A couple of additional notes regarding the state tournament. The young man that beat me out for the Doubles Championship was Ethan Ledford. He’s 21 years old and a great kid. We frequently squad together in tournaments. He’s the number one trap shooter in Georgia, a multi-time All American and he swept the State championships this year. He won State Singles, Doubles, Handicap, HOA and HAA championships. If you’re going to lose, you might as well lose to the best.

As usual the Parker side x side with double triggers got its fair share of attention, particularly in the Doubles shoot off. One gentleman offered me $2000 cash for my GHE doubles trap gun. I declined. Another young man told me that if I would shoot a modern gun, I’d be unstoppable. I didn’t bother to respond.

I'd been at Eyster's shop many times with Ken and Jim while tuning sporting clays guns when I was into tournament shooting. Kenny is now passed and Jim carries on their excellent barrel work for competition and other serious shooting. Looking at the pictures that were on the shop wall was quite an inspiration .... many were high average trap, skeet and sporting clays shooters.

I heartily agree with John's comments.
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I can remmember back in the 80’s watching people take single barrel trap guns , stick them in the fork of a tree and try bending them just a shade to change the POI or so they claimed . I never tried such madness . But I did have a K-80 unsngke barrel that was quite easy to change POI with an Allan key and turn a thumb screw . I liked 70/30 most of the time .

To quote John Gierach'' A snowshoe hare shot with a small bore flint lock rifle does taste better'' Sometimes it is how you do it not the outcome.

John, I grow-up shooting double trigger side X sides in Southern Illinois. Today I shoot mostly Browning over and unders, however both my B-25 and my 1933 Superposed are double triggers. Few comment but often other shooters pause and do a double take when they see the two triggers (sometimes old habits die hard).
I shoot Bunker Trap at the Fort Worth Trap and Skeet Club, six of our shooters shot and won multiple medals last year in Paris. I only dream of the day when I can be competitive with these six shooters.
Reading your note he might have won but you made him earn it! Great shooting.

Great shooting John, giving the young eyes and reflexes a great run for the money! Congratulations!

I shot two rounds of Bunker at Hillsdale College's setup. Normally, I would shoot about 20 in American trap. Shot 4 and 5. What an embarrasement. Not going back

I am not very good at Bunker Trap but I enjoy it and plan to get involved in it a little more when my next chapter (retirement) in life begins in April 2026. I don't mind the embarrassment at all :rotf:

"As usual the Parker side x side with double triggers got its fair share of attention, particularly in the Doubles shoot off. One gentleman offered me $2000 cash for my GHE doubles trap gun. I declined. Another young man told me that if I would shoot a modern gun, I’d be unstoppable. I didn’t bother to respond."

I don't care who you are, that is funny.

Should I take it the retirement party will be a week or two before the 2026 Southern SxS ? You oughtta start hinting to the company that an A-1 Special would be the perfect retirement gift for you !