As best as I could tell, mine was the only Parker SBT on the grounds except for those in the museum. Most the shooters didn't know what to make of her.

John, did you shoot it well?





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Dean:

I only shot in Event 21, 200 target Singles Championship. I shot 197 x 200. Ran 140 straight before I missed my first bird. Then ran another 44 before my next miss. Not good enough to make a shoot off but I was very pleased.

As an aside, about two weeks before I left for the Grand I lost the front bead sight on my Parker. Kept on shooting her and realized my scores were improving. I had Brian Dudley make me a plug screw and never looked back. I suspect I was shooting the only Parker at the Grand. I know I was shooting the only beadless Parker at the Grand.

John - you hot shOt !!

What a great score! And 140 straight - whew!

We’ll start a new mantra...

“Beads on Parkers are overrated!”





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My friend and neighbor, Townsend Breeden, regularly shoots his graded Parker singles at big shoots. I don't think he attended this year's Grand though. Check out his articles on trap guns in Double Gun Journal and our collaborations on trap guns owned by John Phillip Sousa in Double Gun Journal and the Remington Society magazine. He is a very active ATA shooter, winding down a long career in trap shooting. His A-1 Special Runge gun is one of his favorites.

John, many trapshooters shoot with the front sight either off or blacked out with a black marker. Helps to keep from aiming and looking at the sight instead of the target. Without the frontsight, the gun will shoot a little bit higher which you seem to like. Great shooting!

Most of the PGCA members likely don't know it, but there has been a "Nostalgia" shoot at the Grand over the past 5 years. Remington took over the sponsorship of the event this year to introduce the 'new' Peters target loads. In that event there is a restriction to shotguns that are no longer in production. The initial years, under Federal's sponsorship the Winchester M12, Remington M31 and Ithaca SB were allowed.

This year, Remington allowed the M10, M11, M29, M11-48 and M32. Also included were the Winchester M21 and M97 along with the prior guns (M12 and Ithaca SB)

So...I asked the man in charge: "Why no Parker shotguns?" The answer? "I goofed up!"

So...assuming that the shoot will be held and sponsored again by Remington (it is planned for), they should be including the Parkers.

Here is how the event works: [it is held on Tuesday of the main week]. Shooters must sign in and register at the Remington building between the prior Wednesday and the Monday before the shoot to shoot their qualification round to be one of the 100 finalists.

Qualification rounds are 25 targets from the 23 yard line. Q-rounds can be shot any of the 5 days prior to the finals on the practice fields in front of the permanent vendor buildings. Shooters are limited to only one Q-round and eligible guns can only be used for one Q-round.

The top 100 qualifiers will have their names, squad numbers and trap assignments posted in the Remington building Tuesday morning.

The top 100 will shoot off from the 23 yard line on 10 fields immediately following the day's program doubles event. Remington will furnish all Peters shells. The ATA will furnish all the shootoff targets. Each of the top 100 shooters will receive a free shooters gift pack from Remington.

The top 100 will be shooting off for 1. An 1100 Competition Shotgun (this may change) + 10 cases of Peters trap loads, 2. 8 cases, 3. 6 cases, 4. 4 cases, 5. 2 cases.

Most of the guns were, of course, Winchester M12's. However an Ithaca shooter did place this year. SO...if you have a suitable Parker shotgun [also assuming that they are included in 2020] and can make it to Sparta, get practiced up for next year. It is a lot of fun!!

Scott Hanes

If Remington indeed sponsors it in 2020 it certainly can't be a true "Nostalgia" shoot if the Parker Shotgun, in name, owned by Remington, isn't included.






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Or their model 1894 F grade SxS trap guns. Apparently the fellow from Remington knows nothing about old trap shotguns. Maybe I'll mosey over to the Remington web site and leave a message to try to correct the problem.

Don't wake anyone over there.