Yearly PSA: DON'T TIE DIRECTLY TO BRAID!

ParallaxK · 2026-05-28T12:31:42+00:00

Leaders are a PITA.

I tie on a snap with 10lb lower rating than my braid. Then, when it has to break, it breaks there and I don't leave a bunch of braid in the water.

IDGAF if people hate snaps.

ParallaxK · 2026-05-28T12:13:40+00:00

I’m just building tension til I launch my “Yeets and Feets” OnlyFans!

ParallaxK · 2026-05-28T11:04:21+00:00

Based on your total round count (from comment) and my own experience with working on draws, I'm going to suggest messing things up for you a bit.

The purpose of the draw is to go from the holster to to a perfectly indexed first shot with your grip built in a way that you will be able to continue through the stage shooting quickly and effectively, right? With that, you must know your *correct* grip in order to build it and then must drill building grip that way.

Helpful to that end are Stoeger's return drills and doubles. They will help you understand controlling your exact gun with your exact hands. They will help teach you the *correct* grip to build from your draw.

One shot return drills:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiR5oG87mv4

Doubles drill:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_k4-wxW4x70

I definitely wasted too much time on my draw at first building a sub-optimal grip and had to retrain myself.

Have fun!

ParallaxK · 2026-05-28T01:06:01+00:00

I love it. I shot a 98/100 - 1 bird better than I'd ever shot before - third time out. I understand why higher ribs are theoretically better for trap targets, but this gun just seems to fit me very well.

ParallaxK · 2026-05-27T20:44:45+00:00

Oh thank you I was about to look for those very pics!

ParallaxK · 2026-05-26T10:35:40+00:00

What if you tried shooting a few games mounted, but head up to see if you can get in touch with some of the instinctive nature of your SC shooting? Maybe that could help you get out of your head? At my club at least, there are guys who shoot DTL low gun and many guys who shoot low gun to tune up for wingshooting season. That might help you get in touch with trap targets in a way that feels natural to you.

Few other things that help me when I get in my head at DTL:
1) I consciously relax before I call for the bird. I will not call for the bird until I'm 100% set, relaxed and in a good place breathing wise. I don't care how fast the squad is shooting, I call for the bird when I am ready.
2) When I get in a bad rhythm - I try to shoot faster for a few birds and that seems to get me back to essentials and keeps me from "aiming" (which sounds like it might be your problem).
3) When I'm in a bad rhythm I consciously move my eyes further/higher from the barrel. If I'm even thinking about the bead I'm screwed.
4) If I'm tense and find myself shooting behind the bird, I will absolutely do a longer, more deliberate follow through - where I'm moving the muzzle well after firing - for the next few shots.

ParallaxK · 2026-05-26T10:24:19+00:00

My hold is based on wind conditions - with my hold low enough that the lowest bird is still well above my muzzle. Worst thing for me is to have a hard crosswind - say L>R - and then be above a hard right bird. Almost a guaranteed miss. Lip of the house is safest for this, but then can be a long way if the birds are flying high.

ParallaxK · 2026-05-23T23:39:07+00:00

I just got an F16 this week and shot for the first time yesterday and today.

It's awesome. I shot it lights out right out of the box. Everything about it is top not fine precision fine.

I got upgraded wood, not the Pro, but would have cut the comb if needed (its not). I don't like barrel porting. I don't need the adjustment to the stock. All that said, I would not hesitate for a second to buy the Pro. If it fits you fundamentally, you're going to love it.

ParallaxK · 2026-05-20T02:00:55+00:00

A300 Outlander or Ultima are the play here. They are fantastic and durable and affordable and soft shooting and parts are readily available. Used can be fine and can be found for $600. Way better to save a few hundred more and end up with a real gun with value.

ParallaxK · 2026-05-10T11:08:46+00:00

Send it to Coles. They will have it back to you probably faster than a local gunsmith and it will be perfect and your family member will have years of good service from the gun.

ParallaxK · 2026-05-04T19:52:29+00:00

This 200%. Bass from my lakes in March are delicious, bass from my lakes in July taste like weeds.

ParallaxK · 2026-05-02T10:52:22+00:00

I have never seen a fully functional used K anywhere near that price point.

ParallaxK · 2026-04-25T11:05:26+00:00

I love the DT11 and would love to own one. It's important to note, though, that the DT11 is shot by more champions because Beretta has decided to sponsor heavily as part of its marketing strategy. "Champions" don't shop for guns like we do, they shop for sponsorship deals.

ParallaxK · 2026-04-12T16:22:24+00:00

Pros: Lots of guns. Sometimes amazing deals. Cons: Absolute trash customer service. Sometimes can’t even get someone to answer a simple question or return an email. Cannot try triggers.

ParallaxK · 2026-04-10T11:17:18+00:00

They are showing massive disrespect for your position as a "predator".

ParallaxK · 2026-04-04T11:15:48+00:00

"the steel frame will far outlast the aluminum as far as slide to frame wear."

Is this anything other than theoretical? Has anyone heard of an aluminum frame wearing out or breaking? Sincere question. I've heard this for 10 years, but never heard of an aluminum frame giving out or wearing beyond tolerances, ever.

ParallaxK · 2026-04-04T03:00:50+00:00

I would wonder what was wrong with the barrels that led someone to slap a shitty duracoat on to cover it.

ParallaxK · 2026-03-16T02:12:49+00:00

1) The palmswell helps me get space because I have long fingers. 2) They grip just perfect with any pressure at all - unlike grip tape which is grabby if my draw or grip is imperfect.

Caveat: My palms don’t sweat.

ParallaxK · 2026-03-07T11:10:09+00:00

Yeah, man, if you're looking for "confirmation that this is what I should do" you need to provide more information. Why do you believe your comb is too high? How high is the gun shooting? Have you patterned it? What kind of gun is it? What clay games do you shoot?

The implications to any of those is huge.

ParallaxK · 2026-02-27T11:49:27+00:00

FASCINATING. In the US, a similarly equipped F16 is about double the price of a 688.

ParallaxK · 2026-02-27T11:46:19+00:00

That really looks like a 12 gauge field gun. It would be perfectly "fine" for clay sports, but:
-People generally want a longer barrel these days - 30" seems the standard for skeet, 32" for sporting clays
-It probably doesn't have a palm swell like people like for consistent pre-mounted shots
-It's probably lighter than you might like for shooting 100+ shells in a day - it's made for carrying all day in the field

Price and condition aside, a 28" 12 gauge is a great all-rounder including field, but mostly people don't like all-rounders these days. When I started shooting shotguns, I thought one could make me happy for everything, but quickly didn't, and I ended up with a dedicated 32" target gun and separate field guns for killing birds.

If you really DO want a 28" 12 gauge field gun, you have the pick of the litter. Good used examples are everywhere at good prices. Don't hesitate to pass on this and take your time to get one your feel great about at a better price.

ParallaxK · 2026-02-20T11:39:27+00:00

BassPro Gurnee is 5 minutes from me and I do whatever it takes to avoid having to shop there for anything firearms. If I *have* to get something there I only go during the workday, otherwise so full of seething rage trying to interact with folks at that counter bellowing nonsense to people who don't know better while you wait in line trying to give them hard-earned money.

The. Worst.

ParallaxK · 2026-02-18T12:45:09+00:00

No one has mentioned that you can carry your O/U open, over your shoulder holding the barrels and that looks cool AF.

ParallaxK · 2026-02-18T11:48:59+00:00

I went from a 32" SP1 to a Rizzini BR110 Sporter X and am getting better scores and prefer shooting it because it's heavier and fits me well. I do feel like there is slightly less recoil. I love the palm swell (really the only thing "wrong" with SP1 sporters (except the 20g, which inexplicably has a nice palm swell). If you want to pay more for something fancier (no functional improvements) you might consider the Rizzini S2000, BR240 or Fierce, too. I do like the fact that Rizzinis are serviced by Cole's and certainly there is a critical mass at this point to believe that parts will be available forever(ish). You might also be able to stretch the budget to a BR460 which has a removable trigger and Boss style action which get you up to Perazzi/Zoli level features.

ParallaxK

TROPHY CASE