doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Europe and the 20 gauge?

And the occassional idiot behind the counter that still thinks that the 16 gauge is illegal!!!

I never noticed a huge difference between 12, 16, or 20 gauge on the species I hunt, those being pheasants, grouse and woodcock. The 12 seems to give me about ten more yards confidence, but, truthfully, on target with a 12 is on target with a 20.
I never noticed any difference on clay targets.
You don't see as many for sale new these days, but, folks on the continent sure loved the 16 gauge for most of the 20th century. In France, when you met a guy with an old shotgun in his house, it was a 16 gauge 99% of the time.

Best,
Ted

Good way to put it: "about ten yards more confidence."

Was in Ketner off the Graben in Vienna yesterday. The gun room manager showed me a new FN supersposed in 20 gauge. He relayed that he rarely gets a 20 gauge in and when he does it is sold immediately. There is a demand not sure why not many stay in Europe vs being sold abroad. This one was already sold, 12,000 Euros. Higher grade wood, modest engraving, something that could be bought here second hand for around $4-5000. Albeit the gun was lighter and better made, better handling/balance than the supers I have that were made for browning. I guess they are more of a custom shop order these days and not made on the production line as before. Fixed chokes.