Quarterly Newsletter. Message from the President

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1 Jan-Mar 2014 Volume 1, Issue 1 Quarterly Newsletter Message from the President As this year opens, I d like to express my appreciation to all the hard working members who man the counter, load the targets, staff the range, work the events, maintain the equipment, and provide vital assistance necessary for the operation of the club. I also want to thank the hard working and understanding wives who lend their support both at the club and away. We are looking forwards to Old Hickory 2014 Skeet, Trap, and SASS shoots. I'm thrilled with the increase in club members participating in the registered shoots. I encourage anyone thinking about taking the plunge in competitive shooting to jump on in. It is an enjoyable and exciting experience. If you're worried about protocols and etiquette during a shoot, there are plenty of experienced shooters that can quickly bring you up to speed on any concerns you may have. For newer members who might have an interest in reloading or trying skeet or trap for the first time, there are plenty of members willing to answer questions and give out some friendly pointers. All you have to do is ask. We are working on some exciting additions to the facilities including a new storage barn for clay targets and equipment, improvements at the rifle and pistol range, and some additional items that will be available for purchase in the club house. There are also lots of activities in the works including "fun shoots," possibly a skeet league, breakfasts and meals, and other social events. Interest in the shooting sports is at an all time high and club membership continues to grow. With the increase in membership it's important that each of us fulfill the obligations of being part of a member operated club. I encourage each of you to participate in the fun of shooting and to come out on scheduled workdays to share in the work of maintaining the facility. Robert Cressionnie President OHGC 1

2 About Old Hickory Old Hickory Gun Club is a membership club that was originally established in 1984 by a group of dedicated Skeet shooters who wanted a place to practice their preferred shooting discipline and to host registered target Skeet tournaments. Funds were provided by charter members who loaned startup capital to build and operate the club. These Note Holders still provide the basic governance of the club and its facilities. A number of notes have been sold and passed on to others, generally through private sales. Board of Directors 2014 The Note Holders meet annually, elect a Board of Directors and delegate to that Board, the authority to manage the club on a daily basis. The Board meets on the first Wednesday of every month and club members are welcome to attend. Since inception OHGC has added Trap Shooting, Rifle and Pistol Ranges and Single Action Shooting Society ( Cowboy Action Shooting ) to its facilities. The success of the Club is dependent on member participation. Use your club, take an active part in its development and help keep it clean and functional. Safe and well equipped places to shoot are becoming scarce, so help protect this valuable resource Robert Cressionnie President Bud Tremblay Secretary Jim Thompson Vice President Phil McCumbee Treasurer Rusty Daughtridge Kamm Bunting Al Bost Steve Joyner Wayne Rhodes Target Mgr. Skeet Mgr. Trap Mgr. Scheduling Youth Activities Jon Silberhorn John Parker T. L. Bryant Robert Curl Keven Wright Membership Sponsorships CCW Rifle Pistol Grounds 2

3 Reloading Forum Is It Worth The Effort To Reload Shotgun Ammunition? Many avid shotgun users choose to reload their own ammunition.. The three primary reasons are: 1. Cost savings, 2. Custom loads and 3. Enjoyment. Generally the key driver of the reloading equation is volume. The more you shoot, the more it makes sense. Reloading your own ammunition will give you a better understanding of shotgun performance, especially if you take the time to pattern and chronograph your reloads. This article focuses on the cost savings you can achieve over the price of factory ammo. Premium loads versus economy loads: We all know that quality varies greatly in the products we buy. Generally speaking higher quality means better performance but higher cost. Whether you use premium loads e.g. Remington STS or economy loads such as Remington Gun Club or Winchester Super Target, is up to you. This is also true of the components you use to reload. Economy loads will certainly get the job done on a day to day basis; however, premium loads may make the difference between a 99 and a 100 if that is your goal. Most of us are trying to get as much shooting as possible for our dollar. The cost of ammunition and reloading components has sky rocketed over the last several years and some components have become difficult to find. Rising cost and scarcity may be good reasons to get into reloading; but, they also make it more challenging. The following charts show the possible savings you can achieve if you reload. The savings in reloading 28 Ga and 410 Bore shells is much greater due to the higher initial cost of factory ammunition. The analysis uses OHGC ammunition and component pricing where available. Component cost can be affected by quality and quantity and there are literally hundreds of combinations. The examples use an average of 10 reloads per hull with standard gauge specific charge weights, e.g. 3/4 oz. in 28 gauge and 7/8 oz. in 20 gauge and 1 1/8 in 12 gauge. Additional savings can be achieved using lighter loads such as 3/4 oz. in 20 gauge. The initial cost of the factory shells is spread over the number of reloads per hull. If you have access to free hulls, you are further ahead of the game. More detailed information on cost savings is posted in the club house. Examples: 12 Ga. Premium Shells & Components (Rem. STS) Remington STS hulls, primers & wads Original Cost per Box $9.90 Average Cost per Reloaded Box* $6.93 Savings $ Ga. Economy Shells & Components Win. ST, Ched. Primers, Claybuster Wad Original Cost per Box $5.95 Average Cost per Reloaded Box* $4.83 Savings $ Bore Win AA HS 28 Ga. Win AA HS Original Cost per Box $10.60 Average Cost per Reloaded Box* $3.98 Savings $6.62 Original Cost per Box $10.60 Average Cost per Reloaded Box* $5.61 Savings $4.99 The MEC 600 Jr. Mark V single stage press sells for $ Using the information in the 28 gauge chart a new reloader could recoup the initial investment in a 28 gauge press after reloading only 36 boxes of shells. A 28 gauge MEC progressive reloading press,such as the 9000 G at $605.95,would take 121 boxes to recoup the initial outlay. If you intend to shoot a lot, particularly the small gauges, you can definitely save money by reloading. Hint; if you don t have a lot of patience and don t intend to stay with consistent loads, then you should go with a single stage press. Reloading maxim: A progressive reloading machine isn t. Never deviate from manufactures current published reloading data. Be Safe! 3

4 Highlights from OHGC 2013 Activities Don Wise Retires From Counter Duty Friday May 31, 2013 was Don Wise s last day of working the counter at Old Hickory. Don has spent most every Friday afternoon doing counter duty at the club over the last several years. He has also helped the club with many other things whenever asked. Don hails from Pennsylvania but has spent a number of years in the South and now lives in Tarboro. Don is stepping aside because, as he puts it I ve had too many birthdays. He would also like to spend a little more time traveling with his wife. If there is any time left over he will continue to shoot an occasional round of Skeet. He has certainly earned the right to do so and the Club has been fortunate to have benefitted from his general willingness to help out. Don was presented a Plaque from the Board in appreciation of his service. Thanks Don, and we expect to see a lot more 25 straights. The Annual Pig Pickin Open Skeet Shoot was held in June Phil McCumbee prepares the pig. Skeet Chairman,Kamm Bunting, and Club Pres. Robert Cressionnie Tom Daly John McAuliffe 4 OHGC shooters, Butch Hassel, John Parker & George De Santo

5 The August Skeet Shoot George DeSanto George, John, Butch & Jon Phil McCumbee Butch Hassel Don Wise & Rusty Daughtridge Simon Smith Al, Kamm and Don Jim Thompson Around Old Hickory Cole Bost: Award winning youth shooter Got your new hat? Rusty Daughtridge, target manager and OHGC s new fork lift. 5

6 Upcoming 2014 Events at Old Hickory Gun Club SKEET Shooting Registered Shoots Annual Pig Pickin Open - June NC Open Skeet Championship - August Club Skeet League: April thru June Targets Sign up in club house: Shoot 500 targets at your convenience from April until June 30. Turn in score sheets at counter. There will be team, youth and individual shooting categories. Check club bulletin board for additional details. Those wishing to register their targets may do so by paying the additional NSSA fee.. Contact Kamm Bunting at buntingmachineworks@yahoo.com. TRAP Shooting Registered Trap Shoots: March 15 - April 19 - May 17 September 13 - October 18 - November 15 Note: The rifle and pistol range and Skeet fields #1 and #2 will remain open during these Trap Shoots. All shoots start at 9:00 AM Saturday mornings. Single Action Shooting Society Cowboy Action Shooting The OLD HICKORY REGULATORS hold organized shoots on the first Saturday of each month from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. The annual Father Time Shoot will be held on April 4-6. This event draws some real desperados from far away places and features Chuck Wagon cooking and Cowboy Camping. Come on out to watch the cowboys shoot! Note: The rifle and pistol ranges are generally closed during SASS events. Concealed Carry: These classes are held on an as needed basis. Contact T. L. Bryant at grumpyscv771@centurylink.net. 6

7 Wish I said that. Youth Activities Sweetest little wife, I think all the time of my little laughing teasing beauty.. And, I could almost cry, I love you so. But, I think the hunting will do me good. Theodore Roosevelt A gentleman sincerely believes that trap shooting is a great and noble sport; but a skeet shooter is not of this opinion Heard Around OHGC Old Hickory Gun Club is interested in promoting youth shooting activities. Wayne Rhodes, a director of OHGC is responsible for coordinating and organizing shooting events for young shooters. If you have a son or daughter interesting in being involved in the shooting sports contact, Wayne at wwrfatdaddy@embarqmail.com. The youth group will be competing in the Spring Skeet Newsletter league this year. The Edgecombe 4H Club will be holding shoots on March 30, May 15, June 15, July 27, August 17 and September 21. All shoots are on Sundays at 2:00 PM. Nowhere more than in the shooting field can a man show himself so much an ass, or prove himself so much a gentleman. George Bird Evans The gauge of the man is the index to the ability of the man to prove his manhood. If it is a 12 gauge he is so-so. If it is a 16, he is pretty good. If it s a 20, he is excellent and if it is a 410, he is bragging Robert Ruark, The Brave Quail If you would like to contribute, post a notice, write a story or help in any way with the quarterly newsletter, your help would be greatly appreciated. We need contributors for rifle/pistol, and Cowboy Action news. Interesting pictures (jpeg format) of club events and suggestions for topics are welcome. Send information to Bud Tremblay, Secretary OHGC at bud.tremblay@gmail.com OHGC Contact Information 201 Dalewood Drive, Rocky Mount NC Club Hours: Wed, Fri & Sun - 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM Phone Web Site : Sat. 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM 7