A Break in the Action

Dr. Frankenstein’s monster was stitched together components that formed a man.  What if we could do the same and cobble together the components of a shotgun?  Would the end result be greater than the sum of its individual parts - or would the sight of it scare children and civilized shotgun enthusiasts? Now, we all know that with regards to shotguns, it has always been the case that with deep enou...

Have you ever wondered why we don’t see more variety in the type of wood found on shotgun stocks?  With over 200 species of hardwoods alone - why is walnut so prevalent?  In this two-part episode, we will first hear from Dan Ziegler, owner of Luxus Walnut .  Dan breaks down why walnut is the predominant choice for shotgun (and rifle) stocks, and what terms like figure, feather, marble-cake, and bu...

Something a little different in this new episode.  While building content, I often have interviews and topics that don’t need a full 30-40 minute dedicated episode.  I have decided to take these ‘shorts’ and pool them together plus offer you an update on what is in the works with the A Break in the Action podcast. Gamebird taxidermy with Meadow Kouffeld  R eview of the Zoli Pernice , 20g O/U Mouth...

Q uail hunting in the US is filled with tradition. A symphony of sights, sounds, and sensations that has a special way of connecting today’s hunters with those of the past.  How does shotgun selection fit into the discussion on quail hunting?   I have invited a few familiar names to join this panel discussion.  Reid Bryant, Durrell Smith, and Charlie Jordan – each has a significant presence and vo...

For the single shotgun or single gauge hunter - is the 28g. or the 20g. the superior choice?  Shotgun and shotshell manufacturers and shotgun columnists have been boasting some pretty impressive claims about the 28g.  Are they realistic or is this just a way to encourage you to look over the new 28g shotguns they are selling?  I am joined today by Gregg Elliott and Phil Bourjaily.  Each a shotgun...

Whether mentioned by name or inferred, this podcast often refers to "The Golden Age of Shotgunning".  This period generally encompasses the late 19th century to the mid-20th century, with its peak occurring between the later 1800s to the 1920s. During this time, significant advancements were made in shotgun design and manufacturing capabilities, and efficiencies.  The basic design of the...

The Westley Richards company managed to do what very few gunmakers outside of London were able to do - catch and keep the eye of the privileged, money is no object shooting elite during the Golden Age of Shotgunning.  What is the history of this gunmaker and why were their developments game changing and still relevant to most if not all of the shotguns that you own today?  We are discussing the ic...

In the late 1990's, I had only just discovered shotguns, wing-shooting, and clay targets.  Not growing up around guns or hunting I was anxious to dive deep into this new hobby.  There were a few periodicals that I got excited about but there wasn’t anything for me that I looked forward to more than new episodes of The Shotgun Journal.  Hosts, Bruce Scott and Marty Fischer traveled domesticall...

Grouse hunting isn’t easy.  It can require covering a lot of ground while pushing through thick cover.  When a hunter finds that he or she is lucky enough to be presented with a shot it is often through a tangle of limbs and leaves.  So what then makes a good choice for a grouse-hunting shotgun?  I am joined by four serious grouse hunters, Meadow Kouffeld, Nick Larson, Gregg Elliott and Rich Wong....

Let me introduce you to The Omni Homestead Resort, a luxurious and idyllic retreat that has been charming guests for over two centuries. The moment you arrive, you're struck by the stunning beauty of the surroundings - rolling hills, verdant gardens, and pristine forests that stretch as far as the eye can see.  The resort itself is a masterpiece of architecture, with its traditional red brick...

Does tweed still have a place in modern shooting and hunting?  We get into the history of tweed, its adoption into field wear, and whether it is still a practical choice today. Have a comment or suggestion? Text Ryan now! (please note: this messenger does not allow for replies) Support the show

We are talking pairs, trios and even quartets today as it refers to shotguns. My guests Adam Morton and Ashley Shaw discuss their site, matchedpairs.com.  If you have ever handled or owned a gun proudly displaying a gold inlayed number indicating it was built as one of a set of two, three or possibly even four perfectly matched guns - you have inevitably wondered what happened to its siblings.  Ad...

Buyers guide for the best double-barreled shotguns that can be bought for less than $1,000.   In this episode, I will tell about the mistakes that I made buying my first double and give my suggestions for those looking for high quality and reliable pre-owned over & under or side by side shotguns. Have a comment or suggestion? Text Ryan now! (please note: this messenger does not allow for repli...

Jonny Carter hosts the TGS Outdoors channel on Youtube.  A few weeks ago he uploaded a video simply titled ‘British guns are better than American guns’ and with that - Pandora’s Box was opened!  Today I am joined by the now infamous Jonny Carter and Gregg Elliott of Dogs and Doubles to discuss some of the pointsl that the Youtube video may have left off specifically - how do the best shotguns that...

My guest today is Charlie Jordan.  Over a decade ago, Charlie committed to using a .410 bore in the field as often as he is able.  In this episode we'll learn about the smallest of the shotshells and hear about his journey, the creation of his brand 'Missing Sucks' and catch up with an old friend. Have a comment or suggestion? Text Ryan now! (please note: this messenger does not all...

America's best sporting outfitters have had a long tradition of branding quality shotguns by partnering with great manufacturers.  You don't have to look long before you come across some high-quality doubles from iconic companies like Orvis, Abercrombie & Fitch, LL Bean, and others.  Some of these great companies didn't stand the test of time, some have moved away from offering...

We are talking about vintage double barrel shotguns today and my guest is Greg Elliott.  Greg started dogsanddoubles.com, you've read his articles in many of your favorite shotgun magazines and he has been a guest on many of my favorite podcasts...  Three decades of buying shotguns have given Greg a wealth of knowledge about how to buy, where to buy and what to look for in vintage double shot...

My Guest today is Kelly Field - among other things, she manages the wood department at Cole Gunsmithing.  I’m sure you’ve heard of Rich Cole and Cole Gunsmithing, they are a full-service Beretta service department and dealer.  In addition to selling and servicing Berettas - they sell finished Beretta wood sets for the 680 series… a quick visit to their site and you can browse page after page of st...

Silvio Calabi has served as the editor in chief of both Shooting Sportsman and Fly Rod & Reel magazines.  He has also written extensively on fine guns and shooting, hunting, fly-fishing, and sporting travel.  While we could easily build a podcast around most of his writing - one piece in particular really stands out to me.  Silvio co-authored the book, “Hemingway’s Guns” in 2010.  This book ta...

Who doesn’t want to take part in a traditional British shoot. Whether it be mile high driven pheasants at Warter Priory or feathered missiles on a grouse moor in Scotland on the 'glorious twelfth'….  It makes no difference to me - either sits at the top of my bucket list… If you aren't familiar with this style of shooting, let me just summarize by saying it's steeped in traditi...

If you live near or are passing through Nashville, Tennessee - or just looking for an excuse to visit a great city - you owe it to yourself not to miss a stop at Double Guns of Nashville.  Today I sit down with Barry Rich, co-founder of Double Guns of Nashville on the heels of a tour of his impressive store.  From the walk-in vault room (with custom walnut cabinetry and gun racks from the renowned...

My guest today is internationally known shooting instructor Keith Coyle. Keith is the last living direct coaching descendant of Britain's great Robert Churchill and as instructed both royalty and internationally successful shooters. If this doesn’t mean anything to you - let me just say that it is a BIG DEAL.  Robert Churchill is known as the father of instinctive shooting.  Keith describes T...