need double recommendation

poptime · February 7, 2009, 01:00 AM

What I'm looking for:
I love case harden.
12 g
useful for upland and/or water fowl
under $2000.
pefer a popular brand... for service and parts availability.

So, what am I looking for?

Thanks.

Waterengineer · February 7, 2009, 05:44 AM

Franchi Destino. They are around for about $1,800.

Voyageur · February 7, 2009, 12:45 PM

Fox Stirlingworth... you can still find parts for them and the price is fairly reasonable. I've got a couple and they are still as tight as ticks.

One piece of advice... don't slam shut your double. It's like swinging the cylinder closed on a wheelgun. You get wear for no reason. I got tired of telling customers that was the reason they wanted me to 'tighten up' their shotguns.

Waterengineer · February 7, 2009, 12:48 PM

Ya, the Fox will work, just be careful about the shell you put through it.

poptime · February 7, 2009, 01:04 PM

Thanks, I'll check out those two.
And I appreciate any tips like about closing up the gun. I want it to last.

Voyageur · February 7, 2009, 01:09 PM

"Ya, the Fox will work, just be careful about the shell you put through it."

Why so Waterengineer? The barrels are fluid steel (not Damascus) and the loads are standard. If you are thinking of 'steel' shot then I agree but I would never put steel shot through an unlined barrel. I've had too many customers with bulged barrels to believe the Ammunition manufacturers. Remember when they claimed the 'improved' shot cups (thicker) would keep that from happening? Then is was 'soft steel', then it was 'bismuth' or 'tungsten'.

The fact is that there is no substitute for lead in unlined, thinner shotgun barrels. Since I hunt upland bird the question does not arise.

However... if you are hunting Federal birds (with a stamp) you really have no choice and you are absolutely right. In addition (he said darkly to those just getting into the sport) do not put 3" shells in just 'because they fit'. You are actually inserting the cartridge right up to the start of the forcing cone. When the cartridge opens up, it opens up into the cone. You can most times tell by the damage to the end of the cartridge case.

Waterengineer · February 7, 2009, 04:31 PM

Voyager:

Yep.

February 7, 2009, 01:00 AM	#1
poptime Member Join Date: June 1, 2008 Location: foot of MT Rainier Posts: 89	need double recommendation What I'm looking for: I love case harden. 12 g useful for upland and/or water fowl under $2000. pefer a popular brand... for service and parts availability. So, what am I looking for? Thanks.

February 7, 2009, 05:44 AM	#2
Waterengineer Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2006 Location: Aurora, CO and Palm Beach, FL Posts: 863	Franchi Destino. They are around for about $1,800.

February 7, 2009, 12:45 PM	#3
Voyageur Member Join Date: October 28, 2008 Location: In the Shining Mountains Posts: 72	Fox Stirlingworth... you can still find parts for them and the price is fairly reasonable. I've got a couple and they are still as tight as ticks. One piece of advice... don't slam shut your double. It's like swinging the cylinder closed on a wheelgun. You get wear for no reason. I got tired of telling customers that was the reason they wanted me to 'tighten up' their shotguns.

February 7, 2009, 12:48 PM	#4
Waterengineer Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2006 Location: Aurora, CO and Palm Beach, FL Posts: 863	Ya, the Fox will work, just be careful about the shell you put through it.

February 7, 2009, 01:04 PM	#5
poptime Member Join Date: June 1, 2008 Location: foot of MT Rainier Posts: 89	Thanks, I'll check out those two. And I appreciate any tips like about closing up the gun. I want it to last.

February 7, 2009, 01:09 PM	#6
Voyageur Member Join Date: October 28, 2008 Location: In the Shining Mountains Posts: 72	"Ya, the Fox will work, just be careful about the shell you put through it." Why so Waterengineer? The barrels are fluid steel (not Damascus) and the loads are standard. If you are thinking of 'steel' shot then I agree but I would never put steel shot through an unlined barrel. I've had too many customers with bulged barrels to believe the Ammunition manufacturers. Remember when they claimed the 'improved' shot cups (thicker) would keep that from happening? Then is was 'soft steel', then it was 'bismuth' or 'tungsten'. The fact is that there is no substitute for lead in unlined, thinner shotgun barrels. Since I hunt upland bird the question does not arise. However... if you are hunting Federal birds (with a stamp) you really have no choice and you are absolutely right. In addition (he said darkly to those just getting into the sport) do not put 3" shells in just 'because they fit'. You are actually inserting the cartridge right up to the start of the forcing cone. When the cartridge opens up, it opens up into the cone. You can most times tell by the damage to the end of the cartridge case.

February 7, 2009, 04:31 PM	#7
Waterengineer Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2006 Location: Aurora, CO and Palm Beach, FL Posts: 863	Voyager: Yep.