Challenge Iron
 

This will be our first trip to the Southern. What gun's do you guy's prefer for the Challenge five stand course?

LUCK......:banghead::rotf::cuss:

a nice 12 ga. VHE rem. skeet gun :whistle: scott

IC and Mod would be fine but shoot what you shoot best!

I did my best work using a GHE 16 with 30 inch bbls choked IC(a tight IC) and M. I'll have that gun this year but also a 12 choked M/IM. There course isn't a skeet choked friendly set up.

Shoot what gun you like the most and feel the most confident with.
"Never go into battle with an unproven rifle" (in this case a shotgun):nono:

A 12 or 16 ga. (any grade!) CYL/IMP CYL and MOD 1 or 1 1/2 frame will get you through in fine style. Whatever you do use GOOD AMMO; min. 1 to 1 1/8 oz. HARD SHOT (plated would be ideal) which will come through for you on the long birds especially; "Wally World" or generic "Dove and Quail" loads have always headed me for the Port-O-Johns early in these shoots!

I've participated in every Challenge. I've shot decent practice rounds with everything from 10 gauge to 28 gauge, 26 inch to 32 inch barrels, cylinder to full choke, hammer and hammerless. On the other hand, I've shot poorly in the qualifying round with every gun I carried to the line. I'd say it's got more to do with the head than the gun. So, take Dr. Truitt's advice: "Shoot what gun you like the most and feel the most confident with."

Good luck to everyone. I look forward to seeing all my old friends and making new ones. After all, that's what the Southern is really about.

John Davis

The Challenge 5 stand is typically set a little stiffer than other 5 stands I've shot. Some longish birds and very few in your face creampuffs. Once you start sorting the guns you feel comfortable with, I suggest picking one with one barrel with some choke in it. I have fired the 5 stand with M & F and felt comfortable. I don't think I would with cylinder and skeet. If you've got a few spreaders in your vest, a F & F would be just fine. Just my opinion. Frank

Frank's last piece of advice fits my experience. I have never shot the Challenge with anything but full and full. However, that may be overkill in the first barrel. I would not consider shooting the Challenge with anything but a full or near full in the second barrel. Some shooters have been successful with bird guns, but big 32" vent rib trap guns are popular with shooters on both teams. One year, the highest qualifying score was shot with Henry Bartholomew's Becker Fox duck gun with over forty thousandths of choke in either barrel. We would all like to know what constriction of choke Dr. Truitt uses, but he evades the subject in his post. The hammer gun event on Sunday is friendly to any gun you shoot well.