Dove hunting - What gun are you taking?

[JJ Roberts]

My favorite for dover is my 16 ga. Parker Trojan. J.J.

[TxHuntermn]

Originally Posted by Mark Ray

4lb. Laminated steel belgian hammer .410, and my VH 16 28”ic-im 16 day one...Lindner Diamond Daly 20 and my DeHaan custom .410 day 2

I have now changed my mind a couple of dozen times!!

I have decided to start out with the Darne Halifax sliding breach 16 I bought a couple of months ago. I have been harassing the grackles with it of late, and need a legit hunting outing with that gun....for the second half of the limit, or an extended limit of Eurasian Doves, I am taking the 1 frame restored VH 16 I got a few months ago. I have never even shot that gun!

[Southpaw]

Awesome. An old fashioned head to head study. Since sport betting is now legal, wonder what Vegas has the odds set for which gun you will shoot better with and or like best.

[TxHuntermn]

Well I'm really just hoping t avoid a run to the emergency room! I have run a couple of boxes of shells through the Darne, but it is low volume shooting, I usually stick a couple in the gun and walk out of the house and confront the car crapping intruders! Even still, I have narrowly avoided taking off my thumb at the knuckle with that receiver sliding back! It reminds me of my Grand Dad's 1897 Winchester Trap, you have to pay attention to avoid stitches!

[Daniel G Rainey]

I too have changed my mind. After thinking 16 DHE all week,I picked up my 12CHE last night and realized that I had shot it a couple of times since adding the ivory bead but that I had never shot a bird with it ( purchased the gun last winter) So 12 CHE with 28 inch barrels choked improved and full with 2 1/2 RST 7's here we come . May sound like an odd choke combination for doves but I have a 16 GH choked the same way that I used on a shoot last year and it worked well. Will enjoy the opener pray we have some birds.

[Southpaw]

Yep I get that about the Darne action, which is actually a G rated name or label for that type gun action if your not mindful. That back edge that part that slides back also looks about as sharp as an axe. I hear wearing gloves is fashionably mandatory for shooting that gun. Not certain but also think the guy invented yard darts designed that gun.

Anyway enough about that and it may take a little learning curve but if you shoot a high percentage yield of dove/shells then that could be interesting.

[TxHuntermn]

Originally Posted by Todd Poer

Yep I get that about the Darne action, which is actually a G rated name or label for that type gun action if your not mindful. That back edge that part that slides back also looks about as sharp as an axe. I hear wearing gloves is fashionably mandatory for shooting that gun. Not certain but also think the guy invented yard darts designed that gun.

Anyway enough about that and it may take a little learning curve but if you shoot a high percentage yield of dove/shells then that could be interesting.

I have the strangest fascination for the Darne. When I was around twelve, I got a copy of Shooters Bible for Christmas. I read that thing cover to cover, ingesting all of the articles, and studied the catalogue part incessantly. there was an article in that edition about the Darne guns, and the factory in France. Since then, I have always desired to own one, but until this gun arrived at my door a couple of months ago, I had never seen one "in the flesh". Although well used, it was very well cared for. The dimensions are really nice for a French gun, and so far, the Grackles are pretty upset with my decision to buy the gun! Still has the "Darne" sling swivels though!!

[mobirdhunter]

Originally Posted by Mark Ray

I have now changed my mind a couple of dozen times!!

I have decided to start out with the Darne Halifax sliding breach 16 I bought a couple of months ago. I have been harassing the grackles with it of late, and need a legit hunting outing with that gun....for the second half of the limit, or an extended limit of Eurasian Doves, I am taking the 1 frame restored VH 16 I got a few months ago. I have never even shot that gun!

Mark,

I'm glad someone else waivers on which gun to take. It's a heckofa decision...especially when you own more guns than a man has a right to have, but "needs." Good shooting!

[Southpaw]

Sacre`bleu she magnific!

Hey here is link to learn some French swear words, if you don't know any already. I think it important if your going to own and shoot a French gun you learn to cuss in french as well, especially in a dove field. I like the term "d`gage" which sounds like a great gunning term to yell at that dove that just broke the sound barrier coming from behind right over head. It actually means "piss off", and yet still proper and appropriate to yell to friend giving you hard time for missing a shot. Then it would be "d`gage connard"

https://www.lovefrance.info/french-swear-words/

I remember the first time I ever saw a Darne and it was July 14 of 1995 in the middle of nowhere Alaska. We had just finished a week long backcountry fishing trip and were waiting at a common point where two rivers joined to meet our bush pilot. It was like a mini Rendezvous of sorts since there were other parties coming out of the bush and meeting in same place. This Frenchman that was actually a doctor from France was there and for bear protection he had brought along his Darne. Since it was Bastille Day he was imbibing heavily and shooting his gun in the air.

[davidboyles]

Mark you should be in a real pickle to decide what to take. I finally have only a selection of 3 guns. My companions will be in shock!! Ok the new EH 10 will be on stage with RST 10 ga 7 1/2 loads plus the 12 gauge mates will be throwing Win AA spt clays loads at those pesky doves. Then most stage time will be an alternation of the 16 DHE 30” bought in May and the wonderful DHE 20 with 30” barrels bought last year. I have already penned an article about these two guns ‘even though they won’t see action in the Dove field until Sat. I hope to get it in the next PP. it’s different!!! Better hope I’m on and can bring some down.