APRIL 2005 NEWSLETTER
© Bruce Buck, editor
HENRY DROZDOWSKI 1938~2005
Connecticut Traveler Dr. Henry Drozdowski died suddenly on March 23. I
was privileged to have shot with Henry for a quarter century. His
sense of humor and ready laugh made shooting more fun for all of his
many friends. Our sport has lost a wonderful guy.
MARCH MADNESS SHOOT
Mid Hudson Shooting Grounds
New Paltz, NY
March 20, 2005
“Daffodils, that come before the swallow dares, and take the winds of
March with beauty.” Thus wrote William Shakespeare in The Winter’s
Tale. Obviously Willy S. wasn’t on tap for our Mid-Hudson March
Madness shoot. Yes, it was the first day of spring, but we were short
on daffodils and swallows, that’s for sure. Temperature was in the
high 30s and it was snowing lightly, but not enough to cause problems.
For a change, there wasn’t the usual boot-sucking, dog-drowning mud
either. There was just enough cold and snow to remind us of what
winter will be like next year.
Almost 100 Travelers stalwarts in 17 squads showed up for this, the
first real shoot of the year. Mike Maglio’s Mid-Hudson targets are
always exceptional. They are arguably the best targets we shoot all
year, so we are fortunate to be returning here for the May Courting
Clays shoot and for the June Club Championships.
This time Mike quite rightly figured that the weather would provide a
fair challenge in itself, so the course was set to produce slightly
higher scores than we usually see. Mid-Hudson has all fully automated
two machine presentations. It’s basically a woods course with large
cut-outs that often call for a good bit of vertical motion on the
birds.
Station 15: This was one of those true pair situations where you could
take either bird first and suffer different consequences. One bird was
a L>R close uphill crosser, while the other was a longish R>L
quartering away looper. If you took the left bird first, it was a
relatively easy shot, followed by a long poke at a arching dropper on
the right bird. If you took the right bird on the way up its arching
flight, you had to quickly catch the left bird before it augured into
the hillside. In both cases, taking the first bird fast helped place
the second in a more reasonable position. Shooting and billiards have
a lot in common in that preplanning is a plus.
This was true with many of the stations on the course. Often being
aggressive on the first bird left you in a better position to take the
second. If you took your time on the first, the second became
problematic. It is so often true in sporting clays that you want to
take even easy targets just very slightly outside your comfort zone.
If you can relax on a bird, you can often relax yourself right into a
miss. #3 was a case in point. The first bird was a typical trap shot
followed by an arching crosser that went behind a woefully shot up
tree. If you took your time on the trap shot, the second bird was
behind the tree by the time you got to it. You had to rush the first
shot to have a chance at the second.
Some considered #4 to be an eye test, but that wasn’t the case. An
unfair eye test is where you do everything right, but still don’t get
a good look at the bird. #4 had an easy going away shot followed by an
arching incoming dropper that fell to earth about 25 yards out. The
target originated behind some wood in the corner of the field some 80
yards out. You had to shoot the first bird and then quickly shift your
eyes to catch the second bird as it launched out of the wood into the
sky. If you didn’t see it at the start, it was very difficult to find
it again until it was falling like a brick just a few feet above the
ground. It was an eye test indeed if you didn’t know where to look. If
you did, it was a difficult, but possible, shot. This shot tested your
brain, not your eyes. Use your time well when you watch other shooters
in front of you as they deal with the targets.
Another thing about the course- a large number of the machines were
tilted so as to make the target arc and slice. Bench-legged machines
are always the sign of an advanced course and devious mind.
As an added incentive for our spring shoot, we had one lucky target of
a different color hidden among all those thousands of orange birds. If
someone hit it, they would win a new Beretta 391 autoloader.
Unfortunately, no one did, so we’ll roll that prize over until another
time.
In that vein, the Travelers are restructuring our prize policy. The
range fees of our shoots have been rising. In order to keep a sensible
cap on things, we will be giving out more modest shoot prizes. You get
the money back in saner entry fees. I’m not sure how that all plays
out with giving a fine new gun away for a lucky target. The Travelers
work in strange and marvelous ways their wonders to perform.
The light snow stopped about half an hour before the end of the shoot.
There was hot onion soup waiting for us in the club house, followed by
a full hot meal in the sheltered marquee set up for our event.
There was a tie of awesome 95s for first place between Paul Fostini
and Lavert Cypher. Lavert won the shoot-off, using that Winchester
Model 21 he shoots so well.
Next month it’s off to the Newgate Coon Club. This is always a great
shoot followed by a real restaurant luncheon. Don’t miss it.
HOA Lavert Cypher 95*
I-1 Paul Fostini 95
I-2 Jean DuLau 91
I-3 Ted Burke 87
II-1 Jim Kline 88
II-2 Godfrey Shelton 85
II-3 Mike Steiner 81
III-1 George Parsons 83
III-2 Ira Conklin 82
III-3 Kevin Kruleski 79
IV-1 Fred Roesslein 83
IV-2 Lou Dehler 79
IV-3 Mike Primavera 74
V-1 Herb Weinberger 63
V-2 Bill Hawley 57
V-3 Tim Tice 54*
Ldy-1 Valerie Hovasapian 54
Ldy-2 Amber Kirylak 53
Ldy-3 Debbe Christiansen 47
SrVet Al Anglace 80
Vet-1 Paul Elia 85
Vet-2 John Hryncewich 84
Vet-3 George Ostrander 80
Jr-1 Bret Shamk 68
Jr-2 Max Hachmann 64
Jr-3 Peter Margolis 55
Guest Steve Jones 79
* First place ties decided by shoot-off.
Other ties decided by tie-breaker stations.
BERETTA 391 MAINTENANCE
by Mike Steiner
The mainspring in a Beretta 391 should be replaced about every 10,000
rounds. A weak mainspring(some call it a recoil spring) will increase
bolt speed to the rear. This can eventually cause parts breakage.
Mainspring replacement is not difficult. Make sure the gun is
unloaded(safety first) and close the bolt. This takes some of the
tension off the spring.
Remove the recoil pad by taking out the two Phillips screws holding it
to the stock. You will see a hole with a Nylok nut threaded on a
shaft. Remove the nut and washer with a 13mm socket. With the nut
and washer off the stock can be removed. A word of caution
here--make sure you take note of the position of the shim under the
nut and the shim next to the receiver as you slowly remove the
stock. We now have a gun minus the butt stock with a long black
tube sticking out the back of the receiver. On the end of the tube is
a threaded on cap with a threaded portion at the end which has two
flats on it.
This cap must be removed to get to the spring. A 6mm open end wrench
must be used on the two flats to unscrew the cap. Now the tough part.
The cap is Loktited on. If you try to force it you will damaged the
threads and the Nylok nut won't go back on. The cap must be heated to
melt the Loktite. A propane torch works well for this. Heat the cap
until you see a little smoke coming from it. With the Loktite melted
the cap will unscrew easily. Before you unscrew the cap place a
nail or thin blade screwdriver through the hole in the tube. This
prevents the spring from flying across the room when the cap is
removed. With the spring removed, clean the inside of the tube and
give the inside a light coat of BreakFree. Use the hole in the tube
to assist in holding the new spring as you reinstall the cap.
Reverse the order of disassembly making sure your shims are correctly
positioned.
A good source of parts is Cole Gunsmithing in Maine. Contact them at
www.ColeGun.com, tel: 207-833-5027.
MISS MANNERS- ON SHOOTING (WITH) YOUR MATE…
There are a number of pursuits which, by their very nature, place the
participant at great risk. Bomb disposal, snake charming and tiger
tickling come to mind. However, all is child's play when compared to
that riskiest of all businesses- shooting with your mate. As usual,
Miss Manners comes to the fore with some common sense rules to help
you survive the ordeal of shooting sporting clays on the same squad as
your honey. Note (as H.L. Mencken did in his classic In Defense of
Women) that the rules for boys and girls differ. Miss Manners knows
that the sexes are worlds apart. Men are from Mars, women are from
Venus. Some minor differences are to be expected and even beneficial.
Let Miss Manners guide you over this rocky playing field.
Ladies' Rule #1: Shoot times are flexible. Getting to the shoot a
little late really does not matter. After all, it is the weekend.
Besides, when you arrive after everyone else is on the course,
registration goes so much more quickly.
Ladies' Rule #2: Forgetting some little item is not the end of the
world. Sending him back to the car to get your gloves, glasses or gun
after you have hiked out to Station One is probably the only exercise
he gets all week. He should be grateful. This also gives the rest of
the squad a chance to relax and enjoy the scenery.
Ladies' Rule #2A: As an alternative to #2, bring everything that you
can think of in your shoot bag. You never know when that hair dryer
or steam iron will prove invaluable on the course. Besides, he is
going to be the one carrying it around for you and it is "probably the
only exercise he gets all week. He should be grateful."
Ladies' Rule #3: While he is in the midst of shooting a particularly
demanding stand remind him that your mother is coming to stay with you
for the otherwise uninteresting month of October. Shooting in major
matches is one of the few times he concentrates, so he will be certain
not to forget this important visitation the way he often has in the
past.
Ladies' Rule #3A: Men often get excited and say things that they do
not really mean. What you just heard was probably the result of one
of these unaccountable moments. It has something or other to do with
testosterone. Smile, nod your head and ignore him.
Men's Rule #1: Since you left the house late, drive to the shoot fast.
This will show your wife that you are still the boss and in command.
A vigorous drive will prepare you mentally for the shoot. Besides,
the police go to church and are never out on Sunday mornings.
Men's Rule #1A: Bring some extra cash.
Men's Rule #2: If she is just starting out in shooting, there is no
need to get her a gun of her own. Your old Spanish double goose gun
will answer just fine. That ten pound weight will cut down on the
recoil and help her follow through. Leave the long stock alone. She
will work her way around it. When she learns to love shooting, she
can get her own gun.
Men's Rule #3: Give your wife the questionable reloads. They have to
be shot up sooner or later and she will never know the difference.
Besides, she is always nagging you to economize. Most of them will
probably work just fine. The money saved might be best spent on your
new Perazzi.
Men's Rule #4: All women need shooting instruction and all men are
natural born shooters and gifted instructors. The best time to
instruct the little lady is while she is on the stand and in the midst
of shooting. This will also enable the other shooters nearby to
benefit from your profound insight. Tell her exactly what to do
before each and every shot. The more detail the better. If she
misses a bird, she obviously was not listening. Bring this to her
attention. Speak loudly. The ear protection blocks much of the sound
and she might miss some important advice.
Men's Rule #4A: Duck!
MISS MANNERS ON BACK SEAT COACHING.....
Contrary to appearances, Miss Manners does think that there is some
good hidden in your black little hearts. Unfortunately, as with
primal emotions at a garden tea, our iron maiden also feels that the
urge to commit good must be controlled. To wit: When a contestant
on the stand shooting in a match is foundering badly and about to go
down for the third time, the yearning to provide salvation with the
magic words "you're behind, etc" verges on the uncontrollable. It
seems like your bounden duty to burst out from the crowd and help a
fellow human being in distress.
Well- don't do it! In a match, it is against the rules to coach a
shooter in the box. Even during practice, please don't offer advice
to a shooter on the stand unless you are specifically asked. What you
consider as kindly advice might well be mistaken as an unwelcome
interruption at a most stressful moment.
Dale Carnegie, close relative to our own Miss M., mentions that
unsolicited advice is always a risky thing. It is doubly so when
given to an armed person having a bad day. If you are going to chance
it, do so when their gun is in the rack. You will not only be
preserving life and limb (yours), but you will also be speeding up the
shooting. Miss Manners thanks you and knows that you meant well.
COURTING CLAYS…
Can you help with our annual Courting Clays shoot? It’s proposed for
Saturday, May 7, the day before Mother’s Day. It’s an extremely
popular low key shoot for couples. We need some volunteer help to make
it a success. Contact El Presidente Al Anglace at 860-354-9351 or
email CTSCA@email.com.
CLUB HISTORY by John Hachmann…
The History of the CT Travelers is quite involved, I have learned.
There are so many Classes, Winners and Runner Up’s that it is
impossible to talk about anything more than one category per
newsletter. My intention is to use this column to give all the
Travelers a trip down memory lane, and to perhaps see a name or two
from the past. (Currently my database of CT Travelers History goes
back only as far as June of 1993). Who knows, as time goes by we may
begin to see various patterns and with that information maybe we can
cater to certain preferences.
For my first “History” column I have decided to look back at the
Ladies. Why the Ladies? Because proper manners say… “Ladies First”.
March ’94, ’95, ‘97 & ‘98 shoots were held at Mid-County Gun Club, all
other March Madness Shoot’s listed below were held at Mid-Hudson.
Here are the results of the March Madness Shoot in the Ladies Division
past and present…
1994 Denise Losty 75
1995 Denise Losty 73
1996 Cyndi Dalena 55
1997 Paula Moore 55
1998 Denise Losty 76
1999 Paula Moore 72
2000 Denise Losty 74
2001 Patti Wight 62
2002 Paula Moore 82
2003 Paula Moore 74
2004 AnnaMarie Collins 66
2005 Valerie Hovasapian 54
Congratulations to all of our Lady Champions over the years!
THE JUDGE IS FOR THE BIRDS …
“Oyez, oyez, all rise for hizzoner Mucho Pomposo.” cried the court
clerk as our favorite jaundiced jurist took his seat overlooking the
courtroom.
Scowling his best scowl, MP harrumphed a few times and intoned in a
basso profundo, “We have taken judicial notice that there is some
confusion about broken birds and pairs. If the second bird of a report
pair comes out broken or is irregular, the pair is repeated but the
attempt at the first bird is scored. In simo or following pairs, if
either bird comes out broken or is irregular, no attempt is scored and
the pair is repeated.”
“Dismissed. All rise. Go forth and commit sporting clays.”
HAIL AND FAREWELL…
For the past twelve years and 144 issues I have been honored to serve
the Connecticut Travelers as the editor of “Reload!”. That now must
end. Rebecca and I will be moving to Florida in August. I’m sad to
leave the littered editorial office in the giant “Reload!” complex
which towers like a benevolent giant over our little Connecticut
seaport town, but it’s for the best. It’s time for fresh faces and new
ideas . Besides, all the real work was done by Miss Manners, the Judge
and the Technoid. As editor I just licked stamps and pushed a few
computer buttons.
The Terrible Trio will be coming to Florida with me, but I’m sure that
they can make a few long distance contributions from time to time. You
can always reach us at bcb23@columbia.edu. You’ll soon have a new cast
of characters and new ideas. There will be more participation from the
membership. “Reload!” will prosper.
I’ll miss you all come the third Sunday of each month, but I do hope
to come back to visit occasionally. Our little band of Connecticut
Travelers is unique in all of shotgunning and I am proud to have been
a small part of it.
It’s been fun. See you down the road, Traveler.
-Bruce Buck
*** 2005 CTSCA SHOOTING CALENDAR ***
APR 8~10 TRAVELERS SPRING TRIP- SUNSHINE, HERE WE COME!
APR 17 TAX TIME REVOLT- OLD NEWGATE COON CLUB, CT
MAY 7 COURTING CLAYS- MID-HUDSON SHOOTING GROUNDS, NY
MAY 15 MAY MINUET- TAMARACK PRESERVE, NY
JUN 11 CLUB CH PRELIM FITASC AND 5 STAND- MID-HUDSON, NY
JUN 12 RUDY PASSERO CLUB CH- MID-HUDSON SHOOTING GROUNDS, NY
JUL 17 SUMMERTIME, SUMMERTIME- ORVIS/SANDANONA, NY
AUG 12~14 GREAT EASTERN LOBSTER CLASSIC- ADDIEVILLE EAST FARM, RI
SEP 18 SEPTEMBERSHUTZENFEST-MILLBROOK ROD & GUN CLUB, NY
SEP 30-OCT 2ANNUAL FALL TRIP- PA & NY WEEKEND TOUR
OCT 16 SMALL GAUGE CLUB CH- FAIRFIELD COUNTY FISH AND GAME, CT
NOV 13 monthly shoot- to be announced
NOV 27 KOEHLER SOCIETY FUNDRAISER-venue to be announced
DEC 18 DICK LOSEE MEMORIAL SHOOT /CHRISTMAS PARTY- MID COUNTY, NY
*** OTHER 2005 SHOOTS OF INTEREST ***
ALWAYS, ALWAYS, CALL AHEAD TO CONFIRM
APR 10 SPRING SHOOT OUT, MID-COUNTY R&G, NY, 845-677-5736
APR 15~17 BIG SEAFOOD BLAST, M&M SHOOTING PRESERVE, NJ, 856-935-1230
APR 24 GATOR SHOOT, FAIRFIELD COUNTY FISH & GAME, CT, 203-426-8508
MAY 17~22 U.S. OPEN, M&M SHOOTING PRESERVE, NJ, 856-935-1230
JUN 5 SHOOTING FOR A CURE, MID-HUDSON, NY, 845-255-7460
Traveler Ira Conklin’s runs this shoot to benefit cancer research.
Please support this shoot.
CONTACTING THE TRAVELERS...
CTSCA Home Office: Email <ctsca @email.com> (by far the best way) or
telephone 860-354-9351 if you absolutely must.
Membership, Address Changes and Shooting Class status: Contact Cyndi
Dalena at 860-582-3142 between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Or Email
<shotguncyndi@prodigy.net>.
Guide Book questions, Dick Orenstein <oren@umich.edu> or call
203-226-5251.
Past issues of “Reload! are available on line at
www.ShotgunReport.com.
**** THE UPCOMING TRAVELERS MONTHLY SHOOT ****
SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 2005
TAX TIME REVOLT
YE OLDE NEWGATE COON CLUB
NORFOLK, CT
We all know that your 1040 was just your opening offer, but at least
you can now have some fun until the Feds break down your door to get
whatever is left. It is time to relax and squander the meager pittance
that our noble Congress permits us to keep. Besides, what better way
to irritate the politically correct than to spend your refund on
shooting? After the shoot, go have a few glasses of port at your cigar
club. That’ll incense every single person at BATF. No point in playing
favorites.
Transfer your assets to Ye Olde Newgate Coon Club in Norfolk, CT.
There is no sign-in. Just show up (we suggest by 9:00 AM), note your
squad and starting station (squad # equals starting station #) on the
posted squad sheets, and be ready to go out with everyone else after
the 9:30 call-to-arms. In the meantime, you can add to your bottom
line by deducting a few donuts by Dunkin. If you arrive late, you know
the new drill. Catch up to your squad and enjoy the rest of the birds.
You may not make up for missed stations. You are shooting just for
fun. Moral: don’t send your taxes in late and don’t show up for shoots
late. We will have you presquadded because you will have preregistered
by Wednesday, April 13 under pain of audit. If you can’t get your
entry fee in on time, please come to the next shoot in May. No-show
entry fees are donated to our charity at the end of the year. Luncheon
at the club’s most excellent restaurant is included in the shoot fee,
perhaps something with pork in it to honor the government. For all of
this, you will only have to write off a gross expenditure of $55.
GUESTS ARE WELCOME AT THIS SHOOT.
For those who want to try sub-gauges in the Connecticut woods, you
shouldn’t find our usual handicap too taxing: 16 ga = +3, 20 ga =+5,
28 ga = +10, 410 bore = +20, pumps and SxS get another +5. Saner
people will use 12 gauge and the heaviest #7_s they can get their
hands on. Firepower counts with the gummint. Remember Waco.
Directions to Ye Olde Newgate Coon Club, Norfolk, CT: From the
junction of Rte 84 and Rte 8 in Waterbury, CT take Rte 8 North
approximately 28 miles to Rte 44 near Winstead, CT. Turn Right onto
Rte 44 West. Go 8.4 miles on Rte 44 West. At the Texaco station turn
hard Right onto Rte 182. Go .6 miles on Rte 182 to Club House on Left.
If lost call the Olde Newgate Coon Club at 860-738-3619.
NOTE: EYE AND EAR PROTECTION IS MANDATORY AT ALL TRAVELERS’ SHOOTS!