SxS Doubles tough to shoot well

[Grizzly2]

I've always enjoyed hunting with them. Those old Savage/Stevens doubles are heavy and pretty slow to swing on birds and rabbits. I started cutting one back for cowboy shooting. Was hoping to make it to 19" or a tad less, but at 24" it started loosing the regulation and so I stopped. It is still heavy and a bit slow to swing. For years I used an old Spanish double in 20 that was much lighter and faster. The old SKS guns were great. Dad had one imported for Ithaca and I almost bought one when Sears sold them in the 70s. Those grouse will frustrate a guy with a heavy 12 double. Something light and fast with open chokes and you'll probably start enjoying it. I know Dad got so frustrated with those birds, he began cutting barrels back on an 1100 which he gave away when he broke down and bought a Superposed back in the late 60s and took up skeet. That improved his shooting skills dramatically. You could do the same with a sxs. An uncle brought a sliding breach 16 Darne sxs back in a duffle bag after WW2 and I've never seen anyone better on rabbits than he was with that odd looking double. But he just learned how to master that gun.

 

[entropy]

Another of my grail shotguns, a Darne in 16 or 20.

 

[George P]

This ^^^^^. Looking at the barrels, or the bead, will cause a miss almost all the time.

Not almost; ALL the time ..........one's eyes need to be locked on the intended target.

 

[George P]

Another of my grail shotguns, a Darne in 16 or 20.

Here ya go:
https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/shotguns/darne-shotguns.c751_p1_o6.cfm

 

[entropy]

Oh, I see them at gun shows, they're around. It's a matter of ponying up the change for it.

I keep running into deals like this:

A safe queen 1960 Model 12, really nice wood. Definitely worth the $300 I paid for it.

 

[Risky buisness]

Liking the option of 2 instanious shots and an option for a differing choke has had me shooting double guns for years, Fox model B an old Savage, and finally my field grade Browning. I may after an adjustment period shoot a single gun just fine but still prefer the double for trap and hunting.
I do believe that with getting accustom to your shotgun will happen with practice, dont just settle for how the gun mounts or if the cheek weld is something you have to hunt for. Customize it for your style.

 

[vintovka]

Another of my grail shotguns, a Darne in 16 or 20.

Neat gun and will sometimes handle slightly swollen or poorly resized cases due to camming action. Saw one in Thailand still in use in Jungle area,

 

[George P]

Darnes also tend to be VERY light compared to other guns in similar bore sizes which is great fir walking a lot in the uplands.

 

[gunlaw]

Keep your head down and concentrate on the bead. Next get the lead figured out. I shoot a double for trap. When I’m missing I go back to the first two thing I mentioned. A lot of practice helps.

 

[entropy]

Keep your head down and concentrate on the bead. Next get the lead figured out. I shoot a double for trap. When I’m missing I go back to the first two thing I mentioned. A lot of practice helps.

Why do you think you 'go back to missing' ? I bolded it for you. Take your bead off, you'll shoot better.

 

[d2wing]

Barrette I’ve actually shot a lot of skeet so focus on the target isn’t the issue. The guns I’ve tried possibly have too little drop. I see a bit more barrel than I should. I prefer a gun with substantial drop. They seem to point better at least as far as rifles go. My 1873 Winchester is a natural pointer for me and so is my 1893 Marlin. Probably just answered my own question. Being on an island with limited resources makes me hesitant to buy a gun online. I probably should stick to models I’m familiar with.

I very much regret selling my old Spanish SxS. I though a modern over under would be better. The guns you mention have different stock angles and maybe castoff. It just doesn't fit you right. A pattern board will help. You can adjust to what you see. But if you know a good gunsmith that knows how to fit a gun would be great. I had to adjust the stock on my new Browning. Rather readjust after I went the wrong way the first time. My son has an adjustable buttplate for his trap gun.

 

[George P]

Keep your head down and concentrate on the bead. Next get the lead figured out. I shoot a double for trap. When I’m missing I go back to the first two thing I mentioned. A lot of practice helps.

Do NOT look at the bead, look at the target - this isn't a rifle. Point the gun at the target using your eyes and hands to guide the muzzles which will be blurry in your peripheral

 

[d2wing]

Maybe if you like to see more barrel maybe a stock riser will help. Some guns especially European guns tend to shoot low, a rstock iser will help raise the poi.

 

[George P]

Maybe if you like to see more barrel maybe a stock riser will help. Some guns especially European guns tend to shoot low, a rstock iser will help raise the poi.

An easy way to raise the comb is by using a Beartooth comb kit which is a neoprene sleeve and several foam inserts of varying thicknesses

 

[DM~]

I had a Darne for a while, it didn't fit me for beans, where many other doubles do...

It didn't take long before I sent it down the road, as I didn't want to have to shoot it until I fit it!...

DM

 

[gunlaw]

Why do you think you 'go back to missing' ? I bolded it for you. Take your bead off, you'll shoot better.

The things I mentioned are what helps me concentrate. When I do these things I break more clays.

 

[vintovka]

Best i ever did was with my ML 12 Pedersoli. Barely 6 pounds loaded and almost no pheasant as viewed/lead between the cocked hammers and the bead escaped. Tough to reload on the run and smoke often drew concerns from fellow hunters (as in did it blow up?). Beat the old rem 11 and produced many limits. Sadly those days will never come again with the apparent total demise of wild pheasant in CA.

 

[cfullgraf]

I grew up shooting a 28 ga side by side and did well with it. It was my dad's when he was growing up.

I bring it out once in a while these days and don't shoot it worth a darn because of the double triggers. Too many shots taken on a single trigger over/under.

 

[hq]

Shooting a SxS shouldn't be any different than shooting a pump, semiauto or O/U, PROVIDING that the stock fits you. You don't really shoot a shotgun with rib or bead, or aim it, you look at the target and point the gun with muscle memory. If the stock fit is off, you'll have hard time hitting anything regardless of the action type or other factors.

Mine are all fitted to at least "close enough" and there's no meaningful difference. I can pick any of them and hit clays (and game birds) at a reasonably constant rate, or switch from one gun to another on the fly.

 

[George P]

I grew up shooting a 28 ga side by side and did well with it. It was my dad's when he was growing up.

I bring it out once in a while these days and don't shoot it worth a darn because of the double triggers. Too many shots taken on a single trigger over/under.

After avoiding SxS guns for over 30 years being LH and afraid of pulling both triggers (something I did once when I was 12, it took me about 5 shots to remember to switch my finger and I had at that time several hundred thousand rounds through single trigger O/Us. The instant choke selection and typically lighter weight and better handling make the SxS a great choice for the uplands

 

[Bill M.]

To me it is pretty simple. The old doubles have too much drop at the comb for me. And it costs too much to restock one.

 

[Hokkmike]

I just retired and moved to a place that has a decent population of ruffed grouse and it has rekindled a desire to hunt upland birds again. I’ve been getting some birds with an 870 20 ga. I’ve mostly shot the Remingtons and a model 12 over the years and always did quite well with them. How ever I have always admired fine doubles and appreciate the nostalgia of hunting upland game with them. I’d love to have a fine double in 28 ga or possibly a 20 but the few I’ve tried I could not hit the broad side of a barn with. I have owned a couple of Citori’s and a beautiful 101 Pigeon grade that I also shot well so what is it about a SxS that makes them so difficult for me? Do any of you have these same issues? Short of remortgaging the house and being fitted with a fine double maybe I’m just not meant to shoot one

Love the CZ hammered 12's - but yes, I think they are the most difficult of shotguns to shoot straight..

 

[MacAR]

If you want a nice older gun, look for one of these:


My "communist Purdey", a BRNO zp-49 12 gauge. It has 28" barrels choked IC/MOD. True sidelock, with hidden third bight, cocking indicators and selective ejectors. Best of all, it weighs 6.75 pounds, making it a great quail gun. They're stocked to more modern dimensions as well, but I shoot with my head up anyway so it doesn't really matter. When I bought this one, it cost me $475; they're going for about twice that now, but worth every penny.

Mac

 

[whughett]

The bead or double bead placed in the center rib should be equal for either barrel one would think. I can keep slugs from my Remington in a 5 inch circle at 25 yards. Have never tried it beyond that distance but both barrels seem to hit the same place relative to point of aim.

 

[SwampWolf]

They're stocked to more modern dimensions as well,

What's with the yellow pad? Maybe I haven't circulated in shotgun milieus as much as some but I've never seen one before. I might grow to like it...