RELOAD!

JULY 2003 NEWSLETTER
© Bruce Buck, editor

National Wild Turkey Federation Shoot
Tamarack Preserve, Millbrook, NY
June 29, 2003
By Lans Christensen

Once again the NWTF and the Connecticut Travelers joined forces to
produce a memorable event. Tamarack hosted us warmly, and roasted us
big-time with their customary targets.

With a hot day predicted, our squad opted to start on the hogback
course that provided less shade. Station #9 was an entertaining
entrée: a pair of fast disappearing outgoers over the water in the
grand canyon of gravel pits. The water was an instant patterning
board, and if it looked like you had the target covered, you were
actually ahead as the bird only passed through the shot pattern after
it hit the water. A smooth, “trust yourself” move to the left edge
produced a satisfying run of hits.

How soon that confidence was turned into doubt and frustration! #10
threw a long, inward bound, crosser, which was followed on report by
an incomer that started 100 yards out and settled into the scenery at
35 yards. Gradually dying, dropping birds are always a challenge, and
this one had our squad unbroken, but badly bent. The first bird
demanded more lead as it approached, and the second took less as it
neared….sadistic target.

The next several stations were of true championship caliber: A fast,
unpredictable rabbit followed by a screaming down-angle crosser… a
towering off-angle teal with a R>L crosser that filed an extended
flight plan. One couldn’t complain about short windows here, but it
proved that being able to see the target in flight for 5 seconds
didn’t make it any easier to hit.

We packed up and headed for the familiar main clubhouse surrounds of
the Turkey Hollow course where we enjoyed the targets in May, and all
learned how to hit them…SO not right. I wanna know how many ways
station number 1 can be tweaked so that it’s always tougher?? It’s
still the high pair in the sky, and they still curl and dive in a
cruel, surreal, “we’re outta here” kind of path. No advice…other than
have a few flats delivered and stay there until you’ve seen every
nuance.

#4 was fun: a straightaway bird out from under your feet and a Very
Quick L>R crosser thrown simo. Nice…no thinking…just move, and be
mounted for the first for almost a spot shot.

The gravel pit #6 is another old friend that loves to fool you. This
time with an easy but quick 20 yarder followed by a very precise
controlled move to the tower bird. “ Dead… lost, dead… lost” That kind
of station. Anyway, I picked up the piano at station #7, and don’t
want to discuss any part of that experience.

Fortunately we were at the end and nearing the tent where we were
greeted by the happy, coppery face of the roast pig. An icy keg and
plenty of great food had us rebounding in good form. For those who
haven’t done this shoot…the after-party rules. The silent auction is
full of loot that you really need, and the Lewis Class prizes are
generous and arbitrary. Many thanks to the commendable NWTF for
providing this great event.

A couple of thoughts: Tamarack, compliant with their policy, provided
the fiber wad ammo included in the entry. It was 12ga. 1oz., #8 , and
20ga. #7 _. I never heard a “fluffy” report…I saw targets break that
would have had most of us reaching for 3 dram 7 1/2s… and I never
heard a complaint that the miss was due to the load. I think this
should convince some doubters about these ballistics. Secondly, this
style of shoot, whether for turkeys, ducks, grouse, or owls is
perceived as “recreational” shoot and attract many generous
supporters/shooters who may not frequent the sporting clay circuit.
These participants are the life-blood for these organizations, and I
hope they do not go away discouraged by the number on the scorecard,
but rather, remember a day of true championship targets, and shooting
with true champions.

NWTF results (150 targets)
HOA Charlie Conger 132
RU Wayne Morill 122
A Andy Duffy 121
David McHugh 121
Jeff Ledgard 120
Paul Fostini 120
Charles Schneible 116
Tony Olivieri 115
B Gary Morill 100
Fred Roesslein 99
Martin Schroeder 98
Brian Finkle 98
Ed Davis 98
Mike Canale 97
C Lans Christensen 87
Kevin Purstell 87
Dennis Morgan 87
William Moonry 86
Pete Colomello 86
Bill Leonhart 86
D Gary Zukowski 71
Tim Scheller 70
Sarwar Kashmiri 70
Jane Bennet 69
Jeff Holiday 68
Dan Ryan 68
Lady Anna Maria Collins 108
Paula Moore 104
Susie Clarke 90
Vet Ted Burke 108
S.Vet Ted Fedun 110
Jr Mike Fabano 91
Luke Sproviero 81
Jason Lenhardt 72
Sidney Gershenov 69
Mark Chadwell 67

CTSCA Combined Champions
(May 18 and June 29 Tamarack)
Cl-1 Lavert Cypher 198
Cl-2 Ted Burke 196
Cl-3 Vince Fabano 162
Cl-4 Joe Sproviero 156
Cl-5 Manny Carames 129
Lady Edie Ellis 151
S.Vet Ted Fedun 189
Vet Ed Moritt 180
Jr Mike Fabano 153

A NEW SPORTING VENUE DEBUTS AT EAST MOUNTAIN
by Al Anglace

A new “Fun With a Shotgun Game” was born at the East Mountain Preserve
on Sunday, June 8, 2003. “Wipe Your Eye,” an old trap shooters game,
was transformed into a Sporting Clay’s event. It celebrated the memory
of Vic D’Avanzo, who passed away recently. He had owned East Mountain
Preserve for the past 37 years. Vic would have been pleased to see the
contingent of over 60 sports people, competing as two person teams,
laughing and smiling around the twelve station course.

“Wipe Your Eye” is a two persons team event, shot this time on the
sporting course, where the partner backs up the primary shooter. The
second shooter is allowed to shoot at the bird if his partner misses
with the first shot. The back up shooter can save a missed target or,
by mistakenly too quickly firing at a target his partner broke, can
cause his team partner to loose a hit target. Here is where the
giggles and poked fun prevailed.

It was the brainchild of Travelers’ President Al Anglace, who for many
years imagined that this might be an entertaining event for fellow
shotgunners. The response shows he was right! A written survey
inviting participants to register their reactions to the day’s
activities after the shoot sent a mandate to the East Mountain
Preserve owners to hold another “Wipe Your Eye” shoot as soon as they
can.

To add to the non-competitive nature of the shoot, a Lewis Class
Scoring System was used to determine the winning teams. That allowed
shooters of all abilities to team up and be in the hunt to win one of
the 36 classy engraved square crystal plates.

After the laughter settled down, and a great lunch was digested, it
was announced that the team of Dean and Al Anglace took high honors as
Champions for the day.

To personify luck of the draw, Augie Roma is now the proud owner of a
Beretta 391 Sporting 12 gauge shotgun as a result of winning the gun
raffle. Augie also won the “Long Bird” competition so he is assured to
be able to buy some ammo for the new semi auto that was coordinated by
fellow Traveler Joe Cimino of the North Atlantic Sportsman’s Gun Shop
of Monroe, Connecticut. Door prizes were distributed much to the
enjoyment of the happy participants. Dominic Uliano won the featured
prize, a complimentary entry to the Great Eastern Lobster Classic,
held at Addieville East Farm in August. George Holomakoff, owner of
the Preserve voiced his appreciation to all of the participants and
especially to the Connecticut Travelers for making such a monumental
day possible.

Winning Teams
I-1 Dean & Al Anglace 174
I-2 Hank Drapou & Craig Hovey 170
I-3 John Lawlor & Dom Uliano 169
II-1 Ted & Kathy Knapp 160
II-2 Augie Roma&Anthony Martino 159
II-3 Frank Cipolino & Jack Deaso 157
III-1 Ed Davies & George Parsons 155
III-2 Vin Repaci & Kurt Willinger 151
III-3 Bob Karosy&Jeff Cornwall,Jr 151
IV-1 Joe Cimino & Tony Terardis 149
IV-2 Don Hutchinson&Dick Slember148
IV-3 Jim Henion & Bob Holtzman 146
V-1 Dave Neisyn & John Cyrus 142
V-2 Olive Lawlor & Sue Uliano 142
V-3 Debbie & Peter Horn 141
VI-1 Simone & Sal Renzuella 137
VI-2 Elena & Vess Drazen 118
VI-3 Cyndi Dalena & Jon Welch 108

LAST CALL!!! Our Travelers Seminole Gun Works Discount Program will
end on July 12. If any members are interested in Chamber Mates (small
gauge inserts), or choke tubes, at a great Travelers' price, act now
or forever deprive yourself of small gauge fun in the future. Contact
CTSCA at ctsca@email.com (best way) or telephone 860-354-9351 for
additional information or to place an order.

TECHNOID’S ADVICE TO THE NEWBIE

The Technoid is not as reclusive as many people wish he were. Still,
virtually living in his underground laboratory deep in the bowels of
the massive “Reload!” complex that dominates the skyline of a little
Connecticut seaport town, he does receive snail mail occasionally and
email often. Supplicants ask him questions and, depending on his mood
(normally governed by whether the Yankees won or lost that day) he
answers with a miasma of obfuscation, which would make a politician
blush. His mighty Technoidalness learned early on that you can’t be
criticized for what people can’t understand.

To this end, a new sporting clays shooter asked him about which chokes
were best to use in what circumstances. Here’s what he wrote:

“Dear Newbie,

As a very general rule of thumb, choose a choke and pellet size
appropriate to the distance and target area exposure. Sure, that seems
obvious, but it’s the exceptions that make the rule, especially for
the new shooter.

A new shooter is usually best off not changing chokes. If you picked
an IC choke and #8s, you'd be in the ballpark for most shots on most
courses. The one or two birds you might miss by not having exactly the
correct choke would be more than compensated for by the greater number
of birds you’d get because you were able to concentrate on watching
the presentations rather than fuss with changing chokes.

Changing chokes and shells is what gets you the last one or two birds.
Analyzing target flight and concentrating on shooting technique is
what gets you all the rest. In sporting clays, unlike trap and skeet
where targets are shot at known distances, misses are usually by a
considerable margin due to failure to understand the target
trajectory. There really ought to be a rule that says that shooters
aren't allowed to change chokes at all until they have a dozen shoots
under their belts. It would really be doing them a favor.

There is a very natural tendency for sporting clays shooters to fixate
on the selection of choke and shells (they always go together and you
can't discuss one without the other). It's something you have control
over. You can make a concrete decision and that makes you feel better.
As a gun writer I certainly gleefully contribute to "gear mania" with
my Technoid columns. People love swapping chokes and shells and gun
modifications around because they think it is performance that you can
buy, not earn with practice. You can order new chokes and shells while
sitting at your desk putting off working. But the fact of the
matter is that it doesn't make too much difference to the new shooter.
To the pro shooter who will win or lose the shoot by one bird, it sure
makes a difference though. Most of the pros pay attention to chokes
and shells and the new shooters copy the pros.

As to some of the pros shooting a lot of choke all the time (George
Digweed’s famously tight fixed chokes are a good example), he has
simply made the observation that his skill level is such that the
occasional hole in his pattern will cost him more birds than a
consistently smaller pattern on the nearer shots. Very, very, very few
other shooters are in his league and most would be better served with
more forgiving patterns. When you learn to shoot like George, then you
can choke like George. It isn't the choke selection that makes him
shoot the way he does, that's for sure.

If you absolutely can't resist swapping chokes, make sure to pair the
chokes with the shells or you are only doing half the job. My general
rule of thumb for edge-on or slightly turned birds is Skeet choke and
#9s to 20 yards, Light Modified and #8s from 20~35 yards, Full and
#7-1/2s from 35 yards out. The more the bird is thrown "open" the more
you can open your chokes. If you have the slightest doubt as to what
the bird is doing, use a bit more choke and pellet. Better safe than
sorry.

You may hear all sorts of drivel about never needing #9s on a sporting
course or never needing a Full choke. Baloney. Why can’t SC shooters
learn form the experience of others? Skeet shooters know darn well
that a jug-full of #9s through a Skeet choke is the way to run the
birds. How many trap shooters use anything except Full and #7-1/2s
from 24 yards and back? In trap and skeet, millions of shooters have
shot billions of shells at exactly the same targets. They know what
works and what doesn't on those shots. Sporting clay shooters would
be well served to use what trap and skeet shooters use when they have
trap or skeet type shots.

Sporting lends itself to myth and urban legends because SC shooters
can never spend enough time on one particular presentation to know
absolutely for sure what the ideal choke/pellet combination is. This
leads to some ditzy conclusions. I've seen guys break 40 yard crossers
with skeet choke and #9s. They then declare to all the world that's
all you "need" for 40 yard crossers. Lunacy. If you absolutely
perfectly center a bird it might work, but over the long run, with
normal aiming error, a full choke with #7-1/2s gives a larger kill
zone. Has to be. Got to be. But since that shooter may not see exactly
the same target again for months and months, he is more inclined to
rely on anecdotal evidence, rather than any in depth study.

And then there are the chokes. It's amazing how many people will
agonize over whether to use a Skeet choke or an IC choke for a
particular shot. Or an IC vs a Light Mod. A full degree of choke only
buys you another 5 yards! Half a degree of choke (as in Skeet to IC or
IC to Light Mod) only gets you 2-1/2 yards! How much does that matter?

Here are some very rough numbers to support the above. I won't argue
that they are exact, but they are pretty close. Note that Skeet, Light
Modified, and Light Full are “in between chokes” that only change
things a couple of yards. Chokes between Modified and Full get
confusing as choke makers try to pack in names for every possible
.005” increment of constriction so that they can sell more chokes.
That’s why we have Modified, Improved Modified, Light Full, Full and
XFull wedged in between 30 and 40 yards. What a head game!

Cylinder bore (.000" choke) produces about a 75% pattern at 20 yards.
Skeet (.005”) is 75% at about 22.5 yards.
Improved Cylinder (.010" choke) is 75% at 25 yards.
Light Modified is 75% at about 27.5 yards.
Modified (.020" choke) is 75% at 30 yards.
Improved Modified (.030” choke) is 75% at 35 yards.
Full (.040” choke) is 75% at 40 yards.

This means that when you are fussing around whether to use an IC or a
Light Mod, you must discern whether that bird is 25 or 27.5 yards
away. Can you judge distance that accurately? On a bird against the
sky? Maybe so, maybe not.

Bottom line- save the fussing around with chokes and shells for the
time in the future when you have learned most of the presentations and
know what they need. As a new shooter, spend your valuable time before
you shoot in watching the targets and how the other shooters in front
of you address them. That will do you more good than sweating the
small details. There will be time enough for that later when one bird
more or less will be very important to you. For now, look at the
forest, not at the trees.

Best regards, The Technoid”

Note how our Satrap of the Slide Rule has gone from telling the new
shooter to just use one choke and shell to advising him to use three
of each? Typical Technoidal befuddlement. Maybe the KISS one choke/one
shell stuff is for the really new shooter and the three chokes/ three
shells is for the sort of new shooter. The “use everything you’ve got”
approach would be for the seasoned shooter, but then it’s back to KISS
for the George Digweeds of the world. It’s a full circle.

It looks as though the Technoid simply hasn’t figured it out. No one
else has either, of course, but at least they are kind enough not to
write about it.



**** THE TRAVELERS 2003 MONTHLY SHOOT CALENDAR****


JUL 20 SANDANONA/ORVIS, NY-SUMMERTIME, SUMMERTIME
AUG 8~10 ADDIEVILLE EAST, RI-GREAT EASTERN LOBSTER CLASSIC
SEP 14 FAIRFIELD COUNTY F&G, CT-SMALL GAUGE CHAMPIONSHIPS
OCT 3~5 PENNSYLVANIA -FALL TRIP
OCT 19 MILLBROOK ROD & GUN, NY- OKTOBERSCHUTZENFEST
NOV 16 EAST MOUNTAIN, NY-CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS
NOV * EAST MOUNTAIN, NY-KOEHLER SOC. FUNDRAISER THREE SHOT
DEC 14 MID-COUNTY, NY-DICK LOSEE MEMORIAL CHRISTMAS PARTY
* An asterisk indicates an exact date still to be determined

*** OTHER SHOOTS OF INTEREST ***
ALWAYS, ALWAYS, CALL AHEAD TO CONFIRM

JUL 9~13 CLAYTHORNE, KS (620-597-2568) FITASC WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
JUL 13 ADDIEVILLE EAST, RI (401-568-3185) 16th ANNUAL DU SC OPEN
JUL 25-27 PEACE DALE, RI (401-789-3730) NEW ENGLAND FITASC CH
AUG 3 PEACE DALE, RI (401-789-3730) OPEN SC CHAMPIONSHIP
AUG 17 FAIRFIELD COUNTY F&G, CT (203-426-8508) NSCA SPORTING
SEP 6 NEWGATE COON CLUB, CT (860-738-3619) SPORTING CLAYS CLASSIC
SEP 9~14 NATIONAL GUNCLUB, TX (800- 877-5338) NSCA NATIONALS
OCT 11 ADDIEVILLE EAST, RI (401-568-3185) CLAYS FOR STRAYS SC CH
NOV 2 NEWGATE COON CLUB, CT (860-738-3619) THREE SHOT SHOOT OUT
NOV 7~9 PEACE DALE, RI (401-789-3730) FALL FITASC CH
DEC 7 NEWGATE COON CLUB, CT (860-738-3619) CHRISTMAS AT THE COON

CONTACTING THE TRAVELERS...

CTSCA Home Office: Email <ctsca @email.com> (by far the best way) or
telephone 860-354-9351 if you absolutely must.

Membership, Address Changes and Shooting Class status: Contact Cyndi
Dalena at 860-582-3142 between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Or Email
shotguncyndi@prodigy.net

Guide Book questions, contact Dick Orenstein <oren@umich.edu> or call
203-226-5251.

To place an ad, post a shoot date in Reload! or simply heap abuse on
the editor, contact Bruce Buck at tel: 203-454-1080, fax: 707-215-0668
or email: <bcb23@columbia.edu>.



**** THE UPCOMING TRAVELERS MONTHLY SHOOT ****

SUNDAY, JULY 20, 2003
SUMMER TIME, SUMMER TIME
ORVIS/SANDANONA
MILLBROOK, NY

“It’s summer time, summer time, sum- sum- summer time.” Doo-wah,
doo-wah, doo. Is golf clubbing you to death? Is sailing all wet? Are
the aunts worse than the ants at the family picnic? Well, take it
easy! Too much summer can be stressful. You will be a much happier
person if you come on out and shoot something. Really you will. There
is nothing like snapping a few caps to help you forget the grueling
hours you are forced to spend on the beach while pretending to read
the Sunday Times behind those mirrored sunglasses.

Always one of our biggest shoots of the year, Orvis/Sandanona once
again welcomes the Travelers to their superlative facility. You just
know that Brian Long’s course will be innovative and Peggy Long’s
organization will be flawless. Orvis/Sandanona doesn’t need any
selling. It’s one of sporting’s crown jewels.

The drill should be familiar to all of you by now. Arrive by 9:00 AM
and find out which squad you’re on and where you start. Due to your
pre-registeration by Thursday, July 17, everyone will be presquadded
with the usual Travelers eye-popping efficiency. We should be ready to
roll by 9:45 AM after the safety lecture. You can devote the
intervening minutes to ingesting all the coffee and doughnuts that the
human body can tolerate. After all, you have to survive until you are
served a magnificent al fresco luncheon under the Orvis marquee. That
restorative luncheon is also essential so that you have the strength
to walk to the front of the room to accept one of the lavish Orvis
gift certificate prizes you may have won in our special HOA class
shoot-off. All this for a paltry, piddling pittance of $60 for members
and spouses, $70 for guests. That’s a lot less than you tip the cabin
boy when you take your yacht to Newport.

Guests ARE welcome at this shoot. The guest fee is $70. Bring a
friend. Just make sure that we have your paid reservations in our
hands no later than Thursday, July 17. No cancellations after that
date. You know the deal. The usual sub-gauge handicaps will apply so
don’t be afraid to try the little gun for fun.

Directions to Orvis/Sandanona, Millbrook, NY:

From Taconic parkway North take the NY Rte 44 (Millbrook) exit. Go
Right off exit ramp onto Rte 44 heading East for 1.5 miles to Rte
44-A. Bear Left onto Rte 44-A. Go 1.2 miles to Orvis/Sandanona sign
and driveway on Left. If lost, call Sandanona at 845-677-9701.

NOTE: EYE AND EAR PROTECTION ARE MANDATORY AT ALL TRAVELERS’ SHOOTS!