"If a double swings better than a non-double, ---"
Mike B., the problem is in using subjectively judgemental adjactives where cold, hard facts are needed. The handling dynamics of a gun can be summed up in four numbers: weight, balance (teeter-totter point = center of gravity), unmounted swing effort (moment of inertia at balance point), and mounted swing effort (MOI at the butt). Once you develop a feel for the foregoing four numbers, radius of gyration is a handy number to indicate the compactness of a gun's weight. Like stock fit dimensions (LOPs, drops, casts, pitch, and various bends) and feel characteristics (size, texture, and shape of gripping areas), what is "good" for one shooter is not necessarily "good" for another.
The British tended to use the 12 gauge as standard and adjusted power by changing shell length. Americans adjusted power by changing gauge. Brit guns tended to be SXS doubles of upland (game guns) shooting power and associated weight (12 gauge @ 2 1/2" with 1 - 1 1/8 oz shot and weighing 6 to 7 pounds). They also made pigeon weight guns for 2 3/4" loads and around 7 1/2# and wildfowlers for 3" loads and around 8 -9#. American guns tended to be 12 gauge repeaters of duck power for 2 3/4" loads and weighing in around 7 3/4#. The one-gun man was expected to be hoss enough to tote his duck gun in the uplands. A multiple gun owner would often buy a smaller gauge gun for the uplands. American SXS doubles were made to much the same formula as the later repeaters. Neither of the formulas is "better," rather, they are a reflection of the times and shooters the guns were made for.
JB, you got that exactly right!!
Last edited by Rocketman; 10/31/08 07:39 AM.
