Shot off to do an experiment (3,3)
I believe the answer is:
try out
'experiment' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
'shot off' is the wordplay.
'shot' becomes 'try' (I've seen this before**).
'off' becomes 'out'.
'try'+'out'='TRY-OUT'
'to do an' acts as a link.
This may not be correct. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for try out that I've seen before include "Test and evaluate" , "Put to experimental use" , "Taste" , "Sample" .)