doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Seeking advice on my first English Double SXS

Hi Greg - thanks for all of the good advice.. maybe I should stay away from the auctions.. although it seemed the James Julia auction had some pretty nice stuff that was well documented and described in detail... regarding 2 3/4 vs. 2 1/2... I do not think, at least from my findings, that size ammo is readily availaible... I'm not concerned about the nitro proof aspect of it; I believe the brits have a superior proofing system.. just want to buy good ammo of the shelf and shoot clay or hunt without planning ahead with mail-order ammunition... I too have seen some brilliant 2 1/2" chambered guns.. just hesitant.. that�s the reason I�m asking all of you for advice.. I feel a bit adrift.. Thanks Steven

egad 14... you do have an addicti.... i mean an investment

oh I forgot to answer the prefered gauge question.. i would like a 20, but they seem to carry such a premium $$$$ so i have settled on 12 bore...

Your 2.5-inch ammo needs can be taken care of by RST.

Very few Brit guns are built to take "off the shelf" shells purchased in America. Most British guns, even if marked for 2 3/4" [70mm] shells are not made for the pressures and or payload of "modern American shells"

Nope it's an addiction!!!!!

Anyway, here's a link to RST 20ga (if you still want that bore):

http://www.rstshells.com/rst_classic_shotshells_shotshells.htm

and Westley Richards:

http://www.westleyrichards.com/gun/ammo_shot.php

Both carry 12b as well

Have fun!!!!

Greg

If you're going to spend over $10k on a gun, you can surely afford RSTs at 12-14/box retail (and less direct from the maker).

That encapsulates advice I got from a well-known and respected dealer in doubles, when I carped about the price of 2-1/2 inch shells. He's right.

Hi again, if you want a good English gun for an investment as well as for shooting, I'd stay away from the following:

1) Gun out of proof

2) Any sleeved or rebarreled gun

3) Restocked guns (this might be overlooked depending on the job...but some folks are picky!)

4) "No Name" makers - sure you buy the gun, but in this case the name does make a difference IMO

5) Any gun that has been altered in anyway that takes away from what the guns orginial specs were when it came from the shop.

Remember that the English don't mind if a gun is "redone" or restored within proper limits, unlike American Classics were don't touch is the watchword.

Best!

Greg

Ok, this is your first English gun and you really want a 20b for hunting. May I suggest a Webley and Scott 20b boxlock as a first gun. They are light, can be had in 28 in barrels and 2 3/4" chambers and won't break the bank....very fine guns, and if you take good care of it, sure not to depreciate in value. I personally own some better guns than this, and I don't hunt them for fear of hurting their value. A Webley and Scott 20b is a super nice hunting gun, for sure.....well balanced game gun. After you try something like this, then move up to the more high $$ stuff, would be my humble suggestion to you.

A few more thoughts about shells. All my shotguns are European and I simply do not buy "off-the-shelf" American ammo. I buy ahead each season and generally stock up on BPs and in the past few years have switched almost entirely to 2 1/2-inch shells. They work just fine.

Just returned from a grouse hunt where I used both 16ga and 12 ga guns, all with 2 1/2-inch shells.

Good, light upland guns don't need ack-ack. I think throwing up a barrage is a mindset and it doesn't go well with fine light guns. Just my thought.

If you really want, for some reason, 2 3/4-inch chambers make certain that they haven't been lengthened and that the gun is still in proof.