doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Dove Opener?

I could just sit and look at that scenery around that waterhole even if no birds came in. Great pic, Gary.

I called DeHaan about one like that several years ago. I just want one with ejectors and 30" barrels so bad I can't stand it. He told me they were working on ejectors for the .410s but hadn't gotten a good design yet.

I wonder what's so hard about putting ejectors on a .410 S x S? Is it because they just have to be so little they can't hold up, and tend to break? Didn't some of the O/U .410s have ejectors that worked successfully?

SRH

Wish I could answer that question for you on the 410 ejectors...some forum member more knowledgeable than me will have to. DeHaan O/U guns could be had with ejectors, but the SxS always came with extractors. Personally, I prefer extractors in my older age...it's hell sometimes picking up those hulls when the back and knees ain't what they used to be. A shooting buddy of mine ordered a custom gun from Mark some years back that is a 2 barrel set; 28 ga. & .410 bore, both sets of barrels being 32" long! Even though it was the highest grade (in engraving and #4 wood), both gauges were extractor barrels. Quite a gun, may be the only 2 barrel 28&410 SxS with 32" barrels.

I was invited to Wingshooter16s lease north of Midland, TX. This pic is from scouting the day before the season opened.



The last morning...



I did kill the first dove I shot at in eight years.



A 16 gauge choked Sk1/Sk2 with 3/4 ounce of #8s is a perfect choice for doves.



Lots of birds for everyone, including me.



We had a great time!

George, at the risk of being excommunicated from this esteemed forum, I hunt doves in the manner W.W. Greener recommended, carrying hammer guns at full cock and carefully observing safe handling. After all, shouldn't all guns be treated as being lethal at all times until broken down and cased? I actually feel I am safer using a full cocked hammer gun because i am acutely aware of the situation and proper gun handling trumps everything else.

Hammer guns and dove were made for each other.

Source: "Modern Breechloaders and Their Use", W.W. Greener, available free on Google Books.

Joe, I cannot disagree with you about keeping the hammers back, but I just ain't quite there yet. I sure am not going to carry a hammergun around in the woods cocked, but sitting alone on a dove stool is a different matter. My problem with the Scott I was using this weekend is that I cannot break open the gun with the hammers back and I'm not really comfortable thumbing the hammers and pulling the triggers on live ammo. With my other hammerguns, I just break open the barrels when I need to let down a hammer...Geo

Totally understand, George. That's why hammerless replaced the former so quickly. But still, we who love to shoot the hammer guns must have situation awareness foremost in mind at all times. Evidently there were a lot of accidents in olden times with slipping hammers and careless attention. Dove hunting though is custom tailored for these old guns--sitting alone and not having to stumble through brush. When I'm walking you'd better believe my hammers are down! I do not believe in hunting with the action open. Too much dirt and too much stress on the action.

Good hunting to you! I'm heading out this afternoon with my 1870 Scott and 1872 Greener. Might even take along my 1867 Thomas Johnson--it needs baptizing.

I just do not trust myself with an exposed hammer gun with the hammers back in the field. Clays, no problem.
JR

Had the honor of shooting with two of Amarillo Gun Club's Tuesday Morning Loafers today with a lesson from Professor Joe Wood on high birds with a hammer gun while SkeetX displayed championship form with his .410's. They are so good my lab deserted me and retrieved for them. Good companionship, good guns, good times.

I hunt with hammer guns when I am off by myself. Hammers back, action open, close it when a shot presents itself.