Shotgun Updates

[TrapperReady]

Steve - I finally got out and shot that Model 42. I put just shy of 150 shells through it (Winchester AA Super Sports -- 2 1/2" #8.5 shot), on a 5-stand course which is best suited for a 12ga with modified chokes and #7.5 shot.

The first round was not promising at all. I scored an 8 out of 25. I normally shoot over 20 on this course. What I discovered is that I had a tendancy to shoot it like a rifle. This 5-stand course has primarily crossers, and long ones at that, and I was stopping my swing something fierce.

However, after about 75 shells, I realized that I could hit consistently if I used the "English method" of swinging the gun as I mounted it and touching off the shot right when the stock got to my shoulder. My hits were generally chippy, although the couple of closer targets would fly apart quite pleasingly. I had some long hits at around 50 yards, but they were only good for clay targets. I doubt more than one or two pellets made contact, and I wouldn't take shots at game much beyond 25 yards or so.

I really wanted to try a couple rounds of skeet, but the traps were acting up in the cold weather and it just wasn't worth it.

In any event, the Model 42 was a lot of fun. The small shells were a bit tough to manipulate while wearing thick gloves, but the gun functioned beautifully. Once I got a handle on how to shoot it, I was wearing a grin like a kid on Christmas morning.

I also took out my often maligned Browning 425 O/U. This is the gun which has spent over a year in the safe, due to its habit of splitting my cheek wide open and causing me to flinch. A few days ago, I decided I would either fix it or sell it, so I took a wood rasp and a couple sanding blocks to the stock. After removing a bit more than 1/8" from the comb and thinning out the left side a bit, I was anxious to see how things worked.

In short, it's just about perfect. I put 150 shells through it, ranging from 1oz extra light target loads to a couple boxes of 3 dram 1 1/8 oz heavy trap loads. I'm glad to report that my face never felt anything. Even when the heavier loads were beating on my shoulder, there was no problem with my cheek whatsoever. My next step is to hit the pattern board, since I think I need just a tiny bit more shimming to get the POI higher. So, when winter trap starts in a couple weeks, I'll give it a real workout and see how things go.

All in all, this was a great weekend. I finally got to shoot the Model 42, my O/U is shootable again, and I had a successful grouse hunt on Saturday. Life is good!

 

[TrapperReady]

BTT since I can't believe I talked about the Model 42 and sm didn't have anything to say. His eyesight must be going or something.

It's hell to get old.

 

[Dave McCracken]

He'll get in,TR, he's got finals right now.

Good to hear about the Browning. And, seeing an old soldier like that 42 back in action does my heart good.

Thanks...

 

[TrapperReady]

Just kidding Dave.

Finals... [shudder].

I'm going to be returning to school in about a year and a half for another degree myself. I enjoyed college, but finals time was never good.

Good luck to him!

 

[Smoke]

The 42 will work best on an informal trap range.

My best experience with a Mod. 42 involved:

1 little boy + 1 granddad + 1 box of shells = pure joy.

Granddaddy taught me to shoot a shotgun with a Model 42. He used to shoot trap out behind the house. I remember watching him many times before he finally decided I was big enough to give it a try. He ran the trap and sent them straight away until I figured out where they were going and actually hit one.

Been hooked ever since.

I still have that 42 and like it best when I go out to the ranch and stand beside the trap and bust a few going straight away.

I keep looking at my little boy...soon, not yet, ...but soon.

Smoke

 

[sm]

What!
Dang ...side hurts- who elbowed me?

Finals are over - I am recouperating , mis-behavin' ...oh I cooked for mom tonight.

Trapper , old buddy ole pal...you are going to send that 42 to me. Obvioulsy it is too cold for you to shoot that 42 with gloves. I mean we are supposed to get snow here tomorrow...I use fingerless gloves - only if I have no other choice.

Yep Sounds like you have a "Southern Model" ...Smoke....hey Smoke, nod yer head "yeah" dagnabbit! [dang whippersnappers]

Trapper- what kind of pattern does yours "choke" to be? Those 2 1/2 " #8.5 should have been the ticket.
Ever tried the Fed "Sporting Clay Load" , again 8.5 hard shot, good load? Maybe just enough difference in the primer and pwdr chg. to affect pattern.

I shot skeet with 'em too, Bbl marked "full" with a load of #9 or 8.5 Chilled shot worked for me. [ Chilled shot for 1st shot, hard for second - stack 'em and smoke'em I say].

You just need more time with the 42 - then again if this a Southern Model...I am Southern ya know?

I feel so good reading about TR's 42....
Smoke someday passing forward to his kids the teaching with a 42...

This is Great! Thanks for sharing!!

 

[TrapperReady]

Steve - Congrats on the cessation of educational hostilities (for now).

The Model 42 was every bit as much fun as I thought it would be. After changing things up a bit with my shooting style, I was hitting most of the time. I finished up in the high 'teens (18/25 IIRC).

I haven't patterned the shells yet. That's for next time. The other day, I just wanted to play around.

I do have to say that when I bought the thrower on Sunday, I was envisioning my two boys in a field... with me launching clays, and them shooting the Model 42. It'll be a few years yet, but it will happen.

I'll tell you what Steve. You ever make it up to northern Wisconsin, you can borrow the 42 and play all you want. Of course, I might just have to tag along.

BTW, after New Years, I'm gonna do some serious small critter gettin' and see what this here .410 can do with squirrels and rabbits.

 

[sm]

I'm humbled by the invitation Sir, thank you.

To heck with pulling for the boys - You and Mrs. had kids in order to have someone to pull targets, clean guns, reload ammo, feed the dogs...etc., Right?

Kidding, you have some handsome young men, I can sense the puffed out chest and the anticipation of getting them boys more involved in shooting as they age.

A .410 is humbling, easy to see the mistakes that one can "get by with" using a larger gauge. The 42 is a classic and will remain so for a reason.

 

[45auto]

My 425 30" bbl has a little "whack" to it also.

For different reasons, I added about 4 to 5 oz of weight to the stock and that seemed to reduce the felt recoil quite a bit.

Mine was very bbl heavy but still a light gun, less than 8 lbs before the weight addition. The "balance" is just ahead of the hinge pin now instead of about 1/2" in front.

Something to try, but the stock mod sounds like it worked for you...that's good!

 

[sm]

Oh

Trapper did mention a Browning in his original post - huh?
I was kinda focused on the 42 - just a "wee" bit.

Trapper , sounds as if you have , or well on way to alleviating the "whack".

I used Citoris to compete with for years myself. My 3 bbl set , on 20 ga frame would "whacK". There were some other folks using the same gun. Some used Dead Mules , some added weight to front ( barrel weight, plumber's lead tape, or the fore-arm , or a combo of any).

I didn't want to change the balance or the "straight back recoil" by adding weight for MY fit. I had my stock "bent" to adjust the cast . I had shot a similar gun that had been "bent" , also had the POI changed at the same time.

I shoot low gun most of the time. I also had the Toe, Heel, and the inside contoured a bit more , the Pachmayr Decelarator was contoured as well. Visual inspection " something has been changed, can't really tell" , until one shouldered my gun , then "Aha!"

Little tweaks to fit make a HUGE difference on fit and perceived recoil. The comb on mine was nice , "full" you might say, with my face I was not "whacked" as bad as some folks. Guns with "skinny" combs can really split a cheek.

Many a time on another make and model of SG using a pc of moleskin is all I needed to raise the comb , making it "fuller" as well as the wee bit of "cast adjustment".

One of the big reasons I like wood stocks, even for rifles, is the tweak to fit to one's face. Even after time, one's face , one's physical self can and will change, requiring re-doing the fit.

Of course I have been known to electrical tape styrofoam from a cup onto a stock to fit me...with permission shooting other folks' guns.

Road Runner logo on a black tactical Benelli Stock did not mean I had a sponsor...it meant that is where I bought the coffee that morning and used the styrofoam cup to fit...

I mean
Benelli Tactical Comb Adjusting Kit - oops - Sorry.

 

[TrapperReady]

45auto and Steve -

My 425 (also with 30" barrels) has gone through a whole host of modifications. Initially, without the knowledge or confidence in my own ability to correctly diagnose the problem, I went to Kolar Arms and had them do some work. That amounted to lengthening the forcing cones, trimming a little length off the stock (and slighly changing the pitch), and installing a Decelerator pad (lightly relieved on the inside of the toe).

It felt better, but still not right. Higher volume sessions (say 100+ shells), and I'd end up with at least a bruised face and sometimes draw blood. At various times, I tried: shimming, moleskin to build up the comb, building up the comb with cushioned mouse-pad material, a PAST recoil pad, adding weights fore and aft, changing the position of the recoil pad and probably a few things I don't recall right now. Nothing made it significantly better, and several things made it worse.

At one point, I almost sold it.

However, I finally decided that I would either get it to shoot right for me, or get rid of it. I used a wood rasp, a medium and a fine sanding block, and wet-dry sandpaper ranging from 220 grit all the way to 1500 grit. I just kept shaving a little bit at a time and seeing how the fit was. Once I was in the ballpark, then I used the sanding blocks to get it contoured just right and the sandpaper to get it completely smooth.

Figuring that dropping the comb would lower the POI some, I cut a couple shims out from the package the sandpaper came in and put them between the toe of the pad and the stock. While I was at it, I relieved the inside of the toe a bit more, then broke out the belt-sander and beveled the heel of the pad slightly. Per Brister, I painted the sides of the pad and the beveled portion with clear nail-polish. These last two steps were done because unless I'm shooting trap (and sometimes even then) I always shoot low-gun. Since I'm often shooting in very cold weather, it just helps keep things from hanging up on my jacket.

I'm going to be shooting in both a winter trap league and a sporting clays league, so I'll likely be shooting somewhere around 500 shells per week for the next few months. If I'm still happy with the way the 425 is at the end of January, then I'll put the final finish on the stock.