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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 9,350
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 9,350 |
I wonder if there isn't a perceptible shift to smaller bores, particularly 20 gauge, as we get older and the younger don't seem to be coming along. I'm using the 20s perhaps three-quarters of the time now because of their weight and effect. To get right down to it, I use the 12s more out of sentiment than utility.
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,120 Likes: 86
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,120 Likes: 86 |
Chas... the software reformatted that for me, because the extra spaces were obviously input error.
I've killed my share of trees too...
No pitchers for me just now... I'm the latest Nutri-system victim. Down 10lb so far, hope to be able to pass my second class in January... then it's party time again...
"The price of good shotgunnery is constant practice" - Fred Kimble
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 13,883 Likes: 21
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 13,883 Likes: 21 |
King,
I think you're right about more useage of the small bores. This is especially apparent in the west on small birds. Still, on my annual SD phez trip, I think I was the lone hunter with anything but a 12g in our 20+ group of hunters. Most were pumps, autos, and a o/u or two. Builder joined us for the first time and had his beautiful new 12g hammergun.
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,897 Likes: 665
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,897 Likes: 665 |
Open up the chokes and be happy. I have a Ithaca 20 that I had opened up to .010 and .020. Shoots well, too well. Partners now claim that my misses are my fault and not the guns. So be careful.
I also find that the quality of shell and shot in particular make a much greater difference in the 20 than the 12. Have you confirmed tight patterns with a few trips to the pattern plate? If you see real tight patterns there then you know that opening up is the way to go. This would also confirm that point of impact is not way off from your expected point of impact. If your gun is shooting 6-12" higher than you expect then you are only using the top or bottom third of your pattern for most shots. Pays to know where it is shooting.
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,620 Likes: 8
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,620 Likes: 8 |
How about opening one set of barrels, then having the proper "stars" stamped to match ?
Mine's a tale that can't be told, my freedom I hold dear.
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