Dove, Dogs, and Shotguns

1700 fps is pretty darn fast for a shotshell. Remington will introduce their new ‘Hypersonic’ high speed steel load later this year. I can only imagine the price.

From Field and Stream:

Later this year, Remington will offer the heaviest, fastest steel loads yet made. The new HyperSonics will containing 1 1/8, 1 ¼ and 1 3/8 ounce loads launched at a screaming 1700 fps. (I know, for you rifle guys, 1700 fps is plodding. In a shotgun, 1700 fps is off the speedometer). The nearest competitor in the speed derby is Kent, whose Fasteel clocks in at 1625, but with lighter payloads.

The technology behind the HyperSonics is ingenious. A new wad called the Turbo Jet (see picture) makes it possible for ……  Remington to put so much shot at such high velocity in a shell without reaching dangerous chamber pressures. A hollow stem running from the bottom of the shotcup to the primer holds a small powder charge; the main charge surrounds it. Upon ignition, the first charge starts the wad and shot down the muzzle. Then, the second charge ignites in the larger space. The increased volume behind the wad allows the remainder of the powder to burn without creating excessive pressure. The result is a shell capable of launching more shot faster than any other I am aware of.

The shotcup is actually self-slitting. It starts out as one piece, to keep the shot together and pattern tighter (like Federal’s Black Cloud) then the “stress concentrators” on the sides cut the shotcup into petals, releasing the pellets.

All of this speed and technology will give you:
1. 16% greater pellet energy.
2. Leads reduced by 8 inches on 40 yard crossing shots.
3. A recoil headache. The 1 ¼ ounce Hypersonics will generate almost 50% more recoil than a “standard” 1450 fps 1 ¼ ounce high velocity steel load.

High velocity steel does seem to work even better in the field than it does on paper* but my gut reaction to HyperSonics is, the extra recoil isn’t worth the extra killing power and shorter leads. Of course, I am easily bruised. So, is it worth it? You tell me

• Farmer vs. Lawyer From Field & Stream: Farmer vs. Lawyer joke. (Bird Hunting)  A big city lawyer went duck hunting. He shot and dropped a bird, but it fell into a farmer's field on the other side of a fence. As the lawyer climbed over the fence, an elderly farmer drove up on......
• Judge takes away 9-year-old's shotgun The spokesman reported that a judge in Spokane, Washington ruled that a father is not allowed to give his 9-year-old a shotgun. The court was involved due to a divorce between the boy's parents. The mother filed for a restraining order on the shotgun, claiming the boy was too young......
• Safeties On! "Safeties On!" That is what Dad says every time we get out into the field to go hunting. Leaving my gun on safety is a habit. It is part of my routine as I begin to take aim and fire, it's automatic. I've heard people saying safety causes them to......

• I will not eat green eggs and ham Over at MSN Money there’s an interesting article on saving titled “Go Vegetarian to Save Money”. Go read it – there’s another article at MSN on the same topic here. There’s a compelling case to be made that a vegetarian diet is superior, including reasons beyond those listed in the......
• Warm Your House Throughout By Installing A Pellet Stove This Winter by Xavier Toolhausens Warming your house can be quite expensive, especially when you live in a colder climate. Traditional home heaters and air systems can cost an arm and a leg to install and continue to cost a lot to run. Though, there is an alternative method that is a......
• Homemade Hummus: Easy Recipe! If you ever wanted to know how to make homemade hummus, you need to read this... About two years ago, I was grocery shopping with my wife when she picked up some hummus and added it to our cart. Being the jerk price-conscious person I am, I inquired why it......

Like Browning, Remington is offering a fall promotion with a some really good deals (but I think Browning’s are better).

Here is the basic program:

The 2009 “Rebate Roundup” Fall Promotion offers $30 cash back on Model 870 Express Shotguns, $40 cash back on Model 700 SPS & 700 ADL Rifles, $50 cash back on Model 11-87 Shotguns, $40 cash back on Model 770 Rifles,  Up to $10 cash back on Premier Copper Solid Sabot Slugs and Up to $5 cash backon Core-Lokt Cartridges!  This offer is valid from 8/1/09 through 12/31/09. Click the image for complete details.

Remington also has a coupon good for two dollars off per box on STS and Nitro 27 loads (up to $100). The coupon is valid through October 31st. Click on the image to get the coupon.

Get your Remington needs at Impact Guns.

• A Disgrace to Hunters If you haven't seen the following video, let me warn you, what you are a about to watch contains graphic images of stupidity. These guys are dumbasses and probably couldn't hit a low flying airplane with a shotgun, so they shoot sitting ducks with semi-automatic rifles. They need to be......
• Duck Poachers Caught The three dumbasses that video taped themselves slaughtering sitting ducks with semi-automatic rifles went to court this morning. The reportedly "are very, very sorry." Sorry is as good an adjective as any I guess. From Ottawa Sun: He's really, really sorry. Really. David Fraser can't apologize enough, as he talks......
• Remington's Great American Bird Hunt (Wii Game) November 12, 2009 - SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - Mastiff, a leading publisher of interactive entertainment, today announced that Remington Great American Bird Hunt for Wii, the latest in its popular series of outdoor action games, is now available in retail stores throughout North America. With an arsenal of authentic Remington......

• Sunday Money Roundup - A Week Alone Edition. In a couple of days, my wife is heading to Chicago to visit her family for a week and I will have the house to myself for the first time since we moved here. (well, other than for the cat) As always I will enjoy a few days my myself......
• Sunday Money Madness - Can you buy an entire chess set in a pawn-shop? Just another Sunday roundup here at RCDL. Here's what I found interesting around the blogosphere this past week: Credit and Debt Credit Karma has a slew of excellent posts on credit, here's one I thought readers would enjoy: The Biggest Four Credit Mistakes. Stop Buying Crap writes Got Debt from......
• RCDL Weekly Roundup - Be Prepared to Get Stuffed Thanks for joining us here at RCDL for another weekly roundup. Hope your Thanksgiving dinners are full of good food, great friends, and lots of laughs. Some new categories are with us this week and some old ones. Easy to find and browse for your weekend reading pleasure. Retirement My......

In my readings I found a simple test to determine which eye is your dominant eye.

I just found out that I am cross-eye dominant. Damn, no wonder I’m always struggling with my eyes when I shoot skeet or sporting clays. I’m left handed and right eye dominant. Now that I know this I can take steps to correct the problem.

Take the test yourself and maybe you will be surprised like I was.

From Field & Stream:

Today we have a test with no wrong answer.

Most introductions to shotgunning begin with the “master eye” test. You hold your arms straight out at eye level, fingers up, palms out, hands overlapping, leaving a small hole between the hands  through which you sight a faraway object. Then you pull your hands back, keeping the object in sight, until they wind up over one eye or the other. That’s your master eye. If you pull your hands back over the other eye, the object you were looking at disappears. You can also keep you arms extended, sight the target with both eyes, then close one eye then the other.  The object will seem to jump sideways out of sight when you close your dominant eye. Try it.

With luck, you will turn out to be right-eyed and right-handed or left-eyed and left-handed. However, you may be cross-dominant — right-handed and left-eyed, for example. The best thing to do is learn to shoot from the dominant eye side. My older son, Gordon,  is left-eyed and right handed. I taught him to shoot left handed from the beginning.

If you don’t want to switch sides, you can shoot with one eye shut, or use a small piece of tape on your shooting glasses positioned so it blocks just enough of your master eye’s vision that the other eye takes over.

I’ve given the master eye test to a lot of new shooters, and I’m learning there is not just right and left eyed dominance. Some people are both-eye dominant or “center dominant.”  My younger son John is center dominant – when he does the eye test his hands wind up over the bridge of his nose, not over one his eyes, but it doesn’t affect his shooting. His friend Nicky, who just joined our high school trap club, is extremely center-dominant. If she puts the gun to her right shoulder, the gun blocks enough of her right eye’s vision that the left eye takes over, vice versa if she tries shooting left handed. The first time she shot I hadn’t figured this out yet, and she broke four targets out of about 100 (she liked shooting and wouldn’t  stop). Next time, I tried making her shoot left handed, but that didn’t work any better than right handed. Then I put a small piece of masking tape over her glasses to block the left eye’s vision,  and she started  pounding targets. Last weekend, her third time shooting a shotgun, she broke a 20×25.

So, how did you all do? “Normal” dominant, cross-dominant or center dominant?

• 2009 New Shotguns This year many popular brands have came out with new models that will make out goal of limiting out on dove a little easier, and we'll be doing it in style. Let's look at some of the different models unique features. Benelli's Cordoba Performance Shop Edition: Automatic, Available in 12......
• Walton Ranch Review I know this site is mainly about dove hunting, but hunting quail is a lot of fun also. Last Christmas, my brother took me and my oldest son, (Dad couldn't make it unfortunately) to the Walton Ranch  just outside of the small town of Navasota, TX. The Walton Ranch is a......
• New Texas Dove Lease The Solana Ranch out of Austin has listed a very reasonable season lease. Feel free to leave a review if you've hunted there. Thanks for the listing. Below are the details:  NAME_OF_LEASE: Solana Ranch EMAIL: solanaranch@aol.com CONTACT_NAME: Peanut Campbell CONTACT_PHONE_NUMBER: 254-947-8331 PREFERRED_METHOD_OF_CONTACT: Phone LOCATION_INCLUDING_CLOSEST_CITY_OR_TOWN: Salado, TX TYPE_OF_LEASE: Season PRICE: $275.00......

• What are Acoustic Guitars Made Out Of? There are a number of different materials that are used for the purpose of constructing guitars. Let us take a look at a few of them. Mahogany When this wood is used as a guitar top, it has a low velocity of sound as compared to other woods, good density,......
• Save Time, Money and Space in Over 80 Ways If you're looking for handy gadgets, tools and various items that can save you time, money or space (or all three!) this list of more than 80 top products is just what you need. Everyone's got saving money on their minds these days. Some of us are always looking to......
• Interesting Facts: Volume 1 [/caption] WORLD FACTS Who Made The Marree Man? facts 60 km out of the town of Marree in South Australia, there is the figure of a man etched into the ground that is more than 4 km long. This geoglyph, popularly known as the Marree Man, is not only Australia's......

INDUSTRY NEWS

From sknnymoose.com

Some will tell you it is a buyers market out there. If you think now is a great time to purchase a home or automobile, wait until you see the stimulus package Browning has created to put a new shotgun in your safe while doing its part to jump start the economy.

There has never been a better time than now to head on down to your Browning dealer and take advantage of one or more of the four programs designed to put a Browning in your hands while hanging onto more of your hard earned cash.

* Cynergy Club – Receive $500 in Browning merchandise including a $100 check from Browning when purchasing a Cynergy shotgun.

* National Trade-In Days – Trade in any used firearm and purchase a new Browning Citori or BT-99 the same day from participating dealers and get a check from Browning for $150.

* Locked and Loaded – Purchase any new Citori over/under shotgun and receive $150 from Browning towards ammunition.

* Youth Purchase Program – What started as a 4-H program has quickly spread to include SCTP and AIM members as well. Receive the following rebates when purchasing a new Browning…

Cynergy or Citori $200

BT-99 $100

Silver $75

BPS $50

Note: Browning stimulus promotions cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.

Get your ‘cash for shotguns’ deal at Impact Guns.

• Follow the 2010 Shot Show @ Browning.com Starting tomorrow, Browning will begin their coverage of the 2010 Shot Show. Not to mention, they are offering some pretty good deals. There is no event that is more important for the hunting and shooting business than the annual Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT Show). And it is......
• Safeties On! "Safeties On!" That is what Dad says every time we get out into the field to go hunting. Leaving my gun on safety is a habit. It is part of my routine as I begin to take aim and fire, it's automatic. I've heard people saying safety causes them to......
• Training Time Since Layla came in my life, I've been told one hundred different ways to train her. I've read articles on positive reinforcement training, clicker training (which is positive reinforcement training with a clicker), negative reinforcement training and everything in between. Hell, last night I read an article that recommended putting your......

• Financially Savvy Uses for Your Economic Stimulus Check News that most taxpayers would be receiving a check from the IRS has been pretty welcome news in households across the U.S. The hope of U.S. officials is that this rebate check will lessen some of the strain families are feeling in their pocketbooks and help them relax about their......
• Five Good Financial Habits to Start in the New Year The beginning of a new year is always a great time to start shoring up your financial habits. I’ve always been a horrible procrastinator, but even I find it easier to start a new undertaking when there is a new beginning such as New Year’s Day looming. Why not take......
• Review of the Toyota Prius As with many of the vehicles released by Toyota, the Prius has truly become the bearer of standards within its segment. While many automakers still have not developed a green hybrid electric car, Toyota is already working on its second generation version of the Prius. This unique four door hybrid......

The lucky bastards from Shooting Times got to be the first to test Benelli’s new Vinci model out in Argentina. The folks from Benelli allowed them to abuse the latest member of the Benelli family, in an effort to establish the Vinci as one of Benelli’s premier shotguns.

Argentina boasts the largest population of mourning dove in the world. The dove there never migrate and the mild climate allows for 4 to 5 nestings in a single year. Dove are so thick that the farmers call them pests. When you throw in the fact that there are no bag or day limits in Argentina, one begins to see the potential for a sore shoulder. These conditions make a shoot in Argentina like nothing else.

Benelli took the guys from Shooting Times to Cordoba. Home to 30 or 40 million doves on a land mass one-third the size of California. We are talking 1,000 birds per in acre in some areas. A good test area I’d say.

It is standard after a day’s shoot for your shotgun to get a thorough cleaning, but for the test, there would be as much torture as possible, no cleaning or lubricating.

The shoot consisted of three six hour days. They shot 6,375 rounds in 18 hours, more than 25 cases of shells, more than most shoot in an entire dove season.

On the first day the Vinci fired 2,200 shells without one mis-fire. About two hours into the second day, the shotgun failed to eject twice. Keep in mind, we are talking 3,000 rounds with no oil or cleaning. Two drops of oil were applied to the rotating, locking lugs of the bolt and another to the locking lug recesses of the barrel. This was repeated every 50 boxes of shells, or 2500 rounds. After that, not a single malfunction, and if the three drops of oil had been applied after the first 50 boxes there would have been no malfunctions in 6,375 rounds.

If you are not impressed, you don’t know much about shotguns. The volume we are talking in three days rivals what most shotguns see in a lifetime, with virtually no hang-ups. Simply amazing, Benelli has done it again.

The winner is BENELLI VINCI, hands down, it took what Argentina had and came out on top.

Shooting Times goes on to explain all the awesome features of the Vinci, you can read their entire article here.

Let me just say, that if anyone would like for me to test any shotguns in Argentina, I’ll be glad to take one for the team. I know it will be a great sacrifice, but I’ll do it. That’s how I roll, I’m a team player.

Time to RELOAD!

Dove, Dogs, & Shotguns

• Walking the field Perhaps my favorite way to hunt dove is to walk the field for those dove that  have lighted in the field. Of course, if you are in a big shoot with many other shotguns, you can't do this for obvious safety reasons.  However, later in the season this method can be......
• 6 New Texas Dove Leases If anyone has hunted these leases, feel free to leave a review on them. Thanks for posting them, and keep them coming. Below are the details: NAME OF LEASE: Carol Knutson EMAIL: info@muysecoranch.com CONTACT NAME: Carol CONTACT PHONE NUMBER: 830-363-4281 PREFERRED METHOD OF CONTACT: Either LOCATION INCLUDING CLOSEST CITY OR......
• Dove, Teal Seasons Set BIg News for Texas Dove Hunters AUSTIN, Texas — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service SRC (Service Regulation Committee) has approved the 2009-2010 Texas dove season, including a 70-day season and 15-bird daily bag statewide, and a 16-day early teal season. Additionally, the SRC approved moving the Texas South Zone......

• Deyn Tries Hypnotherapy to Quit Smoking Agyness Deyn is trying hypnotherapy in a bid to give up smoking. The catwalk queen, 26, is determined to quit the bad habit - because it's like being in a "bad relationship". She says, "I feel like I'm playing mind games with nicotine. It's like being in a bad relationship."......
• Retiring in a Small Town or Rural Area Our vacation home is on a lake in a rural area. The nearest small town is a 20 minute drive. Although we do not live on a farm or have lots of land, it is a country lifestyle with a waterfront bonus. When we spend time here, I often think about......
• Save Time, Money and Space in Over 80 Ways If you're looking for handy gadgets, tools and various items that can save you time, money or space (or all three!) this list of more than 80 top products is just what you need. Everyone's got saving money on their minds these days. Some of us are always looking to......

Okay, I’ve been doing a little research on left handed shotguns. I figure I’m not the only left-hander that finds it difficult to find a left handed model. So I compiled a list of left handed shotguns available for 2009.

Hope it helps my fellow left handers in their quest to find a quality left handed shotgun.

Scroll down to get your favorite left handed shotgun added to the catalog!

From Remington:

Although Remington caters more to left handers than others, their 2009 selection of left handed models is pretty slim. The lineup only consists of two models, the 870 Express and 1100 G3. However, the 11-87 premier is still available for around a grand

• The 870 is the best selling pump in the world, you don’t achieve that without quality.
• MSRP = $400
• Specifications

• The 1100 G3 is a new version of the classic 1100. Introduced in 1964, the 1100 is timeless.
• Semi-automatic
• MSRP = $1000
• Specifications

From Benelli:

I was most impressed with Benelli’s lineup of left handed autoloaders. Benelli is known for holding up to the most brutal conditions and it’s nice to know a lefty has the option to go for the top shelf. Here is their left handed options.

• The M2 is known as Benelli’s workhorse.
• MSRP = $1400
• Specifications

• The Super Black Eagle II is a great autoloader, with an affordable price tag.
• MSRP = $1650 - $1900
• Specifications

• The Montefeltro is my favorite, but I’m not real big on synthetic stocks. 
• MSRP = $1300
• Specifications

From Browning:

Remington and Benelli both had dedicated pages for left handers, after that finding a left handed model became a little tougher. I only found one from Browning.

• A true left handed over and under, fairly rare, especially with a name like Browning.
• MSRP = $3500
• Specifications

From Beretta:

Beretta doesn’t make a dedicated left handed model that I could find, but several of the their models come with a reversible bolt for left handers. Here they are….

$1925

$1400

$1550

• Get all the specs on the Berettas here.

——————————————————————————-

Below are recommended models for left-handers, recommended by left-handers!!

——————————————————————————-

• I’ve had three left handed shotgunners recommend the BPS
• Not a left handed model, but has bottom ejection and a top safety that makes it very lefty friendly
• Browning quality
• Pump-action, several different versions available
• MSRP = $600-$800
• BPS specifications
• In stock at Impact Guns

• The Ithaca Model 37 is another bottom loader/ejector that lefties prefer.
• Pump-action
• Ithaca’s pumps are world renown for quality
• Choose from several models
• MSRP - $800-$1000
• Ithaca’s specifications
• Order directly from Ithaca

—————————————————————————–

Also, SKB makes quite a few left handed models. I opted not to include their photos because I haven’t the first clue about their quality or reliability. They seem to be more into trap guns and heavy up clay shooting, but you can decide if they are right for you by clicking here.

As far as shopping for left handed shotguns online, Able Ammo is hands down the most lefty friendly. It is as simple as AbleAmmo>Guns>Left Handed Guns>Left Handed Shotguns and you get about 25 shotguns to choose from.

Okay, I’m getting a pretty steady stream of viewers to this page. I’m trying to improve the catalog, so here is what we can do…. fill out the little form below and as I get the models other left handers shoot, I’ll add the specs of your shotguns to the catalog. Hopefully, over time, we can build a comprehensive catalog for all us left-handed, right-minded, shooters.

• Who Makes the Best Shotgun? Let's take a vote, who makes the best shotgun? My vote is Remington. I think that Remington is a great company that has introduced two models of shotguns that have stood the test of time, the 870 and 1100. What is your preference, fill out the quick survey below and......
• Remington - An American Legend [caption id="attachment_141" align="alignright" width="336" caption="Remington latest, Model 887"][/caption] Remington is one of the greatest companies in America. Since 1816, Remington has been a leader in firearms, ammunition, targets, and many, many more industries. The legend is that Remington's founder, Eliphalet Remington II, believed he could build a better gun than......
• 2009 Electric Collar Review An electric collar can be an effective tool when training your hunting dog. E-collars can be used to reinforce commands and keep your hunting dog from getting into a bad spot. Today's collars have many features and levels of stimulation to help control your dog in any situation. Remember, e-collars are only......

• Treat Yourself with a Savings Plan When tightening the belt around your finances, many people start to feel that they will never get to splurge on something special again. Every penny counts when you’re trying to eliminate debt from your life. Does that mean, however, that you have to deny yourself any and all treats? Of......
• A Guide To Buying New Or Used Stair Lifts Buying a home stair lift is a big decision, not to mention a major expense. If you are choosing a stair lift for you or a loved one is a series of points to consider to help you decide between a model of high-priced brand new or second hand cheaper.......
• Cook Out - Grilling on the Cheap My thoughts always turn to a cook out at this time of year. Do you love cooking out? Truth be told, I think part of my love of a cook out comes from the knowledge that my husband will help out more if the grill is involved. However, I also......

• RT @DoveHunting101: New blog post: Man Fined Over Migratory Bird Treaty http://bit.ly/dHVQM FOR BEATING A SEAGULL #
• Swine Flu declared pandemic, 1st in 41 years
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• Using positive reinforcement training yo train your hunting dog. http://bit.ly/Zt81d #
• Tips on Starting Kids Out Hunting http://bit.ly/jdFYt #
• Just broke 100 followers, THANKS to everyone. #
• Good night tweeters #
• An interesting article on dreams http://bit.ly/dWX4Z #
• 96 pound catfish!! http://bit.ly/Q1ITZ #
• Just broke 200 followers, THANKS EVERYONE, That’s COOL. #
• Do dove decoys work?
  http://www.dovehunting101.com/how-to/do-dove-decoys-work/ #
• Find people online, pretty cool site..http://tinyurl.com/mbfvrg #
• Find out if sexual predators live near you @ http://tinyurl.com/m2uzsm #
• Good deals on guns and ammo http://bit.ly/45b6n #
• Looking for a good place to quail hunt? check out Walton Ranch http://bit.ly/m5ff6 #
• 2009 electric collar review and tips for using them http://bit.ly/121QZI #
• Save the bob whites, quail populations decline in texas http://bit.ly/10QtJM #
• RT @gothunts: Perez Hilton is an idiot.A queer idiot #
• Tips on picking a good spot dove hunting http://bit.ly/13ogP9 #
• my one year old and 11 week old puppy video http://bit.ly/u71aX #
• watching fox news , they are doing a story about perez hilton getting knocked out, poor baby #
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• How do you shoot shotguns, swing through, sustained lead? http://bit.ly/f3wpd #
• L.C. Smith side-by-side 20 ga on sale. $200 off at http://tinyurl.com/noz2md #

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• Man Fined Over Migratory Bird Treaty From Field & Stream: A Kansas man has been order to pay a fine for beating a Heermann's seagull with a stick at Laguna Beach, Los Angeles. after the gull attacked his wife's ice cream. The $275 fine came after a Fish and Wildlife review of witness statements showed that the......
• New Season Hunting, Fishing Licenses Go On Sale Aug. 15 AUSTIN, Texas — Texas hunting and fishing licenses for 2009-2010 will go on sale Saturday, Aug. 15. Sportsmen are reminded all current Texas annual hunting and fishing licenses (except for the year-to-date fishing license) expire Aug. 31. Most fees for recreational hunting and fishing licenses have increased by five percent;......
• Texas Migratory Bird Report Weekly migratory bird hunting reports are posted from early September through early February. North Zone Dove: Wet weather continues to plague the dove flight, making access to fields tough. Muddy roads and soggy fields have not been conducive to hunting. Most of the birds have left the bottoms and staged......

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Whether you are wingshooting or clay shooting, establishing which type of lead shooter you are will improve your consistency and accuracy.

There are three methods of obtaining lead on a moving target. The “swing through” method, the “pull ahead” method, and the “sustained lead” method. All of which have there advantages and disadvantages. Let’s examine the three.

A “swing through” shooter allows the target to pass the barrel of the shotgun and follows the target until just before pulling the trigger accelerates the barrel past the target, generating the lead. When you hear people coaching “follow through” when shooting, this is the method they are teaching. Much like a golfer or a bowler, even after pulling the trigger, the shooter continues his swing until the target breaks(or not).

I am a “swing through” shooter. I do not see lead, as most “swing through” shooters don’t. Of course this is only perceived, as there is a lead on any moving target, especially crossing shots. By following behind the target and then firing as the barrel moves past the target it gives the shooter the perception of shooting directly at the target. I like this fact because trying to maintain a lead for me seems unnatural.

Critics of “swing through” state that this method puts the shooter behind from the beginning and forces the shooter to wait until the last minute to obtain the proper lead. I find it can cause for “riding” a target too long which makes the shot more difficult and puts me out of position for the next shot.

Next, we have the “pull ahead” method. In my opinion, this is very similar to the “swing through” method. The main difference being that with the “pull ahead” method the shooter points the barrel directly at the target and moves with the target until time to shoot, the shooter then “pulls ahead” of the target to obtain lead and fires. Where in the “swing through” method the shooter trails the target.

Many experts believe this helps to solve the most difficult aspects of shotgunning, target speed and direction. By pointing at the target your brain automatically calculates these variables, enabling you to accurately decide the proper lead.

The third method is the “sustained lead” method. Preferred by many target shooters, “sustained lead” matches gun speed with target speed but instead of pointing at the target, the shooter stays in front of the target at all times.

The idea here is the shooter always stays ahead of the target and is in the right positiion longer, giving the shooter a better chance of hitting the target earlier and more consistently. I’ve also heard this type of shotgunnng referred to as “window shooting”. Basically the shooter leads the target to a particular “window” or predetermined spot and fires.

If I had a recommendation for a beginner it would be the “sustained lead” method. This method teaches to obtain the proper lead early and gives the shooter the most control over each shot. Also, when shooting doubles, it allows for early breaks on the first target , leaving ample time to locate and break the second target.

As for me, I’ve been “swinging through” for years and trying to change that would be like trying to make myself right handed, just not going to happen.

Which ever method you prefer, stick to it and be consistent

I’d love to hear from you which method you prefer, leave a comment and I’ll post the results in a later post.

Time to RELOAD!

Dove, Dogs, & Shotguns

• Dove Hunting - It's More Than a Sport On our first trip to South Texas dove hunting my dad, brother, and I had a hair-brained idea to head south at 8:00 P.M.. The plan was to make the six hour drive, get four or five hours of sleep and hit the field for the morning hunt. Let's just......
• Proposed legislation to infringe on hunter's rights Infringe is putting it mild. There are two bills in the Texas House of Representatives that are aimed directly and Texas hunters and gun owners. If passed, we could find ourselves needing some legal counsel. The following is from Texas State Rifle Association's website: Bad Bills~Bills to Stop HB 736 by......
• Getting Started How to get started Dove Hunting A step by step guide to get you in the field! Dove Hunting is a great sport for all ages. Whether you are 12 or 50, it can be rewarding. I started at age 17 and haven't missed an opening day since. As the......

• To Advertise or Not to Advertise? When it comes to creating and writing in a blog, one of the most important questions that a lot of first time bloggers find themselves asking is whether or not they should do any advertising. The truth is, there is never really a situation where advertising is bad, as long......
• Great Tips for Choosing a Stair Lift Stair lifts can be a wonderful way to increase mobility and independence of a person who is not an easy up and down stairs on their own. A wide variety of styles and options to choose from, which can make it overwhelming to make a decision. When buying a wheelchair......
• My Favorite Last Minute Gifts Similar to last year's post, I still believe that Amazon gift cards are one of the best last minute gifts. If you've been out shopping today, you probably agree with me. The beauty of an Amazon gift card is that Amazon has nearly everything you can imagine. That's why I......

• Using positive reinforcement training yo train your hunting dog. http://bit.ly/Zt81d #
• Tips on Starting Kids Out Hunting http://bit.ly/jdFYt #
• Just broke 100 followers, THANKS to everyone. #
• Good night tweeters #
• An interesting article on dreams http://bit.ly/dWX4Z #
• 96 pound catfish!! http://bit.ly/Q1ITZ #
• Just broke 200 followers, THANKS EVERYONE, That’s COOL. #
• Do dove decoys work?
  http://www.dovehunting101.com/how-to/do-dove-decoys-work/ #

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• Training Time Since Layla came in my life, I've been told one hundred different ways to train her. I've read articles on positive reinforcement training, clicker training (which is positive reinforcement training with a clicker), negative reinforcement training and everything in between. Hell, last night I read an article that recommended putting your......
• Do Dove Decoys Work Every year I see hunters placing decoys around the dove fields. I've always wondered if they were worth their salt. Let's find out... Ducks, Geese, Turkeys are all susceptible to decoys. With ducks being the most social of the game birds. These flock oriented birds find safety when they spot......
• Safeties On! "Safeties On!" That is what Dad says every time we get out into the field to go hunting. Leaving my gun on safety is a habit. It is part of my routine as I begin to take aim and fire, it's automatic. I've heard people saying safety causes them to......

• Should You Train Different Dogs Differently? [/caption]Most people who are new to something like dog training are quick to point out how "different" or "unique" their situation is, when really many of the problems they are facing might be quite common. If a dog training technique doesn't seem to be "working," it may be more of......
• 3.3 Pounds Lost Last Week -- Good week Bad Month I am quite pleased with my 3.3 pounds lost for the last week. However, over vacation and the following week I managed to put on 0.6 pounds to go with the 2.4 pounds from the previous week and all and all I had a month of August with 0.3 pounds......
• Even More Hunting Terms Buck - This is the name for a male deer. The way that you can tell a male apart from female deer is by the antlers that are atop its head for a period of seven months. Other than this, male and female deer are quite similar in appearance, especially......

• Using positive reinforcement training yo train your hunting dog. http://bit.ly/Zt81d #
• Tips on Starting Kids Out Hunting http://bit.ly/jdFYt #
• Just broke 100 followers, THANKS to everyone. #
• Good night tweeters #
• An interesting article on dreams http://bit.ly/dWX4Z #
• 96 pound catfish!! http://bit.ly/Q1ITZ #
• Just broke 200 followers, THANKS EVERYONE, That’s COOL. #
• Do dove decoys work?
  http://www.dovehunting101.com/how-to/do-dove-decoys-work/ #

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• 2009 Electric Collar Review An electric collar can be an effective tool when training your hunting dog. E-collars can be used to reinforce commands and keep your hunting dog from getting into a bad spot. Today's collars have many features and levels of stimulation to help control your dog in any situation. Remember, e-collars are only......
• Training Time Since Layla came in my life, I've been told one hundred different ways to train her. I've read articles on positive reinforcement training, clicker training (which is positive reinforcement training with a clicker), negative reinforcement training and everything in between. Hell, last night I read an article that recommended putting your......
• Remington's Great American Bird Hunt (Wii Game) November 12, 2009 - SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - Mastiff, a leading publisher of interactive entertainment, today announced that Remington Great American Bird Hunt for Wii, the latest in its popular series of outdoor action games, is now available in retail stores throughout North America. With an arsenal of authentic Remington......

• Weekly Update: Vacation Time, Brother! Hello and welcome!  This post is going to be rather special.  First of all, it's actually my one-hundredth post!  Slowly, steadily, and surely, I've been building up my little blog.  It's been a fun trip so far, and I thank you all for reading and following along with my blog.......
• The Positive Reinforcement Training For Your New Puppy Psychologists have been promoting positive reinforcement as a way to change undesirable behavior to acceptable behavior in humans for some time. The method can be described simply as rewarding behavior that is considered acceptable and ignoring behavior that isn't acceptable. Animal trainers have learned lately that this same method......
• More Hunting Terms Blind Planter - This is a name for the person that places the bird or the bumper at a designated spot for the purpose of a blind retrieve. Blink - This describes the situation when the dog locates the bumper or the bird during the retrieve but does not actually......