power, status and battery health. 

Claycopter adjustment

ClayCopter targets come in packs of 50, are sold in lightweight, hard-sided cylinder-shaped containers that resemble tennis ball tubes, and can be shipped and transported safely, unlike traditional clays. Targets are available in two sizes—90mm and 110mm diameter—each offering slightly different flight characteristics depending on the shooter's preference. Both sizes can be thrown alone or in pairs, and are designed to accelerate away from the user like a real flushing bird.

For more information, visit caldwellshooting.comMSRP: $219.99; 200/ct 90mm Discs: $39.96; 200/ct. 110mm Discs: $51.96 (Smaller amounts of discs also available)

Latest

Ledetexas Governor
Ledetexas Governor

Texas Governor Makes New World Screwworm Disaster Declaration

On Jan. 29 Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) declared a state of disaster as a pre-emptive move to minimize risk of the New World screwworm (NWS) establishing a foothold in the U.S. and Lone Star State.

New for 2026: GForce Arms LVR30S

GForce Arms has released the LVR30S, the newest addition to the company's Saddlehorn lever-action lineup.

#SundayGunday: Mossberg 500 Combo Field/Deer

Shotguns offer unmatched versatility, and when combined with a dependable manual platform like Mossberg’s Model 500, the result is not only practical but genuinely impressive.

Member's Hunt: The Spot

Back in 1963, my dad asked if I wanted to go deer hunting in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (what we locals call the U.P.). We had no tent, no camper and no cabin, although we did have a horse truck, and we converted it into a deer camp. Read on for this week's Member's Hunt, from Jim Mikkelsen.

Late Season Decoy Mix

In the final days of duck season, don’t be afraid to change the look of your decoy spreads. Be it a simple alteration or a bold move, a different presentation can be all it takes to provide a strong finish to the season.

New for 2026: Stealth Cam 3.0 Trail Cameras

Stealth Cam has announced its 3.0 trail camera line, with some major tech-forward improvements over its previous generations. Designed for hunters and wildlife managers, these cameras introduce a suite of technologies designed to push surveillance capabilities to the next level, all accessible through the Command app.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.