Parker

I'm pretty sure Benelli's are all imported. If you know of any plant in the U.S. building Benelli's from scratch, I'm unaware of such so I'm curious to know which one is made here. (Doesn't the M4 consist of Italian parts rebuilt here in the U.S.?) Possibly the models you are referring to are assembled here with parts imported from Italy? The Benelli USA facility in Pocomoke, MD is where shotguns that are manufactured in Italy arrive for distribution throughout the U.S. Pocomoke also serves as the warranty facility for service and repairs for Benelli. Stoeger Industries, part of the Beretta Benelli group, is also located at the Pocomoke, MD location and performs the same functions for the Stoeger firearms division, which are made in Turkey. I think I have my facts right.

Benelli's are made in Urbino, Italy; by robots! http://www.fieldands...node-1001338780

Low-cost pump shotgun alternatives to traditional Remington & Mossberg offerings are: * Interstate Arms GA Defender - made in China * H&R Pardner Protector - made in China * Stevens 320 - made in China * Weatherby PA-08 - made in Turkey * Winchester 1300 - made in Turkey

This one?

Anthony Patti (PGS Gunsmithing Services) in Rome, PA also does a myriad of finishes and is familiar with refinishing quality shotguns. He's another resource but not exactly down the block. http://www.pgsguns.com/Metal_Work.html

If you want your 60's-era Belgium Lightning Superposed to be returned to its original form, it needs to be rust blued. Brownings of that era were rust blued, and had a blue-gray satin look to them. Later era Browning's were caustic blued and exhibit a deeper blue-black in coloring. A used 20 ga. Superposed Lightning grade goes for a pretty penny today. Cherish it! Locally, I suspect Griffin & Howe could do this for you. One company that specializes in Browning restorations and does a lot of Browning's warranty work is Midwest Gun Works. My friend had a Belgium Browning Superposed 20 ga. reblued and restocked by them, and the work was very well done. (He somehow stumbled onto a nice 20 ga. Superposed; a 28" barreled Lightning with factory IC/M tubes.) http://www.midwestgu...-services#metal

I've used Weaver, Leupold and mostly Redfield for my applications and was never disappointed. There are beefier and heavier rings out there today, spawned by mil-tact applications. If I could save a few ounces on the total weight of the rifle I used Weaver when I used lightweight low-powered scopes. They are cheap but they worked. For bigger and heavier scopes I would pick something more substantial. Ensure that the screws mounting the base into the receiver's steel are anchored and LocTited securely. Remember that the weight of the scope, ring and mount are combined; for that's what those four mounting screws must resist during recoil for each pull of the trigger. Here's a simple primer with links on rings and mounts: http://www.americanh...s/scope-mounts/

Doves are engaging. Tough to hit and they will test the best of shooters. Once the season starts (at least here in the States where I've hunted them) they become wary after opening day. Camouflage is a must late-season as well as reducing your silhouette. It doesn't appear like they have these issues to contend with in Argentina.

That sounds spectacular. The RBL's are a nice SxS.

You are right, it is a great place, only has gotten expensive over the last few years. So too, has everything else, so it's expected. I'm not familiar with Bruce. Rob is Ruth's son, and is usually the fixture behind the counter there. Great guy to deal with and knows his stuff.

Sounds like a fun hunt and definitely one for the bucket. I would snoop around on the Shooting Sportsmen forum or on the Shotgun Life website. I have seen posts on SS relating to Argentina and Uraguay for dove and also combo hunts with perdiz and ducks. Just remember that whatever lodge you stay at, make sure they can get you the particular shells you want to shoot, especially if you are bringing one of the smaller gauges. You can bring firearms into Argentina for a fee but not shells. And for dove, I suspect you'll be using a lot of shells.

Interesting article in Friday's Record. One hopes that the more people speak up, someday someone just may listen. At least the theme is consistent with change some people want in this state. http://www.northjers...s.html?page=all NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Howard Williams just started working at a 24-hour mini mart, and is interested in something that would make him feel safer behind the counter late at night: a bulletproof vest. A national group is calling for Newark's corner store workers to wear bulletproof vests. It also wants store owners to have the option of carrying a firearm if he or she is able to legally obtain one. The Bodega Association of the U.S. wants employees to wear the tactical gear as a way to protect themselves from armed robbers. "We have to become proactive," said Fernando Mateo, a spokesman for the Bodega Association. "Enough is enough of sitting and crossing your arms and saying I hope crime goes away." Mateo met with Newark Mayor Cory Booker on Sunday to inform him of the proposal. A spokesman for Booker referred requests to the Newark Police. Spokesmen for the Newark police did not respond to emailed questions or return a phone call. The meeting came days after the murder of 18-year-old Jamil Bader, Jr., who was shot while working at his family's store. A bodega worker in New York City was killed by a police bullet earlier this month. Reynaldo Cuevas collided with a police officer after fleeing from robbers. Mateo said he thinks store owners should be able to apply for a firearm permit at the same time that they are filling out paperwork for a liquor license. "If the background check comes back good you should be able to protect yourself," Mateo said. Mateo said he wants the city to negotiate a bulk deal for the vests and have store owners purchase them for themselves and employees. Mateo said a vest costs about $200. Mateo wants to convene a meeting of mayors from New Jersey's largest cities to discuss bodega worker safety. Jersey City spokeswoman Jennifer Morrill said Mayor Jerramiah Healy would meet with the association and "could support the idea of the workers wearing bulletproof vests." Jose Fernandez, president of the Bodega Federation, does not believe guns should be in bodegas, saying they could cause more problems and violence. Fernandez said bulletproof vests aren't needed in every bodega, but should be an option for workers in certain neighborhoods. The group wants to survey stores and map out which ones it believes need extra protections. The federation works mainly in New York City, but plans to come to New Jersey. "The least minimal protection they can get right now is wearing a bulletproof vest,' Fernandez said. In Newark, Williams said he would feel safer with a bulletproof vest. "I have four children and nine grandchildren, and I have to be here for them," he said outside the store, where Pringles and Hawaiian Punch was displayed in the plastic window. Across the street at the Melida Market, owner Enrique Paranta said his store, where people were buying sodas in the afternoon, offers little protection. "We don't have anything to protect us," Paranta said. "We need it."

These are nice variants to Browning's A5. Good luck with it. FYI - Browning licensed Savage to produce their A5 design from 1930 through 1949. (Both Remington and Savage produced A5 clones during the war because Browning imports were not coming in from Belgium at that time.) The Savage and Remington designs exclude the magazine cutoff that is found on the Browning A5. Barrel interchangeability is also an issue when fitting Belgium barrels into Savage/Remington A5 clones. They won't work. Interchangeability of barrels between Savage and Remington may work depending on how the shell stop cam cuts are beveled. Also, Remington and Savage utilize a single hook for extraction/ejection, while the Browning has a double-hook fitted to the rear of the barrel extension. Each ejector is fitted to that particular frame and the individual bolt. Just about everything on the Belgium A5 was hand-fitted.

10/22. Tons of after-market goodies if one is so inclined to add-on, upgrade or enhance the basic configuration. The base-model stock is somewhat small and undersized but I find it adequate and its small size is perfect for carrying in the hardwoods for squirrel. Scoped and with the right ammo, it is a handy hunting arm.

Thunder Mountain was the first successfully sponsored Winchester-franchise to open in the United States in 1962. Winchester opened many more ranges throughout the U.S. afterwards, but Thunder Mountain was their first. It really hasn't changed much since 1962. My dad took me there to hone my beginner shotgun skills in the 60's, and I began shooting there in leagues in 1970. It still looks the same to me except for some updates to the clubhouse.

A Parker Invincible: http://www.nrablog.c...bit-at-SCI.aspx http://www.nramuseum...81-of-3%29.aspx Only three that are available today are estimated to be a combined $5 million in value.

A lot of good info found on this site for reloading. There are a few "reloader" forums on the internet that are worth a look as well. One I like is: http://forums.accuratereloading.com Another is: http://forums.handlo.../login_user.asp

Over time, either from friends, shooting partners, team members,etc., you learn what works best in a variety of situations and applications. Rifle loads are sometimes very individual from firearm to firearm and tend to be the most finicky if best velocity coupled with accuracy are the main criteria. (Usually this is the criteria for high-performance hunting loads; in target loads both parameters are not necessarily required. Most people will sacrifice a few FPS for X-ring accuracy.) Handgun loads that need to make certain power-parameters are fairly well documented. It's trial and error on the user's end to see what works best in his/her sidearm from an accuracy perspective. Here's a powder burn rate chart. Not all powders (the latest) are listed here, but this gives you an idea of the plethora of offerings available that burn FAST to SLOW for pistol, shotgun and rifle applications. http://www.reloadbench.com/burn.html

You would do well to find an old Ithaca, Savage, Stevens or very-worn L.C. Smith (all which could be found for $500 or less) and use one of these as a basis for a "coach gun" with some work. It still can be a pricy venture. As for American-made SxS doubles, they are few in America. Connecticut Shotgun is one maker who was making an affordable SxS double. (Their RBL Reserve.) They have ceased production and are now selling their leftover stock. These models start at $3,500. Certainly not the candidates for SASS shooting. http://www.rblshotgun.com/ You can still order a Parker shotgun through Remington, who bought and own the rights to the Parker name. Starting price is $49,000. http://www.parkergunmakers.com/ Data sheet: http://www.parkergun...er_brochure.pdf Order form: http://www.parkergun..._order_form.pdf

Remember that shotguns throw a pattern of shot, that is what connects with the intended game. The larger gauges just hold more shot than the smaller gauges, all things being equal, which can make the larger gauges more effective. The downside of course is weight and recoil the shooter must endure. When all things are equal, a 20 ga can hit as hard as a 12 ga. The larger gauges with their greater size payloads are intended to give you an added edge as range increases and pattern density is required for humane kills. Shot size and choke dimensions will also make a difference in your success as well. Contrary to what people believe, it's very easy to miss game afield despite shooting the biggest gauge and payload available. When field-dressing your game, often you'll discover that only a few pellets hit their mark, especially on moving game. You will get varying opinions on what shot sizes to use for squirrel and rabbit, and that's often based upon hunting conditions and terrain. This is a good starting point for explaining shot sizes and what to use for small game: http://www.shotgunworld.com/amm.html

I agree.

Here are two that sold locally (posted on NJH) a while back that are in that ballpark price range. They don't look too beat up. http://www.newjersey...ticle126009.htm Go out of state and head to "hunting country" with local gunshops in PA and upstate NY and scour the used racks for lever-actions.

If this Marlin has a "JM" proof stamp on the left side of the barrel, I'd get it if you can get it for the price you are talking about. (This proof indicates those made by Marlin and not Remington. Of course, this is my thickheaded opinion.) Otherwise, go find a nice used, blued Marlin for $250 - $350 if you are set on a .30-30. They are around and plentiful. Some reading on the Marlin .30-30 - http://www.backwoods...s2/ayoob95.html

As Bob said, a nice rifle. The 99DL with the tang safety is superior to the Marlin for hunting game in North America, but the Marlin probably wins for possibly being "more fun to shoot."

That's a shame you are having issues with your Versamax. It's a premium priced product that shouldn't have the issues it's had since its introduction. I have read of the forend nut coming loose on a couple of other shotgun forums (Duckhuntingchat & ShotgunWorld) but nothing about a resolution. I hope you get this resolved. Remington has struggled with their quality control for years and they haven't been the same company when it comes to quality since DuPont sold them in 1993. (Has Remington introduced any memorable firearms in the last two decades that have been runaway success stories?)