About the 101 threads....

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Dave McCracken

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As some of you know, I've been writing a series of threads to help new folks get into shotgunning safely, effectively and painlessly. The feedback has been positive, and it's glad I am of that.

However, I might not be seeing the forest for the trees.

I'm asking the newer shooters who are using the series as a learning resource if there's anything not covered.

IOW, is there any aspect of Shotgunning the threads at present do not address?

I do have a new one on Reloading 101 I'll be posting in the next few days.

For those not knowing how to find the threads....

Hit the search feature.

Type 101 into the Search by Keyword slot.

Type Dave McCracken into the Search by User Name slot.

Check off the topics only thing.

Actuate.

Thanks, and remember to BA/UU/R...
 
Dave,

Good idea!

We also have a Library in additon to the Search function here at THR. We may need to add listings from time to time. Upper right hand corner next to "Rules Of Conduct". Granted we are very good about giving web addys in our posts, in the event we just type out Hastings, Choate, or Williams, at least young or old members will have a web addy to use.

Steve
 
-Etiquette,
-Choosing an Instructor/Being a Student(regardlless of age, gender, level of experience).
-How to Practice ( home, range, training facility).
-Finding a place to shoot.
-Safety (always good to go over)
-Tips, Tricks, that actually work...( like dry shaving stick allows stock to "slide into face", brass wad knockerouters, shower rod/shower curtain hangers for shooting towels...Correia we need THR shooting towels btw..).

I'll think of others, just held off waiting for newbies to chime in.
 
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Maybe it's already been covered (I have to admit, I didn't search long and hard enough since there were so many darn'd 101 posts), but how about keeping the shotgun loaded?

Includes:
Loading, unloading, topping off, chamber loading, loading down a cartridge for select-a-slug, etc..

I'd like to find out more on what works for others. Even though I'm pretty set in my ways in doing all of the above, further insight is always good.

However, if this has already been covered, then I'll just search a little more.

Jim
 
Jim, I think the info you're looking for is up in the floaters under Crisis Management Reloading. A few of those floaters will get into the book.

Sm, a chapter on manners is coming. Some tips and tricks too. Instead of a brass wad knocker, I use an AA battery.

Thanks....
 
Something that has caught me from time to time is the difference in etiquette and gun handling when on a range versus when hunting. The first time I saw a muzzle resting on a shoe my jaw dropped; it seemed so wrong. A "101" thread on the "do's and don't's" of hunting versus competition would be helpful to me.

Another helpful thread might be shot size and material selection based on the requirements (for example, why pheasant, teal, and duck require different loads) and how shot size relates to pattern density. This has been covered in lots of threads, but there is no one thread with all of the information.

Thanks for the "101" threads.
 
Dave, I'm new to this so suffice to say, I can't think of anything other than possibly a tad more about other gear that accompanies shotgunning but that might be something unrelated to some folks.

Anyway, I have all your 101 postings compiled. That's like my holy bible for shotgunning right now. One copy on the night stand & one copy in my bag for those long Metro / Subway rides ;)

For a newbie, this is a wealth of information that has to be read over and over again. Every single time I come back from the range, I sorta figured something new out (from what I've read) and that makes it an even more interesting read the next time round. Merci, mon ami.

......edited - 12/24/03......
 
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I have read a lot of the 101 threads, but not all, need to work on that. I like i-SHOT's idea of putting them in document form and printing for reference.

Anyway since you are asking for feedback (sm already suggested some of these, just ehoing from a "newbie"):

Finding a place to shoot: Private clubs near me generally have a waiting list and require a Sponsor.

Finding/choosing an instructor: There is a public range I shoot SC at. They have one instructor, I think the charge is $130 an hour, thinking about giving him a try.

Breaking bad habits: I know, don't get them to begin with :) . One of mine is closing one eye. No matter how hard I try to break this habit, it seems I'll get double vision on the bead or just plain have trouble tracking the target and end up closing my left eye mid-air. I'm sure I have others as well. So, how do you identify and then work on them?

Low Ready vs Pre-mounted for various Clay shooting. It seems one is not always better than the other.

That's all that comes to mind for now. If these are already covered, well I'll work on reading the existing threads more thoroughly.
 
Points noted, a coupla things will be addressed shortly..

Uh, Helmie, sometime soon I plan on selling copies of Shotgun 101 in an effort to duck honest labor and get a little something back for my time. Please do not pass out too many copies to what would have been paying customers. Thanks...

One exception....

Once I do start selling off hard copies, permission is freely granted to ANY youth group leader, accredited Hunting Safety Instructor, or any other person instructing new shooters on a voluntary, unpaid basis to use the materials in SHotgun 101 without compensation provided credit to me is given and they buy one copy each. Reproductions may be made for students.

I think that's fair.

farscott, I've started outlining a thread on ethics and courtesy, watch for it soon.

Ringer, sounds like you have eye-hand dominance probs. The remedies are in the threads already posted.

Also,I started this off back on The Firing Line as a guide for beginners who want to learn how to use shotguns. It wasn't planned to be an encyclopediac overview of all things in Shotgunland. I'd like to keep it simple. We may see more stuff in Shotgun 201, if there ever is one.
 
Thanks for the kind words.

Shotgun 101 is taking shape. Working on cover art today, in fact.
 
The first time I saw a muzzle resting on a shoe my jaw dropped; it seemed so wrong.
Click to expand...
Unless it was a breaking gun, it was totally WRONG and yet I've seen guys with semis rest the barrel on their shoes. Even if it was a breaking gun it's a habit worth not acquiring.

The same safety rules that apply in the field apply in target and, in fact, more so IMHO. At the average clay course you are around a lot more guns and a lot more shooters. Sad to say some of them do not practice gun safety as diligently as we might expect. Semi-auto shooters are a particularly sore spot with me because it's very hard to see that the action is open and they are not as careful with muzzle control as they should be. By the same measure, there is no excuse for a breaking gun owner to have his gun closed unless it is his turn to fire and yet it happens more than we would like to admit.

Paul
 
The 101 threads have been invaluable for this novice. Thanks Dave, and I will buy the book when it comes out :)

Is there one on jams, misfeeds, and user error, and how to fix these problems, especially under stress situations?
 
Pittspilot, there's a thread in the floaters about 870 clearance drills and dealing with malfs. It may give you some input for your weapon of choice.

And the answer to user error is better training, more often.

Paul, Amen. I'm surprised there's not more old shooters out there with limps.
 
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