A Break in the Action

A listener requested an episode about the origins of common shotshell gauges, and I thought it was a fantastic idea. However, did you know that there are also several lost gauges? In this episode, we will explore the shotshell gauges we are familiar with and discover others that have been lost to history.

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This next installment in our Shotgun Stories series features Reid Bryant.  Reid is the director of wingshooting services at Orvis and hosts the Orvis Hunting and Shooting podcast. He has contributed numerous articles to popular magazines such as Shooting Sportsman, Gray's Sporting Journal, and CoveyRise. Additionally, Reid has authored, edited, and contributed to several books.

Despite his celebrity status in the wing-shooting ...

The Southern Side by Side Championship and Exhibition is undoubtedly a must-attend event for shotgun enthusiasts. Now entering its 26th year, this event has become not just a regional but a national success. In this episode, I am joined by Bill Kempffer and Ed Strickland. Bill was instrumental in bringing this event to life back in 2000, and Ed is committed to ensuring it remains the can't-miss gathering for side-by-side shoot...

It has been a dream of mine to shoot driven birds in the UK for years.  Last year, I checked that off the bucket list (twice actually)!  In this episode I recount my December visit to the wonderful Branches Park Estate in Suffolk, England and the full week of shotgun sights and experiences that I had with three traveling friends.

Joining the discussion is Jake Woolf (Kudu River Gundogs/GunsOnPegs podcast) and Peter Bailer (Branches ...

Beretta first released their over and under shotgun design in 1933 named in the catalog as Mod. S1 Fucile da Caccia Sovrapposta.  Sovrapposta is Italian for "overlapped" and refers to the barrel arrangement, think over/under or superposed.  The newly released S1 featured a true sidelock design with premium specifications. Beretta immediately went head-to-head with Browning, openly criticizing their Superposed shotgun as &...

Rich Cole joins me to announce a unique new shotgun project!

Rich Cole is a key figure in fine shotguns and precision gunsmithing. From his early days at Beretta to establishing himself as an authority in the field, Rich has devoted his life to repairing, building and customizing exceptional firearms. His journey reflects an unwavering commitment to quality and innovation. 

Well over a year in the making - I&apos...

In this episode, we get to know popular YouTuber Jonny Carter of TGS Outdoors.  I've known Jonny for a few years now. I am an enormous fan of his content, where he shares information about shotguns and shooting in an approachable, informative, and interesting way.  Jonny is modest about his vast knowledge of shotguns and his shooting ability, friendly, and even self-deprecating.  Of course, he admires best quality shotguns, bu...

John Buchan’s 1925 adventure novel, John MacNab is the story of three friends who have lost the zest for life.  They hatch a plan to, under the collective pen name of 'John Macnab', write three landowning neighbors informing them of their intention to kill a stag or catch a salmon on their land without permission between two specified dates (keep in mind poaching in England at this time was a very serious offense). If ‘Jo...

We are further exploring best guns in this episode and today we highlight Holland and Holland, where craftsmanship, heritage, and passion come together to create some of the finest shotguns and rifles in the world. In this episode, we’ll explore the remarkable rise of the gunmaker, from its humble beginnings in 1835 to its status as a luxury brand synonymous with quality and prestige. I’ll delve into the company’s innovative design...

Anthony, one of the world's best competitive shooters, and Will, one of the most famous hunters in the US share their secrets to finding more success in the field. 
Straight Shooting for Hunters is a comprehensive reference for hunters of all skill levels.  From practical advice to true stories from the field, this book is a must for every hunter's bookshelf.

In this episode:
Straight Shooting for Hunte...

By far what I love and look forward to the most when dove season comes in is the time in the field that I spend with my dad, my daughters, my wife, and good friends.  We hunt near and often.  It’s an informal affair and each hunter can be as serious or as social as they choose.  It is also a perfect opportunity to introduce someone to wing shooting.  A few weeks ago, I got the chance to travel south to shoot doves with my daughter,...

How do we define a BEST shotgun maker?  Obviously, they need to be capable of producing best guns but the definition doesn’t stop there…  They need to only produce best guns.  Their lineup of models shouldn't include entry level or mid-tier models, these aren’t in the DNA of a BEST gun maker.  Without concern for how long it will take or how much it will cost, they are committed to only producing the very best - period.

Without...

There is a place in the Allegheny Mountains outside of Pittsburgh that began as a private grouse hunting and fishing retreat but over the past 35+ years has transformed into a world-class resort.  Nemacolin Resort has a list of activities and amenities too long to list here - but of special note, it is home to the Nemacolin Rod and Range Club.  My youngest daughter, Liza joined me for a weekend of shooting fun as we took part in th...

This next installment of Shotgun Stories is a very special one.  I knew Larry Potterfield was a 'gun guy' but was delighted to discover how deep his appreciation for shotguns and wing-shooting was.   In this episode we learn about the early shotguns in Larry's life, some of the shotguns he shoots with currently, and what shotgun he has in his sights.
Larry launched Midway USA almost 50 years ago.  Today, the comp...

This feature episode begins by tracing the company's origin and its nearly 50-year association with Abercrombie & Fitch.  The Griffin and Howe company's story didn't end with the closure of A&F - instead, it allowed them to add volumes to it.  

Griffin and Howe at the Hudson Farm Club in New Jersey is an amazing place for the shotgun and rifle enthusiast.  Listen along as I describe all that there is...

My guest today is champion skeet shooter, Dania Vizzi.  In just a few weeks, she will represent the United States Olympic shooting team in Paris.  Shooting sports of one variety or another have been part of almost every Summer Olympic Games since 1896, with the current shotgun events being Olympic (or International) trap and Olympic skeet.  Dania shares how she got started shooting and the shotguns that have joined her on her journ...

The Beretta DT11 is a serious, built-for-purpose competition shotgun.  In this episode, we will look at its features and heritage and I share my DT11L shooting experiences now six months in.
In the second half of this episode, we will recap our first ever A Break in the Action Listener's Event - a Downton Day simulated shoot.  Put simply the day was epic and I was lucky to have my wife and one of my daughters along to par...

This episode is going to be my attempt to check off another repeat listener request - Do an episode on your favorite books and favorite authors.  
Steve Smith is an accomplished outdoor writer, editor, publisher, TV host, and hunter.  Over the years he has worked with and called friends many of the legendary authors in my library.  Steve joins the show to tell stories, offer suggestions and overall great conversation on this ep...

The clay target shooting sports are generally very linear games.  Targets leave the machine and, for the most part, follow a set trajectory to the ground.  There are variations of course, trap introduces an oscillator or wobble, skeet has the shooter move to vary the angle and necessary lead, a chandel target in a round of sporting clays changes speed as it falls from the peak of its arc, and the occasional rabbit surprises with a ...