Lousy shooting!

[Britsmoothy]

I struggled this weekend shooting pigeons.
Family duties stopped me from getting on the field in the morning, that was when the field was hot with birds!
So I had to settle for late afternoon and a few lone birds and no matter how I adjusted the deeks they would shy away for the most part. Alas I got eight down.
Sunday was the same, a late start but I had moved the blind the evening before which put me under a flight line with a large oak to my right.
Once again the birds would see the deeks, commit and then at the last moment change their mind and go to the tree! If I had set up 20yds closer to the tree I would had more shots!
That said, I did indeed have some shooting but today I was a lousy shot! I missed the first eight!
I had a think about it and came to the conclusion I'm leading to far in front so I trimmed the lead [leed] and voila they started to come down but by now it was near time to leave .
Before I left I moved the blind closer to the tree in case I get a chance tomorrow.
The Beretta performed flawlessly.
I used a mere 60gns of very fine powder and an oz plus of shot.

Saturday.

Sunday.

Didn't clean the gun last night but did just. Hot water only, simples.

Now which gun next.......

 

[SOLANCO]

A bad day in the field is better than a good day at work.

LOL You bad day is on par with my good ones.

 

[tenngun]

I struggled this weekend shooting pigeons.
Family duties stopped me from getting on the field in the morning, that was when the field was hot with birds!
So I had to settle for late afternoon and a few lone birds and no matter how I adjusted the deeks they would shy away for the most part. Alas I got eight down.
Sunday was the same, a late start but I had moved the blind the evening before which put me under a flight line with a large oak to my right.
Once again the birds would see the deeks, commit and then at the last moment change their mind and go to the tree! If I had set up 20yds closer to the tree I would had more shots!
That said, I did indeed have some shooting but today I was a lousy shot! I missed the first eight!
I had a think about it and came to the conclusion I'm leading to far in front so I trimmed the lead [leed] and voila they started to come down but by now it was near time to leave .
Before I left I moved the blind closer to the tree in case I get a chance tomorrow.
The Beretta performed flawlessly.
I used a mere 60gns of very fine powder and an oz plus of shot.

Saturday.
View attachment 92924
Sunday.
View attachment 92923

Didn't clean the gun last night but did just. Hot water only, simples.

Now which gun next.......

Damn, I would think about an infernal contract for such a day.
But
I’ve had more fun skunked in the field then ever at work

 

[hawkeye2]

It looks like your dog approves of your shooting.

 

[andy52]

Do you eat the pigeons? I've heard they are eatable but have never tried one.

 

[Britsmoothy]

Do you eat the pigeons? I've heard they are eatable but have never tried one.

Sometimes. I grind it and make meatloaf or burgers.
Jess likes the breast meat chopped and boiled.

 

[Larry (Omaha)]

I missed the first eight!
Alas I got eight down.




View attachment 92923

WTG Brit! You are looking at the hunt with the wrong attitude. Not lousy shooting at all!! You just needed a practice shot for each bird.
Love that photo of the field and trees.
Larry

 

[Gtrubicon]

Do you eat the pigeons? I've heard they are eatable but have never tried one.

The pigeons we eat out here are very good, like dove meat. We wrap a slice of bacon around the breast, a slice of fresh jalapeño and bbq.

 

[andy52]

Sometimes. I grind it and make meatloaf or burgers.
Jess likes the breast meat chopped and boiled.

Just curious, dove season just opened here and it takes a bunch of doves to make a meal. I've used goose sort of like you do the pigeons in a sort of chicken salad thing with the breast.

 

[TFoley]

You obviously need to put wheels on that tree, then you can move it to a more suitable location at will.

 

[deermanok]

Looks like ol Jess is happy, even if you did miss a few.

 

[Old Timer 48]

It still was a great story. Jess looks like she is proud of you! Thank you for sharing.

 

[Ricochet]

Nice job Brit! Ive got a gun just like yours, mine is the Tricentennial model. Im not sure I could go 8-16 with it though!! Id be lucky to draw feathers, but it sure is fun tryin

 

[MountainSmoke]

Looks like another good day afield. As usual great story and pics and as usual Jess makes me grin ear to ear, reminds me very much of my dog who I had for the last 18 year's but recently passed away. Good memories. Well done on your hunt. Sounds like a fun time.

 

[LME]

I struggled this weekend shooting pigeons.
Family duties stopped me from getting on the field in the morning, that was when the field was hot with birds!
So I had to settle for late afternoon and a few lone birds and no matter how I adjusted the deeks they would shy away for the most part. Alas I got eight down.
Sunday was the same, a late start but I had moved the blind the evening before which put me under a flight line with a large oak to my right.
Once again the birds would see the deeks, commit and then at the last moment change their mind and go to the tree! If I had set up 20yds closer to the tree I would had more shots!
That said, I did indeed have some shooting but today I was a lousy shot! I missed the first eight!
I had a think about it and came to the conclusion I'm leading to far in front so I trimmed the lead [leed] and voila they started to come down but by now it was near time to leave .
Before I left I moved the blind closer to the tree in case I get a chance tomorrow.
The Beretta performed flawlessly.
I used a mere 60gns of very fine powder and an oz plus of shot.

Saturday.
View attachment 92924
Sunday.
View attachment 92923

Didn't clean the gun last night but did just. Hot water only, simples.

Now which gun next.......

You let family duties get in the way of a good hunt? I have never heard of such a thing? My wife told me if I went hunting she would leave me. I really like her so I did exactly what I was supposed to do And I didn't go hunting. I went fishing! LOL!

 

[Springerpanhead]

I struggled this weekend shooting pigeons.
Family duties stopped me from getting on the field in the morning, that was when the field was hot with birds!
So I had to settle for late afternoon and a few lone birds and no matter how I adjusted the deeks they would shy away for the most part. Alas I got eight down.
Sunday was the same, a late start but I had moved the blind the evening before which put me under a flight line with a large oak to my right.
Once again the birds would see the deeks, commit and then at the last moment change their mind and go to the tree! If I had set up 20yds closer to the tree I would had more shots!
That said, I did indeed have some shooting but today I was a lousy shot! I missed the first eight!
I had a think about it and came to the conclusion I'm leading to far in front so I trimmed the lead [leed] and voila they started to come down but by now it was near time to leave .
Before I left I moved the blind closer to the tree in case I get a chance tomorrow.
The Beretta performed flawlessly.
I used a mere 60gns of very fine powder and an oz plus of shot.

Saturday.
View attachment 92924
Sunday.
View attachment 92923

Didn't clean the gun last night but did just. Hot water only, simples.

Now which gun next.......

One would think the Beretta would perform flawlessly, They have been in the firearms business since 1526. They MIGHT know how to build a gun.

 

[Britsmoothy]

One would think the Beretta would perform flawlessly, They have been in the firearms business since 1526. They MIGHT know how to build a gun.

Actually no! Not in this case.
These were not made by Beretta.
They have a very poor method of creating a flash channel to the bottom barrel that is based on a long m10 grub screw and it and the threads are not sealed correctly.
That leads to lose of ignition flash and gas cutting of the stock when it does fire.
It is however fixable and mine is and it is super reliable now.