FOREST AND STREAM 
[Nov. 7, 1908. 
74-8 
Kentucky State Live Bird Shoot. 
The annual live-bird tournament of the State League 
was held on the grounds of the Northern Kentucky 
Gun Club, at Dayton, Ky., on Oct. 28 and 29. The 
tournament was a very successful one, although the at¬ 
tendance was not quite up to expectations. There was a 
fair attendance of spectators attracted by the rather un¬ 
usual fact that pigeons were to be shot at instead of clay 
targets. 
The weather during the shoot was of the best, not too 
cold to make standing in the open air uncomfortable, 
and not warm enough to make the pigeons slow on the 
wing. The club installed an extra set of traps just be¬ 
yond the old casting pool, and both sets were used in 
running off the events. 
The shooters were in sections of five, each man shoot¬ 
ing two birds over one set of traps and then shifting to 
the other set. The birds were an exceptionally good lot, 
with very few sitters, and in almost every case where 
the bird did not get away at once the trap was at fault. 
Very little occurred to delay the smooth running of the 
shoot, thanks to the efforts of the club officers at the 
grounds and to the manner in which they had worked 
out all details of the shoot long in advance of the date 
set. 
The office was in charge of Mr. John Chrest, who gave 
perfect satisfaction. He worked under difficulties, being 
quartered in a tent to which every one had free access, 
and had innumerable questions fired at him most of the 
time, something which is not conducive to rapid and 
accurate figuring. However, he bore his troubles with 
good nature, and succeeded in finishing up everything 
soon after the last event. 
Supt. C. Winters had charge of the traps and grounds, 
and also served a fine dinner on each day. This dinner 
business is getting to be quite a feature at these 
grounds since the club house was finished, and Mr. 
Winter is making a name for himself among the shoot¬ 
ers in this respect. 
The trade was well represented by Messrs. R. O. 
Heikes, H. Money, J. R. Taylor, C. A. Young, C. O. 
Le Compte, F. Le Noir, T. A. Marshall, H. W. Heikes 
and F. Pragoff. 
The officers of the State League are: Geo. B. Kinkead, 
President, Lexington; J. Q. Ward, Vice-President, Paris; 
Frank Pragoff, Secretary-Treasurer, Louisville; Execu¬ 
tive Committee, T. H. Clay, Chairman, Paris; C. O. 
Le Compte, Eminence; James Denny, Lexington; I. P. 
Gould, Davton; C. O. Prowse, Hopkinsville. 
Oct. 28, First Day. 
Wednesday, the opening day of the tournament, was 
fine, with just enough breeze blowing to make the birds 
good and lively. The attendance was quite good, nearly 
twenty-five shooters taking part in the events. The last 
event shot was at 12 birds, and it looked as though the 
management had been saving an especially strong lot for 
this event, as it was the only one of the day in which 
any birds were recorded as “dead out,” or else the 
shooters were losing their skill to a certain extent, for 
17 pigeons succeeded in escaping over the boundary to 
fall dead. Event No. 4 was at 10 birds, handicaps 28 to 
34yds. Amateurs starting at 28yds. and shooting two 
birds at each distance up to 32yds.; professionals start¬ 
ing at 30yds. and shooting two birds at each distance 
up to 34yds. In the second event at 7 birds, amateurs 
started at 28yds. and went back a yard at each shot; 
professionals started at 30yds., moved back a yard at 
each shot, standing at 34yds. for the last three birds. 
Owing to coming darkness it was necessary to omit the 
last two events of the programme, miss-and-outs. Shoot¬ 
ing was begun at about 9 o’clock, and was continued 
without interruption until dark. High professionals for 
the day were T. A. Marshall, with 35 out of 36 birds; 
F. Le Noir, 33; R. O. Heikes, 30. The high amateurs 
were H. L. Woody and C. E. Walker, 31 each; L. F. 
Ahlers, G. W. Schuler, P. L. Nicholas and D. Pohlar, 
30 each. The miss-and-out event is not included in this 
record. The scores; 
Event No. 1, 7 birds, 30yds., $5 entrance, money 
divided, class shooting, 50, 30, 20 per cent.: 
c 
E Walker... . 
.1122222—7 
F Le 
Noir .... 
. 0122221-6 
L 
F Ahlers.... 
2222222—7 
H Money . 
. 2220222—6 
T 
A Marshall... 
2222222_7 
Dan 
Pohlar ... 
. 0222222—6 
T 
R Taylor. 
2222212_7 
R O 
Heikes... 
. 2221202—6 
C 
A Young. 
2222222—7 
H W 
Heikes... 
. 2220212—6 
G 
W Schuyler.. 
.2222122—7 
C, C 
Walker... 
. 2212021—6 
P 
L Nicholas... 
. 2212210—6 
Chas 
Bultman. 
. 2122102—6 
C 
O Le Compte 
. 1102122—6 
IV E 
Sullivan.. 
.1122200—5 
O 
J Holladay... 
.0222222 _ 6 
H L 
Woody... 
.1110202—5 
Event No. 2, 
7 birds, handicap from 28 to 
34yds., $5 
entrance; money 
divided, 50, 
30, 20: 
H 
L Woody.... 
.2121222—7 
Dr [ 
P Gould. 
. 2121220—6 
T 
A Marshall.. 
.2222222—7 
P L 
Nicholas.. 
.2100222—5 
F Le Noir... 
R O Heikes. 
H W Heikes. 
C E Walker. 
L F Ahlers.. 
Dan Pohlar . 
C A Young.. 
.2222222—7 C A Le Compte.1111010—5 
.2222222—7 O T Halladav... .2202220—5 
.2222212—7 T R Taylor.2011021—5 
.2201222—6 IT Money .2222200—5 
.2222222—6 G W Schuler... .2200222—5 
.2222022—6 G S Walker.0101220—4 
.0222222—6 Chas Bultman.. .2021200—4 
Event No. 3, miss-and-out, 30yds., $2 entrance, birds 
included: 
L F Ahlers.22222—5 C E Walker.220 —2 
Dr I P Gould.12222—5 H A Woody.20 —1 
J A Schreck.12220—4 P L Nicholas.10 —1 
Dan Pohlar .220 —2 W G Schuler.0 —0 
Event No. 4, 10-bird handicap, 28 to 
trance, money "divided, 50, 30 and 20 per 
T A Marshall ... 
Dan Pohlar .. 
C E Walker.. 
P L Nicholas.. 
C O Le Compte. 
T R Taylor. 
H L Woody. 
L F Ahlers. 
O J Holladay. 
F Le Noir .. 
34yds., $5 en- 
cent.: 
.. . 2222222222—10 
... 1221111222—10 
.. .2220222222— 9 
.. .1212210221— 9 
.. .1121012221— 9 
.. .2222222022— 9 
...2021211111— 9 
... 2222220102 — 8 
... 2222222020 — 8 
... 2211102202 — 8 
R O Heikes. 
C A Young. 
W G Schuler. 
T H Clay, Jr. 
H Money . 
G S Walker. 
C Bultman . 
Dr I P Gould. 
J A Schreck. 
H W Heikes. 
Payne . 
Event No. 5, 12 birds, 30yds., 
divided 50, 30 and 20: 
Fred Le Noir . 
T H Clay, Tr. 
G S Walker.. 
T A Marshall. 
P L Nicholas. 
O J Holladay. 
H Money . 
R O Heikes. 
H L Woody. 
W G Schuler. 
Payne . 
C E Walker.. 
C O Le Compte. 
T R Taylor. 
H W Heikes. 
C A Young. 
C Bultman ...'.. 
Dr I P Gould. 
Dan Pohlar . 
L F Ahlers. 
W E Sullivan. 
J A Schreck. 
Geo Dameron . 
.1022222022— 8 
. .2222220202— 8 
.0102222222— 8 
.0022222222— 8 
.2222200220— 7 
.1120102120— 7 
.0221120021— 7 
.0120210222— 7 
.2212120002— 7 
.0111200011— 6 
.1002000002— 3 
$5 entrance, money 
.222212221222—12 
.2222*2222222—11 
.202112212222—11 
.222222222*22—11 
.202212102212—10 
.222222*02221—10 
.222022202222—10 
.11222212*202—10 
.222012*12222—10 
.2122222**222—10 
.2*2220222222—10 
.2021222*0222— 9 
.221220111020— 9 
. ...*22222*222*2—9 
.202122002222— 9 
.0*2222222202— 9 
.221022220110— 9 
.220222002221— 9 
.2*1011120*21— 8 
.220220220002— 7 
.012202020220— 7 
.020022122002— 7 
.0*202*210022— 6 
Oct. 29, Second Day. 
The last day of the shoot was pleasant and a little cooler 
than the previous day. The attendance was some better, 
thirty shooters taking part in the event for the cham¬ 
pionship of Kentucky at live birds. More spectators 
were on the grounds and* the fair sex was well rep¬ 
resented. Only tnree events were shot to-day owing to 
the supply of birds running short. This was followed 
by the main event of the tournament, a match at 25 
birds, for the State live-bird championship. In this 
match only members of the League who are citizens of 
Kentucky were eligible to compete for the trophy. All 
amateurs could enter for the purse, professionals shoot¬ 
ing for birds only. The last event was at 10 birds and 
had twenty-two entries, the supply of birds being only a 
few more than sufficient to shoot the event out. The 
last three events on the programme were cut out, and it 
is doubtful if there would have been daylight enough 
to finish them anyway. 
The championship and cup were won by Mr. W. F. 
Booker, of Louisville, with a score of 24 out of 25. At 
thq conclusion of the shoot the cup was presented to the 
winner in behalf of the State League, by Mr. Thomas 
A. Marshall, who once more proved himself to be a past- 
master in the art of saying pleasant things. Mr. Booker, 
beyond expressing his pleasure at having won the elegant 
trophy and the championship title, declined to make a 
speech. High professional for the day was R. O. Heikes, 
who killed 35 out of 35 shot at, the only man to make 
a straight score on either day of the tournament; J. R. 
Taylor, 33, H. Money and C. O. Le Compte 32 each; 
C. A. Young, 31. High amateur, W. F. Booker, 33: 
T. H. Clay, C. B. Semple, 32 each; G. McMorris, G. W. 
Schuler, and L. F. Ahlers, 30 each. For the two days: 
Professionals—R. O. Heikes, 65 out of 71; J. R. Taylor, 
63; T. A. Marshall, C. A. Young and C. O. Le Compte, 
61 each. Amateurs—L. F. Ahlers and G. W. Schuler, 
60 each; D- Pohlar, 59; C. E. Walker, 58. The scores: 
Event No. 1 , mi^s-and-out, $2 entrance, birds included, 
30yds.: 
T H Clay, Jr.2222222222—10 
Geo McMorris .2222222222—10 
W F Booker.2222222222—10 
C E Walker.22222220 — 7 
C B Semple.1222220 — 6 
P Nicholas .222220 — 5 
J A Schreck .2120 — 3 
L F Ahlers...20 — 1 
J W Farrell.20 — 1 
Geo Dameron .20 — 1 
J V Dea.* — 0 
I P Gould.* — 0 
E O White.0 — 0 
Event No. 2, Kentucky State championship, 25 birds, 
30yds., $10 entrance, class shooting, 50, 30 and 20 per 
cent.: 
C E Walker.1211222201111112201222100—21 
P Nicholas .2211022221222112002102**0—18 
T H Clay.222222202222222222222*222—23 
I P Gould.2212212020121112222222222—23 
Geo Dameron .2222000200*022000222200*0—11 
L F Ahlers.2220222222222222222222222—24 
J W Farrell.201*210022222122222200020—17 
O T Holladay.2222220222222222*22020202—20 
E O White.1100*112*2**2001222212212—17 
C B Sample.1122*22211001222222222212—22 
W F Booker.2221222222220222222222222—24 
Geo McMorris .2222011222222212222222222—24 
Fred Le Noir .0010111212222122012012120—19 
T A Marshall.2012202000022222222222222—19 
H A Woody.12102221*211122*222120*21—20 
G C Walker.*21101221212*022*20101221—18 
T R Tavlor.2221222222222220202222222—23 
C A Young.1222212122002222222222222—23 
C O Le Compte.*21111221122*2211*1112212—22 
J V Dea.22220*10210020*012112*102—15 
C Bultman .002002202*001*222*1220021—13 
H Money .2201222222222222222222222—24 
H W Heikes.212*212021221221200100120—18 
T E Schreck.*22110210122*012211101*1*—17 
R O Heikes.2122112221221222221212122—25 
W G Schuler.2122202200201122222220222—20 
Dan Pohlar .210222011202*1221221122*2—20 
W E Sullivan.22001*111101*21*212221222—19 
M H Johnson.02002211221220112120*1222—19 
J Q Ward.222122222222*222*12220222—22 
Event No. 3, 10 birds, 30yds., $5 entrance: 
C E Walker.1210*20220— 6 
Nicholas .122222222*— 9 
Clay ..2222022222— 9 
Le Compte .1212222122—10 
Holladay .222212*222— 9 
Koch .1021210101— 7 
McFee .1002211222— 8 
Ahlers .2220222000— 6 
Booker .2222220222— 9 
Marshall .2202202022— 7 
Semple . 1222211222—10 
Le Noir .122222*202— 8 
G C Walker .2201201021— 7 
Young .*222*22222— 8 
Taylor .2222222222—10 
Gould .121100200*— 5 
Money .2112220021— 8 
R O Heikes.2222222212—10 
H W Heikes.2222*22212— 9 
Pohlar ....2222211022—9 
Schuler.2222222222-10 
McMorris .200220*222— 6 
Long Cartridges. 
The matter of balling which was referred to in the 
article on long cartridges is a most important question, 
and is worthy of careful consideration before any final 
verdict is given pro or con Magnum charges in small¬ 
bore guns. Mr. Leeson’s letter puts the cause on faulty 
boring, and says “it can be easily obviated by careful 
boring”; but I venture to think that the cause probably 
lies elsewhere, much more likely in the lead from the 
chamber to the barrel, or it may be that choke is not 
suited to the longer column of shot. 
In my 20-bore gun (the subject of an article, Jan. 25, 
1908) the chambers have been lengthened to take 2%in. 
cases. The boring of the barrels has not been touched. 
They are: Right breech .624, and muzzle .605; left breech 
.624, and muzzle .597. With 214m. cases these barrels 
made remarkably regular shooting and close patterns, 
especially the right barrel; and never in any pattern on 
target was any balling seen. These 2 ! 4 m. cases were 
loaded with 31grs. of Schultze (42-grain nature) and 
%oz. shot. The remarkable fact was that the right barrel 
always gave nearly as full a pattern as the choked left, 
and far more evenly distributed. 
With the lengthening of chamber the gun has been re¬ 
proved to shoot loz. shot, and the charge just subjected 
to test was 28grs. smokeless Diamond (33-grain nature) 
and loz. of 5y 2 shot. The noticeable feature of this 
shooting was a falling off in regularity of amounts, some 
remarkably good, some very poor; but for the first time 
with this gun balling was seen on several targets. 
The boring had not been altered, but the lead from 
chamber to barrel had in the new lengthening for 2 %in. 
cases. Was it here the irregular shooting and balling 
came in, or was it that the larger _ charge simply em¬ 
phasized the comparative unsuitability of choke-boring 
to nitro explosive as compared to improved cylinder? In 
other words, was it that the longer column of shot has, 
of its own formation in cylinder-bore, the effect of choke 
on the shot, and is discharged in smooth formation 
from the cylinder without the possibly defecting check 
of the shot given to it by the choke-boring momentarily 
holding back the shot? May it not be that choke-bore is 
unsuited to long column of shot? 
The chamber lead to the barrel must receive con¬ 
sideration. I found that the empty 2 %in. paper case 
could not be completely inserted, so as to be able to 
close the gun, except upon using considerable pressure. 
This distinctly showed that the leading t/iin. or so of 
the case must be compressed by the chamber-cone to a 
diameter considerably less than the normal internal 
diameter of the case. Hqnce it followed that both the 
shot charge and the wads, in order to pass this con¬ 
stricted passage on firing, must be distorted in form 
thereby, and probably would not again fit the barrel. If 
so, the wads, distorted by this “breech choke,’' would 
be sufficiently ill-fitting in the barrel to allow the nitro 
gas-blast into and beyond the shot, and thus weaken the 
shooting and disarrange the shot formation. 
The next point was lead-fouling, which had not been 
experienced before, found at and only about lin. to lVam. 
beyond the cone. This may have- been caused by the 
re-expansion of the shot charge after squeezing through 
the case-made choke, and aided by the absence of close- 
fitting power in the wads to wipe the bore clean at every 
discharge. Naturally, after a certain amount of this lead- 
fouling had been accumulated, the shot, on jumping the 
paper-case choke, would for an instant be checked on 
striking lead-fouling_ instead of bright. steel, and the 
next shot would be jammed on to them in a mass, hence 
a nice clot or two of balling of outer pellets. These 
clots of irregular shape, of course, travel to the target in 
no regular direction, but the target was at 20 yds. 
Puzzling over the irregular quantities of the patterns, 
I tried less shot, 15-16 oz., and the smaller size No. 6 . 
But the result was very little different, the patterns were 
good, but not up to the previous 2 %in. case patterns, 
and not regular in the pellet show, and there was some 
balling. Again, almost every shot from the right was 
better than left. Thus I found it advisable to send the 
gun to Mr. Lewis, its builder, for him to test the lead 
from chamber to barrel, and also for him to shoot the 
gun in a further trial of loading, viz., “the low potential 
load” which you advised; that is, a heavy shot charge, 
low initial velocity, and striking power insured by the 
use of large size of shot. For this test I have put the 
charge at 26grs. (33-grain nature) and loz. No. 5 . shot. 
This “low potential charge” shot by Mr. Lewis gave an 
average in 30in. circle at 40yds. of 116 right, 132 left, re¬ 
spectively 53 and 61 per cent, of the charge. The nat- 
terns were very regular, and there was no sign of balling 
(I may say the chamber cone had been looked to). Then 
Mr. Lewis fired five of his own loading, 26grs. Empire 
(33-grain nature) and loz. No. 5 “low potential charge.” 
left barrel only. Result: very level, bar one, 143, 142, 
