doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com No market for 12 gauge?

I think this covers it in every way:-

A FATHER�S ADVICE

If a sportsman true you be.
Listen carefully to me:

Never, never let your gun.
Pointed be at anyone:
That it may unloaded be.
Matters not the least to me.

When a hedge or fence you cross,
Though of time it cause a loss,
From your gun the cartridge take.
For the greater safety�s sake.

If twixt you and neighbouring gun.
Bird may fly, or beast may run,
Let this maxim e�er be thine
Follow not across the line

Stops and beaters oft unseen
Lurk behind some leafy screen:
Calm and steady always be,
Never shoot where you can�t see.

Keep your place and silent be:
Game can hear and game can see:
Don�t be greedy, better spared
Is a pheasant than one shared.

You may kill or you may miss
But at all times think of this:
All the Pheasants ever bread
Won�t repay for one man dead.


A Fathers advice.

Written by Mr Mark Beaufoy in 1902. Coombe House, Shaftsbury, Dorset, England. On presenting his eldest son Henry Mark Beaufoy with his first gun.

Nice.

Regarding guns and gauges...the modern camo, plastic stocked, 12 ga, 3 1/2" chambered, gas goose gun is a superior killing gun than a 12 ga 2 1/2" chambered LeFever double and the painted plastic and aluminum wonder can be had in a relatively light weight. The gas mechanism digests loads from dove/target to goose loads and allows more comfortable shooting. The flat camo non-reflective paint aids the shooter by not giving away his position to game, eliminating glare when shooting, and provides a corrosion proof surface requiring no care. Interchangeable chokes allow the user to gain more utility to cover the full range of hunting situations. The latest Eli Whitney developed technology of interchangeable parts has been incorporated which eliminates the need for expensive gunsmith support. The purchase price is comparable but the GGG comes with a warranty and an infrastructure of service providers. Why would anyone use anything else?

chuck: same reason why some drive classic cars...they just have an appeal that the new stuff just does not have... there is more to life than just getting from here to there.

and then there is art appreciation to consider...

plus, many of us just like old gun; and for me, the older the better.

Personally, I like the lines of the 16 and 20 gauge SXS�s much more than the 10 and 12 gauge SXS�s. However, I was thrilled when I found an extremely lightweight 12 gauge SXS last January. Since I don�t reload, it was wonderful to finally have a gun that (1) abundant types of ammo was available for (2) I didn�t have to pay a 16 gauge surcharge for my ammo. I still think my former 16 gauge go-to field gun is a better looking gun though it's very similar to my new-to-me 12 gauge.
Steve

Went chukar hunting recently and thought I'd try carrying my 30" m/f choked Lefever 12 with 1oz #6 rst's. My conclusion: It is no chukar gun. It's place is in the duck blind or boat, or in the flat pheasant fields. It's just too slow to get on ultra fast covey rises in time, and it's choked too tightly as well, although spreader loads would obviously be the solution for that. I hunted the next day with a quick 6lb 16 and did much better. All that said, I love the gun though, but it's my primary duck/pheasant gun. Nothing wrong with using the tool appropriate for the job at hand.

chuck: if you wana trash threads, then go on down to misfires where that sort of childishness is more appropriate.

Ed,
If you read my post in context of the previous posts, you'll see that it is an extrapolation of the "...12 ga is a bigger, badder, best killer, shotshell..." position. Well, a 12ga gas goose gun is a bigger, badder, best killer...especially compared to a LeFever side by side or a Fox or a Parker, etc..

If it were logical to argue that increased performance of a weapon's capability would increase enjoyment and recreation for all, then why is my post about a gas goose gun trashing this thread?

My post is satirical in that it points out the futility of one man trying to argue killing performance characteristics of a cartridge as a basis for another man's measure of better enjoyment and recreation, especially in a discussion of where antique weaponry collecting and use is the subject.

This thread started about one company's perception of the marketability of the 12 ga in NEW, fine side by side shotguns. If new side by sides sell better in smaller bores than 12 ga, I would imagine it has more to do with the purchaser's measure of enjoyment than killing performance. And with the fried chicken stand in the rear view mirror, practicality isn't a topic that can be discussed seriously.

Guys buying new high grade guns overwhelmingly select the small gauges. Just look at Galazan's new guns over the last few years---all offered initially as small bores. They are just fulfilling a market want/need. The same holds true in the vintage gun market----small bores rule the top of the market. I think because small bores were so few in number historically, the purchaser of a new high grade gun feels like it will add to it's exclusiveness if it is made as a small bore. I don't believe the killing efficiency or effectiveness is a big factor in this type of purchase. Many of these new high grade guns are for show not go.
For waterfowl hunting and wild pheasants the 12ga will never go out of style---they are just the best tool for the game.

Craig Larter kind of said it like it is. Reread his post. However, I'm going to tell it like it really is. Most buyers of $3000 and up guns have fifteen or twenty twelve gauge guns back at the house. The next gun is going to be a little gun, unless it is a very unusual twelve gauge. One reason for the "little gun" purchase is that it will be a premium price gun when it is resold.