Shooting your older shotguns

[PCC600]

This next gun is a Browning O/U made in Herstal in 1958. It was first prize in the Cunnamulla ( western Queensland Australia) clay pigeon shoot . In those days wool prices were sky high and owners of sheep properties were very wealthy - hence a prize of this quality in a remote area . It was originally choked full/ full but I had Briley choke fitted and generally use pretty open chokes . 30 inch barrels with 2.75 inch chambers . I use it for all my wing shooting 1/4 and 1/2 choke for driven pheasant and 3/4 and full choke on geese . This gun was with me in Cunnamulla in June 2009 ( our winter in OZ) when in about 1.5 hours one Sunday morning I shot 2 ducks (2 shots), a pair of rabbit ( 2 shots) , 8 bronze wing pigeon ( about 12 shots) and 4 pigs ( with 4 Rio slugs). Talk about variety. Love that Browning.

 

[PCC600]

Finally a recent acquisition a Powell boxlock . I have put pics up on this site before but to recap a 2.75 inch chamber gun . Two sets 28 inch barrels - cylinder and 1/4 and the other is 1/4 and 1/2 choke. Action is a Scott boxlock with their hidden rectangular cross bolt and action has side clips . Had a quick shoot at sporting clays recently and shot pretty well with it . Still to go out for birds - it will have to be next year .

 

[rookhawk]

Some of the game guns over the years:

The relatively affordable WC Scott Monte Carlo B in 20 bore:

The Nawab of Rampur’s best 20 bore Lancaster, auto opener, single trigger, ejector:

A Krieghoff 16 bore drilling:

A best grade William Richards of Liverpool 16 bore hammer gun:

And a John Boss 12 bore hammer gun:

 

[PCC600]

Absolutely beautiful guns . I love the “relatively affordable “ Scott 20g .

 

[Ridge Runner]

Interesting story re this honker triple. Note that only four honkers are in the pile and daily bag is five. Decoys were set in the cut corn and the dogs and I were hiding just inside standing corn. Deeks are set out about fifty yards and I try to use the wind. I was unable to follow the second bird when it fell as I was already on the third. But I was almost certain it fell in the standing corn to my left. Another flock was already coming in so we held tight. Easily took a double and I was done. Had to run down the first bird but rest were dead. I gathered up the other three and a couple of decoys for a photo op. It's almost useless looking for downed birds in the standing corn. The dogs don't like to be out of sight (and yes it is very easy to get disoriented in that stuff). But gave it a shot anyway. We were in there about twenty minutes when suddenly I was face to face with a HUGE black bear not ten yards away. I screamed at the dogs and they were to me immediately. I bet that bruin's skull was twenty inches across. Fortunately, he did an about face and quick exit. The buggers are always in the corn and very destructive. And they are not in the least bothered by my shooting. I've had them snitch geese from the pile while walking the dogs to a nearby slough. I carry a couple of slugs in the chest pocket of my upland vest for just this reason. But I was done shooting so gun was still back at decoys. That could have been a real mess! Won't make that mistake again. I kept the dogs at heel and got the hell out of that corn ASAP. One honker isn't worth it. Stepped into the cut field and there's the dead goose laying in the stubble face down. They can be hard to see when they land like that.

Sorry for the derailment. My daughter landed in hospital last night after her first seizure. I needed the diversion. Seizure took out her brother fourteen years ago. Seizures probably would also have eventually taken my epileptic wife had not a car accident done her in ten months after we lost Wes. So this is not unexpected. But heartbreaking nonetheless. Good thing I didn't go back to Africa this year. I had a feeling something would come up. Sigh.

Condolences to you, your family, and friends on your loses.
I hope your daughter gets well and recovers soon.

Nice hunting report diversion.

 

[wesheltonj]

Unfortunately, my Parker is sitting in my closet, I guess soon to be a wall hanger. RST is not making the Paper-Paper shells any longer.

However, my everyday shotgun is a 1972 A5. I’ve sent it one time to Art’s for a full restoration, looks and shoots almost like new.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

My every day shotgun is a Winchester model 12. I know old is relative, but I’m 27.

 

[rookhawk]

Absolutely beautiful guns . I love the “relatively affordable “ Scott 20g .

They can be a bargain. I’ve seen nice Monte Carlo Bs go from the teens to the low 3k range. Considering a soulless Beretta 686 is pushing three grand, I feel that these Scott’s are a heck of a value for what they are, especially considering it would cost sixty grand to make one bespoke today in the UK.

 

[Nevada Mike]

All my SXS guns are old - made 1890s through 1940s. Atkin (2), Harkom, Robertson (boss), These are all upland bird guns in 12, 1 and 20 gauges.

 

[Certus]

Cowles and Dunn 10g.
My only pic of it, huh..I’ll have to take some more. Need to load some more shells for it and take it out.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

My 1961 A5 had a fantastic upland season this year. Perhaps best ever. A big improvement in bird numbers but still nothing like ten to fifteen years ago. My shooting has greatly improved since those days. This season I was only missing about 25%. I shot a LOT of birds. My dogs are age thirteen and nine. The younger Lab now has issues with her good hind leg. This is our last season I'm afraid. When they're done, so am I. Been a helluva run.

 

[gizmo]

Cowles and Dunn 10g.
My only pic of it, huh..I’ll have to take some more. Need to load some more shells for it and take it out.

That’s awesome. I just acquired a 10 ga. I haven got to shoot it yet but I cannot wait to!

 

[Atticus]

British boxlocks are the best bargain out there. Very high quality and more shootable dimensions than Foxes, Parkers, etc. I now have three, Horton, Wilkes, Halliday and all see time in the grouse woods.

This year the Halliday 2” 12 saw the most time.

 

[Altitude sickness]

It is shocking the level of quality you get in a 100 year old British SxS

For the price of an average off the shelf new

 

[rookhawk]

It is shocking the level of quality you get in a 100 year old British SxS

For the price of an average off the shelf new

Indeed indeed! That’s why the SxS community is so vocal, even if so small. A very nice between-the-wars boxlock ejector from an obscure maker, in its case, with 80% case colors remaining, 12 bore, might fetch $2500-$3500. Getting a custom fitting and having the stock cast to precisely fit the owner may be another $500.

Replacement cost if ordered new? $60,000 is what that will run you in England today for a carbon-copy of it.

 

[WAB]

In North Dakota with my gsp and a Thomas Bland.

 

[rookhawk]

 

[Altitude sickness]

WAB, that house has good bones for SD farm country. Someone spent a lot of money back when.

 

[Red Leg]

I mainly shoot pre WWII SxS guns created in the UK or on the Continent. My favorite waterfowl gun, which has taken multitudes of geese and ducks is an end of the nineteenth century Lindner (Germany) in the original 2 7/8 chambering proofed for 1 1/4 ounces that was sold by Golcher of Philadelphia. It handles that load in Bismuth beautifully. It is especially fun to use when in the blind with someone blasting away with a plastic stocked semi-auto wonder thumper.

 

[375er]

I have a Parker made in 1897 that I enjoy shooting clays with.