Here's my thoughts on your "dilemma", Tim.
1) You cannot depend on anyone else to tell you where a particular gun shoots ............. either barrel. Some guns are finicky enough that they will seem to be regulated one session, and not the next. They can be trying, and some S x Ss are very dependent on how they're held, as far as where each barrel prints horizontally. Some seem to be much more dependent on finding the right loading than others. I can make a perfectly regulated S x S print either barrel as much as 6" off at 25 yards, horizontally, by how I hold the gun when firing it. And, I don't mean by holding it 6" off the mark, I mean by how tightly or loosely I hold it, and other factors. I have proven that.
2) Six inches horizontally may not matter to some here, but it does me. I'm a perfectionist when it comes to regulation. You don't have to accept accept less than "right". There are too many guns out there that are perfectly regulated to accept less.
3) Vintage S x S guns are much more likely to be regulated than entry level, modern made S x S guns.
I've shot a lot of guns on my plate to test regulation. These are my findings. Again, IMO, do not listen to those who preach that 6" doesn't matter. When they say "Yeah, but you're dealing with a 20-30 inch pattern. What does 6" matter?" I reply "Little matter, if you always center the bird in your pattern". Who can rightly claim to do that?
Good luck, SRH
