doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com What gun for a high volume shoot.

Not Mike, but the usual problem with ejectors is that when the barrels get hot the plastic builds up in the chambers making things sticky; clean with carburator cleaner and a brush every couple of nights...Geo

Bill I think the springs were just weak. The ejector trouble was with the Berretta 28 that my friend rented from the Estancia. It must have been shot a million times.

I had no trouble with the Beretta 28ga I took down.

Best,

Mike

Thanks for all the input. I will be in SA for waterfowl, doves, and some upland birds. I was told 12ga shells are all that is available and that's most likely the best choice because geese are on the menu. I can bring 2 guns but one will be a rifle.

Mark, I hope you have a great trip. The upland birds are perdiz which come in a couple of different sizes; about'quail' and 'small pheasant' sizes. You will probably hunt them in fairly open country (like cow pastures)over good bird dogs. They usually run in singles, and are peculiar because they have no tail feathers, being more closely related to ostriches than what we think of as partridges. Without tail feathers, they have a heck of a time making turns in the air and fly in staight lines, sometimes into trees or fence posts. Enjoy...Geo

Mike - Try this for RBL12 SC gun http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=156262059
What do you think?

Mark,

I have been to Argentina for h.v. doves twice in the last six years. I took a new Beretta 687 Silver Pigeon II Sporting on the first trip, along with a back-up gun which I never fired, and on the second trip took the same gun again. It was a 20 gauge, but a twelve should show no difference in reliability. It is a pity, though, that twenty gauge shells are not available for you, because the twenty would be a much better all-around gauge for your trip than a twelve. That may sound odd, since you are going to be shooting ducks as well as other birds, but with lead, a twenty would be plenty of gun and would be much better for the really high volume stuff, the doves.

That aside, my SP II has digested over 9000 rounds of Argentine shells without a breakdown. The shells I have used down there are remarkably reliable. My only failures to eject well were when, after maybe 500 rounds without cleaning the chambers would build up a bit with plastic residue. A few quick strokes with a stainless tornado brush cures it instantly and returns it to perfect ejection. I really think this is mostly caused by the rapid firing and heat build-up in the chambers. Not a single misfire on the entire last trip, over 5000 rounds. That's reliability, AND good shells.

Best wishes, Stan

I'm amazed that the outfitter can't provide 20 Ga. shells. If you get into a high volume dove shoot, you will be really tired of that 12 bore by about 11 AM. I took a Beretta 20 Ga. with 30" barrels, and a Pachmeyer Sporting Clays pad. Performed flawlessly over about 1000 shells per day

I would take a pair of large frame 680 series Berettas and a set of barrels in 12 and 20 that fit both guns. I'm not dreaming here. My 682 has had six sets of barrels in 12 and 20 and has never failed me in 23 years. A spare 686 Onyx Sporting would make a serious pair.

Erik thanks, and I like it.

I am currently shooting a Model 21 with 32" barrels and a JS Air Cushion stock,weighs 8lbs 15oz, Simmons ventialted rib, and Briley chokes. It had been shot about a zillion times before I got it. It spends more time with gunsmith Steve Bertam than it spends with me as we get it back in shooting shape. He will fix what ails it today. I will get it back, shoot it and something else will break. Back it goes. Eventually it will be 100% but it would have been cheaper and less effort to go with the Galazan you linked to.

Best,

Mike

One of the things not usually considered on a high volume gun is overall weight. First thought would be that heavier would be better, to absorb recoil, but not so. Reasonable gunfit is more important than mass to reducing recoil related problems. The additional weight can become more of a hindrance than a benefit due to the effort expended each time the gun is lifted to the shoulder. I never noticed this at the end of a long day's shooting with my 20 SP II, but heard many others commenting on the strain of just mounting the gun. Most of these guys were shooting semi-jammamatic twelves. It can add up when you mount a gun thousands of times a day.