Lessons Learned

Had the opportunity last weekend to duck hunt with a friend who's a member at the Walpole Island Rod & Gun Club. I've hunted the marshes on Walpole before and found it a fun, unique experience. But it's definitely a challenge.

We hunted Friday evening and then Saturday morning. Much better results on Friday evening with 16 ducks among three hunters. I folded a duck on a tricky passing shot, so I felt good about that. Saturday was tougher - rainy, cold, and not many opportunities, but blind partner Andy was up for the challenge and bagged three.

But the real purpose of this post is to share two key things I learned. Well, OK, maybe I didn't LEARN them, I just forgot to do them in advance.

Practice Makes Perfect
Shoot clays. Shoot clays. Shoot clays. I didn't shoot any over the Summer or Fall this year. Just too many other things going on. Boy was that a mistake. My mount ranged from bad to inconsistent. My follow-through was poor. My lead's were way off and I wasn't swinging through the shot. And, finally, I was getting behind and then rushing shots. Shooting is a muscle memory skill. You have to do it to do it well. Lesson One learned.

Check Your Gear
My Remington Versa Max is a great waterfowl gun. I've written plenty on this subject. It ran perfectly on this trip, even in a flurry of shooting at dusk on Friday. But I couldn't hit sh*t. Yes, some clays shooting would have made a huge difference. But something else didn't seem right. On Saturday, I tore the gun down for a thorough cleaning after sitting in the rain for 4 hours. When I removed the choke tube to clean it, I noticed something key - I had the Full choke installed. That's swell if you're going to shoot turkeys. Or, maybe on the second barrel of a double gun. But for the hunt we were doing, I might have just as well brought my .22 rifle. Oops. I'll be getting a choke tube case and carrying them in the blind bag now.

Valuable reminders that would have upped my success. Or, in the immortal words of Homer Simpson, "Duh-OH!!!!".

-Sean-

Gun Lust

I don't need it, I don't need it, I don't need it.

But I've always loved the Browning Citori 525. Couldn't really see much difference in the 625. Then at this year's SHOT Show I saw the new 725. For a brief moment, the heavens parted and an otherworldly light shone on this beauty.

Browning did an extensive redesign on the venerable x25 to make the 725 truly special. A lower profile receiver, paired with a redesigned barrel rib, and a new grip make the 725 fall to hand like a finely handcrafted bespoke gun. The action's butter-smooth and the trigger is as crisp as some custom range queen  rifles.

I can just see this superb firearm upping my sporting clays averages or busting pheasants in the field on a crisp early Winter day. Probably too nice for bunny busting or ducks. But I've got the Remington Versmax for that!

A beautiful piece of craftsmanship. And, at $2,500 (Field model) certainly not overpriced. If you're in the market, I would definitely check this new introduction out.

-Sean-

Remington Versa Max One-Year Tear-Down

Did my first full-on tear-down and cleaning a couple of weeks ago. While I haven't shot this gun extensively, it's had some decent outings - probably 300 rounds between clays and duck hunting. My only cleaning efforts have been to run a Bore Snake through with some Hoppe's No. 9.

Being gas-operated, my inclination was that the pistons and related components in that region would be pretty grimy. Imagine my surprise to find only minor carbon that easily cleaned up with a bit of CLP and a toothbrush! A little Remington Bore Scrubber and a few patches and the barrel's ready to rock.

I'm still extremely pleased by how easily this gun disassembles and goes back together. Truly a simple machine. Thus far, I have yet to experience a mis-fire or any error in operation. I'd call that pretty good news!

-Sean-

Playing the Over Under

From the time I got serious about hunting and clay shooting, I've wanted a double-barrel over-under shotgun. The break-open action is super simple, as is cleaning and maintenance. But more important is tradition - a double has been the gun of choice for upland hunting for year. Plus, there's just something about the feel of an over-under. The way it balances, how it fits in your hand, and the way it comes easily up to and connects to your shoulder and cheek.

Then economics come into play...

My natural instinct would be to start with one of the storied "B" guns -- Beretta, Benelli, or Browning. I've had the opportunity to shoot a Browning Citori Sporting Clays as well as a Beretta Silver Pigeon. Both felt perfect in-hand and shot extremely well. But at $3,500 and $2,000 respectively, there's no way for a casual shooter with a day job (that's me) to justify such an extravagant purchase.

But wait a minute - if I don't shoot often enough to justify this expense, maybe I don't need the ultimate durability and level of finish these guns deliver. Perhaps a lesser alternative would work? I've seen plenty of used Remington Baikals, as well as the Stoeger Condor. Neither impresses me. The Baikals have some goofy features and that level of Russian machining that's decidedely underwhelming. I've owned another Stoeger. Let's just say you get what you pay for at the extreme low end.

Then I remembered CZ - my CZ 452 .22 bolt-action is a great gun that I got for a great price. Fit and finish are decent, it's been very reliable and accurate. Unlike its rifles, which are made in CZ's Czech Republic factory, their shotguns come from Huglu in Turkey. After some quick online research, I find the CZ Canvasback. This model includes a single trigger (cheaper models feature doubles - I've done that and didn't care for it), ejectors, and a nice level of fit and finish. A friend I hunt with frequently has had a CZ side-by-side and been extremely happy with it.

A little online research shows that Cabelas has this model for less than MSRP, and it's on sale for two more days! Road trip! I also took advantage of this opportunity to clean out the gun safe. As the new over-under will become my Upland field gun, I no longer need my Stoeger Uplander side-by-side. While its served me well, I've never liked the double triggers. These force a larger trigger guard which I've found beats up the base of my index finger pretty badly. And my Remington 11-48 and I have never gotten along since it's purchase a couple years back. While its operation is smooth and reliable, I've always had trouble shooting it well. Fortunately, Cabelas was very short on used firearms and was all too happy to take these off my hands.

Immediately upon picking up the Canvasback I could tell this was a winner. Balances well, feels good in-hand, and points nicely. Not too heavy, nor too light. Sold!

More to come after I put this gun through its paces a bit more...

-Sean-

Truth in Advertising

There's a reason its called the VersaMax. I think this video review pretty well covers it. This is about as close to a do-all shotgun as I've found.



Had the opportunity to blow up some clays with mine on Sunday and it continues to perform like a champ. We'll see how it does on the ducks next week on a layout hunt.

-Sean-

Product Review: Remington Versa Max

Now that I've had my Remington Versa Max for a few months, I feel like it's time to share some of my experiences. As I acquired this gun in the Spring, I've not had the chance to hunt with it yet. Thus far my experiences have been with sporting clays.

First a word about my goals for this gun. My goal was an all-around gun that would perform many tasks well. I wanted to be able to shoot clays with light target loads, 3-1/2" steel for waterfowl, and #6 game loads for rabbits and pheasants. In short, a Swiss Army Knife of guns. One that I could shoot often enough to find a reliable mount and get comfortable with the results. Initially I lusted for an over-under, but I quickly realized that a synthetic autoloader was far more likely to suit my needs.

All new guns get a tear-down, a thorough scrub to eliminate the factory lube/protectant, and a re-lube with appropriate gun oil and grease at key points. I've found this step both helps with performance/reliability and gives me some insight into how this particular firearm operates. The Versa Max is impressive in this regard; the mechanical design is simple and logical. Everything strips down easily and mostly without tools. And it all goes back together without holding the stock at a 15 degree angle while holding down this tang, pushing up on that knob and being done only under a full moon. the Try-Nite coated barrel and nickel-teflon plated internal components mean a long life in the worst conditions.

But will that dog hunt? In a word - YUP! First day out for clays I found a gun that mounts cleanly and consistently. Butt end of the stock hits the shoulder pocket consistently and my cheek's right where it should be. As all good shotguns should, it shoots where you point it. And yes, I've had some that don't...

Surprisingly, despite the 8# total weight the Versa Max feels far more nimble than expected for a gun that seems to have been designed principally for waterfowl. I'm eager to try it for upland hunting this Fall. A day of brush busting for grouse should tell if this early impression holds.

If this all sounds overwhelmingly positive, that's because it is. I've had the opportunity to handle and shoot competitive offerings and all had some significant concerns for me - whether ergonomics, design, or features.

However, I do have two issues with the Versa Max. The first is probably a matter of personal preference. The fore-end is a free floating design.  I expect that with pump-action shotguns, but it's my first experience with an autoloader. I can't find any drawback to it, I'm just not used to how it feels. Time should cure that.

The second was a design flaw which Remington quickly rectified. On more first outings I found the magazine nut loosening after a half-dozen or so rounds. I needed to give it a half-turn or more after each stand. This was both annoying and looked like a great opportunity to loose some parts in the field. After contacting Remington, they sent me a new retainer nut and magazine cap. The results were immediate and obvious -- problem solved! The reality of new products is that design issues happen. What separates the good companies from the mediocre is how they address known issues. Remington responded quickly and solved my issue completely. Can't ask for more than that.

Look for a more extensive review later this year when I've had the opportunity to get the Versa Max out in the field chasing rabbits, pheasants, and other small game. If you're looking for a solid autoloader, the Versa Max should be a serious consideration.

Chuckle

A friend of mine today described shooting sporting clays as, "Really, really cool golf...". That description made me laugh. No plaid pants allowed! Hoping to get out tomorrow if all aligns.

PULL!

-Sean-