About Acorn Target Systems Ltd
Acorn Target Systems Ltd is an independent British engineering company and family-run UK manufacturer of clay pigeon traps and simulated game shooting systems, designing and building bespoke clay target solutions from our workshop in Lowestoft, Suffolk.
With over 30 years’ experience in precision engineering and clay shooting, we specialise in bespoke simulated game layouts and modular, multi-discipline clay pigeon traps. We supply shooting grounds, clubs, coaches and private landowners across the UK and overseas with equipment designed to suit individual shooting styles and site requirements.
Every Acorn machine is designed in house and manufactured here in the UK, combining practical field knowledge with robust engineering.
Our Story – British Engineering, Built for Clay Shooting
Acorn Target Systems was founded in 1992 by Mike Bretton, whose background in electromechanical engineering spans bespoke machinery for industries including automotive and oil & gas, alongside a lifelong passion for clay shooting.
What began in a small workshop quickly developed into a specialist clay trap manufacturing business, built on the principle that shooters deserve equipment tailored to their needs — not one-size-fits-all solutions.
Mike’s engineering expertise has also been featured on Channel 4’s Scrapheap Challenge, where his mechanical problem-solving and innovation were showcased nationally.
Today, Acorn remains a family-run business, with every system designed, assembled and supported directly by our small in-house team.
Designed and Built in Lowestoft, Suffolk
Based on the east coast of England in Lowestoft — Britain’s most easterly town — Acorn continues to design and manufacture all core products locally. Our location reflects our hands-on approach: machines built to perform reliably outdoors, engineered for longevity, and supported directly from our factory.
We work closely with customers across the UK and overseas, designing clay shooting systems to suit individual grounds, disciplines and budgets.
Bespoke Clay Pigeon Traps and Simulated Game Systems
Acorn traps are built around a modular platform, allowing machines to be upgraded or adapted over time. Options include oscillation, vertical lift, turner bases, radio control and multi-trap configurations, giving shooters flexibility without replacing entire systems.
Our range includes automatic clay pigeon traps, simulated game trailers, multi-gun systems and weather-protected trap housings. Many customers choose Acorn because our machines function like several traps in one, delivering varied target presentations from a single platform.
Rather than selling off-the-shelf packages, we speak directly with every customer to design the right solution for their shooting style and site requirements.
Why Customers Choose Acorn
Customers choose Acorn because we design and build our own machines, and we support them long after installation. We understand that purchasing a trap is a long-term investment.
Unlike mass-produced imports, our machines are built in-house in the UK, allowing us to maintain consistent quality, provide spare parts directly, and adapt systems as requirements change. Many of our customers continue to use Acorn traps for decades, upgrading and evolving their setups rather than replacing them.
Many of our customers are still running Acorn traps supplied over 20 years ago, supported with upgrades and spare parts directly from our factory.
As a small, family-run business, every enquiry is handled personally. We take time to understand how and where a system will be used before recommending a solution, ensuring customers receive equipment that genuinely suits their ground and shooting style.
Our three-year manufacturer’s guarantee, direct factory support and straightforward advice give customers confidence that they are investing in equipment backed by real engineering expertise and long-term support.
