Forums.NitroExpress.com

So Im still searching for an actual Paradox/Explora/Buck and Ball gun. It helps if I can find one when I have the cash to buy it; until then Ive been playing with common SxS shotguns that "print well" with a pair of laser boresighters. Yes I know its not a true paradox but its keeping me happy until the real thing comes along (think a Biakal double rifle vs a Merkel).

About a year ago I happened upon a LC Smith that came into the shop. It was pretty much a give away price sine the stock had been shortened and then returned to a longer length with mixed wood spacers. So it wasnt pretty but using two laser boresighters at the same time, the barrels "printed" 2 inches left/right at 30 yards! As far as I was concerned, that was almost too good to be true.

I began a search for the perfect ammo, then the Armageddon hit and I was forced to fall back on my supply of Federal slugs. I had considered loading full brass shells but never seemed to get around to it. The Federals ended up being just what I was hoping for, printing tight groups sometimes with holes touching at 25 yards.

The smith in our shop added a two leaf rear sight and convinced me to stick with a large bead instead of the blade front sight that I wanted. He argued that the bead was more correct. Then he filed the blade and we shot and filled some more and shot some more. We finally ended with a sight picture producing 2" high at 50 yards. I would have been happier with zero at 50 but I was starting to become worried about my ammo supply, so I figured Id compensate.

Last week I took it to southern Texas for a Wild Boar hunt. This is a yearly hunt that a group of us have been doing for the last 15 years. In the past Ive taken Bolt actions, Semis, and Single shots. This year I had planed to take a 577-450 Martini Henry; but my Zulu War uniforn wasnt finished... This was the first time any of us took a shotgun. When everyone confirmed zero at 100 yards, I shot at 50 and rang the 4" gong with both barrels. I did compensat a little to favor the L/R barrels.

During the hunt, I sat in "archery" blinds which were between 30 and 50 yards from the feeder. The rifle shooters sat in blinds that were 100-150 yards to the feeder. All of them were using optics and some were using Night Vision and Thermal. I was using eyeballs and moon light.

My first shot "spined" the pig. That was impressive but a lucky mistake as I failed to allow enough for my 2" high zero. My next pig was a 30 yards and I took extra precaution for the high zero and was rewarded with an instant kill.

I have named it "Hogsbane" and with a little theft from the Gypsy Werewolf poem, here is the origin of Hogsbane.

Even a man who is pure of heart and says his prayers every night must prove his worth when the Hogsbane shows its sight.
When the winter moon is bright, they come to me. When the stars shine at night they come to me. I am the Hogsbane, they come to me and feel my might.

--------------------
If it's not custom, it's just borrowed