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- - Grouse Guns (https://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=22105)

Two different 16 ga Trojans will go up with me. One very original and in good shape, the other "old faithful" to me has been fully modified with straight stock beavertail lengthened forcing cones and skeet 1&2 chokes. A VHE 16 ga skeet gun will also be used heavily this year along with a PH 1 frame 12 ga with factory 26" twist barrels, and just for kicks a H&R 28 ga hammer gun will get a chance at some point. The repro 28 ga will not go this year (sold it) and also off this years list is a GH Damascus 12 with cut 26" barrels, although now that I think about it.....

Here in NY the season opens Sept 20 in the northern part of the state.I plan on being there on opening day, as to guns I really like my DH 12 with 26" Damascus barrels but I will most likely try my new to me English 2 inch Midland , at 5lbs 8oz it will carry real nice.

As most who hang out on this forum know I am a big gun guy and serious duck hunter but I have been searching for a 20ga Fox CE for many years that I could use for grouse and quail. It has been a decades long search since small bore graded Foxes in original condition are very rarely found. Well this year I found my ideal Fox a CE 26" .013/.017, 5lbs 14 oz. It will be in service this fall for doves and grouse followed by western quail. I have had so many gun guys ask me to help them find a 20ga graded Fox, I would be rich if I had a nickle for each request. Here are a few pictures of my little Fox.

From opening day through the the last day of the season I'll be carrying my 28-ga. Parker Reproduction DHE, 26" bbls., choked .006/.014 . . . 5 1/2 lbs. of pure joy! IMO, the absolute pinnacle of grouse guns. If there's ever been a better grouse gun more suited to the purpose, I've yet to see it.

It is a no brainer for me. It will be my 20 ga repro with 26" barrels choked .004 & .008, pistol grip, double triggers. It has been my go-to grouse gun as long as I've owned it. I feel naked without it. However, I will sneak in my 12 ga P with 26"twist barrels. At 6-10 it is a delight to carry but choked a bit tight at .012 & .024 but I only shoot 7/8 oz loads. I've been shooting it at clays for the last few weeks and it is going after doves on Friday.

Quote:

Originally Posted by legh higgins (Post 223912)

:rotf::bigbye:were heading to Michigan than Vt Nh and W Virginia late oct.
I start with a vh 16 at 5 15 oz for easy luggun early. Next the ph damascus 12 with TWIST barrels original to the gun with light loads steps in. To finish the season Gramps 12 Vh Mod and Full comes out to bat cleanup... Cant wait

Michigan-?... NH-?... WV-?.... Shucks! Me and Grace will likely be stuck at home with her saggin' belly or her squealin' puppies this fall.

Legh, I know that PH and it has Laminated barrel tubes even though the rib legend says otherwise. It is a sweetheart of a gun! Handles beautifully too.

Just checked the safe and I have several to shoot the cobwebs out of.

There's Rr. Admiral Thos. Perry's 20 ga. DH with 28" Damascus tubes.

There's the "Shot to Destruction" 16 ga. 26" Grade 1 T/A hammer gun Laminated Steel barrels.

There's the 16 ga. Grade 0 Lifter with 24" Twist barrels.

There's the sweet 16 ga. DHE with 26" Titanic barrels I bought from a friend here in the PGCA.

Of course, I can't forget my little 28 ga. VHE with 26" barrels.

And I might have a .410 by then too...

I expect that's enough for me, but my grandson Cam, will certainly be using his 20 ga. VH "Heirloom Parker" with 26" barrels.

Wow guys.. I'm jealous, some beautiful guns.

"If" I were still inclined to climb the Virginia mountains after these guys I have two I'd carry . The first is a rather well used Westley Richards 12 gauge boxlock 27" and the second is a GH #1 frame 16 gauge with Damascus barrels that have been cut to 27" before I got it .

Very nice guns and well suited for the grouse woods. While I wont make it out for the NY opener on 9/20 (working stiff!), I will be out the following weekend in the Adirondacks. For Parkers, I will use a 20ga GH w/ 26" barrels, IC and M chokes, and straight grip as the primary option. Then there is a GH 12ga, same barrel length and chokes, pistol grip, for backup.

I also like to get out my old Browning Lightning 20ga and Ithaca Mod. 37 pump 20ga just because I would not want them to feel left out. They have served well for a long time and deserve some of the action.

I can miss a grouse equally well with all of these guns.

Here's a new 20-bore I'll be trying out this year. A 2nd year (1913) Sterlingworth that's been restocked to straight grip/long tang. She has 28" tubes and does 46 and 57% patterns with Remington Gun Clubs, 7/8 ounce of 7-1/2's. Nice choking combo IME for walk-up birds here in PA.