As a follow up note, I have continued to use the Paton throughout this wildfowling season, taking her out for about 10 flights in total and each one being a pleasure. Several have been a blank but the flight was none the worse for it - a delight still to be out.
What has surprised me though is just how well the gun patterns and how cleanly it kills. It has no choke, but that did not stop it cleanly killing a 60 yrd pinkfoot (grey goose), as well as having an incredibly memorable evening flight over duck decoys where 5 wigeon fell to 7 shots. By keeping shots above 30 yrds, all birds were superb for the table.
12lbs is not unduly heavy to take across the marsh, and by using a modern day leg-o-mutton gun case (Napier UK) and assembling the gun once I have walked out across the marsh, it is much more manageable than I could have perceived.
Less than a month left of the UK season on the saltmarshes now so I intend to get out a few more times before looking ahead to reloading practice!
Craig
Last edited by CBL1; 01/25/12 06:12 PM.
