20s are fine, if that's what you like, but hunting is more to me than killing a bird. The 2" 12 has added immensely to my hunting season, and we are yet 2 months out from opening day. What Wally stocks or doesn't stock means nothing to me.
“Immensely” you say. Exactly, how so? Sometimes, the easiest things, say, a 20 gauge over a 2” 12, are the best. I find less added kludge, not to mention less mental masturbation, along with Easter egg hunts for unobtainable kludge, far more rewarding.
Attempting to relearn to shoot, and undo 50 seasons of muscle memory has been hard enough, and cheap, good enough ammunition has been a blessing. Try shooting off your non shooting shoulder, and let us know how it goes for you. I have friends who gave it up for that reason, including a consulting doctor on my eye surgery. Four boxes of 20 gauge promo loads for $33 is a big help. Those same four boxes could occasionally be sniped for under $5 a box, two years ago, but, stuff changes, no?
Best,
Ted
Ted,
My immense enjoyment in learning about, accruing kaccumulating?), and developing loads for a 2x12 has really nothing to do with learning shoot off the weak side which is on your agenda, but not mine.
So, let's see, what have I enjoyed immensely?
I spent 6 months surfing auctions and dealer websites looking at countless non 2x12s that I would never have enjoyed while tracking down most, if not all, of the 2x12 that have been for sale in the last 6-12 months.
Then, I have enjoyed learning about the history of 2x12s and the diversity (and lack of diversity, which is pretty cool since, in effect, very few people made the 2x12 happen).
Now, I'm wrestling with learning to load where few recipes exist, and I have to figure out my own strategies with the materials I have on hand. I enjoy the challenge, but most of all I enjoy collaborating with several others on this website and other sites who are also experimenting. Interacting with these people has been an immensely enjoyable experience all of its own.
Maybe last, though intangibles are hard to identify so I might be overlooking something, is anticipating opening my hunting season in Minnesota or Michigan and straifing grouse out of the trees and sky with a new and very different gun that i have tuned to the job at hand. Who buys a new gun and doesn't imagine that!?!? Reality, of course, may be much different, but not less enjoyable.
In any event, now I own two 2x12s (soon to be one). I think they are probably the finest two 2x12s to be sold in the last 6 months outside if the 5-figure Purdeys and H&Hs. They are lovely guns, quicker than lightning, and just a whole new dimension to shooting after decades of 6.5-7.5# guns. I could have bought a 20, probably for more money, but anyone could do that. Hell, I could just hunt with my old 870 express. But I don't.
In the end, I am having a grand time that I would not be having without chasing the mythical unicorn that is the 2x12.
Good luck with chasing your own unicorns, whatever they may be. I hope that you will be successful and become less of a sourpus as a result.
Cheers!
