[Mills]

On behalf of the LC Smith and Parker Gun Collectors Associations it is with a sense of great pride and anticipation that, through the generosity of our respective membership, it has become possible to offer our members the rare opportunity to, not only experience the thrill of shooting a vintage eight gauge
double gun; but to actually host an Eight Gauge Challenge Event competition!

And although we sincerely hope to make this event an annual affair, the long-term status of an Eight Gauge Event is as yet undetermined; therefore all members are vigorously encouraged to take advantage of this rare opportunity. Please understand also that time constraints, combined with ammo costs and availability, will limit the numbers of shooters we can accommodate; therefore all interested individuals are strongly advised to make this Event an immediate priority upon their arrival at Deep River. Please consider the following:

COMPETITOR QUALIFICATION

1. Competition is open to all members in good standing of the Association they represent (either LCSCA, or PGCA). Membership rosters will be on hand to confirm membership status; and member applications for both Associations will also be available for those individuals wishing to join either organization and participate in the competition.

2. Members holding joint memberships in both the LCSCA and PGCA must choose ONE Association to represent in the competition; and will do so at the time of registration. .

3. As owning an example would be impossible for most enthusiasts, Eight Gauge Event entrants are not actually required to own an Eight Gauge Smith or Parker double shotgun; those guns will be provided, but entrants are required to SHOOT with a double gun manufactured by the maker of the Association they represent.

4. Adult professional shooters (men and women), or an adult receiving sponsorship/s in any form from dealers, industry, or any other organization/s, are not allowed to compete in this event. An adult is defined as anyone aged 18 years or older.

GUNS & EQUIPMENT

1. Shooters must use a vintage EIGHT GAUGE double shotgun manufactured by the gun maker their Organization represents. Those shooting LC Smith guns and representing the LCSCA are limited to LC Smith 8 gauge guns manufactured in Syracuse and Fulton, NY; and those shooting Parker guns are
limited to those 8 gauge Parker guns manufactured in Meriden, CT.

2. Participants may use any hammer or hammerless model and grade 8 gauge Smith or Parker double gun produced by the above named original gun companies. Eight gauge double guns produced by any other maker and/or labeled in some manner “Parker” or “Smith” are prohibited from use in this event.

3. Modified and restored guns are allowed, including those with stock replacements or alterations, recoil pads, shortened or mono-blocked/sleeved barrels, but screw-in choke tubes are not allowed.

4. The wearing of Eye and Ear protection is required of all competitors; and all ammunition must be loaded with size 7 1/2 shot or smaller in order that the Event be within conformance of the Deep River Sporting Clays liability insurance requirements.

Registration

1. Registration will take place inside the LCSCA/PGCA Exhibition Tent; and specifically at the LCSCA Booth. In order that shooting slots and invaluable time is not lost during the course of the Eight Gauge Event, LCSCA and PGCA members will shoot in combined squads; and the Organization represented by
each participant will be noted on the registration form. Registration will begin as quickly as possible after 8:00 AM Friday morning, April 22; and shall continue until approximately 12:00 Noon on Saturday April 23 (unless all available time slots have been filled beforehand). Each interested participant is encouraged to register as early as possible; as this Event will be limited to a MAXIMUM OF 65 SHOOTERS.
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Shooting Venue

1. The Eight Bore Event and competition will commence at Noon on Saturday, April 23; and will take place at the “practice” 5-stand field. The practice 5-stand field will be closed sometime after 11:30 AM that morning for the re-setting of traps. The competition shall commence at 12:00 noon sharp, with the Event scheduled to end not later than 2:30 PM in order that it does not interfere with the Challenge Cup finals

2. An Eight Gauge entry fee of $15 will be collected at the time of registration and Membership verification. Ammo will be provided for the event and each participant will receive six (6) loaded 8 gauge shells at registration, as well as an assigned shooting time. Each participant is then responsible to secure
said ammo; and if lost, that individual will be responsible for the cost of replacement ammo at the rate of $5 per each shell.

3. Each participant in the Eight Gauge Event will also be responsible for his/her own Target fees of $5.00; and said fees are to be paid directly to the 5-stand operator. DO NOT attempt to purchase tickets for this Event at the Deep River Club House.

4. When participants register they will be squadded and assigned a specific shooting time; and all shooters are encouraged to be at the 5-stand shooting venue 15-20 minutes prior to their scheduled shoot time. Given that the numbers of guns available for use in this Event will be limited, PGCA and
LCSCA members will be shooting as part of combined squads based solely on registration order.

5. Target presentation for the Event One will be 6 TARGETS fired on a Single 5-STAND course; and the target presentation shall be as follows: one (1) Report Pair followed by two (2) True Pairs fired from a single station. Station positioning for each shooter will be determined at registration, as time constraints will not permit station rotation; but remember that all targets will be well within the reach of your BIG Eight Bore regardless of station position!

6. Shooters will be allowed one gun malfunction with the opportunity to re-shoot any targets lost. Referees will verify all gun malfunction claims while the shooter maintains control of his gun with same pointed in a safe direction (Additional shells for “do-overs” will be available at an additional shooter
cost of $2/cartridge). Any further malfunctions will result in target/s being scored as “Lost”; and the decision of the referee is final in all instances. Note: Targets missed because a gun was left in the “On Safe” position, or a shooter failed to cock a hammer will be scored “Lost”; no exceptions.

7. As noted previously, “loaner” Smith and Parker eight-gauge double guns will be provided for this event; and as surviving examples of these mammoth guns are quite rare and extremely valuable, participants are reminded to treat these guns with the utmost degree of care and respect. Each Organization will have for loan 3-4 examples of a big-bore Smith or Parker double gun for use; and from which participants may chose on a first-come-first-served basis.

8. To our knowledge, this LC Smith vs. Parker Eight Gauge Challenge will be the first ever of its type in the history of the fabled Smith/Parker legacies; and for an event of this type, maybe ever? And to commemorate this excellent competition, there should be given an award to the winner! The Eight Gauge Challenge Event champion will be that individual scoring the highest number of broken targets from the six total targets presented. In the event of multiple tie scores, the ultimate winner will be determined by a shoot-off from station two and three; station position will be determined by coin toss, and the trapper shall have the option to reset his traps. Shooters participating in the shoot-off will be responsible for the additional ammo cost at $2/shell; and will
shoot true pairs, with the eventual winner being that shooter who doesn’t miss! The winning shooter shall receive his Eight Gauge Challenge “Top Gun” award in conjunction with the 2016 Challenge Cup and individual shooter awards to be presented at the conclusion of the LC Smith vs. Parker Challenge Cup shootout; with those trophy presentations taking place at the LC Smith/Parker Exhibition tent.


This will be a wonderful event, and we wish everyone GREAT SHOOTING!