Askins was a writer. Like most of them he would write what would sell at the time. Just because he was famous didn't mean he wasn't human, and prone to changing whims. He contradicted himself, which reduces his credibility, IMO. I'd like to have seen his face on a dove field when I take a limit with a .410.

What he overlooked is that just because a "gent" chooses to shoot a gun other than a 12 ga. doesn't mean he can't shoot a 12 well. That is absolutely ridiculous. Remember Quigley's final statement to Marston, about the Colt revolver .......... "I said I didn't have much use for one. Didn't say I didn't know how to use it."

Amen.

Good story from Gaddis as usual. Just rolled into to northern Michigan for 4 days of grouse and woodcock. Go to gun last year was a 28g CZ Bobwhite which is literally the perfect bird gun. In the roll up to leaving the biggest decision was which of the two newer to me shotguns was making the trip. In the last year I bought both a 16g 30" barreled FAIR Inside and a 1921 Parker Trojan that had been totally restored and flawless. This rattled around in my slow mind until the perfect solution came to me last night while packing. Like Gaddis the 28g stayed at home and the Parker and Inside are setting in the corner of the hotel room as we speak Should have read his story two weeks ago. Might have saved some angst...

"The lines of an old gun have character that can't be approached by the automatic plumbing that passes for a gun today." -George Bird Evans (The Upland Shooting Life)

I agree, except when hunting in the rain, which I still enjoy. And then I take my Benelli Ultra Lite 28 ga shell shucker. I just can't bear to see a fine old double get soaked. My hands just aren't competent enough to properly clean and dry out an old wet double.

Wait until you are 80 and had 4 shoulder surgeries, the 12 ga is for young people, thos under 65. I have a few, but cannot shoot them!

Here in S. Dakota for the pheasant opener, being over 65, I have with me a Fox 20/30", a Fox 16/28", a Parker 28/30" and a Perazzi 28/30", and a Belgium Browning 20/28". Never felt undergunned but never worn out carrying a 12.:)

Been reading this thread with some interest and it got me to thinking. As they say, the only thing constant is everything changes. I began life with a single shot .410. Graduated to a 12 gauge auto and stuck with it until I discovered the joys of a side by side, in 12 gauge. Worked my way through the 16’s, 20’s, 28’s, and back to a .410 (even tried a big 10), each time believing I had finally discovered the Holy Grail of shotguns. They were all great and bagged lots of birds. These days 99% of my shooting is done on a trap field instead of a dove field etc., so I’ve circled back around to the 12 bore. Have never found recoil to be an issue (I won’t be 65 until April) and I keep my loads within reason. Although not a popular assertion, for my money the 12 is the most versatile of all gauges. Of course variety is the spice of life, so I still keep a few sub-gauges around for when I'm feeling frisky.

'I'm on my way to Kansas in a few days. I know what gun to take,but what gun to take as a back up that will not be in my possession ? Maybe a $300 gun would be a better choice but not the one I would like to have ?