doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Idle pursuit of the ideal 20 ga

I don't post on this particular part of doublegun often, but I've been feeling the itch for a while now, and I'm wondering how best to scratch it. This might be the best place to start.

I'm shy of 20 gauges, with just an SKB 100 to my name in that department. So, I feel like I need one. But rather than plunge in headlong after every side by 20 out there, I thought maybe a good discussion here would be enjoyable and enlightening.

So, I hunt pheasants, mostly. Wild ones, over a great flushing dog. Late in the season, the snow gets deep, snowshoes are often in order, and a light double, easy to carry but still capable of reaching out, seems like a good plan. I have a 16 gauge William Evans hammer gun with 30 or 32" barrels that works, but hammers are slower in mitts and the barrels are longish enough to be in danger of getting snowed in.

What would be better? A 28" 20 maybe? (I have trouble taking barrels less than 28" seriously). Hammerless perhaps would be best (but I am flexible for the right geometry of hammers). 3" chambers nice (required?). At least one full choked barrel for sure. Light. Damascus/blackpowder is not a problem (but not a requirement).

My shotguns are mostly English, with a Merkel thrown in for good measure. Teutonic doubles work damn well, but are not my favorite . however, like Stanley shovels, perfectly serviceable. English are (my favorite). What I don't have is a good American double. This seems a somewhat serious shortfall, but of the few American doubles I have handled, only a Lefever felt good.

For the sake of some interesting discussion and my personal education, what should I look for? What should I put into my searches of Gunbroker etc?

Oh yes, I'm not rich. Not rich at all. Might be coming into a little more funding if the Good Wife permits, but her mood swings with the stock market.

I look forward to interesting ideas. Pheasant season is, after all, only 21 weeks and a day away, the nesting season is coming along well, and my dog, Gus, is fit as a fiddle!