Winter Trap League

[Jay Oliver]

I hadn’t shot trap in a long time, and never really did it¬¬¬¬ much to begin with. My local gun club has trap shoots at various times of the year. I usually just shoot sporting clays(at a few different places) and shoot rifle, pistol, and muzzleloading guns at this specific club. After getting to know a few people there, they invited me to shoot in their Winter Wobble Trap League on Thursday nights.

I got some funny looks when I showed up with my Parker Lifter. The only sxs, the only damascus gun, and likely the oldest gun by 100 years. It took me some time to get dialed in, but before long I was shooting 21s and 22s quite regularly, which in the end was good enough to win against 20 other shooters.

This Parker is choked tight and the same in both barrels(32”), 190 pellets of #8s in a 24” circle at 45 yards. It was a joy to shoot every week and interesting to see everyone's opinion change about old side-by-sides. I never got a 25, but I had a few 23s and one 24. Time will tell, but I think I converted a few people as I was getting more and more questions on sxs shotguns.

I thought I would share…I couldn’t have done it without my Parker

[Joe D.]

Good shooting, Jay, and a very handsome gun!!

[Jeff K.]

Nice gun!

[Sara LeFever]

Originally Posted by Jay Oliver

I got some funny looks when I showed up with my Parker Lifter. The only sxs, the only damascus gun, and likely the oldest gun by 100 years. It took me some time to get dialed in, but before long I was shooting 21s and 22s quite regularly, which in the end was good enough to win against 20 other shooters.

Congrats Jay! Nice gun and trophy! I shoot trap at my local Fish and Game Club, using my Lefever and Parker guns. I've experienced the same thing - being the only damascus and only sxs. It does get some looks and questions!

Sara

[Jay Oliver]

I agree Sara... at first many regulars had several reasons why my sxs wasn't a good trap shotgun(I just wanted to shoot and have fun). It was somewhat difficult to explain that composite barrels can be safe to shoot. I had to explain the shorter chambers and pressure. The exposed hammers bothered some people. In fact, not too long ago someone asked me how I change the chokes...

After 4 months, I think there is somewhat of an appreciation now. For the most part, I am seen as just another shooter now. I do get a lot of questions on the gun and always enjoy giving a 5 minute history lesson.

[Dean Romig]

Nice work Jay and that's a great story about how you and your "dangerous" Damascus gun was first received by the others there.
The same has happened to me but I was asked to put on a show for the club and before long everyone was wanting to shoot a couple of black powder loads in my 10 bore Grade 3 Lifter... They LOVED it!





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[Sara LeFever]

Originally Posted by Jay Oliver

I agree Sara... at first many regulars had several reasons why my sxs wasn't a good trap shotgun(I just wanted to shoot and have fun).

Jay,
Just wanting to shoot and have fun is how I feel too. Good philosophy.
Sara

[Jay Oliver]

Dean, I didn't shoot any black powder shells with that lifter at trap(yet). I have shot my 10 and 12 gauge hammer guns at sporting clays with black powder shells and everyone wanted to try it. The noise definitely draws a crowd!

I did bring a 16 gauge percussion sxs one night a few weeks ago to give a demonstration. At night this was a real crowd pleaser. 2 1/2 drams of 2f and 1oz. of shot and I was hitting targets with it too.

Now I wasn't standing on the 16 line for this, I shoot closer to the trap house, more like 8 yards. Still not bad for a a gun made in the 1850s. No one had ever seen a muzzleloading shotgun...

[Woodcock survey]

Jay that photo is great!! I did that at night shooting skeet and got quite a reaction, they ask if I brought the dragon.The sound of BP sets it apart from anything else.

[Dean Romig]

Yup - We always know when Frank Cronin is shooting his BIG 10 ga. D hammer gun on the SC course at Addieville by the thunder-clap and the clouds of white smoke. -





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