Once Fired, 28 Gauge Hulls....

[Dave McCracken]

It's been a rough week. Lost my Father In Law, funeral was last Tuesday. WW had been down in Fla helping her mom for a couple weeks, saw her at the funeral and Wednesday, it'll be a couple more weeks before she gets back to MD.

Also lost a tooth, one of my few remaining molars. Did a double Thursday so I missed out on the Geezer Squad Friday. All in all, this week bit the big one.

But....

Last Saturday, I shot with IDriveB5 and two friends of his. He gifted me with some 28 gauge once fireds, all STS and AA. I stuck them away, figured I'd pass them on to the Geezers, who seem to be well stocked with 28 gauges.

And today being my day off for the week,, I went and shot some trap and wobble at PGC. Hot and humid, but I needed to sweat some anyway.

Shotgunning is as much a workout as one wants it to be. I shot with some other folks, then had the range to myself and burned through half a case of Gun Clubs shooting from unorthodox points. Shot fast, took two shots at some clays and had a nice string going. Sweated through my BA/UU/R T shirt and it felt good.

I then shot with a young guy of 17 with a club rental 686 and some good moves. Showed him how moving the Canterburys changed the presentation and kicked things up a notch.

As I got ready to leave I took a good look around the range and noted some smaller cases littering the ground. Yup, STS and AA cases of the 28 gauge persuasion. I gathered them up as the Israelites did manna and headed home.

And, as I let the pony run for home, I fell to musing. I doubt those valuable hulls were a Sign from the Diety, but they did remind me one of the best ways to feel better is to do something for someone else.

And while this week was bad, next week doesn't have to be.

Dunno if receiving those hulls will make a friend's day, but giving them may make mine...

 

[Alphazulu6]

Great story! Thanks for sharing!

 

[TrapperReady]

Dave - Sorry to hear about your FIL. I went through that a few years ago when my wife's father passed, and it's never easy. Please pass along my condolences to your wife.

The sub-gauge stuff is getting crazy. Last time I went through a Sportsman's Warehouse, the decent-quality 28ga and .410 shells were nearly $10 a box. I don't really have room for more reloaders, but I may make some after seeing that. Even if I picked up a couple of MEC9000s, it wouldn't take too long to recoup the costs.

Last week I was shooting behind a group of older gentlemen who had been around long enough to appreciate the reduced weight and recoil of the 28ga. One was shooting an O/U, while the other two were using well-worn 1100s. At each station, the two guys with the autos thoroughly combed the grass outside the box and accounted for each and every spent hull like a momma duck does with her babies. Previously, delays like that would get under my skin, but these days I'm all for it, since it pains me more to see money thrown away.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Thanks, guys.

My FIL was one heck of a guy. Not into guns, but his retirement hobby was giving ambulances to those who needed them. Like 300 of them. How many lives did he save?

Re 28 gauge hullls, these will go to a good home.

 

[PJR]

Dave, condolences to you and your family at the loss of your father-in-law.

As for the hulls, any subgauge shooter would be delighted to receive them.

But have you considered keeping a few for yourself? You may find a 28 gauge for yourself one day.

Paul

 

[Slimjim]

DAVE: I've been away from the website for awhile, sorry to hear about your luck for the week. I want to get down again and go shooting with you. I just need to find the time.

 

[Kestrel]

Dave,

So sorry to hear of your loss. Hope your next week improves. Hope your wife gets through things okay.

Best.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Thanks, folks.With this BB I've a great support system.

Paul, any 28 gauge in my future is far off. And, 150 hulls or so is not enough to start with, IMO. I'd rather pass them on.

Jim, as things stand, I'll be there most Fridays only for a while. We will get together, it may take some time.