2025 Georgia State Trap Shoot
 

I have just returned from the Georgia State Trap Shoot, and while I know the Parkers have been busy in North Carolina, I can report that the Old Reliable was alive and well in the Peach State.

The Championship events began on Saturday with a 200 bird singles race. The SA made a respectable showing with a 194x200, which was good enough to take the State Veterans Category title. Sunday showcased the Doubles and Handicap Championships. The SAA (upgrade) made a nice showing in the Handicap event with a 94x100 from the 27 yard line to secure another Veterans title. But it was the GHE that really shined that day with a 98x100 in the Doubles event, tying for State Champion. The title was settled after 40 extra pair in the shoot off and alas the Parker came up short, but still securing a clean sweep of the Veterans Category Championships. Bitter sweet. The Parkers in combination took the Veteran’s High Over All with 945x1000 and the Veteran’s High All Around with 386x400.

Next stop, Louisiana.

Congratulations John,

That is some fine shooting!

Congratulations John ! Are you planning on doing the VA/WV state shoots this year ?

Way to go John :bowdown::bowdown:

Craig, not this year. I’m going to do the Southern Zone shoot in Kentucky instead.

Great Shooting and Congratulations!!

Congratulations, John! We missed you at the meeting, but thanks for representing the Parker Gun (and yourself) so well.

Congrat's John! It's good to see an old Parker doing what it was built to do.

Nice run of GA state championships!! You might sell some Parkers to those who are tired of getting beaten by your performances!

Great shooting John! You make us Very Proud young man!!





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Way to represent John!!

Well played John. Your commitment to the game is paying dividends. Congrats 👏👏

Great shooting! Congrats!!!

John,

I would appreciate you sharing which ammunition your used for both single and double trap. I've been communicating with Heritage Gunsmiths (Jim Eyster) and their barrel tuning. I have a Browning B-25 which they tuned several years ago and the shot pattern is on a totally different level. Upon my discussion with Jim the relationship between choke, velocity and number pellets has modified my thoughts on ammunition.
Thank you

Congratulations John, nice shooting! See you at The Grand...

RD

George, Jim did the barrel work on both my doubles trap guns. You won’t be disappointed. In competition, for singles I shoot Winchester AA’s, 1 1/8 oz, 8 shot, 1145 fps. In doubles I shoot RIO’s, 8 shot, 1oz, 1135 fps(light recoil) for the first shot and Winchester AA’s, 7.5 shot, 1 1/8 oz, 1200 fps, for the second shot.

A TRUE Trapshooter! (barrel work). One does have to reduce recoil using the Parker guns; no "Rhino Rollers", Super Handicap or Nitro27's.

I dunno I shot 1 1/4 ounce 1360 fps pigeon loads in the VHE vent rib trap I used to have . And I’ll shoot them in the present VHE 32” straight grip I have now .

Congrats John! Well struck! REP-RE-SENT brother! :clap:

Either not recoil sensitive or over 245# works!! :rotf:

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 !

If it all works out the Southern will be my retirement party :corn:

Great shooting my friend. I’m sure if what you are doing was happening while the Parker family was alive, they would have you as one of their official representatives (not in the Sales Dept though).

Be careful there Mr. Roberts. You may find that you have even less time once you retire (but, oh, how you'll enjoy your new "job!").

Congratulations. I'm sure your retirement is well earned.

If they want to lose money they’ll have me in the sales department. I’ll take a AAHE.

I hear that the pay sucks for retirement work?????????:whistle: