8 Gauge Event at the Southern
 

Below is a copy of the Tom Archer's post on the L C Smith Collectors Association website about the 8 Gauge Event at the Southern. If you are interested please respond.

8 GAUGE
Posted by Tom Archer on February 5, 2016, 1:47 pm
66.32.49.204
As my SOLE INTENT is to get the attention of ALL you guys, I seriously thought about entitling the subject line "NEKKED WOMEN"; but since we're all into old shotguns and not gals, I'm hoping "8 GAUGE" works just as well because an 8 GAUGE EVENT during this year's LC/Parker shootout is the only purpose of this post.

Therefore, my question is as follows: how many of our members who plan to attend the Southern would jump at the opportunity to shoot a rare and genuine original L.C. Smith 8-bore double? The reason I need to know is because I'm wasting my time if there's no interest; so PLEASE RESPOND.

Given that time and space constraints at Deep River are limiting factors, here is what I am envisioning: a 5 or 6 bird/clay event at the 5-stand to take place between the end of our Round 1 qualifier and the start of the 2016 Challenge shootout for only $20 to include targets and shells (the hard part!). I'm hedging just a bit on the fee, as I don't yet have a hard number on shells cost; but think I'm close. The targets presentation would be high birds and deep crossers

At this point, I have 3 Smith guns committed and one, hopefully two, Parkers and am wide open to additional gun commitments. If I receive sufficient numbers of Smith and Parker loaner gun commitments, we can make this an actual event and award some sort of trophy. Speaking for myself, I would be thrilled for the privilege to shoot an 8-bore Smith for $20 were I given that opportunity; but the unknown question is would you?

Again, please give me your feedback as I'm planning all events now; and time is getting short. And thanks ever so much for your thoughts.
Tom

Thanks for posting Jimmy. Now we need some Parker 8 gauge owners to come

I need someone to sell me one.

This is a very nice addition. Way to go guys. Great idea.

I agree with Mr P, Now I need to buy one.

Let us know how it all gets planned out.

Mills and Jimmy might be our only shooters!! Unless we can get Charlie 8-Bore to come.........

I think we have a few others. Maybe John Puglisi can bring some of the ones on his website and maybe he'll make a few sales.

Mill that is a fantastic idea. Is there anyone who knows him to ask?

I bought my 8 gauge from John and could not be more pleased. I don't know him though. I think he thought I was a tire kicker at first

If anyone besides Jimmy have an 8 gauge they are willing to bring, please let me know, via PM if you prefer.

If you want to shoot an 8 gauge (even if you don't have one) please post or pm me. We need a head count as to how many shells we need.:bigbye:

I would love to Mills. I have an 8 buts its a W&C Scott.

I sent John an email. He doesn't know me from Adam.

I just emailed him too. We will see.

It is going to be a fun event and even more fun when one of our own Parkers is high gun.:draw:

I would like to shoot one and hope to have an 8ga Parker one of these days.
Carvel

i cannot make the trip this year but if i could i would definly bringmy old 8 ga...and i sure would give 20 to shoot a lc smith 8 ga. ....hope this goes well....charlie

"The only thing I need to insure we can obtain in order for this event to take place is a minimum of 3 Parker 8-bores (Jim Hall will bring his, Mills is giving the idea serious consideration; and it is at this point I need your assist. It is said Parker Bros made somewhere between 300 & 400 8 bores, so they are apparently not rare; therefore please talk up this idea with fellow PGCA members and see who would be willing to provide a "loaner" gun. Between Jim Hall of the PGCA, and Jim Stahl of the LCSCA we can get shells; just need a couple more guns. With at least 5-6 guns, we can keep a 5-stand event moving by co-mingling members from both organizations at the same time just as we presently do in our Event One Challenge qualifier. Tom"

I copied this from the LCSCA site. Tom Archer is asking for our help in making the 8 gauge event a success.
It is wrong of me to ask our members, as I do not own a 8 bore Parker and to be honest it would be hard for me to be willing to loan one out for folks to shoot at this event. But I am going to put this out there for all to see.
Please post a reply if you are interested in participating and esp if you would be willing to allow shooters to use your gun.

I will bring mine

A gentleman has offered to let me shoot his 8 gauge Parker.

I doubt that I can make it, but I would be happy to send my Parker 8 to be used. Quality R top lever hammer gun 7 frame with 36" barrels.

That is very kind of you Phil. We probably need three and we have two. If another member does not bring one, we might call on you.

Mills, it sounds to me that have three, yours, Jimmy's, and the one George is going to use, plus I'm sure others would be able to shoot those guns if you need a squad of five..

Well if you end up needing it i sm happy to pay for shipping both ways and it it 100% insured.

Thank you Phil!

Shells
 

Mills- can you supply us with shells with a load suitable for breaking clays in a 5 stand setting. I don't have any shells that would work. I'm happy to reimburse you for the costs of loading materials.

LC Smith has a member planning to bring 300 shells for use by the shooters. Cost of shells will be included in the price of admission. Shells should not be an issue.

Since Mills mentioned this in one of the Southern sticky's I thought I would bring this thread back to the top. From what it sounds like we have three guns but how many shooters...?

Rules for 8 Gauge Event
 

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.
.
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!

Mills- you fellows have done a heck of a job in thinking this through and creating rules.
Thanks
Now I hope the good Doctor is practicing!!

Mills I will bring a 8gauge loaner for some one to shoot if needed, I plan on being there late Thursday, let me know and I will bring it , of course its a hammer gun, Gary

Thank you Gary!

I agree :bigbye:

Well I am bringing this to the top because I need to know whether I need to bring my gun for George P. to use (and others) or has this shoot been cancelled. Eric

This shoot is alive and well and we do need your loaner, Eric. Thank you

i cannot come to the 8 gauge event but i m sure looking forward to hear from you fellas that do..i sure woulda like to have seen all of those big 8 s and to have shot one of those lc smiths 8 ga.charlie

Mr Cleveland,

Hopefully one day you can make it out. I think you would enjoy the entire event.

All my best to you and your family.

John