ACP230
Member
When I close my eyes tonight I think I'll see side by side shotguns.
Not just any old side by sides either, ones that sell for from $2500 to $39,000 (and the odd eight-bore double rifle, "...suitable for elephant, old chap,")
I finally got to the Upper Peninsula Side By Side Classic. It's a three-day side by side shoot that's been going on 100 miles from me for several years.
There are various shooting stages for those who pay the fee and register, and, I found out belatedly, side shoots for those who just wander in and feel like burning powder.
I spent most of my time checking out the shotguns that dealers had on display. Twelve, 16, 20 and 28 gauges were represented. The guns were high quality and priced accordingly. Great wood, engraving, and designs that could make me forget my 16 gauge Marlin 90 and 20 gauge FIAS OUs. (There were a few over and unders and some pumps. I tried not to look at them, but some engraved Winchester Model 12s, and a .410 Marlin 90 did draw my eye.)
This was all accompanied by a steady bass line of shots fired in the various events. People taking it easy in the shade of a tent were discussing bird hunting and dogs. One of the dealers was going over the fine points of making Damascus-barreled Purdey's woods-ready again. Sleeving was mentioned and for $6,000 I could have had four neat old Purdeys to try it on.
Work schedules and sloth kept me from going to the U.P. Side by Side Classic before. They won't again.
Not just any old side by sides either, ones that sell for from $2500 to $39,000 (and the odd eight-bore double rifle, "...suitable for elephant, old chap,")
I finally got to the Upper Peninsula Side By Side Classic. It's a three-day side by side shoot that's been going on 100 miles from me for several years.
There are various shooting stages for those who pay the fee and register, and, I found out belatedly, side shoots for those who just wander in and feel like burning powder.
I spent most of my time checking out the shotguns that dealers had on display. Twelve, 16, 20 and 28 gauges were represented. The guns were high quality and priced accordingly. Great wood, engraving, and designs that could make me forget my 16 gauge Marlin 90 and 20 gauge FIAS OUs. (There were a few over and unders and some pumps. I tried not to look at them, but some engraved Winchester Model 12s, and a .410 Marlin 90 did draw my eye.)
This was all accompanied by a steady bass line of shots fired in the various events. People taking it easy in the shade of a tent were discussing bird hunting and dogs. One of the dealers was going over the fine points of making Damascus-barreled Purdey's woods-ready again. Sleeving was mentioned and for $6,000 I could have had four neat old Purdeys to try it on.
Work schedules and sloth kept me from going to the U.P. Side by Side Classic before. They won't again.
