Shotgun Life | The Best in Wing and Clays Shooting

Author: Irwin Greenstein

Gebben and Karen Miles Deliver Championship Performances at Inaugural World Super Sporting Championship

Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Written by Irwin Greenstein
Categories: News
Tags: gebbenmiles, karenmiles, worldsupersporting
Miles

Sept. 15, 2026 — B&P Pro Team shooters Gebben and Karen Miles delivered a commanding series of performances at the inaugural NSCA/CPSA World Super Sporting Championship, held September 3–6 at Northbrook Sports Club in Hainesville, Illinois.

Headlining the weekend, Gebben Miles captured High Overall (HOA) honors in the 200-target World Super Sporting Championship, breaking 186 of 200 targets to become the inaugural champion. Gebben added another victory during the weekend by claiming HOA in the Village Prelim Sporting event, completing an exceptional showing against a field of elite sporting clays competitors.

Karen Miles delivered an equally impressive championship performance. She captured the Ladies Championship in the World Super Sporting Championship while finishing fourth overall among the entire field, an accomplishment that placed her among the very best competitors at the inaugural event.

Her success carried over to the Northbrook Cup FITASC, where Karen once again claimed the Ladies Championship and finished fourth overall, giving her two Ladies titles and two top-five overall finishes during the championship weekend.

“Gebben and Karen continue to demonstrate why they are such tremendous representatives of B&P and two of the most accomplished competitors in the shooting sports,” said Christian Hogg, Director of Marketing for B&P USA. “Winning at this level requires much more than talent. It takes preparation, consistency and the ability to perform when every target matters. For Gebben to earn the inaugural World Super Sporting HOA title and for Karen to capture two Ladies Championships while finishing fourth overall in both major events is an incredible accomplishment. We couldn’t be prouder of them and the way they represent B&P.”

The inaugural World Super Sporting Championship brought together the National Sporting Clays Association (NSCA) and the United Kingdom’s Clay Pigeon Shooting Association (CPSA) to establish a new international championship for the Super Sporting discipline. The 200-target championship challenged competitors across three courses over three days at Northbrook Sports Club, placing a premium on target reading, adaptability and consistency across a wide variety of presentations.

For Gebben, becoming the inaugural World Super Sporting HOA Champion adds another significant title to an already extensive competitive résumé.

“It was an absolute honor to become the inaugural World Super Sporting Champion!” said Gebben Miles. “Brett & Cliff Seibert, Tristan Stubbs and the whole Northbrook crew hosted one of the most fun events I have ever shot in. The targets were spectacular. They threw everything at us. It was so much fun feeling my game come together and compete at the highest level! Thank you to B&P and the rest of my sponsors for allowing me to compete weekend and week out.”

Karen’s performance was equally significant. In addition to capturing both Ladies Championships, her fourth-place overall finishes in World Super Sporting and the Northbrook Cup FITASC demonstrated her ability to compete at the very top of the entire field across two distinctly different clay target disciplines.

“The World Super Sporting and the 200 target Fitasc event that Northbrook threw was fantastic!” said Karen Miles. “What a blessing to be able to compete on targets of the highest caliber with the best ammunition in my Competition Ones! It’s an honor to be the inaugural Ladies World Super Sporting Champion.”

Together, Gebben and Karen left Northbrook with four championship victories, including the inaugural World Super Sporting HOA and Ladies titles, the Northbrook Cup FITASC Ladies Championship and Village Prelim Sporting HOA.

Their performances provided a fitting showcase for B&P on one of competitive shooting’s newest world championship stages and continued the brand’s longstanding commitment to supporting competitors at the highest levels of the shooting sports.

About B&P USA: B&P USA is a leading manufacturer of premium shotshell ammunition for clay target shooting and hunting. With a legacy rooted in Italian craftsmanship and innovation, the company delivers products engineered for superior performance, reliability, and precision.

For more information about B&P USA and to get your hands on the same shells the champions use, visit www.baschieri-pellagriusa.com.

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Celebrating the Scottish Sporting Life with Driven Pheasants at Errol Park Estate and a Rare Visit to the Workshop of McKay Brown Shotguns

Monday, September 14, 2026
Written by Irwin Greenstein
Categories: Destinations
Tags: featured

A new collaboration between McKay Brown and its U.S. agent Mallards Shooting Supply & Apparel has opened the door for Americans to a luxurious Scottish adventure of driven high pheasants and a visit to the workshop of Scotland’s premier maker of best guns.

The trip includes one day of shooting at the heritage Errol Park Estate and an intimate tour of the McKay Brown workshop. Together, the venues present an authentic engagement in traditional Scottish country sporting life hosted by McKay Brown and Mallards.

The challenging 250-bird driven shoot, with pheasants up to 80 yards high, takes place at Errol Park Estate in the heart of Perthshire – home to the Heriot Maitland family since the 1800s. The house sleeps up to 20 guests in 10 luxurious bedrooms appointed with period furnishings. 

The estate’s 3,000-plus acres of arable farmland, mixed woodland and game crops dates back to the 10th century, when the Hays of Errol occupied much of the Carse of Gowrie. It was gifted by King Kenneth the third of Scotland as a reward for successfully repelling a Viking invasion. The king released his hawk, declaring that wherever it alighted would mark a boundary of their land, with the foot of the hills and the river Tay as the other demarcations. Those historic borders have remained unchanged for some 1,000 years.

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Make Heavy Walks into the Marsh More Manageable, With All-New Packs and Bags from Legendary Waterfowl Brand Avian-X

Tuesday, August 11, 2026
Written by Irwin Greenstein
Categories: News
Tags: avianx, duckhunting
Avian X

IRVING, TX – August 2026 – Waterfowl hunters looking to upgrade their gear now have a new reason to start preparing early. Avian-X®, the most trusted name in innovative waterfowl-hunting equipment, recently announced that its all-new assortment of field-ready packs and bags is now available, giving hunters plenty of time to gear up before the preseason rush begins.

Designed to keep essential gear organized, protected, and ready for action both in the blind and on the move, this unique new lineup includes three purpose-built packs engineered specifically for the demands of waterfowl hunting, as well as weather-resistant bags for storing and protecting ammunition.

The all-new BA Backpack offers 1,600 cubic inches of rugged, molded EVA storage—from a top-load main compartment to a fold-out front panel with dual storage areas for quick access to calls, gloves, and other essentials. Two detachable ammo bags hold up to 40 rounds each, and an integrated weapon-carrying system keeps firearms both secure and accessible. Click here to learn more.

Avian-X also introduced its high-capacity Floating Duffel Decoy Backpack. With an impressive 11,500 cubic inches of storage, enough space for up to 18 life-size mallards, this pack is built to handle the toughest waterfowl environments. It features 2.5-inch closed-cell foam for dependable flotation when empty, simplifying loading and unloading, and a rubberized mesh drain system that quickly sheds water, reducing weight when towed. Learn more about the pack here.

Rounding out the new pack lineup is the Floating Lumbar Blind Bag, offering a 1,300-cubic-inch capacity paired with rugged EVA-molded top and bottom compartments that shield gear from water, mud, and impact while also keeping the bag afloat. An innovative hybrid transport system with detachable shoulder straps and a removable padded waist belt even allows hunters to quickly customize carry on the fly. Click here to learn more.

And, for those who love a purpose-built accessory, the brand’s all-new Shell Bags are perfectly sized to carry two boxes of shotgun shells, providing a secure, weather-resistant ammo storage solution in any hunting conditions.

The new assortment of packs and bags is available now through select retailers nationwide and online, allowing hunters to upgrade their setups well before season openers.

For more information about Avian-X-branded products, visit Avian-X.com.

If you have additional questions or media inquiries, please email marketing@gsmorg.com. You can also learn more and check out the entire family of GSM brands at www.gsmoutdoors.com.

About Avian-X®: Since 2011, X has marked the spot—for extreme waterfowlers and turkey hunters, at least. Known today for their realism and durability, Avian-X® decoys are meticulously crafted to mirror the real thing and evaluated in the most brutal conditions by outdoorsmen who grit through the toughest hunts on days when lesser hunters stay home. The brand fortifies its expertise with a long-standing commitment to educating and introducing future sportsmen and women to everything hunting has to offer. 

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Beretta Introduces the New A400 L Field

Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Written by Irwin Greenstein
Categories: News
Tags: berettaa400
400

June 16, 2026 — Accokeek, MD – Beretta USA introduces the new Beretta A400 L Field, the latest evolution of the renowned A400 platform. Combining the competition-proven performance of the revolutionary A400 action with refined aesthetics and premium craftsmanship, the A400 L Field delivers an elevated shooting experience for discerning hunters and clay target enthusiasts alike.

Built for shooters who appreciate both beauty and performance, the A400 L Field features a striking nickel-plated receiver adorned with intricate scroll and floral engravings, paired with a highly figured Grade 2.5+ walnut stock and forend. Designed with enhanced ergonomics, enlarged checkering surfaces, and an ambidextrous palm swell, the new stock configuration provides superior comfort, control, and instinctive handling in the field or on the range.

“The A400 platform has become one of the most trusted and proven semi-automatic shotguns in the world,” said Caleb McMillen, Beretta USA Sr. Product Manager for Long Guns. “With the new A400 L Field, we wanted to create a shotgun that delivers the advanced performance shooters expect from the A400 while elevating the craftsmanship and visual appeal for those who appreciate a truly refined sporting firearm.”

At the heart of the A400 L Field is Beretta’s innovative B-LINK® gas operating system, engineered to deliver up to 36% faster follow-up shots while reducing recoil and enhancing overall shooting comfort and stability. The system is paired with a DLC-coated bolt assembly and enlarged operating controls, including an oversized bolt handle, extended bolt release, and enlarged loading port for fast, intuitive handling in all shooting conditions. The A400 L Field also incorporates Beretta’s exclusive Steelium® Plus barrel technology, designed to optimize shot patterns while significantly reducing felt recoil for smoother swings and decisive on-target performance.

Additional premium features include:

  • Full nickel-plated receiver engraving with intricate scroll and floral patterns
  • Grade 2.5+ walnut stock and forend with enhanced ergonomics
  • Steelium® Plus barrel technology for superior pattern performance
  • B-LINK® gas operating system for fast, reliable cycling
  • DLC-coated bolt assembly and enlarged operating controls
  • Aluminum trigger guard for added durability and refined styling

Already favored by competitive shooters worldwide, the Beretta A400 platform is known for its speed, reliability, and natural handling characteristics. The new A400 L Field builds on that legacy with refined styling and premium details that make it equally at home in the uplands or at the sporting clays course. For more information on the new Beretta A400 L Field, visit Beretta.com or contact your local authorized Beretta dealer.

Stay connected with Beretta USA. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram,X, YouTube and LinkedIn for the latest news, products, and updates.

About Beretta: Established in 1526, Beretta is the world’s longest-standing industrial dynasty, with a legacy spanning 16 generations of continuous family ownership. For 500 years, firearms bearing the Beretta name have been trusted and used around the world. Beretta USA Corp. was established in 1977 and quickly became the provider of the most widely deployed sidearm in the U.S. Armed Forces. Today, Beretta USA is part of Beretta Holding Group, which includes over 50 global subsidiaries and 20 renowned brands. Beretta manufactures, distributes, and markets a complete range of firearms, accessories, and apparel. The company also owns and operates six Beretta Gallery retail stores worldwide.

For more information, visit www.Beretta.com.

Delta Waterfowl Celebrates Introduction of the Great American Outdoors Act 250

Thursday, June 11, 2026
Written by Irwin Greenstein
Categories: News
Tags: deltawaterfowl, greatamericanoutdoorsact250, waterfowlhunting
250

June 11, 2026 — Delta Waterfowl today praised House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., and Ranking Member Jared Huffman, D-Calif., for introducing The Great American Outdoors Act 250 to reauthorize the Legacy Restoration Fund, a critical funding tool used to address deferred maintenance across federal public lands and waters. The investment in infrastructure would provide $95 million per year for five years.

Since its creation, the Legacy Restoration Fund has provided substantial funding for infrastructure improvements on lands managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Forest Service. These projects have enhanced habitat management, improved public access, and ensured sportsmen and women can continue to enjoy America’s public lands and waters.

“We’re grateful for Chairman Westerman and Ranking Member Huffman for their bipartisan leadership in taking steps to reauthorizing the Legacy Restoration Fund,” said John Devney, chief policy officer for Delta Waterfowl. “The Legacy Restoration Fund has delivered meaningful benefits for ducks and duck hunters by helping USFWS refuge managers and other federal land managers address long-overdue infrastructure needs which directly support enhanced wetland habitat management and public access. Reauthorizing the Legacy Restoration Fund will ensure that the backlog on infrastructure on refuges and other public lands can be addressed.”

Across the country, national wildlife refuges provide critical habitat for breeding, migrating, and wintering ducks and represent important access for waterfowl hunters. Yet, the National Wildlife Refuge System currently has a $2.6 billion deferred maintenance backlog, which means pumps, water-control structures, dikes, and other essential habitat management features need repair.

“A well-managed National Wildlife Refuge System is fundamental to a brighter future of ducks and duck hunters,” Devney said. “Reauthorization of the Legacy Restoration Fund has been one of Delta’s highest priorities for this Congress and has been a centerpiece of our Restore Our Refuges Initiative.”

In 2025, Delta formally launched Restoring Our Refuges, an impactful advocacy campaign to secure enhanced public funding to revitalize the health and waterfowl value of federal refuges and state-owned wildlife management areas throughout the United States.

Delta Waterfowl will continue to work closely with members of the House of Representatives and Senate toward reauthorization of the Legacy Restoration Fund.

Delta Waterfowl is The Duck Hunters Organization™, a leading conservation group founded in 1911 that uses science-based solutions to produce ducks, conserve prairie wetlands, and ensure the future of waterfowl hunting in North America. Visit their website.

The Perazzi MR57: First American Look at the New Italian Olympian

Monday, May 18, 2026
Written by Irwin Greenstein
Categories: Shotguns
Tags: featured, perazzimr57, pereazzishotguns

With the new Perazzi MR57, the Italian shotgun maker, which holds 62 Olympic medals, has taken an audacious leap into redefining the competition over/under as a work of art that turns clay targets into fairy dust.

Perazzi has always believed that even the most successful platforms must continue to evolve alongside the sport. As shooting disciplines progress and target presentations become increasingly complex – particularly in sporting clays – the demands placed on both shooter and shotgun continue to change. The MR57 was designed with this evolution in mind.

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10 Budget Sporters That Will Keep You in the Action for 2026

Wednesday, May 06, 2026
Written by Irwin Greenstein
Categories: Shotguns
Tags: #berettaa300, #pumpshotguns, czredhead, franchiaffinity, franchishotguns, mossberg500, Pointershotguns, pointersidebyside, retaygordion, retayshotguns, savagestevens555, stoegercondor, stoegershotguns, tristarshotguns, tristarviper, weatherbyorion

The prices of sporting guns have risen sharply over the past few years, most recently driven by a mix of higher manufacturing costs, supply chain disruptions and a wave of tariffs. 

For wing and clays shooters, the impact is already impossible to ignore. What were once  relatively accessible sports are now under financial pressure for both newcomers and longtime participants – even putting some of our cherished American traditions at risk for future generations.

For 2026 in particular, the whiplash originates from tariffs on raw materials used to manufacture sporting guns, components and ammunition; increased oil prices that impact manufacturing and transportation; and inventories being prioritized for conflicts worldwide. For the weekend clay shooter or upland hunter these market dynamics translate into a direct hit on our wallet. And at the bottom of the food chain (the cash register of your local firearms dealer), tariffs alone on the finished product can add anywhere from 10 to 30 percent on the retail price of an over/under, side by side, pump  or semi-auto made in Italy, Germany, the UK, Turkey or Japan.

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The Ultra-Rare Perazzi Sidelock Side by Side

Monday, April 20, 2026
Written by Irwin Greenstein
Categories: Shotguns

Before the Perazzi MX8 made its public debut at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, Daniele Perazzi had built a little-known sidelock side-by-side pigeon gun that established the “pre-MX” era for the premier Italian sporting gun maker, and established the standards of quality and artistry that would later become the ultra-premium SCO grade.

Today, these pre-MX sidelock side by sides from the 1960s are highly sought after by collectors. They were produced during a five-year collaboration between the legendary Ivo Fabbri and Daniele Perazzi before Fabbri left Perazzi’s company to start his own groundbreaking sporting gun firm in 1965 that concentrated on pigeon guns of “luxury functional art.”

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The Resurgence of England’s Frederick Beesley as a Maker of Modern Luxury Shotguns

Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Written by Irwin Greenstein
Categories: Shotguns
Tags: frederickbeesleyshotguns

When it comes to reviving the names of long-gone British gunmakers, entrepreneurs face two choices: the easy way or the Tom Ward way.

The easy way is to buy the rights to an extinct marque and laser-engrave its name on a Turkish sporting gun. Case in point: Webley & Scott, William Powell, E.J. Churchill, Cogswell & Harrison and Holloway & Naughton. 

But you’ll discover after spending 40 minutes with Tom that the easy way won’t produce a great sporting gun that also pays tribute to the English legends. It took a few years of experimentation and research, but as Director of the London Gun Company, Tom was able to probe a deep well of resources before resurrecting the U.K’s Frederick Beesley with a stable superb, high-performance over/unders.

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