Changing shotgun action styles when getting older

[iron cat]

Well, at -33c this morning all I am doing is sitting in the kitchen drinking coffee and talking about hunting , not getting the dogs ready to head out and chase birds so it doesn’t matter what gun I was planning on hunting with today!
Cat

 

[madtrapper143]

Just about to finish up 2 years of cancer treatment. The treatments have left me with super low energy and substantial muscle loss. I still get out with the dogs every chance I get. 1/2 a day hunt is all I can do. I have numerous bird guns but in my current situation my Winchester model 59 and my Browning Double Auto Twenty Weight give me 12 bore performance and are more manageable to carry. I often pick up my Auto Five Magnum Twelve at home just to remind me how much strength I have lost.
Darryl

 

[Falconflyer]

minus 22 here this morning Cat, a coffee day for sure!

 

[stubblejumper]

-28 here now, but hoping it warms up enough to shoot skeet Sunday.

 

[FLHTCUI]

Just about to finish up 2 years of cancer treatment. The treatments have left me with super low energy and substantial muscle loss. I still get out with the dogs every chance I get. 1/2 a day hunt is all I can do. I have numerous bird guns but in my current situation my Winchester model 59 and my Browning Double Auto Twenty Weight give me 12 bore performance and are more manageable to carry. I often pick up my Auto Five Magnum Twelve at home just to remind me how much strength I have lost.
Darryl

Well, if those words aint strength enough I dont know what is.
Fark Cancer and I hope that you keep up with the path you are on hanging with your dog getting exercise to rebuilding muscle .
1/2 days hunts are better than no day hunts ...wishing you a Cancer Free body and many more hunting days ahead.
Rob

 

[iron cat]

Just about to finish up 2 years of cancer treatment. The treatments have left me with super low energy and substantial muscle loss. I still get out with the dogs every chance I get. 1/2 a day hunt is all I can do. I have numerous bird guns but in my current situation my Winchester model 59 and my Browning Double Auto Twenty Weight give me 12 bore performance and are more manageable to carry. I often pick up my Auto Five Magnum Twelve at home just to remind me how much strength I have lost.
Darryl

Wishing you all the best in your fight, Darryl, and many more 1/2 days afield!
Cat

 

[patricksbb391]

so, to the original question, get a hammerless, single selective trigger S/S in .16-.28 gauge.

the SKB 100 in .20 is sheer pleasure, and can be had at a reasonable price here on the EE, IMO. Some models of their .12, specifically splinter forends, are sweet as well. Beavertail, not so much.

m23 is chunky, even in .20, as I have experience. Again, Beavertail.

Great article on Outdoor LIfe recently, as I recall, about gauges, and the conclusion is that it is not the gauge, but entirely choke and shot choice. I agree.

 

[iron cat]

so, to the original question, get a hammerless, single selective trigger S/S in .16-.28 gauge.

the SKB 100 in .20 is sheer pleasure, and can be had at a reasonable price here on the EE, IMO. Some models of their .12, specifically splinter forends, are sweet as well. Beavertail, not so much.

m23 is chunky, even in .20, as I have experience. Again, Beavertail.

Great article on Outdoor LIfe recently, as I recall, about gauges, and the conclusion is that it is not the gauge, but entirely choke and shot choice. I agree.

The reason I am looking at a sub gauge as opposed to a 12 is the overall mass, not the gauge itself.
The chokes in an upland gun don't worry me too much, my main gun is Cyl/Cyl.
The FAIR Iside in 28 on the exchange is a nice gun and is on the short list for sure, as is a particular 20 that I am looking at right now.
I have some time as things are not going to warm up any time soon!
Cat

 

[the spank]

Uh, you won't find me hunting with a semi auto today- tomorrow don't look any better! LOL
I am pretty much a SxS guy, but have been known to shoulder an O/U at times as well........
Cat

https://imgur.com/Y8l9Vkd

I can only speak for myself but if the hammer guns are no longer doable and a SxS is my fave I'd be selling off my hammer guns and finding myself a sweet little mint condition small framed lightweight sub-gauge SxS gun using ammunition purpose made for vintage guns. I find the lower pressure ammo made for those guns extremely mild on recoil and excellent patterning.
And yes I know what you are feeling. I have arthritis in every joint in my upper body. Most days when I raise my arms above my shoulders my shoulders sound like a tree limb snapping off in minus temps. It has definitely affected my choice of gun/ammo and activity. Ahh the joys of aging!

 

[the spank]

Le Gatteau avec le chappeau………….go get that A-5 in 20 yer buddy has.
Light, quick and assa bonus, well chit, yewd be a styl’in Fudd.

Such as you, I sure miss my youth.

Looky you crack me up! Must be a BC 'nutter thing. One's solution is always "get an A5, the other feller's is "get an 870".

 

[kamlooky]

Looky you crack me up! Must be a BC 'nutter thing. One's solution is always "get an A5, the other feller's is "get an 870".

It’s a “DAD” thing.
His old 1957 is still’ear.
He could shoot clays right up there with the best of them with that old A-5.

 

[the spank]

It’s a “DAD” thing.
His old 1957 is still’ear.
He could shoot clays right up there with the best of them with that old A-5.

'57 was a good year for guns...

 

[reddog]

Really Nice stuff Spank but in 50 years of shooting trap never saw anyone with browning A5 ,not saying it did not happen but never seen one....

 

[iron cat]

Really Nice stuff Spank but in 50 years of shooting trap never saw anyone with browning A5 ,not saying it did not happen but never seen one....

There were two very good shooters at Peel trap club that I remember who used A5's, a shotgun that always seemed like strange design to me. We had a couple of Franch 48AL's in our house as well, and they don't get much use either .
Cat

 

[kamlooky]

Really Nice stuff Spank but in 50 years of shooting trap never saw anyone with browning A5 ,not saying it did not happen but never seen one....

The old boy was pretty simple.
One rifle, one shotgun and a Cooey 39 you needed to pluck the spent round out.

 

[Accutip]

For water ... there anren't many options .... for me it boils down to three:

1.) You drink a lot (1Liter) and before heading out ... and to last you till you get back to the car/truck. I can go a half day with this method.
2.) You carry the water you need to stay hydrated.
3.) You carry a filter like a LifeStraw or Sawyer filter .... and to filter any water that you find in a creek or pond ... etc. Depending where you hunt this might work.

When I am out hunting small game for half a day .... I normally drink a lot before heading out .... and I carry a lightweight and compact water filter or water purification method with me and just in case. I don't carry anything to drink .... and this works for me for roughly half a day.

You got me with the bug on the screen. lol

 

[Mr Bill]

Really Nice stuff Spank but in 50 years of shooting trap never saw anyone with browning A5 ,not saying it did not happen but never seen one....

Well…I shot one round of trap and one round of skeet with a nice used A5….just ONE day at the club before I sold it. The only shotgun that smacked my middle finger with the trigger guard on recoil.

The A5 was the gun of choice for jackrabbit drives with my grandfather’s old school hunters with European backgrounds. It was a status symbol… and I looked up to these gents as I clutched my single shot 12g hammer gun with the forend held in place with a few wraps of electrical tape.

 

[0faustus0]

You got me with the bug on the screen. lol

Well, there is a bug in everything ....