As stated, most people shooting the various clays games, myself included prefer longer barrels but a nice light 12 gage for hunting is hard to beat. The 26" CE and DHE below letter at 6# 4oz and 6# 7oz respectively and are a joy to carry and shoot.

and a joy to look at

This gun is about all I have used through the last 25 years or so for doves, quail and woodcock. Although is seems to be choked IM & Full it shoots well in the brush as well as in the field on doves. I have always shot 1 oz no. 6 Winchester 2 3/4 shells from Walmart. I have killed doves that amazed me often. This past season I killed one that fell at least 125 yards from where I shot. I am by no means a good shot but it makes me look better than I am.

I have a P, 26" twist and at 6-10 it handles like a 20. Recoil is a bit stout with anything over 7/8 oz. However, with the light loads I can hit as well as any longer barrelled gun. It is a delight in the grouse woods as well.

WOW DP is all I can say. Mine is not high condition just honest. I have worn the patina off. I just threw away a pair of hunting pants that had a large hole in the left leg from laying the barrels there but that is ok. I have a new pair just hope I live long enough to wear a hole in them.

I have a GH full and fuller 30 inch. I don't want to talk about how I do with it. May try it on the turkeys with the same load. I think it will do the job if I can hit the big boy.

To answer Deans question my PHE is parker steel barrels

Quite rare - Only 60 ever made.






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When I started trading guns in the late 1960s,26" guns brought a big premium because they were scarce and great hunting guns.Now 30" and 32" guns bring more money due to the influence of sporting clays shooting.The longer barrels swing better on those long crossing shots or the tower shots.

I have owned one 26 inch 12ga, a GHE skeet. If there is one 26 inch barreled gun there are a dozen in the safe but all are small bores. I haven't hunted with a 12 in a very, very, very long time. That being said I did enjoy some Quail hunting recently with a 30 inch Stephan Grant hammer gun using RST 2 inch shells which has gotten me to thinking of a British game gun. :eek: