What kind of SxS are you guys using for waterfowl? I'm looking for a new gun for Waterfowling and would like to find a double but have not had any luck as yet. I do like 3" loads but not 3.5". All of my doubles, with the exception of a 3.5 Citori, are just too light and kick a lot with the heavier loads.

Anyideas?

In recent years I have used 6,3-7,0 lb 12X65, 16X70 and 16X67 chambered doubles with 24 to 30 grams of Bi-Sn or up to 32 grams of Kent Tungsten-Matrix shot for shooting over decoys and jump shooting. Never needed more.

Most I ever used for long was 38 grams, 1250 fps load in 76 mm hulls in a 7 3/4 lb Citori. Used that for pass shooting geese long, long ago with Cu-plated #4 lead shot, more recently with #4 and #5 Bi-Sn. Killed nicely.

Do have some #5 and #3 Kent T-M 36 gram loads at way too high velocity. Never have used them. Presume that they will do as well at the same sized Pb alloy shot I used in the 1970s and 1980s, That is, IF they pattern decently at the overly high velocities.

IF I were to buy a modern double today, to use for pass shooting, would look for something that could handle 36-38 grams of HeaviShot at 1250 fps max and give nice even 80+% patterns from both barrels at 40 yards and 50% patterns at 50 yards.

Niklas

A new gun or new to you, Wired? My guess is most gunners here are using older doubles, some twist and damascus, and low-pressure 2-2 3/4-inch loads for waterfowl; all they need for birds over decoys.

Hang in to the board and you'll get all the advice you need on choosing a gun, new or used. All of my guns are relatively old, the newest was made 40-odd years ago. I'm not handicapped by any of them, in any way.

If you take your time with the shot, have the blind placed right with a decent spread of dekes they're not so hard to bring down.
With concocted shot shells, I'll be using a Remington 1894 12g.M/F and two Philly Foxes 12g. both M/F choked guns.

Hello Wiredducker, Buy a 10 gauge PARKER SXS with damascus barrels and shoot 12 gauge bismuth out of it by using GAUGEMATES. Gaugemates convert the chamber from 10 gauge to 12 gauge and the old Parker will shoot great for you. See the web site for gaugemates at --- http://gaugemate.com/gms.htm --- Good Shooting To You, Jent

I have found the CZ Ringneck 12 to be most durable. It has double lugs, Greener crossbolt, side clips, chrome lined bores, is chambered for 3", screw in chokes, and simple extractors. It is under 1K and while not sevelt like my "sweet elsies", it will take a heck of a beating. Further the NC salt marshes are rough on bluing, the CZ is black chrome plated. It is not a "purists" gun, but a reasonable alternative if one wishes to hunt waterfowl with a double. Best, Dr. BILL

Hey Wireducker,

You may want to look around for a Ruger Gold Label. 3" chambers and will shoot steel. I don't own one but a buddy of mine shoots one occasionally and has had no complaints even after dropping it in the Potomac River. As I recall he got the straigt-gripped model well under retail nearly brand new, but those days may be long gone.

-jmc

Whatever you do, don't get a Browning BSS with 3" chambers and 30" barrels. At least not until I find mine. Been looking for one to trade my 26" BSS for. Hard to beat in a duck gun, IMO. Pistol grip, full beavertail f/e, single trigger with a trigger guard large enough for a gloved finger. And, oh yeah, tough as an anvil.

I use a BSA 3" 32" barreled 8 1/4 pound fowler. Watch Thad Scot's site and you can get one for about 6 to 8 hundred. Hell for stout and cheap enough that I shoot steel in it. I can't afford Matrix at $3.50 per shell. If I shoot the barrels out, I'll replace it with another. No signs of problems yet.

Exactly why I would love to see either CSM or Mr. Hurst's new Lefever offered in a 12ga with 30" tubes and steel safe barrels! Enough of these 20ga. toy guns!

I have just the gun for you. It's a 10 bore , 3 frame Parker that Simmons sleeved, chambered for 3 inch 12 gauge and added their vent rib to the 32 inch tubes. They retained the 10 O.D. on the tubes. So if you are a good strong guy it's just for you. You could then become the owner of the world record Parker. After the massive barrels it has been torched for color and a MC stock added. The ultimate record holding pimped out Parker.
With choke tubes it should handle steel with ease.
bill

I always use 34g Eley Maximum loaded with bismuth #4 or #3.

The best gun I find is one that weighs a little over 7lbs and has 30" barrels. Unless only shooting very long range, don't over-do the chokes. 1/4 and 3/4 is plenty tight enough for inland and flighting in the UK.

You may find a stock that is a little shorter than your usual works better if you are loading o the clothing because of the cold.

I prefer to use a hammer gun or a boxlock non-ejectorwhen it gets wet and muddy.

I'd try and look for a Miroku. 99% the same as a BSS but you pay 1/2 the cost. Durable as you could ever ask for and swings like a dream. You can easily rechamber it to 3" if it is 2 3/4" and it will take a beating.
After ducking, throw a load of #6’s in her and chase some ringnecks with the best of them.

This thread makes me chuckle. Here's the gun you should be shooting, bar none, unless your interested in something modern.

http://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbt...age=2#Post53090

Eight pound Classic Doubles 201: brazed and chrome-lined barrels, vr, with Browning Inv choke system. Just add extened SS choke tubes (std inv or Winchoke) I doubt you can find a better modern SxS for wildfowling out there. The PB 626 'Onyx' 3.5" mag would be right at it's heels. A 3" version was also made for Orvis of Vt. by PB at one time.

Lovely classic wildfowler, but how many 3" HeviShot rounds would it take to get right barrel burst?

If you need to throw that kind of load to kill ducks, you're right this gun isn't for you. Heck, why stop there, get a big bore 10g. and really crank up the load...like I said, this thread makes me chuckle.

All,

Thanks for all of the suggestions - very nice reading . . . Well, I have a few to look for. I bought a CZ Bobwhite for my Son and was in fact quite impressed with the quality for the money and he shot it very well on open day doves . . . just had to shoot it. He likes the double triggers! He is eyeing my Grulla . . .

I might start with the CZ Ringneck but keep looking. I'm in SW Indiana which is not the Nice double capital of the Midwest.

Thanks again and good shooting.

WD

Hi, I'll chime in here. I was using a Spartan 210 in 12ga, 28" bbls with tubes. No problems with it at all, except a bit akward in the balance dept. This year I'm trying a BSA Classic in 12ga, 28" bbls, tubes, POW grip, SST. I don't use 3" shells very much (except for geese) I use 1 1/8 or 1 1/4 oz steel over decoys. This load was worked great for me.

Good Luck!!

Greg

I have a Parker DH 10 gauge with F/F chokes and 32" damascus bbls that is great on geese. I load low pressure smokeless and black powder loads of 1 1/8oz Bismuth #2. I also have a 10 gauge browning light 10, a Benelli SBE, Rem. 870 etc. and the Parker 10 is balanced better and swings better than any of the others. If you don't mind loading your own shotshells it isn't that difficult to cut down plastic hulls to 2 7/8" and load with IMR 7625. This is one of Sherman Bells Recipies. I have not shot ducks with the Parker 12's yet but will be doing so this season. Wish I had some #6 or #4 bismuth.

KjD