20 Gauge Lifter Preserve Hunt

[Jay Oliver]

I got in a quick trip in to Markover hunting preserve this morning in Connecticut. I haven’t done much shooting or hunting this year so far. I was nice to get out, especially with my new to me 20 gauge lifter. My dog Violet and I had a wonderful morning, which we both needed…

I was using 3/4oz. hand loads with a roll crimp and #6 shot. I have been loading up for this gun for both sporting clays and hunting. I was nice to take the 1879 Parker in the field today.

[Reggie Bishop]

What’s not to like! Thanks for posting pics!

[Steve Huffman]

Nice very nice !

[Garry L Gordon]

Jay, I love the photo with Violet peeking over your shoulder. What a nice day.

[Keith Sirmans]

Wow what a great day and parker

[Joe Dreisch]

That is one gorgeous gun and dog. Glad to see you spent some quality time with both!

[Randy G Roberts]

Sweet. Jay at Vegas the Bookies have you as the odds on favorite for the only fella in the US that shot a Rooster today with a Parker 20 Lifter. You're in seriously thin air. Double congrats :bowdown:

[Jay Oliver]

Thanks everyone! Randy I hadn't thought of it like that, but I think your right...I was probably the only one who did that today :)

[Mills Morrison]

So jealous I can't stand it! That is awesome!

[Stan Hoover]

That's just awesome Jay!

Thanks for sharing the pictures,

I reload but I still need to explore the roll crimping side, very nice!

[Jay Oliver]

Thanks Stan, One you set things up and get into a good routine the roll crimp part is easy. Time consuming, but easy and worth it.

Those shells were 3" primed Cheditte hulls cut down to just under 2 1/2" and I have a cheap hand roll crimper I got on amazon that does a wonderful job on plastic shells. I start loading them my Mec 600 jr. using 15-15.2 grains of unique, Gualldini SG20-L wads then after the shot is poured I put the shells in a loading block and then using a 20 gauge overshot card do the roll crimping with 25 at a time.

[charlie cleveland]

cannot be to many 20 ga lifters around...that is one nice looking gun....shoot a rooster for me...I have a lifter but it s a 8 ga. Charlie.....

[Jack Kuzepski]

Jay,

What kind of pressures are your loads creating?

Jack Kuzepski

[Jay Oliver]

Jack, I have not had these tested, however given the data on Alliant's website and that I am using a roll crimp I am guessing in the 7250-7500psi range. That is my guess so please do your own research. It has worked out well for me...

[Jack Kuzepski]

Jay,

Thanks, that is what I was hoping it would be around.

Jack Kuzepski

[allen newell]

Good hunt Jay.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Wow, what a nice gun. I load 7/8 oz of 6's for released pheasants, works well for me, thru my composite barreled 16s and 20s. I just pie crimp mine. I do like 3/4 oz in 20s for grouse and will have to try it on Pheasant with my little Scottish 20 hammer gun.

[Jay Oliver]

Harold, when you have those 20 gauge Parker barrels fitted we'll have to plan a 20 gauge Parker hammer gun hunt!

These 3/4 oz loads work well and the roll crimp also reduces the pressure. In my mind, I was thinking of it as a 28 gauge load. I use the same load with #8 shot for clays in this lifter.

In my other 20s, I usually use 7/8oz of 6s on preserve hunts. This lifter could handle that as well, but these are working and are easy on the gun.

[allen newell]

Jay, our annual sale at the shop starts March 26 th. I'm probably scheduled to work that day but I'll try to swap out with one of our staff members. I enjoyed last year's shoot and would like to not miss this one.

[Jay Oliver]

Hopefully, you will be able to make it Allen, it will be good to see you! We also need to plan a trip to Markover this coming fall...

[allen newell]

Let's definitely plan a Markover hunt this Fall Jay. On a similar note, it looks like I will be getting another setter pup later this year. I spoke with Alene recently and she's planning on two setter litters this Spring. Can't have enough setters.

I'm planning to enter Sophie in an upcoming Setter Club of New England field trial down at Crane in a few weeks. Will be fun and it will take me back to very fond memories as a kid when my dad was field trialing his setters with the same club. Back in the early 50's at the Foss Farm in Concord/Carlisle.