When I started my journey to build a shotgun stock I had two goals: A) to build an adjustable stock that could be customized to fit a shooter’s unique size and shape and B) to reduce the ill effects that recoil has on a shooter by designing an effective recoil reduction system.
While both objectives were intertwined and codependent upon each other for the ultimate success of my stock, perfecting the recoil absorption system was by far the most challenging aspect of the mission.
Team Winchester and White Flyer member, Desi Edmunds was inducted into the National Sporting Clays Association (NSCA) Hall of Fame at the 2025 NSCA National Championship. Desi has earned this honor only bestowed on the greatest competitors in the history of the shooting sports, over years of being a champion, top-competitor, mentor, and ambassador for the sport.
A native of Anchorage, Alaska, Desi began shooting at 14 years old through the local Fish & Game program. Starting out in a weekly 5-stand league while she learned to shoot a shotgun, Desi became hooked on the sport. Since then, Desi has claimed multiple national and world titles, while consistently being a top-competitor in professional sporting clays.
Wednesday, October 29, 2025 — Team Krieghoff wrapped up an outstanding showing at the 2025 National Sporting Clays Association (NSCA) National Championship in San Antonio, earning multiple podium finishes across divisions and events. The team once again demonstrated its skill, consistency, and competitive spirit on the national stage.
“Every member of Team Krieghoff brings heart, focus, and respect for their discipline,” said Alex Diehl, CEO of Krieghoff International, Inc. “Their performance at Nationals reflects their dedication and the performance they’ve come to expect from their Krieghoff shotguns.”
Leading the way, Mike Wilgus captured High Overall in the Main Event with a score of 282/300, followed by teammate Derrick Mein as Runner-Up with 278/300. Team Krieghoff’s strength showed across all divisions, including top finishes by Shelby Moon (Lady Champion), Turner Parcell (Junior Champion; back-to-back title), and Brandon Powell (All-Around Champion).
Early vintage Franchi shotguns, particularly the Franchi 48AL, are renowned for being lightweight, reliable long-recoil operated semi-automatic shotguns. These models are known for their excellent handling, making them popular for hunting, and early versions had steel receivers before the lighter aluminum receiver of later models was introduced. Other notable early models include the Franchi 48AL which features a 3-inch magnum chamber and steel receiver, and was likely produced in the late 1960s and 1970s.
Negrini Cases is proud to support the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP), a vital initiative that has introduced thousands of youth to the shooting sports we all cherish. “This is the most important clay target program in the United States… it is the future of our shooting sports.” says Steve Lamboy, CEO of International Case Company.
When you purchase a Negrini shotgun case featuring the official SCTP logo, a major contribution of the sale is donated directly to fund youth participation in trap, skeet, and sporting clays, and you will automatically save 25% off the retail price of the cases below. Each logo is carefully and permanently applied before the case leaves our facility. There’s no extra charge for the logo, just your commitment to the next generation.
Whether you choose a car, club and home case, like the popular 1693 series, or the widely acclaimed air travel-certified cases, your purchase makes a difference. Visit the selection of SCTP Negrini shotgun cases at https://tinyurl.com/2s3mx9x5
Ask Matt Nelson about the Turkish Kizilkaya RT25 competition-grade clays gun and the Texan tell you straight-up, in no uncertain terms, that it’s a clone of the legendary Olympian Beretta DT11.
But while the Beretta DT11 starts at around $10,400, you can get into the 12-gauge Kizilaya RT25 for only $4,900. Certainly, Kizilaya isn’t the first Turkish gunmaker to knock-off Europe’s best at bargain-basement prices. However, Kizilaya has tackled the challenge of successfully reverse engineering the shotgun that took 14 of the 15 medals in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Ottsville, PA, October 16, 2025 — Team Krieghoff has capped off an incredible sporting clays season, earning more than 80 podium finishes across the five NSCA Regional Championships. From High Overall victories to multiple Lady and Veteran titles, the team maintained top form at every stop leading into Nationals.
Team Krieghoff has capped off an incredible sporting clays season, earning more than 80 podium finishes across the five NSCA Regional Championships. From High Overall victories to multiple Lady and Veteran titles, the team maintained top form at every stop leading into Nationals.
The first of the year’s Regional Championships, the Northeast Regional (June 9-15 at the Cardinal Shooting Center in Ohio), saw Brandon Powell capture High Overall in the Main Event, while Karen Miles topped the Lady field with wins in FITASC and Super Sporting. Madison Sharpe and Shelby Moon added podium finishes across divisions, setting a confident pace for the team.
The Henry Lever-Action Shotgun is a classic firearm known for its reliability, accuracy, and smooth operation. With its iconic lever-action mechanism, the Henry Shotgun has become a favorite among hunters, sportsmen, and shooting enthusiasts.
It is known for its quick and smooth lever-action mechanism, which allows for rapid and efficient cycling of rounds. The Henry Shotgun is available in various models and calibers, allowing shooters to choose the one that best suits their needs and preferences.
The Sorborthane Recoil Pad is a revolutionary product designed to absorb and dissipate the energy created by recoil when firing a weapon. Made from a unique material called Sorbothane, a synthetic polymer with unparalleled shock absorption capabilities, these pads are able to reduce recoil impact by up to 90%. This means less strain on your shoulder and body, allowing you to focus on your shooting accuracy and enjoyment.
Sorborthane is viscoelastic polymer that behaves both like a liquid (absorbs and dissipates energy) and a solid (retains its shape). Developed in the 1980s, it’s used in everything from athletic shoe insoles to vibration mounts in aerospace and audio equipment. Unlike rubber or foam, Sorbothane doesn’t rebound quickly; it converts kinetic energy (recoil) into heat, reducing the felt impact on the shooter’s shoulder.
When it comes to checkering on shotguns, there are two main techniques that are commonly used – laser checkering and hand checkering. While both methods serve the purpose of providing grip and aesthetics to the shotgun, there are distinct differences between the two.
Understanding the Telltale Signs of Laser Checkering
Laser checkering is a modern technique that involves the use of a laser to create precise and uniform patterns on the surface of the shotgun. One of the key characteristics of laser checkering is the consistency of the pattern across the entire surface. The lines are typically sharp, clean, and evenly spaced. Additionally, laser checkering often has a more shallow depth compared to hand checkering, giving it a smoother feel to the touch.
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Shotgun Life is the first online magazine devoted to the great people who participate in the shotgun sports.
Our goal is to provide you with the best coverage in wing and clays shooting. That includes places to shoot, ways to improve your shooting and the latest new products. Everything you need to know about the shotgun sports is a mouse-click away.
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