Skeet with a SxS

[the spank]

I think I should have added to my "go the distance" comment that the lower grade gun will not handle the volume of shooting the higher end gun will. As I said you can break targets with any gun but better quality equals longevity at the very least.

 

[Scar270]

Yeah, I would say most people with expensive guns have tried going the cheaper route and worn guns out. Some because they wont listen, some because they cant afford expensive at the time.

I know I have worn out my share of cheaper guns. I have also seen a few that were not so cheap but couldnt go the distamce either.

 

[the spank]

Me too. Have you noticed that you read those stories on the Internet far more often than actually seeing them in real life?

Yes!! I have watched a group of shooters all summer pounding their shoulders into submission and trying to figure out "why" its so difficult to hit trap targets with their tactical cylinder bore guns and though we have explained the benefits of proper chokes for the distances they are shooting they just aren't getting it. The other night was awesome and a few of us had to hide our smiles and laughs when the one fellow slid the pump handle forward on his gun to take his turn to shoot and his heat shield fell off. What a sight watching him try to hold his gun together while trying to unload it on the line. One of his buddies had a Mossberg bolt action and it took him three attempts virtually every time it was his turn to shoot to load a single round in the chamber. Pure entertainment!

 

[BJP]

"I know guys like that too but so what? I've never quite understood the apparent need by some of the less wheel heeled to claim moral superiority by outshooting someone with a more expensive gun. Do they feel smug when they park their Kia better than a Mercedes? Does their self-esteem rise a couple of notches because they can tell time with their Timex just as well as the guy with a Rolex?

Some people shoot better than others. Some guns are more expensive than others. I've owned guns across the spectrum from low three figures to five figures. The scores aren't that much different. The personal enjoyment and satisfaction with the higher-end guns is however another matter entirely."

Claybuster: That is very well said ! some people think that if you shoot a higher end gun you're automatically looking down your nose at the folks who shoot a less expensive gun. I have shot a very wide variety of guns and while the cost of the gun is never reflected in my scores but I can tell you that everyone who has tried my current Caesar Guerini has commented how much better it feels when mounting/shooting when compared to the Baikal/Mossberg type guns. When someone beats me on the skeet or trap field all I can say to them is "well done".

 

[the spank]

"I know guys like that too but so what? I've never quite understood the apparent need by some of the less wheel heeled to claim moral superiority by outshooting someone with a more expensive gun. Do they feel smug when they park their Kia better than a Mercedes? Does their self-esteem rise a couple of notches because they can tell time with their Timex just as well as the guy with a Rolex?

Some people shoot better than others. Some guns are more expensive than others. I've owned guns across the spectrum from low three figures to five figures. The scores aren't that much different. The personal enjoyment and satisfaction with the higher-end guns is however another matter entirely."

Claybuster: That is very well said ! some people think that if you shoot a higher end gun you're automatically looking down your nose at the folks who shoot a less expensive gun. I have shot a very wide variety of guns and while the cost of the gun is never reflected in my scores but I can tell you that everyone who has tried my current Caesar Guerini has commented how much better it feels when mounting/shooting when compared to the Baikal/Mossberg type guns. When someone beats me on the skeet or trap field all I can say to them is "well done".

Exactly. I don't own a better grade of gun as a show piece. I want a better designed and manufactured gun that feels good to shoot, doesn't kick like a mule and will last through season after season of thousands of rounds. If it looks nice, bonus. But it's the design and quality that matter most.

 

[stubblejumper]

Yes!! I have watched a group of shooters all summer pounding their shoulders into submission and trying to figure out "why" its so difficult to hit trap targets with their tactical cylinder bore guns and though we have explained the benefits of proper chokes for the distances they are shooting they just aren't getting it. The other night was awesome and a few of us had to hide our smiles and laughs when the one fellow slid the pump handle forward on his gun to take his turn to shoot and his heat shield fell off. What a sight watching him try to hold his gun together while trying to unload it on the line. One of his buddies had a Mossberg bolt action and it took him three attempts virtually every time it was his turn to shoot to load a single round in the chamber. Pure entertainment!

At my former club, it was commonplace for some people to show up to shoot trap or skeet with a short barreled gun with a pistol grip and folding stock. Most of them shot poorly, and they all took a beating when shooting several rounds of skeet or trap with those guns. The "craptical" gun as several of us refer to them, has to be the most unsuitable shotgun made for almost all uses, yet there sure seems to be a lot of them being sold.

 

[Claybuster]

At my former club, it was commonplace for some people to show up to shoot trap or skeet with a short barreled gun with a pistol grip and folding stock. Most of them shot poorly, and they all took a beating when shooting several rounds of skeet or trap with those guns. The "craptical" gun as several of us refer to them, has to be the most unsuitable shotgun made for almost all uses, yet there sure seems to be a lot of them being sold.

Don't be surprised though if someone from the tacticool section comes around to boast about humbling K, P and B-gun shooters with his stubby delight.

 

[the spank]

At my former club, it was commonplace for some people to show up to shoot trap or skeet with a short barreled gun with a pistol grip and folding stock. Most of them shot poorly, and they all took a beating when shooting several rounds of skeet or trap with those guns. The "craptical" gun as several of us refer to them, has to be the most unsuitable shotgun made for almost all uses, yet there sure seems to be a lot of them being sold.

OMG that is funny. First time I've heard that term. What I like most is when they brag afterwards about how sore their shoulder and cheek are from having shot so many rounds. I am sure some days I have a look of pure wonder on my face but I have to really question the mindset especially when you explain in a nice friendly manner they would be in a much better position even if they traded up to a standard traditional style pump or auto for the same money as their tacticool gun but they continue to think the tacticool gun is the be all end all all around shotgun. The best question to date was from a fellow the other night who asked about ammo for clays shooting while watching a squad. He asked if we used slugs??!! I explained besides being a tad difficult to hit a 4" disc in flight with a slug we may have an overshoot distance issue.

 

[the spank]

Sorry if I derailed your thread, that wasn't my intention. So let's get back to shooting with a SxS shall we. I once was given an offer of a pair of original mint condition Parker VHE grades and a mint condition AH Fox Sterlingworth grade all in 20 gauge to take to the club and enjoy a day with but at the time I didn't have much disposable income and was concerned about how I would replace or repair those beautiful guns if something happened to them so I declined the offer. To this day if there was one of the three I would have loved to try it was the Fox. It was a thing of beauty.

 

[stubblejumper]

I don't shoot my hunting shotguns all the time, but I do shoot each one a few times over the summer. If you can't break clays with it, how do you expect to kill birds with it? Unfortunately, I know too many people that only shoot their shotguns while hunting, and they miss a lot more often than they kill birds.

 

[catnthehatt]

Sorry if I derailed your thread, that wasn't my intention. So let's get back to shooting with a SxS shall we. I once was given an offer of a pair of original mint condition Parker VHE grades and a mint condition AH Fox Sterlingworth grade all in 20 gauge to take to the club and enjoy a day with but at the time I didn't have much disposable income and was concerned about how I would replace or repair those beautiful guns if something happened to them so I declined the offer. To this day if there was one of the three I would have loved to try it was the Fox. It was a thing of beauty.

I shot a newly acquired Fox just a few weeks back, and to be frank, was underwhelmed!!
It didn't swing as nice as my other SxS guns, and did not lock up as smoothly.
In fact, it felt sort of clubby compared to my Westley Richards or the Claybourogh , or my Pedersoli, which is actually a pretty heavily framed SxS hammer gun that is steel approved
Cat

 

[Claybuster]

I don't shoot my hunting shotguns all the time, but I do shoot each one a few times over the summer. If you can't break clays with it, how do you expect to kill birds with it? Unfortunately, I know too many people that only shoot their shotguns while hunting, and they miss a lot more often than they kill birds.

My sxs gets out in advance of bird season for a few rounds of practice and I shoot it pretty much exclusively until I'm done shooting birds for the year. I need a couple hundred clays before I readjust to shooting double triggers and an auto safety. I also shoot in my hunting vest and ask the trapper to pull random birds instead of shooting the usual sporting clays or five stand menu.

 

[the spank]

At the club I belonged to back home we could make use of the facilities any day we wanted by signing out a key. I used to go on non-scheduled days with my layout blind and move around the skeet field with it and practice prior to season.

 

[beretta boy]

Skeet in it's original form of "Shooting 'round the Clock" was originally devised by a group of New England grouse hunters to sharpen up their upland skills. When a neighbour moved too close to their original set-up, the circular field was divided in half to a semi circle and another trap house was added. I'll bet most of them in the early days were SxS shooters. I've managed a good many straight rounds with pumps, semi-autos, O/U's and SxS's. For competition, there is little doubt from the statistics that today, the O/U has the edge, particularly those fitted with sub-gauge tubes. In the 60's and 70's the auto-loaders seemed to have the edge. There were a good number of Model 21 Skeet guns around in the 40's and 50's and Skeet was very popular with the Model 12/42 set in previous times.

As Claybuster has referred to earlier, the gun that handles and balances well, is heavy enough not to beat you up and fits to the point that the gun actually shoots were you look is the one to use. I'd be remiss in saying that most shooters would be surprised to work with a professional gun-fitter in patterning their gun only to find that their guns really do not fit them particularly well ... despite them being able to shoot somewhat O.K. with them.

For most North American shooters, a well made SxS field gun is a little bit of a trial in getting used to ... especially with a straight (and usually longer) stock, higher comb, straight grip, double triggers and lighter weight. But once acclimatized, they are very efficient in the uplands. For grouse, woodcock, pheasant & the like, I'll reach for my SxS every time. The high buck
O/U, target semi's and the old faithful pump for waterfowl stay in the closet.

 

[stubblejumper]

Skeet in it's original form of "Shooting 'round the Clock" was originally devised by a group of New England grouse hunters to sharpen up their upland skills. When a neighbour moved too close to their original set-up, the circular field was divided in half to a semi circle and another trap house was added. I'll bet most of them in the early days were SxS shooters. I've managed a good many straight rounds with pumps, semi-autos, O/U's and SxS's. For competition, there is little doubt from the statistics that today, the O/U has the edge, particularly those fitted with sub-gauge tubes. In the 60's and 70's the auto-loaders seemed to have the edge. There were a good number of Model 21 Skeet guns around in the 40's and 50's and Skeet was very popular with the Model 12/42 set in previous times.

As Claybuster has referred to earlier, the gun that handles and balances well, is heavy enough not to beat you up and fits to the point that the gun actually shoots were you look is the one to use. I'd be remiss in saying that most shooters would be surprised to work with a professional gun-fitter in patterning their gun only to find that their guns really do not fit them particularly well ... despite them being able to shoot somewhat O.K. with them.

For most North American shooters, a well made SxS field gun is a little bit of a trial in getting used to ... especially with a straight (and usually longer) stock, higher comb, straight grip, double triggers and lighter weight. But once acclimatized, they are very efficient in the uplands. For grouse, woodcock, pheasant & the like, I'll reach for my SxS every time. The high buck
O/U, target semi's and the old faithful pump for waterfowl stay in the closet.

I will be the first to admit that most SXS guns don't fit me at all well. Most English style stocks feel especially awkward to me. That is why I was so surprised that the AYA feels so good to me, and shoots so well for me with no adjustment period. I am able to shoot a round of skeet with one of my O/U guns, then pick up this SxS, and shoot it quite well, the very next round. Other than having to pay extra attention to the dual triggers, the transition is pretty much seamless.

 

[Westward1]

Skeet in it's original form of "Shooting 'round the Clock" was originally devised by a group of New England grouse hunters to sharpen up their upland skills. When a neighbour moved too close to their original set-up, the circular field was divided in half to a semi circle and another trap house was added. I'll bet most of them in the early days were SxS shooters. I've managed a good many straight rounds with pumps, semi-autos, O/U's and SxS's. For competition, there is little doubt from the statistics that today, the O/U has the edge, particularly those fitted with sub-gauge tubes. In the 60's and 70's the auto-loaders seemed to have the edge. There were a good number of Model 21 Skeet guns around in the 40's and 50's and Skeet was very popular with the Model 12/42 set in previous times.

As Claybuster has referred to earlier, the gun that handles and balances well, is heavy enough not to beat you up and fits to the point that the gun actually shoots were you look is the one to use. I'd be remiss in saying that most shooters would be surprised to work with a professional gun-fitter in patterning their gun only to find that their guns really do not fit them particularly well ... despite them being able to shoot somewhat O.K. with them.

For most North American shooters, a well made SxS field gun is a little bit of a trial in getting used to ... especially with a straight (and usually longer) stock, higher comb, straight grip, double triggers and lighter weight. But once acclimatized, they are very efficient in the uplands. For grouse, woodcock, pheasant & the like, I'll reach for my SxS every time. The high buck
O/U, target semi's and the old faithful pump for waterfowl stay in the closet.

Pretty much ever SxS I have picked had a very short stock 14" or less. Adding an inch or so to the LOP, combined with the usual drop at the comb would make it un-shootable. I would like to get my hands on an English style game gun with 15"+ LOP and 30" barrels.

 

[stubblejumper]

Pretty much ever SxS I have picked had a very short stock 14" or less. Adding an inch or so to the LOP, combined with the usual drop at the comb would make it un-shootable. I would like to get my hands on an English style game gun with 15"+ LOP and 30" barrels.

My AYA has an LOP of 14-7/8".

 

[beretta boy]

Many "modern" SxS's, i.e. English, Italian & Spanish made are longer, higher & usually better balanced than the majority of older US made doubles. The stock drop on some of the old Parkers,
L.C. Smiths, A.H. Foxes and even Model 21's are just frightful ( 2-1/2" - 3" + drop ) ... but I guess they fit the style of shooting of the day.

I've picked up several AyA's, Grullas & Arriettas that all fit pretty close ... as well as a friends H&H Royal that fits damn nice ! Had an older Beretta 409 12ga. that fit like a glove.
Sometimes 'ya get lucky !

An evening watching T.V. in your armchair with your double trigger gun (unloaded of course) just moving your finger back & forth between the front & back triggers while gripping the gun around the pistol grip will get you over the initial strangeness of dual triggers. I find with dual triggers that not moving your hand on the grip ... just your trigger finger rearwards ... gives me the best results and most control. First thing I do is get any auto safety disconnected. What an abomination they are !

 

[stubblejumper]

Many "modern" SxS's, i.e. English, Italian & Spanish made are longer, higher & usually better balanced than the majority of older US made doubles. The stock drop on some of the old Parkers,
L.C. Smiths, A.H. Foxes and even Model 21's are just frightful ( 2-1/2" - 3" + drop ) ... but I guess they fit the style of shooting of the day.

I've picked up several AyA's, Grullas & Arriettas that all fit pretty close ... as well as a friends H&H Royal that fits damn nice ! Had an older Beretta 409 12ga. that fit like a glove.
Sometimes 'ya get lucky !

An evening watching T.V. in your armchair with your double trigger gun (unloaded of course) just moving your finger back & forth between the front & back triggers while gripping the gun around the pistol grip will get you over the initial strangeness of dual triggers. I find with dual triggers that not moving your hand on the grip ... just your trigger finger rearwards ... gives me the best results and most control. First thing I do is get any auto safety disconnected. What an abomination they are !

I agree on the auto safety, and I am making a habit of only shifting my finger, my foul up the first time was squeezing the same trigger twice, but that hasn't happened since.

 

[the spank]

What I have experienced in my very limited experience with S x S's is the forends are very uncomftorable for my big hands. I love the look of the splinter style forends some wear but they are horrible for me to hang onto. I just do not care for the feel of the barrels in my hand as the forend barely fills my palm. I find it awkward and I am not really fond of the look of the larger forends that come up and wrap around the barrel edges. On some guns they look alright but not on others?