Newsletter of the Connecticut Travelers Sporting Clays Association
JANUARY 2006 NEWSLETTER © Phil Steinkraus, Editor
CHRISTMAS SPIRIT RULES AT MID-COUNTY
By Lans Christensen
What a great way to gift-wrap the big yearlong package of the Travelers 2005
season, and to usher in the good will and spirit of the Holidays. The first
gift was the day itself: wrapped in cloudless blue skies and tied up with a
ribbon of golden sunshine. Always a favorite event, the yuletide spirit at
Mid-County made this one of the best Christmas shoots ever. Smiling, cheerful,
and over-dressed, we gathered for the starter’s orders and headed for our
stations.
Target imagination and variety were the next gift. Not to imply it was an easy
course: It wasn’t, but challenge and pure fun were the keynotes of the day.
You can’t go wrong at Mid-County: No matter what the event or situation, they
can make a course to suit any and every shooter while still maintaining their
unique style. One hint as to the character of this course was when I blew the
cobwebs out of my Cylinder / #9-shot combo and used it on multiple stations
with success. The close stuff was always counterbalanced with something fast
and departing, and flight lines were rarely flat or straight. It was one of
those all too rare days when gun-target harmony was in tune, so I stayed out of
my own way and just let it happen. A look at the results show there were many
great scores and happy shooters. In fact, not a discouraging word was heard all
day.
The whole occasion became a long series of happy thoughts which I will now list
in no particular order: Cory trapping on one, calling dead and lost with
consummate impartiality and great compassion; busting all eight with five
shells at four; Bill and Peter making sure all was running smoothly; that spot
in the woods between 14 and 15 where they used to roll that #$%&! Gravity
rabbit; Back inside, warming up with a mountain of chicken wings, cheeses and
veggies; Great to see Henry and Martin down from the frozen North. Talking
about the World Championships in Minnesota. Here comes a school of shrimp,
followed by a herd of roast beast; nice Cabernet in hand.
I’d say it was a “go-forward” Traveler year! The Club Championships are now
cutting-edge events with FITASC included at a suitable time and place. Reload’s
literary edge has been honed to a new sharpness by Phil and Stefanie, Mid-
Hudson has been purchased and preserved for us by three dedicated
shooters--let’s support them 100 percent! The Toys-for-Tots donation looks
greater than ever and there were two full-dress Marines to receive the donation
this year. These soldiers had to wrestle with a diminutive blond who refused to
let go of the motorized, toy Mini-Cooper under the tree.
It’s also time for the Shooting Sportsman award and many past recipients were
at hand to celebrate the new honorees. One, Richie Frisella, shared a story
with the room (you had to be there!). Fairfield Fish and Game is the 2005
winner and joins a list of selfless and generous contributors to our sport.
Lavert won again missing fewer birds than it takes fingers to hold this
publication. Sorry to see the day end, but I was thankful for the warm
memories. Happy New Year To All!
HOA Lavert Cypher 96
I 1st Mike Greco 93
2nd Russ Tagliareni 92
3rd Jim Muller 92
II 1st Jim Henion 84
2nd Charles Magistro 84
3rd John Hyrencewich 83
III 1st John Guay 76
2nd Steve Jones 76
3rd Lou Greenburg 76
IV 1st Tom Boyle 68
2nd Bob Doolittle 68
3rd Tony Schneider 67
V 1st Fred Meeker 62
2nd Gary Fox 62
3rd Teresa Frisella 62
VI 1st Mary Talbot 53
2nd Manuel Carames 53
3rd Bob Holtzman 53
Lady 1st Ginny Tennison 77
2nd Cyndi Dalena 64
3rd Teresa Frisella 62
Vet 1st Richie Frisella 91
2nd George Parsons 87
3rd Joe Maresca 85
SHOOTING MADE SIMPLE
By Al Anglace
Keep it simple has long been a good rule of thumb for success in life. Shotgun
shooting is a relatively simple activity: it is we, the shooters, who make it so
much more complicated than it needs to be. I suggest you ignore the distracting
and almost meaningless exercises so many shooters go through while in the box,
such as changing chokes for every new pair. You can learn to shoot this game the
correct way, maintaining a positive mental attitude and having a good time in
the process by simply keeping it simple. Most shooters don’t even know the
effect of changing chokes because they’ve never patterned their barrels on
paper. Pattern your chokes at thirty and forty yards with the loads you
typically shoot in competition, to ensure point of impact, pattern density and
size.
Prior to starting your round, make sure that you are ready: Eye and ear
protection should be in place, cartridges in your vest pockets, etc. There
should be nothing to distract you from concentrating 100 percent on the targets.
Remember, having fun is important but are you here to socialize or break
targets? Many is the time I’ve seen shooters so engulfed in conversation with
their squad mates, they weren’t prepared when it was their turn in the box.
1. Pay attention
When in the “on-deck” position you should be doing nothing
but watching and trying to read the target presentations. If you are the first
shooter you must learn the presentation as well as you can from the courtesy
pair. Know where the traps are located: You want to see the targets at the
earliest possible moment. Observe the target’s flight path and determine the
best place to break it. After you’ve established your “break-point”, determine
your gun “hold-point” by studying the height, speed, direction, distance and
type of target. A common rule of thumb is to come back about half the distance
to the trap or the first point of view from your mentally established break
point.
Efficient gun movement is important: The more movement, the more potential for
mistakes. Mark the target flight path on trees or anything else that will allow
you to place your barrels just under the target’s line. It will limit upward
movement and allow you to go directly to the bird.
Preparation for shooting begins in the “on-deck” position. You build a mental
plan of attack there and then carry it out when it’s your turn to shoot. Don’t
allow anyone or anything to distract you or break your concentration. Build your
self-confidence by visualizing the targets breaking before you enter the box.
3. Pre-shot routine
FOOT POSITION
Establish your shooting position by simply pointing your left foot (right-handed
shooter) in the direction of your pre-determined break-point. Your right foot
should be comfortably behind your left with the toe pointing towards two
O’clock. Your lower body should assume a casual stance--as if you were chatting
with a friend. Your weight should be shifted slightly forward, with just a crack
in your leading knee. A simple rule to remember is to align your nose with the
toes of your leading foot.
HOLD POINT
Remember to allow your eyes to work independent of the gun in the hold position.
Bring your eyes back to the trap, or the area you feel is the earliest possible
visual pick-up of the target. At this time it is very important that nothing
move until you call for the bird. Any movement of gun, eyes or body parts breaks
your concentration and would allow the target to get a jump on you. This results
in a game-plan-busting, hurried chase to the target: You’ve lost your starting
point and your control, greatly reducing your chances of breaking the clay.
MOUNT
The professional golfer strives to make the same repetitive swing time after
time. In the shotgun sports where a free mount is used, you must strive to make
the same good mount shot after shot. You should, however, have a proper stock
fit in order to shoot in comfort and with accuracy. This will also facilitate a
consistent mount. The gun must engage your cheek without you moving your head
forward to meet the comb--when you do this your concentration is diminished
while you make adjustments. All the while, the target is in the air and you
start-stop, mental reaction has replaced the previously choreographed
smooth-swing interception of the target.
Lifting the right elbow (right-handed shooter), so it is parallel to the ground,
will create a natural pocket in your shoulder for the gun and will aid in
creating a consistent mount.
3. Method
There are many ways to position the gun to intercept and break a
target. For newer shooters, I suggest that you use a modified “Churchill” method
to keep it simple and get immediate results. Many have written about
intercepting a target on the front edge and accelerating the gun speed, pulling
away from the target while squeezing off the trigger resulting in a broken
target. This is very close to the technique I recommend, but mine has a couple
of simplifications. It is very difficult to bring the gun to the front edge of
the target without a lot of practice. New shooters normally fail when they try
this, finding it difficult to get a consistent starting point.
I suggest you bring the barrel onto the target--even a bit to the rear of the
target is okay, as it’s better than not having any starting point at all and
keeps things simple. What you want to do is bring the barrel to the target,
match its speed and then accelerate away from it so as to establish a forward
allowance (the point where the target will be), and pull the trigger: Dead bird!
John Bidwell, the former World FITASC Champion and renowned British shooting
coach, has established the “Move, Mount and Shoot” method. His videos explain
that you move a bit to the front of the target while you are establishing your
mount. When your cheek engages the stock, you pull the trigger and break the
target. For more experienced shooters, this technique is advantageous: You
always have a starting point for barrel control.
I recommend you regularly refer back to what I call the four B’s of shooting.
New shooters have a hard time reacting to the target and it usually travels
beyond the shooters ideal break-point, which results in a missed target. Using
this simple form you always have the target as your hard focus point, bringing
the barrel from behind the bird, to the BUTT, passing through the BELLY to the
BEAK, and BANG: One continuous, un-hurried move. You are always in control
because your hard focus and concentration are never broken. Keep it simple.
Control your emotions
When you miss a target, you can’t do anything about it so you might as well just
go right on to the next target using your full concentration. Practice is the
only way you will improve and reduce your misses. Anger and a bad attitude don’t
help and are contrary to what good shooting and sportsmanship are all about.
Always remember to concentrate just as hard on the last target as on the first.
If you have any questions about the contents of this article or any future
article send them to: RELOAD! 91 Park Lane Road, New Milford, CT 06776
FAREWELL CTSCA
(James Meyer Via E-Mail)
Shooting sporting clays with the Travelers was one of the best experiences I
have come across in a long time. Being new to the sport, this club made the
experience not only fun but exciting too. I would like to thank Al and everyone
else for all of the tips and knowledge that were shared with me—it all
culminated when I was able to win first in Hunter Class at Addieville and also
won a browning automatic as a trophy! It is something that I will always
remember.
I am moving to Cedaredge Colorado, so I will not be renewing my membership, but
if I ever move back to the East Coast, I would love to rejoin. I would like to
thank everyone for all the fun and for being so helpful and making it such a
memorable experience.
James Meyer
CLUB HISTORIAN
John M. Hachmann
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! By the time you read this, the Ball will have dropped in
Times Square. I would like to take this opportunity to wish a very happy &
healthy 2006 to the entire CTSCA family. Our host for the upcoming shoot on
January 15, 2006 will be Mid-Hudson Sporting Grounds in New Paltz, NY. For
those of you who have not had the opportunity to shoot Mid-Hudson on a regular
basis - you will be pleased. Great things are happening there, and the writing
is already on the wall: Mid-Hudson will be a “premier” shooting establishment
very soon!
January 1998 through January 2005, the “Mid-Winter Martyrdom” shoot was held at
East Mountain Preserve. Attendance for January shoots averaged 73 shooters over
the past 10 years. That is a substantial difference from the average of 206
shooters who brave the cold for the Christmas shoot each December. Perhaps some
are afraid of the cold--after all, this is supposed to be fun! My CTSCA records
show that all “Mid-Winter Martyrdom” shoots since 1995 went off without
significant weather problems—always cold temps--but basically nice winter days.
So get off the couch, dress warm and come join us at Mid-Hudson on the 15th.
It comes as no surprise that the 2005 event was won by Lavert Cypher shooting a
96 with his magic Model-21.
Let’s review what some of our “Brave” vets have accomplished over the past
several cold years.
VETS
2005 1st John Mohler 81
2004 1st John Mohler 91
2003 1st Paul Paul Cahan 76
SR.VETS
2005 1st Frank Horodyski 72
2004 1st Al Anglace 85
2003 1st Bob Barlow 78
Congratulations to all of our Champions and Happy Holidays !
MAINTAIN THAT FIRESTICK
By Phil Steinkraus
It’s January, which can only mean one thing: my waistline is paying the price
for all that holiday cheer and overindulgence. Not only is it time to take care
of that spread but it is also an ideal time to take care of any deferred gun
maintenance. I stop shooting with the cold weather so I have all major
maintenance done now—after hunting season but before the new competitive year.
Reliability is my number one priority—I’m enough of a head case that shooting an
unreliable gun unnerves me and reflects in my score. I also feel it’s unfair to
squad-mates to continually turn up at shoots with a gun I know has un-addressed
problems. Here are a few thoughts on gun maintenance followed by a list of
qualified gunsmiths, both local and national.
1) How clean is your gun? I good cleaning is the most basic maintenance we can
do and I’m not talking about running a rod down the barrels, wiping off the
action and calling it a day. Gunsmiths call it stripping and cleaning an action
and simply put, they use a solvent to dissolve all the crud, unburned powder and
old oil off the action and then re-lubricate it with fresh oil and grease. It’s
a simple procedure that should be done every couple of months if you’re
comfortable doing it yourself, or at least annually if you’re paying a gunsmith
to do it for you.
1A) I don’t pretend to be an authority on gas guns but the experts I spoke with
all agree that thorough, regular cleaning is going to go a long way toward
improving reliability and extending the lifespan of the gun. There is an awful
lot of commotion going on inside one of those repeaters so my best advice is to
either a) use the internet as a resource to track down comprehensive
instructions on the dismantling and cleaning of your particular gun b) ask a
buddy who shoots the same gun to show you how to clean it and troubleshoot or c)
contact the manufacturer for the info.
2) If you’re getting a lot of light strikes on your shell primers you may be
shooting a gun with damaged firing pins or worn hammer springs. This is an easy
fix and both jobs should be done at the same time.
3) Triggers regularly need to be adjusted, especially on a new gun fresh out of
the box. I prefer a conventional four-pound pull for the first trigger and 4.5
pounds for the second, although a trigger can be set to any reasonable desired
weight. If you’ve ever had the gun not reset its inertial trigger for the
second shot on a pair, you know why I’ve always had my competition triggers
converted to mechanical—it guarantees you’ll always have the second trigger! Be
aware that mechanical triggers require diligent maintenance or they’re prone to
doubling. Also note that removing the slack from a trigger is very easy so if
you’re tired of living with half an inch of creep, get it taken care of now.
4) Ever get the feeling the gun you’re shooting doesn’t really fit? Maybe the
stock is too high or it’s not long enough. Perhaps the pad has hardened over the
years (pad technology has come an awfully long way—so you might want to
investigate). I suggest you contact a good gun fitter and have any fit problems
rectified.
5) Often when the bluing starts to go on a gun, the worn areas reflect sunshine
like a knife blade. This is especially true at the rib edges. Reblueing a gun
will not only eliminate this problem but it will also serve to protect the gun
against rust and oxidization.
6) If your barrels are getting loose on the action, it may be time to tighten or
rejoin the gun. Many modern target guns have replaceable hinge pins so it’s
often just a matter of having your gunsmith back out the worn ones and reinstall
new ones that are incrementally larger.
7) If your gun is pounding you with recoil, do something about it. Lengthening
forcing cones, back-boring and porting are barrel mods many shooters have found
beneficial in alleviating kick.
8) If you’re tired of looking at the battle scars on your favorite clays gun
perhaps it’s time to think about refinishing or restocking it. Refinishing a gun
entails simply removing the old oil finish or varnish, resealing the wood and
reapplying finish. Often a gunsmith will also re-cut the checkering in the
process. Restocking is a much more involved and expensive procedure, entailing
creating a new stock from a raw blank of wood or, for a production gun, perhaps
purchasing a semi finished stock and fore-end with the approximate desired
dimension, which is then fitted and finished by your local gunsmith
Upgraded wood packages are readily available for many popular guns—it’s just a
matter of knowing who specializes in which makers. My best advice is to look
online at websites like GunsAmerica.com.
Here is a list of reputable gunsmiths:
Art’s Gun & Sport, Inc.
6008 Hwy. Y
Hillsboro, MO 63050
(636) 944-3630
Browning specialists
Briley Manufacturing
1230 Lumpkin
Houston, TX 77043
(800) 331-5718
www.briley.com
Briley is a big, full-service gunsmith
Cole Gunsmithing, Inc.
P.O. Box 197
21 Bog Hollow Rd.
Harpswell, ME 04079
(800) 650-2653
www.colegun.com
Beretta specialists
Walter Eisler
British Sporting Arms
RR1 Box 193A
Millbrook, NY 12545
(845) 677-8303
Walter can handle anything from threadbare target guns to high-end English makers.
Giacomo Sporting, Inc.
6234 Stokes Lee Center Rd.
Lee Center, NY 13363
(315) 337-6722
www.giacomosporting.com
Perazzi specialist
Glen Cove Sports Shop, Inc.
189 Forest Ave.
Glen Cove, NY 11542
(516) 676-7120
Best local gunsmith on Long Island
Griffin & Howe
33 Claremont Rd.
Bernardsville, NJ 07924
(908) 766-2287
www.griffinhowe.com
Premier gunsmithing at a premium prices.
Gunsmithing Ltd.
57 Unquowa Road
Fairfield, CT 06824
(203) 254-0436
Full service gunsmithing and restoration—also excellent for high-end field guns.
(I’ve had lot of experience with this outfit and recommend them.)
Kolar Arms
1925 Roosevelt Ave.
Racine, WI 53406
(262) 554-0800
www.kolararms.com
Kolar is a big, full service gunsmith
Krieghoff International, Inc.
7528 Easton Road
P.O. Box 549
Ottsville, PA 18942
(610) 847-5173
www.krieghoff.com
CONTACTING THE TRAVELERS...
CTSCA Home Office: Al Anglace, email <aaa738@aol.com> (by far the best way) or
telephone 860-354-9351 if you absolutely must.
Editor: Phil Steinkraus, email philistein@aol.com
Membership, Address Changes and Shooting Class status: Contact Cyndi Dalena at
Email <shotguncyndi@prodigy.net>.
Guide Book questions, Dick Orenstein <oren@umich.edu> or call 203-226-5251.
Past issues of “Reload! are available online at www.ShotgunReport.com.
- - - 2006 CTSCA SHOOTING CALENDAR - - -
JAN. 15 – MID HUDSON SPORTING GROUNDS, New PALTZ, NY
FEB. 19 – 2006 ANNUAL MEETING – MID HUDSON SPORTING GROUNDS –
New Paltz, NY
MAR. 19 – MID HUDSON SPORTING GROUNDS – New Paltz, NY
APR. 7, 8 & 9 – SPRING TRIP TO THE EASTERN SHORE –
Pintail Point and two other venues to be announced.
APR. 23 – “TAX TIME REVOLT” – YE OLDE NEWGATE COON CLUB –
Norfolk, CT.
MAY 21 – “MAY MINUET” – TAMARACK PRESERVE, Millbrook, NY
JUN. 8-10 – CLUB FITASC CHAMPIONSHIPS – MID HUDSON SPORTING GROUNDS
JUN. 11 – CLUB SPORTING CHAMPIONSHIPS – MID HUDSON SPORTING GROUNDS – New Paltz, NY
JUL. 16 – “SUMMERTIME, SUMMERTIME” – ORVIS/SANDANONA
Millbrook, NY
AUG. 11, 12 & 13 – “GREAT EASTERN LOBSTER CLASSIC” – ADDIEVILLE EAST FARM –Mapleville, RI
SEP. 17 – “SEPTEMBERSCHUTZENFEST” – MILLBROOK ROD & GUN CLUB
Millbrook, NY
SEP. 28, 29 & OCT 1 – ANNUAL FALL TRIP – Venue to be announced
OCT. 15 – “SMALL GAUGE CHAMPIONSHIPS” – FAIRFIELD COUNTY FISH & GAME –Monroe, CT.
NOV. 19 – “SALUTE THE COLORS” – YE OLDE NEWGATE COON CLUB –
Norfolk, CT.
DEC. 17 – DICK LOSEE MEMORIAL CHRISTMAS PARTY SHOOT – MID COUNTY ROD & GUN CLUB
– LaGrangeville, NY
THIS IS A TENTITIVE CALENDAR AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE TO ACCOMMODATE OUR HOST
RANGES CALENDAR.
- - - OTHER 2006 SHOOTS OF INTEREST - - -
Always call ahead to confirm.
Jan. 15, Feb, Mar. 26 – Winter Triple Header, Addieville East Farm, RI.
UPCOMING EVENTS AT YE OLDE NEWGATE COON CLUB
contact Joe Gimelli ( 860) 738-3619
or email: coonclubclays@earthlink.net
APR. 14-GOOD FRIDAY BLAST COON CLUB CLASSIC
NOV. 5-180 TARGET THREE-SHOT SHOOTOUT
DEC. 3-CHRISTMAS AT THE COON
THE UPCOMING TRAVELERS MONTHLY SHOOT
“MID WINTER MARTYRDOM”
Mid Hudson Sporting Grounds
411 Ohioville Road, New Paltz, New York
Sunday, January, 15, 2006
Believe it or not, the weather for our past January shoots has been surprisingly
good. I’m sure that the weather gods will smile upon us again this year as we
celebrate the coming of the New Year 2006. We also celebrate the change in
ownership of Mid Hudson. This will be the first of many successful events at
this fine Sporting Ground for the Travelers and the Shooting Fraternity in
general. We are looking forward to seeing Peter’s smiling face again.
The usual drill, pre-registration by WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2006, entry fee is
$60.00 for club members and their guests. Registration opens at 9 and we depart
the clubhouse at 9:45 to begin the shoot. Please be punctual!
DIRECTIONS: New York Thruway to Exit 18. After toll, continue to Route 299, at
end of exit. Turn right onto Route 299 and go about _ mile to traffic light at
Ohioville Road (stay in left lane). Turn left onto Ohioville Road and proceed
2.7 miles to club entrance on left. 845 255-7460.