I am excited to be outside of my home studio for this episode.  A few weeks back, we heard all about the Southern Side by Side at Deep River Sporting Clays in Sanford, NC.  I am hoping that you made it a point to be there - if not, you are really missing out.  A Break in the Action tried something new at the Southern this year - we were all set up, and we had our own physical space.  Join me as we sit down with a dozen or so manufacturers, retailers, outfitters and friends to recap and get their thoughts on the 2025 Southern Side by Side Championship and Exhibition.

In this episode:

Delaney & Sons

John Dickson and Sons

Chetola Resort

Chris Batha

Dogs and Doubles

Atkin, Grant and Lang

Westley Richards

Kevin's Fine Outdoor Gear and Apparel

Fine Shooting Accessories

Foxtrot, Francis Lombardi

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A listener requested an episode about the origins of common shotshell gauges, and I thought it was a fantastic idea. However, did you know that there are also several lost gauges? In this episode, we will explore the shotshell gauges we are familiar with and discover others that have been lost to history.

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This next installment in our Shotgun Stories series features Reid Bryant.  Reid is the director of wingshooting services at Orvis and hosts the Orvis Hunting and Shooting podcast. He has contributed numerous articles to popular magazines such as Shooting Sportsman, Gray's Sporting Journal, and CoveyRise. Additionally, Reid has authored, edited, and contributed to several books.

Despite his celebrity status in the wing-shooting community, he remains one of the most humble and appreciative people you'll ever meet. It was truly a pleasure to include this conversation with Reid in our Shotgun Stories series.

In this episode:

ReidBryant.com

Orvis Guide to Upland Hunting


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The Southern Side by Side Championship and Exhibition is undoubtedly a must-attend event for shotgun enthusiasts. Now entering its 26th year, this event has become not just a regional but a national success. In this episode, I am joined by Bill Kempffer and Ed Strickland. Bill was instrumental in bringing this event to life back in 2000, and Ed is committed to ensuring it remains the can't-miss gathering for side-by-side shooters and double gun enthusiasts.

In this episode:

The Southern Side by Side Championship and Exhibition

John Woolley Shooting, Inc.


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It has been a dream of mine to shoot driven birds in the UK for years.  Last year, I checked that off the bucket list (twice actually)!  In this episode I recount my December visit to the wonderful Branches Park Estate in Suffolk, England and the full week of shotgun sights and experiences that I had with three traveling friends.

Joining the discussion is Jake Woolf (Kudu River Gundogs/GunsOnPegs podcast) and Peter Bailer (Branches Park Estate) - two new friends who introduced me to a whole new way to look at shooting in England. 

I hope you too dream of shooting in the UK and I want to encourage you to make that dream a reality someday. 

In this episode:

Kudu River Gundogs

Branches Park Estate

Beretta SL3

Longthorne Shotguns

Bettinsoli :)


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Delaney & Sons
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Beretta first released their over and under shotgun design in 1933 named in the catalog as Mod. S1 Fucile da Caccia Sovrapposta.  Sovrapposta is Italian for "overlapped" and refers to the barrel arrangement, think over/under or superposed.  The newly released S1 featured a true sidelock design with premium specifications. Beretta immediately went head-to-head with Browning, openly criticizing their Superposed shotgun as "very high, heavy, and ugly," a chiding that would be echoed by the Italian trade for the next 70 years.

In the 90 years since, Beretta has continued to refine and expand its over-and-under models. The S models evolved into the SO models, which remain some of the finest hand-built shotguns available today.  Each year, Beretta releases a "Gun of the Year" to showcase the pinnacle of the company's craftsmanship. Recently, I sat down with Travis Haglin, Beretta's Director of Premium Sales, to discuss the magnificent SO6 EELL Sparviere Marco Polo - this year's Gun of the Year and why special projects like this are important.

In this episode:

Beretta SO6 EELL Sparviere Marco Polo


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Rich Cole joins me to announce a unique new shotgun project!

Rich Cole is a key figure in fine shotguns and precision gunsmithing. From his early days at Beretta to establishing himself as an authority in the field, Rich has devoted his life to repairing, building and customizing exceptional firearms. His journey reflects an unwavering commitment to quality and innovation. 

Well over a year in the making - I'm excited introduce the Cole Special Beretta 687 Double Selective to you. It is a bird hunter's dream over and under.

In this episode:

Cole Special Beretta 687 DS


Our Sponsors:
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In this episode, we get to know popular YouTuber Jonny Carter of TGS Outdoors.  I've known Jonny for a few years now. I am an enormous fan of his content, where he shares information about shotguns and shooting in an approachable, informative, and interesting way.  Jonny is modest about his vast knowledge of shotguns and his shooting ability, friendly, and even self-deprecating.  Of course, he admires best quality shotguns, but he also finds things to appreciate about modest shotguns.  In this Shotgun Stories episode, we pull the curtain back a bit and hear how Jonny first became interested in shotguns and what led to the creation of his channel. We also ask him a few listener-submitted questions.

In this episode:

TGS Outdoors on YouTube


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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


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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 [email protected]

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