In the past 15 years I have gone from a standard 7 3/4 lb 12X76 chambered O/U, which I used extensively for about 10 years previously -- deadly gun, to a 12X65 7,0 lb hammer double for 3 years, to 16X65 and 16X67s weighing 6,1 to 6,5 lbs for everything. Now and then I have taken the 12X76 O/U instead but my bag did not increase nor did my birds for shells ratio.
Last year I hunted with a 12X65 weighing 6,2 lbs and used 28 gram hunting loads for everything -- performed just like the 16s. This year it is mostly back to 16s.
Everything for me is mostly ducks over decoys, some flyby geese and some desert quail, even a few stray pheasants or some bandtails now and then. 28 grams of bismuth #5 or Kent TM #5 have been excellent for ducks and geese and pheasants to 40+ yards, ditto for 28 or 24 grams of #7 lead for desert quail.
I see no need for 12s in my hunting, although a light weight, long barreled 12 with 28 or 24 gram loads is almost as good as a similar weight and barrel length 16. I much prefer to carry 16s because they are smaller in my hand, making carrying them much easier. All are used with lightweight slings, no matter what the type of hunting.
Niklas
Last edited by NiklasP; 08/29/08 01:59 PM.
