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This episode is going to be my attempt to check off another repeat listener request - Do an episode on your favorite books and favorite authors.  
Steve Smith is an accomplished outdoor writer, editor, publisher, TV host, and hunter.  Over the years he has worked with and called friends many of the legendary authors in my library.  Steve joins the show to tell stories, offer suggestions and overall great conversation on this episode of A Break in the Action.

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The clay target shooting sports are generally very linear games.  Targets leave the machine and, for the most part, follow a set trajectory to the ground.  There are variations of course, trap introduces an oscillator or wobble, skeet has the shooter move to vary the angle and necessary lead, a chandel target in a round of sporting clays changes speed as it falls from the peak of its arc, and the occasional rabbit surprises with a bounce.  Generally, though, targets follow a known and reliable path. Trap, skeet, sporting clays, and their varieties are civilized and academic… helice, on the other hand, is more like the wild, wild west.

In this episode we are going to take a look at the origins of helice and how it is shot.  We will also focus on the amazing Prairie Wildlife in West Point, Mississippi.  This incredible property is a real sportsman's paradise. 

Prairie Wildlife


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Listener requested!  An overdue sequel to the 'Best Shotguns <$1,000' from a few years back - in this episode I have pulled in two pros from the Orvis Gunroom, Greg Carpiniello and Connor Carson.  The three of us offer up 20-30 new and used shotgun models that you should be sure to check out if you are buying in this range. 

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Here are two things you might not know about the legendary shotgun and rifle maker John Rigby and Co.  The company is actually older than the United States of America and originally hailed Dublin, Ireland.  
My guest today is Marc Newton.  Marc has been the managing director for John Rigby since 2013.  He graciously accepted an invitation to discuss the company’s enduring legacy since its founding in the 18th century!

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Getting away to hunt can be as easy as hitting the other side of your state, maybe a road trip or, flying to the other side of our country or beyond it’s borders.

We are going to spend some time on this last version today.  Experienced travelers develop special skills when they are frequently in and out of airports.  I fly several times a year and have developed, or copied, some time saving practices and habits that significantly lower the stresses that can come along with air travel.  One nuance of air travel that I am completely unfamiliar with is traveling with my shotgun.  This year has several opportunities on the calendar for fly in hunting/shooting trips.  As I have begun researching flying with my shotgun – I thought it might make for an interesting and informative episode for listeners planning their own adventures.  So today we are going to dig in to what you need to consider when you decide to bring your shotgun along.

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'What friends I have, what days I treasure most, what places I think about and smile…  they are because shotguns are.  Without them I would have been empty.  They have made my life full.'
-Gene Hill

Shotguns are woven into almost every aspect of my life.  They have connected me with some of my dearest friends, they offer a shared pastime of shooting and hunting with my wife and daughters and have looked on during many successful and unsuccessful days in the field with my dad.  The dogs I have owned snap to attention when I so much as handle one and become fully electrified when they notice me sleeving a shotgun.
For many, this steel and wood tool has transcended its original intended purpose.

My guest today is AJ DeRosa, creator of Project Upland.  AJ is the first guest in what I hope will be an interesting and recurring series that I am calling “shotgun stories” where we will hear from my guests about the guns that they have owned and shot with and hear some of the memories that they have made with them. 

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There is one question that I get asked more often than any other.  Listeners want help or advice on buying used shotguns…   Is it smart to buy a shotgun online?  Is it safe to buy from an individual?  What should I look for in determining a used shotgun's condition and what red flags should I be aware of?  These are just a few of the general questions that are worth considering buying a new bird gun for next season or upgrading your sporting clays shotgun.  Gregg Elliott and Phil Bourjaily join the show to discuss a few points important points to consider.  Both have been on the podcast before and each of them spends tons of time investigating, using, and writing about shotguns - new and pre-owned.

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In this episode, I lay out what gear I take for a day shooting.  Two bags and a case filled with everything I need for a day shooting sporting clays, skeet, or maybe some new adventures trying out FITSC or helice.   Making sure that I have everything I need ensures I have a good time and can stay out as long as I am able.

As is usually the case, seeing and not just hearing about these items will be helpful so I encourage you to check out our Instagram and Facebook pages.

Here is a full list (with links) of everything mentioned in this episode.

Filson Heritage Sportsman Bag
Heavy Felt Organizer
Baschieri and Pellagri (B&P) shotshells
ESP Apex
Laksen Sporting Shotmaster
Negrini Shotgun Luggage Case
Laksen Sporting Vest
Castellani Rio Pro
Dents Gloves
Cole Fine Guns and Gunsmithing
Beretta Tote
Dubarry Kildare Boots
Simms Big Sky Shirt
Howler Bros. Gaucho Shirt

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Part 2 of our full review of the annual Christmas Grand Battue shoot at Green Acres Sportsman's Club in Roberts, Illinois.  Join us as Shoot Captain, Keith Coyle walks us through the full 'Christmas Grand Battue' experience - from breakfast and high pheasant shooting to flighted mallard and the 5-course gala dinner.   

As we take part in this epic shoot day, we will also be reviewing and shooting two premium English-style game guns... the Beretta SL3 and the Christian Hunter O/U from Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing.

Mentioned in this episode:
Green Acres Sportsman's Club

Christian Hunter by Connectictut Shotgun Mfg.

Beretta SL3

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Do you dream of one day shooting high, driven pheasants in England or someday experiencing a European-flighted mallard shoot?  While these experiences wait on your bucket list I want to tell you about an amazing shoot that you participate in right here in the States.  Green Acres Sportsman's Club in Roberts, Illinois offers a full menu of authentic British-style shooting events throughout the year.  Join us as Shoot Captain, Keith Coyle walks us through the full 'Christmas Grand Battue' experience - from breakfast and high pheasant shooting to flighted mallard and the 5-course gala dinner.   

As we take part in this epic shoot day, we will also be reviewing and shooting two premium English-style game guns... the Beretta SL3 and the Christian Hunter O/U from Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing.

Settle in for PART 1 of this in-depth review!

Mentioned in this episode:
Green Acres Sportsman's Club

Beretta SL3

Croots of England

Field and Moor boots

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Many argue that there are Scottish shotguns that bested the London guns in innovation, matched them in quality and were produced in far fewer numbers - making them, in my mind truly special.  In this episode my guest, J-P Daeschler discusses the legendary John Dickson and Son Round Action shotgun along with other noteworthy models from MacNaughton and Alex Martin.   

John Dickson and Son

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