ToddS

DocBall, After reading thru most of this thread I think you're the man I want to ask a question. How well does the Vinci perform when nasty dirty? Have you had yours in that condition? The reason I'm asking, when I'm not overseas I work for Catfish farmers in Mississippi doing depredation work on birds that eat the catfish. Double Crested Cormorants mostly. Some days I go through 3 flats (750) shells or more. When it's raining I get muddy, when it's dry The guns get clogged with blowing grass and dirt in addition to fouling. I keep spray lube in my kit and I've found over the years that Benelli's and Beretta's are the only guns that hold up to the beating. I owned several M-1's and M-2's and one SBEII until thieves decided they wanted an entire gun safe out of my home while I was in Afghanistan. I'm replacing two of the guns and I was considering another M-2 and either replacing my stolen SBEII or getting a Vinci 3.5"in it's place. I want to haveat least on 3.5" for my turkey and goose hunting. Any insight for me? Thanks, Todd Salmon

Rest in Peace, old friend. You will be missed. Todd Salmon

With iron I run a 300 yard zero. Headshots @ 100 & 200 get a six o'clock on the neck hold. ( put the head on top of the sight) Dead on at 300. Simple folks got simple ways........

Seth seemed to have all the skills he needed to win it all. Imes' heart is what made the diff. I'm really curious to see what Luke does, he's a freak, but I like him. It's also hard not to like Joe.

I had to add a comment. Thank you Blane West and RM3G staff for the best match I have ever attended. Even though I shot poorly, I had a great time. My squad was awesome, the RO's were ALL GREAT! (I hope Kelly doesn't lock the thread for me bringing it up!) I didn't hear of a single DQ or bitching from any RO although they ran 250 shooters each through broken terrain, rain, and even hail at times. I don't know where they find these people!!!! It doesn't have the brain rape and deviance of Kyle Lamb's NA Tac 3-Gun in NC, or the prize table of DPMS, but the crew that builds these stages combined with the Whittington Center makes this match without peer in my opinion. Again, thank you all who sponsored and ran the match. p.s. I think JP should consider political office. Hand the guy a mic and he gets busy!!!!!!! GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS

Hey Sam, Looks like I'm moving to MS the week before the match. If I somehow get time and show up with a smile and entry fee, can I get in? Todd Salmon

I need rules and regulations and any other information on range procedures that anyone can provide. My Sheriff's Office is opening a new range early next year that will be open to law enforcement and civilians. I'm asking anyone with rules and regs, and operating procedures to fax or e-mail them to me. If anyone knows of anyone who runs a squared away range, I would like to get contact numbers for them. We are building an indoor facility that will be non-tox. I would still like any rules from outdoor facilities, we just want to have as many bases covered as we can when we open. Thanks, Todd Salmon ssalmon@sheriffleefl.org Fax: 239-477-1338 Office 239-477-1268

I'm glad to hear that. Jake is a class guy and I'll bet that are even more good things coming to JP with Jake on board. With two innovative minds of that caliber working together, wow!

When I go shooting, it's usually the young attractive female RO's that massage my shoulders before I shoot.........Grrrrrr

Everyone that likes the shotgun needs to be at this one. It will humble any shooter. (well, maybe not Benny)

O.K. Let's see where this thing goes. Three World class tactical shotgun shooters with three distinctly different loading styles joining for a shotgun shooting school the last weekend in March. Between us there are at least 6 different National 3-Gun and Shotgun Championship titles, and too many State / Regional titles to mention. Will they come? Three days of cramming info learned from over 30 years of combined competitive shooting experience. This will be a gathering that all who attend will take home something learned. Chokes, patterning, loading, transitioning loads and weapons, speed shooting, shooting on the move, moving targets, shooting from moving vehicles, slugs, buckshot v. birdshot on steel, and more...... Very reasonable cost, lot's of info, lots of shooting, Alabama in March, can it get any better?

Benny, You go ahead and miss defending your title. I'll try and take up the slack. Kurt Miller, Cramblit and myself are putting on a three day shotgun class in Alabama the last weekend in March so I can steal some of their secrets. That might be enough to put me be back up where I was three years ago. You need to be at the match if you can at all, you know it's the best shotgun match out there.

wvden, I agree with Ross. I'd try the recoil pad first. I've been shooting compensated rifles for the last four hunting seasons. I had Benny Hill put a KDF comp put on my 11 year old's model 7 in .308 but he hunts out of shooting houses and with ear protection. It really controls the recoil and lets him shoot comfortably, but I made the mistake of shooting it in heavy timber with no hearing protection. Bad mistake. My 7mm STW that Benny built also has a muzzle brake because I'm too big of a sissy to shoot it without. I keep it on while I zero or practice and have ear protection, then take it off when I go afield. Recoil is never felt when you're looking at meat through the scope. I don't have one, but they have caps to screw on to protect the threads. Just another idea to toss around. Todd

I agree w/ Dogma Dog as to using different amounts of finger for different guns. If I'm shooting a bench rest rifle or dedicated target pistol with a trigger pull breaking in ounces, I use the tip of my finger where I have the most sensitivity. If, one the other hand, I'm shooting just about anything else, I use the second pad of my finger where I can achieve as much control as possible and still pull the trigger straight to the rear. In training my cops, I go with the theory that heart rate during shooting dictates that you should try and avoid using the tips of the digits to do anything while under stress. We train to fight, the heart rate will be elevated and fine motor skills start deteriorating when the heart rate elevates to levels as low as 115 beats per minute. In force on force training with simunitions, cops heart rates commonly go well over 200 bpm within seconds of confrontation. At 175 bpm, gross motor skills start peaking for flight, fight, or freeze. Fine motor skills are nearly useless. (ain't adrenaline cool!) Example; have you ever had a verbal confrontation with someone and then walk to your car and tried to put the key into the lock or ignition? Why would we teach trigger pull with a finger tip? You may not be training for combat, but do you feel the rush when the buzzer sounds in a match? Same thing. If you are training for fast moving practical competitions where you will have an adrenal pump, try and simulate as close as you can what you will experience there. The NRA is a bit outdated in a lot of their material.

I again agree with Kelly's assesment. I've shot both comp's quite a bit, as well as Benny Hill's comp. . The tank brake is the most effective comp I have ever personally shot. I love Benny Hill's comp also, but it is very similar in performance to the Cooley Comp. The JP tank brake is big, ugly, illegal in most matches, loud as hell, but extremely effective. If I were allowed to run one, I would. Screw the people standing beside me getting their hats blown off, they'll learn to get behind me when I shoot!

Well, let me jump in. I agree w/ Kelly, it's notr the size of the shot to kill steel plates, it's the size of the payload. Unless...... Buckshot is allowed. If so, I always use buckshot because of the speed it drops steel. I have often caught myself smacking a plate or popper twice when I was forced to shot birdshot when it was already falling. With buckshot, that's not a problem. Living in South Florida, (Gods waiting room, where the old come to die) I always have to fly to matches. Shotgun shells are heavy. I shoot a Benelli and stick with 1 1/8 ounce loads I buy at the local Wal-Mart when I get there. I do carry some spreaders with me, and the few slugs I'll need. If buckshot is allowed, I'll ship all of it ahead. I always buy 7 1/2 or 8 shot. Use your chokes to insure effective results on steel. Know your choke performance. If you have steel / clay mixes in one stage like is getting popular, tighten your choke for steel, use spreaders if you can effectively mix them in. The second most important issue to shotgun shooting in 3-Gun matches is knowing your chokes and shot performance. The most important now-a-days, is learning to load faaaaast. Todd

I agree with with the rest, SMM3-G has the most people and great prize table. NA3-G (Kyle's) has the most prizes and is the most challenging. RM3-G is the most fun with the best stages and range. WC3-G has been sucking more every year for the last 5 years or so, (I can't speak for this year, I didn't feel like going to another PPC match with longguns ) Iron Man is in a class of it's own for melting barrels, It is great fun however. IPSC National 3-G made some big time come back points this year since they moved the match from Vegas. I would rate them in this order' RM3-G (only because I love that range so much) NA3-G SMM3-G Iron Man " I got to shoot how many???" WC3-G

Kurt, It would be an honor to work with you two. Let me know so I can work it into the schedule. Todd

Steve, As a fellow career cop, I like the same beer as you, the best being, "free". Or maybe the best would be beer that Kelly bought.

Let me be so bold as to throw my hat in the ring. I teach cops for a living, and have been for 16 years. I'm a full time trainer and range master for a large agency in South Florida and I'm still in the thick of things in 3-Gun too. I'm only recently starting to work with civilians in competitive shooting, my rates are good, but my schedule is tight and time somewhat limited. I have a good range for three gun instruction and Florida is the place to be in the winter. My web site is just being built, but feel free to contact me if interested. Todd Salmon www.combatshootingarts.com

Ditto on the last three posts. I've worn Oakley "M" Pro's for years and I recently bought Rudys with the RX clip from Shanahan. They ROCK. I was also told by Shanahan that I looked, "dead sexy" in them!

Be careful with anything shorter than 18'. I've seen many shooters over the years not make minor shooting 16's with factory 55gr ammo. As for limited, you really want to consider your sight radius, so stick with the longer barrels. I have always preferred 20's but JP has an 18' that is really appealing to me because of the weight. It has the full length gas tube and handguard, just less barrel sticking out beyond it. For Open class, 16's are fine if you handload and chrono. Todd Salmon

I've been looking for a new hobby. I have a dremel too! Send it to me and I'll save you some money. Been looking for someone else's gun to experiment with! Or, on second thought you might want to send it to someone who has actually done one before.

HD, I know the account is getting out of hand, but just acknowledging the fact of how envious I am of your name should be worth something! Remember, you ARE the man! You don't need to use a technique for CDI factor!

I wasn't referring to bladed v. squared off as much as elbows out v. elbows tucked. I nearly always shoot squared to the target, but with as wide a platform as possible or practical. That means feet and elbows. Wider is faster, wider is more stable in my opinion.