Posted by Tom Archer on February 29, 2016, 8:39 am, in reply to "Re: 8 GAUGE"
Mark This should be a hoot and Jim will make a permanent post of the Eight Gauge Challenge Event soon; but given the questions received, will post the gist of the Event here for the time being:
GUNS & EQUIPMENT
1. Shooters must use a vintage EIGHT GAUGE double shotgun manufactured by the gun maker their Organization represents. Those shooting LC Smith guns and representing the LCSCA are limited to LC Smith 8 gauge guns manufactured in Syracuse and Fulton, NY; and those shooting Parker guns are limited to those 8 gauge Parker guns manufactured in Meriden, CT.
2. Participants may use any hammer or hammerless model and grade 8 gauge Smith or Parker double gun produced by the above named original gun companies. Eight gauge double guns produced by any other maker and/or labeled in some manner “Parker” or “Smith” are prohibited from use in this event.
3. Modified and restored guns are allowed, including those with stock replacements or alterations, recoil pads, shortened or mono-blocked/sleeved barrels, but screw-in choke tubes are not allowed.
4. The wearing of Eye and Ear protection is required of all competitors; and all ammunition must be loaded with size 7 1/2 shot or smaller in order that the Event be within conformance of the Deep River Sporting Clays liability insurance requirements.
Registration
1. Registration will take place inside the LCSCA/PGCA Exhibition Tent; and specifically at the LCSCA Booth. In order that shooting slots and invaluable time is not lost during the course of the Eight Gauge Event, LCSCA and PGCA members will shoot in combined squads; and the Organization represented by each participant will be noted on the registration form. Registration will begin as quickly as possible after 8:00 AM Friday morning, April 22; and shall continue until approximately 12:00 Noon on Saturday April 23 (unless all available time slots have been filled beforehand). Each interested participant is encouraged to register as early as possible; as this Event will be limited to a MAXIMUM OF 65 SHOOTERS.
. Shooting Venue
1. The Eight Bore Event and competition will commence at Noon on Saturday, April 23; and will take place at the “practice” 5-stand field. The practice 5-stand field will be closed sometime after 11:30 AM that morning for the re-setting of traps. The competition shall commence at 12:00 noon sharp, with the Event scheduled to end not later than 2:30 PM in order that it does not interfere with the Challenge Cup finals
2. An Eight Gauge entry fee of $15 will be collected at the time of registration and Membership verification. Ammo will be provided for the event and each participant will receive six (6) loaded 8 gauge shells at registration, as well as an assigned shooting time. Each participant is then responsible to secure said ammo; and if lost, that individual will be responsible for the cost of replacement ammo at the rate of $5 per each shell.
3. Each participant in the Eight Gauge Event will also be responsible for his/her own Target fees of $5.00; and said fees are to be paid directly to the 5-stand operator. DO NOT attempt to purchase tickets for this Event at the Deep River Club House.
4. When participants register they will be squadded and assigned a specific shooting time; and all shooters are encouraged to be at the 5-stand shooting venue 15-20 minutes prior to their scheduled shoot time. Given that the numbers of guns available for use in this Event will be limited, PGCA and LCSCA members will be shooting as part of combined squads based solely on registration order.
5. Target presentation for the Event One will be 6 TARGETS fired on a Single 5-STAND course; and the target presentation shall be as follows: one (1) Report Pair followed by two (2) True Pairs fired from a single station. Station positioning for each shooter will be determined at registration, as time constraints will not permit station rotation; but remember that all targets will be well within the reach of your BIG Eight Bore regardless of station position!
6. Shooters will be allowed one gun malfunction with the opportunity to re-shoot any targets lost. Referees will verify all gun malfunction claims while the shooter maintains control of his gun with same pointed in a safe direction (Additional shells for “do-overs” will be available at an additional shooter cost of $2/cartridge). Any further malfunctions will result in target/s being scored as “Lost”; and the decision of the referee is final in all instances. Note: Targets missed because a gun was left in the “On Safe” position, or a shooter failed to cock a hammer will be scored “Lost”; no exceptions.
7. As noted previously, “loaner” Smith and Parker eight-gauge double guns will be provided for this event; and as surviving examples of these mammoth guns are quite rare and extremely valuable, participants are reminded to treat these guns with the utmost degree of care and respect. Each Organization will have for loan 3-4 examples of a big-bore Smith or Parker double gun for use; and from which participants may chose on a first-come-first-served basis.
8. To our knowledge, this LC Smith vs. Parker Eight Gauge Challenge will be the first ever of its type in the history of the fabled Smith/Parker legacies; and for an event of this type, maybe ever? And to commemorate this excellent competition, there should be given an award to the winner! The Eight Gauge Challenge Event champion will be that individual scoring the highest number of broken targets from the six total targets presented. In the event of multiple tie scores, the ultimate winner will be determined by a shoot-off from station two and three; station position will be determined by coin toss, and the trapper shall have the option to reset his traps. Shooters participating in the shoot-off will be responsible for the additional ammo cost at $2/shell; and will shoot true pairs, with the eventual winner being that shooter who doesn’t miss! The winning shooter shall receive his Eight Gauge Challenge “Top Gun” award in conjunction with the 2016 Challenge Cup and individual shooter awards to be presented at the conclusion of the LC Smith vs. Parker Challenge Cup shootout; with those trophy presentations taking place at the LC Smith/Parker Exhibition tent.