A Break in the Action

Have a comment or suggestion? Text Ryan now! 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 ‘John MacNab’ fails he will pay the landowner £100, and if he succeeds, he will deliver the animal in person to the landowner and pay £50 to charity. This great story is a classic and if you haven't yet, I suggest you read it. Its popularity created something known as the "MacNab Challenge" where the goal is to stalk a red stag, bag a brace of grouse, and catch a salmon on the fly - all in the course of one Scottish Highland day. Many attempt it each year and a few are successful. My guests today recount their experiences completing the MacNab Challenge and describe the planning and logistics that can improve one's chances at success. In this episode: Delaney and Sons Outfitters Our Sponsors: B&P Shotshells Negrini Cases Dubarry of Ireland Cole Fine Guns and Gunsmithing Support the show

Have a comment or suggestion? Text Ryan now! 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 designs, renowned clientele, and how it continues leading in today’s shooting sports landscape. Gregg Elliott joins me to discuss why the H&H Royal model is regarded as the benchmark of a best gun. In this episode: Holland and Holland Gregg Elliott, Dogs and Doubles Jake Woolf, Kudu River Gundogs Submit your questions for our upcoming 'Ask Me Anything' episode with Jonny Carter. Email your question to abreakintheaction@gmail.com Our Sponsors: B&P Shotshells Negrini Cases Dubarry of Ireland Cole Fine Guns and Gunsmithing Support the show

Have a comment or suggestion? Text Ryan now! 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 Hunters M & M Hunting and Sporting Clays Submit your questions for our upcoming 'Ask Me Anything' episode with Jonny Carter. Email your question to abreakintheaction@gmail.com Our Sponsors: B&P Shotshells Negrini Cases Dubarry of Ireland Cole Fine Guns and Gunsmithing Support the show

Have a comment or suggestion? Text Ryan now! 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, Lydia. She and I have shot doves together for almost 15 years. This trip had us staying at the wonderful Hollywood Farms in Jeffersonville, Georgia and I wanted to bring on owner Chuck Duggan to tell you about his wonderful property, beautiful lodging, and of course, fantastic wingshooting opportunities. Lydia will provide a shooting review of the Rizzini Venus, one of the current shotgun options that is designed from the ground up for the lady shooter. In this episode: Hollywood Farms, Georgia Rizzini Venus Submit your questions for our upcoming 'Ask Me Anything' episode with Jonny Carter. Email your question to abreakintheaction@gmail.com Our Sponsors: B&P Shotshells Negrini Cases Dubarry of Ireland Cole Fine Guns and Gunsmithing Support the show

Have a comment or suggestion? Text Ryan now! 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 doubt or debate, there are just three in the world today - and each is in London. Purdey, Holland & Holland and Boss. In this episode we will look at the history and design achievements of the James Purdey and Sons company. In this episode: James Purdey and Sons Make sure you are entered to win our annual giveaway - a beautiful Saddleback Leather Company shotgun slip case! Entering is easy, just make sure you are following us on INSTAGRAM and 'like' the Saddleback Giveaway post. More ways to enter are listed in the post caption. We will be drawing the winner randomly at the end of September - Good Luck! Submit your questions for our upcoming 'Ask Me Anything' episode with Jonny Carter. Email your question to abreakintheaction@gmail.com Our Sponsors: B&P Shotshells Negrini Cases Dubarry of Ireland Cole Fine Guns and Gunsmithing Support the show

Have a comment or suggestion? Text Ryan now! 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 their 'Dine and Blast' event. In this episode: Nemacolin Rod and Range Club Make sure you are entered to win our annual giveaway - a beautiful Saddleback Leather Company shotgun slip case! Entering is easy, just make sure you are following us on INSTAGRAM and 'like' the Saddleback Giveaway post. More ways to enter are listed in the post caption. We will be drawing the winner randomly at the end of September - Good Luck! Submit your questions for our upcoming 'Ask Me Anything' episode with Jonny Carter. Email your question to abreakintheaction@gmail.com Our Sponsors: B&P Shotshells Negrini Cases Dubarry of Ireland Cole Fine Guns and Gunsmithing Support the project: Patreon Support the show

Have a comment or suggestion? Text Ryan now! 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 company is a giant but still prioritizes and values each customer. Larry and his family are doing more for shooting sports and for introducing youth to shooting sports than any entity I can name. In this episode: Midway USA Midway USA Foundation Our Sponsors: B&P Shotshells Negrini Cases Dubarry of Ireland Cole Fine Guns and Gunsmithing Support the project: Patreon Support the show

Have a comment or suggestion? Text Ryan now! 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 to see and do there. As is typically the case, we will also describe and shoot an interesting shotgun... the Victory Sporter from Longthorne Gunmakers of England. Support the show

Have a comment or suggestion? Text Ryan now! 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 journey. Follow Dania on Instagram Stream every Olympic event this summer and cheer on Dania on Peacock. Things to do this summer: Nemacolin Resort "Dine & Blast" - sign up and shoot with me August 8th! The Homestead Golf & Sporting Clays Classic August 22, 2024 - August 25, 2024 Support the project: Patreon Our Excellent Sponsors: B&P Shotshells Negrini Cases Dubarry of Ireland Cole Fine Guns and Gunsmithing Support the show

Have a comment or suggestion? Text Ryan now! 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 participate. Our Sponsors: B&P Shotshells Negrini Cases Dubarry of Ireland Cole Fine Guns and Gunsmithing Support the project: Patreon Support the show

Have a comment or suggestion? Text Ryan now! 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 episode of A Break in the Action. Our Sponsors: B&P Shotshells Negrini Cases Dubarry of Ireland Cole Fine Guns and Gunsmithing Support the project: Patreon Support the show

Have a comment or suggestion? Text Ryan now! 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 bounce. Generally, though, targets follow a known and reliable path. Trap, skeet, sporting clays, and their varieties are civilized and academic… helice, on the other hand, is more like the wild, wild west. In this episode we are going to take a look at the origins of helice and how it is shot. We will also focus on the amazing Prairie Wildlife in West Point, Mississippi. This incredible property is a real sportsman's paradise. Prairie Wildlife Our Sponsors: B&P Shotshells Negrini Cases Dubarry of Ireland Cole Fine Guns and Gunsmithing Support the project: Patreon Support the show

Have a comment or suggestion? Text Ryan now! Listener requested! An overdue sequel to the 'Best Shotguns <$1,000' from a few years back - in this episode I have pulled in two pros from the Orvis Gunroom, Greg Carpiniello and Connor Carson. The three of us offer up 20-30 new and used shotgun models that you should be sure to check out if you are buying in this range. Our Sponsors: B&P Shotshells Negrini Cases Dubarry of Ireland Cole Fine Guns and Gunsmithing Support the project: Patreon Support the show

Have a comment or suggestion? Text Ryan now! Here are two things you might not know about the legendary shotgun and rifle maker John Rigby and Co. The company is actually older than the United States of America and originally hailed Dublin, Ireland. My guest today is Marc Newton. Marc has been the managing director for John Rigby since 2013. He graciously accepted an invitation to discuss the company’s enduring legacy since its founding in the 18th century! Our Sponsors: B&P Shotshells Negrini Cases Dubarry of Ireland Cole Fine Guns and Gunsmithing Support the project: Patreon Support the show

Have a comment or suggestion? Text Ryan now! Getting away to hunt can be as easy as hitting the other side of your state, maybe a road trip or, flying to the other side of our country or beyond it’s borders. We are going to spend some time on this last version today. Experienced travelers develop special skills when they are frequently in and out of airports. I fly several times a year and have developed, or copied, some time saving practices and habits that significantly lower the stresses that can come along with air travel. One nuance of air travel that I am completely unfamiliar with is traveling with my shotgun. This year has several opportunities on the calendar for fly in hunting/shooting trips. As I have begun researching flying with my shotgun – I thought it might make for an interesting and informative episode for listeners planning their own adventures. So today we are going to dig in to what you need to consider when you decide to bring your shotgun along. Our Sponsors: B&P Shotshells Negrini Cases Dubarry of Ireland Cole Fine Guns and Gunsmithing Support the project: Patreon Support the show

Have a comment or suggestion? Text Ryan now! 'What friends I have, what days I treasure most, what places I think about and smile… they are because shotguns are. Without them I would have been empty. They have made my life full.' -Gene Hill Shotguns are woven into almost every aspect of my life. They have connected me with some of my dearest friends, they offer a shared pastime of shooting and hunting with my wife and daughters and have looked on during many successful and unsuccessful days in the field with my dad. The dogs I have owned snap to attention when I so much as handle one and become fully electrified when they notice me sleeving a shotgun. For many, this steel and wood tool has transcended its original intended purpose. My guest today is AJ DeRosa, creator of Project Upland. AJ is the first guest in what I hope will be an interesting and recurring series that I am calling “shotgun stories” where we will hear from my guests about the guns that they have owned and shot with and hear some of the memories that they have made with them. Our Sponsors: B&P Shotshells Negrini Cases Dubarry of Ireland Cole Fine Guns and Gunsmithing Support the project: Patreon Support the show

Have a comment or suggestion? Text Ryan now! There is one question that I get asked more often than any other. Listeners want help or advice on buying used shotguns… Is it smart to buy a shotgun online? Is it safe to buy from an individual? What should I look for in determining a used shotgun's condition and what red flags should I be aware of? These are just a few of the general questions that are worth considering buying a new bird gun for next season or upgrading your sporting clays shotgun. Gregg Elliott and Phil Bourjaily join the show to discuss a few points important points to consider. Both have been on the podcast before and each of them spends tons of time investigating, using, and writing about shotguns - new and pre-owned. Our Sponsors: B&P Shotshells Negrini Cases Dubarry of Ireland Cole Fine Guns and Gunsmithing Support the project: Patreon Support the show

Have a comment or suggestion? Text Ryan now! In this episode, I lay out what gear I take for a day shooting. Two bags and a case filled with everything I need for a day shooting sporting clays, skeet, or maybe some new adventures trying out FITSC or helice. Making sure that I have everything I need ensures I have a good time and can stay out as long as I am able. As is usually the case, seeing and not just hearing about these items will be helpful so I encourage you to check out our Instagram and Facebook pages. Here is a full list (with links) of everything mentioned in this episode. Filson Heritage Sportsman Bag Heavy Felt Organizer Baschieri and Pellagri (B&P) shotshells ESP Apex Laksen Sporting Shotmaster Negrini Shotgun Luggage Case Laksen Sporting Vest Castellani Rio Pro Dents Gloves Cole Fine Guns and Gunsmithing Beretta Tote Dubarry Kildare Boots Simms Big Sky Shirt Howler Bros. Gaucho Shirt Join our Patreon! Support the show

Have a comment or suggestion? Text Ryan now! Part 2 of our full review of the annual Christmas Grand Battue shoot at Green Acres Sportsman's Club in Roberts, Illinois. Join us as Shoot Captain, Keith Coyle walks us through the full 'Christmas Grand Battue' experience - from breakfast and high pheasant shooting to flighted mallard and the 5-course gala dinner. As we take part in this epic shoot day, we will also be reviewing and shooting two premium English-style game guns... the Beretta SL3 and the Christian Hunter O/U from Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing. Mentioned in this episode: Green Acres Sportsman's Club Christian Hunter by Connectictut Shotgun Mfg. Beretta SL3 Support the show

Have a comment or suggestion? Text Ryan now! Do you dream of one day shooting high, driven pheasants in England or someday experiencing a European-flighted mallard shoot? While these experiences wait on your bucket list I want to tell you about an amazing shoot that you participate in right here in the States. Green Acres Sportsman's Club in Roberts, Illinois offers a full menu of authentic British-style shooting events throughout the year. Join us as Shoot Captain, Keith Coyle walks us through the full 'Christmas Grand Battue' experience - from breakfast and high pheasant shooting to flighted mallard and the 5-course gala dinner. As we take part in this epic shoot day, we will also be reviewing and shooting two premium English-style game guns... the Beretta SL3 and the Christian Hunter O/U from Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing. Settle in for PART 1 of this in-depth review! Mentioned in this episode: Green Acres Sportsman's Club Beretta SL3 Croots of England Field and Moor boots Support the show