Bill- sounds a bit like something the late Charley Waterman once said-- "Never bet your money against the man who shoots a well-worn pumpgun".. Best I ever did at 16 yards, with my 1948 Pigeon Grade M12- was 94- many years ago-- Never broke a 25 straight at skeet- the middle peg position No. 8 station I guess- always was my downfall--

Best example I have ever seen about C. Waterman's credo was at a SC event in MI-about 15 years ago- at the Blendon Pines course. On a 50 bird event-- our five man squad averaged 37/50, except for an area gunsmith well known for first rate stock work- He had a custom stocked M42- solid rib- modified choke- beautiful shotgun indeed, and he broke 43/50- was the "Top Gun" that day. He had been shooting that M42 since he was a lad- RWTF

"The field is the touchstone of the man"..