Bennelli Supernova Tactical finish 12-Ga Shotgun

Bennelli 12-GA Supernova (tactical finish)

One of my friends had visited Florida this past winter and brought his son-in-law's Supernova to shoot while there and I didn't take the opportunity to shoot it the few times we were able to go. Back in Wisconsin, he had to return the gun but had liked it so much that he bought a new one for himself. I went up to Portage to shoot with him, having been rained out the last time I tried, and unfortunately my 870 locked up on me (I have isolated the problem to the hammer/trigger assembly and am taking it to a gunsmith).  I had brought a 16-Ga back-up and darned if the bolt didn't come out and wouldn't go back in.  I was quite disappointed in it all, but my friend handed me the Bennelli to do a round. I was flustered, but took it to the line and shot 18 with it.  Except for a couple of fantastic times, I don't usually shoot better than 18 so I was satisfied.  The gun was balanced well and felt nice and light, a good pointer for a field gun.  It was a great pleasure to shoot it. The action was pretty much identical to the 870, although it seemed a wee bit larger and maybe an inch longer than mine.  All in all it was a good day because I got a chance, finally, to shoot this gun.

Remington Model 870 Express 12-ga shotgun

Remington Model 870 Express    12-Gauge Shotgun

I had an impromptu opportunity to shoot another Remington 870 than my own Wingmaster when, probably due to accumulation of grit and wax from my shabby reloads, my gun refused to shoot on the 3rd station of a trap round after my having broken the first ten birds!  I was in the zone and shooting factory shells, but the firing pin failed to set over 3 different shells and I dejectedly turned and walked back to the rear.  As I got there, someone waiting for the next squad offered me the use of his over and under. One of his teammates then offered me his 870 Express, which I took, because the 870 was what I had been shooting.  I walked back to the firing line and missed my next shot, but managed to get in the zone and break the second.  Then the scorer had me shoot 3 to catch up, 2 of which I broke.  I finished with 20, which is a personal best for me by two birds!  My team moved to the 20-yard mark on the handicap round and I broke 16, another all-time best, my previous attempt at that distance netting me only 6!  Other than my gun going down, it was a very, very successful night, and I was happy to buy a beer for the loaner after his round was over.  The gun felt just a wee bit more massive than my own in the stock, but not by much.  It was great.

Ithaca Model M-66 12-gauge shotgun

Ithaca Model M-66 12-gauge shotgun

This was my first shotgun, given to me by my dad.  It took me a long time to work up the nerve to shoot it the first time, because I was afraid of the impending recoil.  He got a kick out of that (no pun intended) and I think he liked the fact that I was so fearsome of this weapon.  It was a good beginning of respect for a firearm.  Mine has the 3-inch chamber and I have had it out hunting for ducks, however my high school friend and I were hardly really hunting since we had no retriever, no skill, and no spot that was worthwhile.  I have, over the years tried a little clay pigeon with it, but largely it has sat in my safe until today, when I dragged it out to give it the once-over and some kind of work out before cleaning it up.  It is spring turkey hunting season and there is no reason not to go sit in the woods with it a little bit and see if I can figure out where they are roosting.

Here is a schematic of the gun from Ithaca's website.  It is a lot simpler than a lot of guns I have.

Browning BT-99 12-gauge shotgun

Browning BT-99 Single barrel 12-ga shotgun

I had the good fortune to be able to shoot a round of trap with this gun, the only addition being an adjustable comb on top of the stock.  It was great to shoot a 3000-dollar trap gun! I broke only 16 with it, but I was getting used to the comb after shooting my Remington 870, and thought I did OK for the first attempt.  It was an easy pointer; the only strange thing I noticed was the fact that the forestock, which is tapered, leaves a bit of room for your fingers to get near the barrel, which gets mighty hot!  Shooting it ws a real treat.

Browning Citori Special 12-ga shotgun

Life is good!  32-degrees with light snow flurries in Wisconsin in early March and the guys at the gun club are shooting shotguns!  Didn't try and bring a shotgun on the airplane, so am at the mercy of those who are willing to share.  Fortunately, to teach, as well.  My friend took it easy on me with the true pairs, and gave me a good introductory lesson on where to hold and let me shoot this nice over and under.  It was a real treat and I didn't do half badly for the very first round.  Even surprised myself and my mentors by smoking the last 2, which are tough, intuitive shots.  It was a great time with a great, in my humble, novice-like opinion, gun.

Remington Model 870 12-gauge Shotgun

Remington Model 870 12-Gauge Shotgun

Purchased @ gun show.
Wingmaster; 3-inch chamber, removable choke tubes.  Came with improved cylinder.  I added a full choke and a modified choke so as to learn how to shoot trap.  It is a beautiful shotgun in very good shape and a lot of fun to shoot.  Every woman should have one.

This is an exploded diagram of the gun in case, God forbid, I ever have to make an adjustment or repair.