RELOAD!

JULY 2004 NEWSLETTER

© Bruce Buck, editor

We hope to have the report on the June 13th NWTF shoot at Tamarack in the next
issue. In the meantime, here’s some summer time beach reading from the
bottomless Reload! archives. Like one of the zombies in those teen-age horror
flicks, great journalism never stays buried for long. The entire staff of
Reload! plans to spend time on the beach, pointng at seagulls and muttering
“Bang!”. It’s that time of year.

MISS MANNERS GETS HOT...

The squad waiting by the station nervously eyed the bushes to the right of the
shooting cage. The twigs were twitching to and fro while snuffling, grunting
noises issued forth. The acorn crop had been thin that year and the area was
not known for feral hogs. What could it be?

Ferdie DeFaust was on his hands and knees stretching out past the last sprig of
poison sumac. The AA hull was just out of reach as he wormed his way through
the underbrush. It had been a pretty good "dive" so far. He had retrieved six
of his own eight hulls, plus a whole bunch of others. He had even found one of
the much coveted new AA hulls. He could tell that it was once-fired because it
had the shiny copper primer. He could have sworn that he saw a dark, hairy hand
quickly toss it down in front of him as he felt a gust of hot air carrying a
stale and musty odor. What the heck. It was a new AA. He'd sell his soul for a
bunch of those.

Finally Ferdie's plumber's cleavage emerged from the thicket as he backed out on
hands and knees. His fat, dirty face glistened with sweat, but he was happy
with the hull haul. Less happy were the two squads of patiently waiting
shooters, but Ferdie didn't give a damn about inconveniencing others when there
were hulls to be had.

Across the course Pandora Popham was in a vexatious mood. That incompetent
manicurist had overlooked a hangnail. She could feel it tug under her kidskin
shooting gloves as she snapped open her gold inlaid Glitzini and sent the new
AAs flying over her shoulder. So what if the hulls flew smack dab onto the
starched lace collar of some little old grey haired school marm standing behind
her. Ms. Popham had heard about the lynching of Dudley Dufus for uncontrolled
ejection, but those rules were for the "little" people, not for her. Besides,
staff, who ever that was, could handle the clean up. If people didn't like it,
they could go to the devil.

As Pandora left the station, the begrimed and sweating Ferdie DeFaust shouldered
through the waiting squad. Jostling Miss Manners aside, he threw himself down
on all fours and began snatching up the hulls, making little grunting noises of
satisfaction at each capture. The stunned squad just stared at Ferdie as they
waited for him to finish. No one noticed that Miss Manners had moved aside and
seemed to be conversing with a shadowy figure.

The sky had been clear all day, but now it quickly clouded. Thunder rolled
ominously and lightening tore the darkness. Just as quickly it cleared again.
Pandora Popham and Ferdie DeFaust were gone.

Most cultures, both ancient and modern, juxtapose a heaven and a hell. The
ancient Greeks were as imaginative as most and had a whole slew of irascible
gods to contend with. Earthly sins were punished with imaginative tribulations
in the afterworld. Remember the thirsty and starving Tantalus damned to stand in
water he couldn't drink below grapes he couldn't reach? What about the guy who
had to roll the rock up a mountain for all eternity?

Times have changed. In today's society it is not Politically Correct to be
judgmental. Antisocial behavior is considered to be society's fault, not a
personal failing. Bad people have an inalienable right to sympathetic
understanding, free shrinkage and government grants. Discipline is not
constitutional. Retribution is beyond the pale. That is- until the bad actors
mess with Miss Manners.

That winter there was a big sporting clays shoot in Florida. Everyone made the
trip. They had long since forgotten about Ferdie DeFaust and Pandora Popham.
In the evenings the crew enjoyed the bright lights and laughter at Disney Land.

One night they decided to try something different and stopped at B. L. Z. Bub's
House of Horrors, a run down side show fun house on a back road. The burnt out
bulbs in the blinking road sign looked like rotted teeth. Weeds surrounded the
ramshackle trailer that abjectly served as the owner's home and ticket booth.
The figure selling them the tickets seemed to be made of smoke and shadow.

Inside it was hot, prickly sweat hot. It smelled of Sulpher. Smokey fires
flickered around the edge of the room, but failed to give off much light. The
visitors could barely make out two dark figures in the center of the chamber.
But the voices were unmistakable.

"Staff will pick them up", whined the woman as the ejectors clicked on empty
chambers. "Oh boy, another AA", snuffled the man as he vainly groped in the
murky darkness.

Moral: Many people have friends in high places, but it is those with friends in
low places that you have to watch out for. Take Miss Manners' advice, handle
your shells in a way that doesn't inconvenience others. Your winter vacation may
be warmer, and longer, than you anticipated.

MORE MISS MANNERS...

Damon Dufus, Dudley's surviving brother, took his turn in the shooting box,
hitched up his vest and spread his feet to a manly width. Squinting his mean
squint, he growled "Buh-urd".

Nothing happened.

"Idiot trapper", he hissed. Lowering his gun, raising it again and resquinting
in his fiercest manner he again called "Buh-urd".

Nothing.

Now very picture of frothing discontent, he snapped his gun open and paced about
the stand opining on the intellectual capacity of the trapper.

About fifty yards away little Tommy Tucker, his fifteenth birthday just behind
him, was sitting on the ProMatic's trapper seat dreaming about sweet Emily. Did
she really like him? Dory had said so. Boy, if he could just do something to
impress her. Save her life or something. "Burrpff" came a slight noise from
the vicinity of the shooter's stand off to the left. Yeah, that would do it,
Tommy thought. Maybe save her from sharks or muggers. Then she'd notice.

"Blurrrp" came the noise again. She'd have to notice me then. Maybe I could
even get a date with her.

Damon Dufus was hopping mad by now. The miserable trapper must be intentionally
ignoring him. He always called "Buh-urd". That was his trademark call.
Everyone knew it was his call. He wasn't going to change it or raise his voice
just for some dumb kid. That boy would have to learn.

There is a problem with a date, Tommy thought. My mom would have to drive us.
It would be really gross if any of the guys saw that. Emily dates older guys
with cars. "Burrpff" again in the distance. Maybe I should just meet her
somewhere. That's it! I'll tell her I'm busy with my hand to hand combat
training to get ready for the Marines and I'll have to meet her after school.

Damon, beside himself after his forth sotto voce "Buh-urd", glared at everyone
present to make sure that all were aware of his righteous displeasure and
tromped off in a cloud of steam.

Miss Manners was the next shooter in line. Slight of frame and wiry, her grey
hair piled into a bun made her look taller than her actual 5'3". She faced in
the direction of the trap, which was far off and obscured by bushes. In a clear
voice with flawless diction she firmly announced "New shooter". After waiting a
moment to let that sink in, she crisply called "Pull". The bird was immediately
launched. Her twenty-eight gauge Spaghettini Porcini with the marble cake
walnut eased into her shoulder and the target vaporized.

What had happened? Why was our Miss M so much better received than Damon? What
woke Tommy out of his lustful teenage reverie?

The answer is simple. Damon's call was indistinct and the word that he used was
not one that the trapper was waiting to hear. Miss Manners was considerably
smarter than Damon. She first announced her presence by calling "New Shooter".
This not only alerted Tommy and got him ready for the next command, but it
familiarized him with her voice. There were other traps in the vicinity and it
was sometimes hard for him to tell one voice from another. Miss Manners had made
it easy for him.

When Miss Manners was ready for the bird, she crisply called "Pull!". The word
started with a hard consonant and carried distance well. This is the exact word
that Tommy was waiting to hear. He was not expecting to hear "Uh!" or "Boid!"
or "Tra-la-la". He waited to hear "Pull!". With his hand on the trap trigger,
he reacted instinctively and instantly.

At the awards ceremony after the shoot Miss Manners walked to the front of the
room and crisply said "Thank you" as she received her trophy. Proper diction
also has its social uses.

Moral: Although many long stations have buzzers at the cage, some don't and you
have to speak loudly. Stick up for yourself and learn to call effectively. You
are the only loser if you don't. A slow pull or no pull at all isn't going to
ruin the trapper's day, but it may ruin yours. First, let the trapper know that
there is a "New Shooter!". Then use the unambiguous word "Pull!" and nothing
else if you want a prompt response. Leave the rugged individualism to other
critical areas of life, such as selecting neckties or bathroom wallpaper.

THE TECHNOID PERFORMS A BALANCING ACT...

Norbert Nimrod hovers glassy eyed in front of the shotgun display at the local
gunshop. The proprietor enthusiastically touts the benefits of the latest
London "best" Smythington Chutneygout sidelock or pigeon pounding Spaghettini
Porcini over and under. The spiel invariably includes the seductive, "Just feel
how this fine gun handles. See- the balance point is right over the hinge pin."

Friends, trust the Technoid when he tells you that there is more to gun balance
than Nimrod is being shown. Drawing heavily on the assistance of G.T. Garwood
(the Technoid's patron saint), the effort required to swing a gun depends upon
its moment of inertia as measured about its point of balance. You can hang a
brick on each end of a broom stick and make it seesaw where you will, but you
could not call it properly balanced. Good gun balance is dynamic, not static.

Look at the broom stick and brick example. If a brick were tied onto each end
of the broom stick, it would balance right in the middle, but would be very hard
to swing about due to having the weight at the ends. This demonstrates a case
of high moment of inertia.

That same broom stick, with the bricks moved close together in the center, would
weigh exactly the same and balance in the same place. However, due to the
center weighting, the stick would have a very low moment of inertia and would
swing about with abandon.

Traditionally, the British game gun places the balance point and most of the
weight between the hands. This gives the gun a low moment of inertia resulting
in good speed and maneuverability, especially suited for field shooting.
Americans have usually opted for a somewhat more muzzle heavy bias. This
increases steadiness and is generally thought better for clay targets, which do
not change direction suddenly.

Balance is quite subjective, but there is a range of general preference. If you
like the way that your gun feels, consider yourself thrice blessed and stop
here. If you have found the dynamics of other guns preferable to yours, you
might consider some modest changes.

If your gun feels a little muzzle heavy and sluggish, like many of the long
barreled O/Us with screw chokes do, you can either add weight to the rear or
eliminate some from the front. Reduce nose weight by using flush chokes,
substituting shorter or lighter barrels, or by backboring the barrels.
Backboring can remove a surprising amount of weight (see Technoid, July 1994
RELOAD!) and is the best approach. Removing wood from the forend may help for
an extremely subtle change.

Adding weight to the butt may also reduce the muzzle heavy feel, but too much
can alter the moment of inertia. It is best to add weight to the stock by
stringing it out along the inside of the stock, rather than just adding a clump
at the rear. Unfortunately, the former approach often requires the assistance
of a stockmaker. If you do not need much weight at the rear, some lead plumbers
wool in the stock cavity would be worth a try. It doesn’t take much weight
addition to subtly change the feel of the gun.

If your gun is too light up front, like many small gauge Continental guns, it is
difficult to aesthetically add weight to the barrels. You can take one of three
basic approaches, none of which are wholly satisfactory. First, you can remove
wood from inside the stock. Secondly, you can add lead inside the forend. Golf
club lead tape may work here. Thirdly, and of limited application, you can
install a set of sub-gauge tubes. Do not clamp a skeet shooter's weight onto
the barrel. It adds the weight all in one spot. You will not be happy.

Generally, be forewarned that the balance and feel of a gun are built in, not
added on. Subtle changes in balance and moment of inertia are practical, but it
is wiser to trade the gun if a more extreme alteration is required.


THE JUDGE SCORES...

No, not scoring that way. Shame on you. Your regal rules regulator is no
sniggering reprobate. His Honor is a distinguished jurist whose very offspring
were conceived by judicial fiat, not in the back seat of the judicial Fiat.

The reference here is a reminder of just how we keep our score cards at the
Travelers' shoots. Compliance with the regulations has been good since we
covered this over a year ago, but ignorantia lex non excusavit so it never hurts
to go over the basics again for our many new members.

At the Travelers' shoots we keep score for ourselves. This eliminates the need
to obtain an extra dozen workers for the shoot, saving us about $10 additional
entry fee per shooter. This honor system has been working out quite well.

At each station the squad assigns one member to keep score, usually the shooter
who went first on the previous station. It is vitally important that the scorer
call the birds 'dead' and 'lost' loudly enough for the shooter and the squad to
hear. The best time to correct an error is at the call and it cannot be done if
the proceedings are cloaked in silence. The shooter has the right to know the
result of his targets as he shoots. Naturally, one does not call birds in
between pairs. Newer referees often fail to call the hits and misses out loud.
This is done out of a misguided sense of politeness or out of fear of being
corrected when making a mistake. Either way, this does the shooter no service.
Protect yourself and request that the targets be called out loud.

We have found it most helpful to mark the targets on the score sheet by using
the "count up" system. The first hit at the station is "1", the second is "2",
etc. Misses are just a line "-", not a zero. A typical eight bird station with
five hits might look like this: "1,2,-,-,3,4,-,5". Each station is started anew.
Do not accumulate from station to station as it is very hard to find an error.

When the shooter finishes his station, he should check the score right then and
there as he walks off the pad. It only takes a glance and can easily catch an
error. In an important match always check your score card after each station.
You will be amazed at what you occasionally find. Think of it like counting
your change at the super market.

The final step in the Travelers' scoring ritual is to have your score card added
up, checked and initialed by two other members of the squad as you walk back to
the club house after the last station. We used to lose a tremendous amount of
time when we individually counted the scores back at the club house. Having
them added up by the squad saves a lot of time. Now we just post the final
number and things go much more quickly. Court is in recess. Jury
dismissed.

EVEN MORE MISS MANNERS...

Our iron maiden has prepared yet another educational milestone to mold the
little minds entrusted to her. Sharpen your pencils and take notes, there may
be a quiz later and woe betide the tiny tow headed trouble maker who flunks one
of Miss Manner's tests. Today's lesson is - Do Not Forget To Promptly Turn In
Your Score Card!

Not every student gets a good report card every time. Still and all, that
report card has to be taken home to the parents. That is the way of life. Some
students who have had a particularly bad spell would rather tear the card up
rather than show it to anyone. Bad children!

Fortunately, Miss Manners notes that the Travelers generally behave properly and
are very careful to turn in their shoot score cards (properly filled in per the
Judge's preceding request) the very second that they return to the club house.
Prompt submission of score cards enables prompt posting of scores and
announcement of awards. Miss Manners adores promptness.

Those of you who have volunteered to help with the scoring know that failure to
quickly turn in a score card causes tremendous problems. If such a thing were
to happen, we would have to delay the entire scoring and awards procedure while
we went searching for the individual involved. There is no way of knowing if
the missing card was a good one that would alter the finishing order, or a poor
one which the shooter simply did not want subjected to the white hot glare of
public scrutiny. The fact that the score of the missing shooter was not to be
registered does not alter things. Travelers awards are not contingent upon SCA
registration. Everyone has a chance at a gold star, registered or not.

In fact, Travelers really are very good about taking the good with the bad and
generally do make sure to turn in a score card as soon as they return to the
club house. Occasionally one of us forgets, but that is seldom. Miss Manners
thanks you for this and notes that this act of sportsmanship is what separates
the Travelers from those wretched little report card hiding miscreants in her
other third grade class.





*** 2004 CTSCA SHOOTING CALENDAR ***

JUL 18 SUMMERTIME, SUMMERTIME- ORVIS/SANDANONA, NY
AUG 13~15 GREAT EASTERN LOBSTER CLASSIC- ADDIEVILLE EAST FARM, RI
SEP 19 SMALL GAUGE CTSCA CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS-FAIRFIELD CTY. F&G, CT
OCT 8~10 ANNUAL FALL TRIP- PA & NY WEEKEND TOUR
OCT 17 OCTOBERSHUTZENFEST- MILLBROOK ROD & GUN CLUB, NY
NOV 14 DR. RUDY PASSERO MEMORIAL CTSCA CLUB CH.- EAST MTN, NY
NOV 28 KOEHLER SOCIETY FUNDRAISER-EAST MOUNTAIN PRESERVE, NY
DEC 19 DICK LOSEE MEMORIAL SHOOT /CHRISTMAS PARTY- MID COUNTY, NY

* Shoot schedules are subject to last minute change. Always consult the current
edition of “Reload!” Therein lies the truth. At least our version of it at this
particular time…

*** OTHER 2004 SHOOTS OF INTEREST ***
ALWAYS, ALWAYS, CALL AHEAD TO CONFIRM

JUN 30 SANDANONA, NY (203-452-1639) 15TH ANNUAL DU CLAYS SHOOT
JUL 17,18 ADDIEVILLE EAST, RI (401-568-3185) NSCA ZONE 1+ RI STATE CH
JUL 25 WALLINGFORD R&G, CT (203-265-1012) 50 BIRD FUN SHOOT
JUL 25 FAIRFIELD COUNTY F&G, CT (203-426-8508) FIVE STAND OPEN
JUL 31 FAIRFIELD COUNTY F&G, CT (203-426-8508) BBQ SHOOT
AUG 22 WALLINGFORD R&G, CT (203-265-1012) 50 BIRD FUN SHOOT
AUG 28,29 FAIRFIELD COUNTY F&G, CT (203-426-8508) NSCA CT STATE CH




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

SUNDAY, JULY 18, 2004
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
Wednesday, July 14, 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. 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
Wednesday, July 14. 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. Humility is good.

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!