Hi David:
The Fox Philladelphia Sterlingworth sixteen gauges are usually pretty light (6 lbs) and lots of stock drop (about 1-3/4 by 2-3/4) although there is variety.
Most of the American doubles in original condition in the price range you are talking about have a lot of drop.
The Lefever FE in the classfieds is a very nice gun and I really like the chain Damascus. Lefevers usually run to the heavy side and I would guess that one weighs 7-1/2 pounds. Lefever sixteen typically run about 6-3/4lbs although I have seen them as light as 6-1/4 and I have one that weight 7-1/4lbs.
If you want to shoot clays the big American SxS twelves are certainly in their element. Most of them were built to shoot gooses I guess. 30" barrels are very common. You could get a nice Ithaca Flues (LastDollar/Chuck has listed a rebranded Ithaca Flues (Sears Brand I believe - "Western Field") twelve gauge with 32" barrels. I handled the gun when I pheasant hunted with him - $425. The triggers are very good.
I have seen many of your posts around the internet and your Spanish guns are all beatiful and well made and finished to a tee. They typically are lighter and have higher stocks than the average American double in the same gauge. If you want a light upland gun the Sterlingworths and Flues in sixteen and twenty both run pretty light. How is your pointing pup doing? I shoot low pressure reloads in my guns that were originally chambered 2-1/2" (or 2-/9/16 or 2-5/8"). In the guns originally chambered 2-3/4" I shoot Walmart standard (not high velocity or magnum) 2-3/4" shells.
Several times I have posted data and pictures of guns I am considering buying on this BBS and have gotten excellent feedback and opinions and have dodged the bullet on a few bad apples. Several times I gained enough information that I was confident enough to go ahead and make a deal I wouldn't have otherwise.
The Cabelas Gun Library operation has lots of warts but they do post a lot of information and pictures of their guns. I have returned guns to them and they didn't argue. I did get stuck with about $70 in shipping. My 75 year-old Mother-in-law could get 10% off of the list price.
Best,
Mike
Last edited by AmarilloMike; 01/09/09 10:40 PM.
