My new English SxS acquisition

[BeeMaa]

@Mtn_Infantry for our friends that have never shot a British 2.5" 12 bore shotgun, we sound like pompous snobs. To anyone that has shot one for a single round of clays, they understand. These British guns, regardless of cost, handle like a feather on the end of a straw, whereas our typical American shotguns handle like a pig on the end of a shovel.

Paying a bit more per box of shells is a low cost of admission to "the club".

Cheese and chalk would have sufficed, but I get your point.

 

[Red Leg]

That is a lovely gun. I just ordered 4 flats of shells from RST a week ago. They tend to go quickly when they have them in stock.

 

[MontanaPat]

Beautiful shotgun, congratulations on the acquisition of such a fine old gun

 

[AZDAVE]

Very nice 12 bore, it should serve you well and very rare in a sidelock from that maker.

 

[Altitude sickness]

I’ll be pheasant hunting with it shortly

 

[Aaron N]

Looking back on this rifle, this is probably the worst post to see as a guy who’s wanting to dip his toes into the SxS pond….

 

[Altitude sickness]

The one piece of advice I would have is ensure the seller allows a grace period for a competent person to inspect it before you receive the gun.

Have it shipped directly to your gunsmith or inspector. Many sellers will not want the screws touched. It can’t be called inspected unless it’s locks are inspected.

 

[Certus]

@Mtn_Infantry for our friends that have never shot a British 2.5" 12 bore shotgun, we sound like pompous snobs. To anyone that has shot one for a single round of clays, they understand. These British guns, regardless of cost, handle like a feather on the end of a straw, whereas our typical American shotguns handle like a pig on the end of a shovel.

Paying a bit more per box of shells is a low cost of admission to "the club".

Had a EJ Churchill XXV (crown grade, BLE)..wish I still had it

 

[93marlin]

How did I become the ground-zero nexus of European hunting couture when I'm a 47-ethnicity amerimutt?

@rookhawk it's because you sir, are one of many people on this forum that are a fine example of a "good person"

 

[BB416]

Beautiful gun!
I love English shotguns. Always seem lighter and more pointable than their American cousins. I have three 12 bores that all take 2.5 inch shells (1921 Westley Richards droplock, 1894 Mortimer and my newest addition, a 1893 Stephen Grant side lever). I haven’t shot any of my American side by sides in years- always seem to reach for the English side of the safe.

You can reload with a MEC and a spacer which makes the cost the same as 2.75 in shells (once you have your empties). I shot my new Grant for opening day doves this year. Even though it is 131 years old, it works a charm and looks great doing it.

For those interested in SxS shotguns, I encourage you to visit the Southern Side x Side shoot and exhibition that occurs in the spring every year at Deep River sporting clays in Sanford, NC. Thousands of side by sides of all persuasions for sale in booths run by a who’s who of the double gun world.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

@Mtn_Infantry for our friends that have never shot a British 2.5" 12 bore shotgun, we sound like pompous snobs. To anyone that has shot one for a single round of clays, they understand. These British guns, regardless of cost, handle like a feather on the end of a straw, whereas our typical American shotguns handle like a pig on the end of a shovel.

Paying a bit more per box of shells is a low cost of admission to "the club".

Exactly! Day 1 was the Westley and I switched over to a PreWar Superposed for Day 2. Aside from the SxS to O/U switch it took 1/2 a box of shells before I was hitting worth a damn. Next time I’m just going to stick with the Westley, though I need to order several additional flats.