Shotgun Life | The Best in Wing and Clays Shooting

Briefs

A series of brief articles cataloging the sport and gear for wing and clays shooting.

Top 5 American Vintage Shotguns to Collect

Monday, May 27, 2024
Written by Shotgun Life Staff
Categories: Briefs
Tags: browningautoa5, collectingvintageshotguns, Ithacamodel37, parkerbrothersshotguns, remingtonmodel31, vintageamericanshotguns, winchestermodel21

The story of American shotguns starts in the colonial era, with the flintlock fowling pieces used by settlers for hunting and home defense. As technology advanced, so too did the design of shotguns. The mid-19th century saw the introduction of the modern shotgun with the advent of breech-loading mechanisms and later the invention of the pump-action shotgun by Christopher Spencer in 1882. These innovations made shotguns easier to load, shoot, and maintain, leading to their widespread use in hunting, sport, and law enforcement.

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Exploring the Rise of .410 Shotguns in Turkey Hunting

Thursday, May 23, 2024
Written by Shotgun Life Staff
Categories: Briefs
Tags: .410shotguns, .410turkeyhunting, .410uplandhunting, turkeyhunting

The world of turkey hunting is seeing a surprising trend – the growing popularity of the .410 shotgun. Long considered as a beginner’s or small-game gun, the .410 has seen a new surge of interest amongst turkey hunting enthusiasts as a preferred choice for their hunting expeditions. This article delves into the reasons behind the rising popularity of the .410, its advantages, and practical tips for turkey hunting with this firearm.

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Decoding Skeet: Differences in International vs. American Styles

Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Written by Shotgun Life Staff
Categories: Briefs
Tags: americanskeet, internationalskeet, skeetshooting

In the world of shooting sports, skeet shooting is a popular and challenging option. Originating in the early 20th century, this sport involves shooting clay targets launched from two fixed stations in a semicircular arrangement. While skeet shooting shares a common foundation, it has branched into two distinct styles—International Skeet and American Skeet. These disciplines may appear similar to the untrained eye, but subtle differences in rules, techniques, and target speeds set them apart.

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The Ljutic Mono Trap Gun

Monday, May 20, 2024
Written by Shotgun Life Staff
Categories: Briefs
Tags: ljutictrapguns, trapshooting

Founded by Al Ljutic, a former professional boxer turned gunsmith, Ljutic Industries, based in Yakima Washington, has cultivated a legacy of manufacturing top-tier firearms since the mid-20th century. Among their creations, the Ljutic Mono Trap Gun has particularly gained a reputation for being a formidable ally in trap shooting. The ‘Mono’ signifies the gun’s singular and solid body design, which is a unique characteristic in the world of shotguns.

The Ljutic Mono Gun was the best-selling luxury trap gun in the United States from the 1960s to the early 1980s. It was known for its durability, balance, and light recoil. 

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The Artistry & Craftsmanship of Belgian Guild Shotguns

Sunday, May 19, 2024
Written by Shotgun Life Staff
Categories: Briefs
Tags: belgianguildshotguns, vintageshotguns

Belgian Guild Shotguns represent a unique blend of Old World artistry and modern functionality. These firearms, built with a history of gunsmithing dating back to the Middle Ages, are revered for their ornate designs, remarkable craftsmanship, and superior performance. Each Belgian Guild Shotgun carries within it a tale of dedication and skill, adding a touch of romanticism to the intrigue of the weapon.

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Are Your Shotgun Barrels 100% Regulated?

Thursday, May 16, 2024
Written by Shotgun Life Staff
Categories: Briefs
Tags: regulatedshotgunbarrels, shotgunpatterning

Shotgun barrel regulation refers to the process of ensuring that two barrels on a double-barreled shotgun both hit the same point of aim at a certain distance. In simpler terms, it means that both of the barrels shoot to the same point. This is a critical aspect of manufacturing double-barred shotguns as it determines the shotgun’s overall shooting accuracy.

In the manufacturing process, the shotgun barrels are usually soldered together in a way that they converge at the intended range, typically 40 yards for field guns and longer for trap guns. The process of regulation is no easy task; it requires high precision and specialized skills to ensure that both barrels align perfectly. Furthermore, the distance at which the barrels are regulated can vary depending on the shooter’s preference or intended use of the shotgun.

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Remembering the Poly Choke

Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Written by Shotgun Life Staff
Categories: Briefs
Tags: polychoke, shotgunchokes

Do you remember the Poly Choke? If you’re a seasoned hunter or shooter, the chances are you’ve come across this legendary shotgun choke at some point in your life. The Poly Choke was a game-changer in the world of firearms, offering shooters the ability to quickly adjust the constriction of their shotgun’s barrel to suit different shooting situations.

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The Silver Seitz Trap Gun

Friday, May 10, 2024
Written by Shotgun Life Staff
Categories: Briefs
Tags: silverseitzshotgun, silverseitztrapgun, trapshooting

The Silver Seitz is a high-end, single-barrel and over-under trap gun that is recognized and lauded by shooting enthusiasts for their precision, performance, reliability and accuracy. The gun is a product of meticulous craftsmanship, designed with a focus on durability, power, balance, and, importantly, shooter comfort.

Each Silver Seitz gun is custom-made, tailored to the shooter’s specific style and preferences. This includes choices in barrel length, stock dimensions, wood grade, and engraving details. The average Silver Seitz gun takes approximately four months to complete. This lengthy process ensures that each piece is not just a gun, but a personalized work of art.

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The Pros and Cons of Cerakote for Shotguns

Friday, May 10, 2024
Written by Shotgun Life Staff
Categories: Briefs
Tags: cerakote, cerakoteforshotguns, cerakoting, cereakotewaterfowlguns

When it comes to maintaining your shotgun, many options are available to ensure its longevity and improve its appearance. One such option that has gained popularity in recent years is Cerakoting. However, before deciding whether or not to Cerakote your shotgun, it’s crucial to understand the process, weigh the benefits, and consider any potential drawbacks. This article is aimed at providing an analysis of each of these factors to help you make an informed decision.

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The Optical Illusion of Mini Clay Targets

Thursday, May 09, 2024
Written by Shotgun Life Staff
Categories: Briefs
Tags: clayshooting, minitargets, sportingclays

Mini clay targets, often used in sporting clays, may seem like simple objects to the naked eye. However, upon closer inspection, one can’t help but notice the optical illusion that these small targets create. Understanding the science behind this illusion can provide insights into our perception of size and distance, and shed light on how our brains process visual information.

As the name suggests, this is the smallest size used in sporting clays at just 60mm (2¼ inches). These mini targets are very fast off the arm of the machine, but rapidly lose their momentum because of their lighter overall weight.

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