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Posted By: ed good Multi Barrel, Multi Gauge Sets - 06/22/21 08:51 PM
Seems to be a gimmick, created by gun makers to increase sales...Most popular seems to be a 28 and 20 gauge combo...

With the versatility of factory loads these days, what really is the value of a multi gauge set?
Posted By: DAM16SXS Re: Multi Barrel, Multi Gauge Sets - 06/22/21 09:08 PM
A wider selection of chokes and shot payloads for one thing, especially in the case of the 20/28 gauge guns.

I also have a 12 that fits me perfectly and has 30" F/F fluid steel barrels. I wanted to enter Damascus competitions so I had a set of 12 gauge, 30" Damascus barrels of the identical weight and M/IM chokes fitted to the gun.

Then there is the choice of different barrel lengths and different gauges in order to fulfill needs or perceived needs in one gun.

While I understand that two gauge - two barrel sets are not very popular, I imagine all those who have, or wish they had, such a setup have their own reasons.
Posted By: Stanton Hillis Re: Multi Barrel, Multi Gauge Sets - 06/22/21 09:19 PM
I have a Parker DHE gun with 16 and 20 ga. barrel sets, both 32", and tightly choked. I wouldn't trade it for the moon. Your idea of "value" and someone else's is not necessarily the same, obviously.

If it was a "gimmick" dreamed up by gunmakers why do so many shooters/hunters have a two ga. set composed for themselves, by having additional barrel sets fitted?
Posted By: ed good Re: Multi Barrel, Multi Gauge Sets - 06/22/21 09:44 PM
dam, same gauge multi barrel sets with a set of long tightly choked barrels and a set of short opened choked barrels makes sense for all the reasons you state...especially in 12 gauge...

Just dont get the two gauge thing...

For 12 gauge, one can purchase factory loads from 3/4 ounce to 1 1/4 ounce...why would one want a smaller gauge set of barrels on a 12 gauge frame?
Posted By: Buzz Re: Multi Barrel, Multi Gauge Sets - 06/22/21 11:12 PM
Competition guns are often multi-gauge, specifically 12, 20, 28 and .410 for the different subgauge events to go along with the 12 ga, and hopefully of similar weights…..but, I’m guessing you already knew that.
Posted By: Bob Cash Re: Multi Barrel, Multi Gauge Sets - 06/22/21 11:12 PM
Originally Posted by Stanton Hillis
I have a Parker DHE gun with 16 and 20 ga. barrel sets, both 32", and tightly choked. I wouldn't trade it for the moon. Your idea of "value" and someone else's is not necessarily the same, obviously.
If it was a "gimmick" dreamed up by gunmakers why do so many shooters/hunters have a two ga. set composed for themselves, by having additional barrel sets fitted?

Hello Stan, Happy belated Fathers Day.
Here's my Super(com)posed 28/.410 (J7)

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

It's a Skeet set and the identical configuration and dimensions move my game along nicely.
What's that you say Ed?
Why yes, I did shoot straights twice out of four games this past Saturday using the .410.
Posted By: Stanton Hillis Re: Multi Barrel, Multi Gauge Sets - 06/23/21 02:59 AM
ed, your reason for argument against two gauge sets is really a bigger question, which is, why do we need anything more than 12 gauge anyway? If you thought about these questions a few seconds before you post them you would realize that. Your answer is ............…"For 12 gauge, one can purchase factory loads from 3/4 ounce to 1 1/4 ounce..."

My answer to both is, "because I want it that way". There doesn't have to be any overriding justification. If it's available, and one is able to afford it, why should anyone else question it?

Bob, I have another gun that is a 28/.410 set. Love it, and my enjoyment of it will not be lessened, in the least, by ed's questioning.
Posted By: ed good Re: Multi Barrel, Multi Gauge Sets - 06/23/21 04:26 AM
bob, for skeet shooting, what weight shot loads do you use in your 410/28 combo set?
Posted By: eightbore Re: Multi Barrel, Multi Gauge Sets - 06/23/21 05:47 AM
Mandated by NSSA rules, 1/2 ounce and 3/4 ounce. But you knew that.
Posted By: damascus Re: Multi Barrel, Multi Gauge Sets - 06/23/21 09:39 AM
Some multi barrel guns can be a very good answer to some situations. Like all the guns I own they are all second user, I have never had the cash at the time to purchase new though looking back this has not been a bad thing for a start all those niggling faults have been ironed out before I purchased then not to mention the lower price. I do own a 12 bore two barreled set that I purchased from a working game keeper just before he decided to change occupation in the 1970 s. The gun is a Webley & Scott 700 that was professionally put together as a two barreled set, it comprises of a 30 inch and a 28 inch set of barrels with the balance adjusted to just a little in front of the action hinge pin for the 30 inch set and just a little behind the action hinge pin for the 28 inch set. The 28 inch barrel set is improved cylinder and half choke ideal for hedge row and field walking, the 30 inch set are three quarter and full choke perfect for Pigeon and driven game. The choking on each of the barrel sets are not exactly the sizes given because they where each regulated to give a good pattern using one and one eights ounce English number six shot. A working mans gun with no frills but a perfect gun for all occasions. The gun never had a fitted case I fitted a second user case to the gun, well a fancy case was not on a game keepers cash spending list because the gun was just a working tool of his trade. This is one of my death us do part guns because I could not bring myself to part wit it now.

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]
Posted By: DoubleTake Re: Multi Barrel, Multi Gauge Sets - 06/23/21 12:07 PM
I can see merit in a two-barrel setup in terms of ammo. For example a 16/20 gauge set would allow the shooter to shoot the more easily found (and reloaded) 20 gauge ammo at clay targets, and shoot the 16 gauge at birds. In my experience the 16 is a better pheasant getter than a 20.
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