Thanks Austin!!

Thanks Austin: That seems a "natural" move to me, especially the second shot "if necessary" :):)

The opener is October 1. If I can get out, I'll make a report.

Cheers,
Jack

Typically, the left barrel has a tighter choke (if there's a difference at all). That method would fire a tight pattern at the game first (when it's closer to you), and then send an open pattern out to meet the missed bird at a longer range.

...but that's what spreader loads are for.

I'm fortunate to own a petite German drilling (16 x 16 over 9.3x72R) that has hammers that I can actually cock simultanously. My Parker 12 g. hammer gun - that's an extremely difficult task; and with my Dougall hammer gun - that's an impossible task.

(Maybe I need a bigger thumb ?)

Talk about petite, I sold a cute little Krieghoff hammer sidelock 28x28x25WCF at the Vintagers a few years back. The rifle firing pin was fired by the left hammer, through and interrupter block on a lever.
Being a southpaw, all the rules go out the window, but I use the right barrel for the close-in shots, and use the left for the miss (more often than not on our partridge)

I would rather hunt with say with Dean with his cocked hammer gun than somebody who forgot to put there safety back on and think it is on. I hunt Dean's method with a added twist one day I was hunting new spot heavy fireweeds and came upon a trip wire fell that could start a serious accident now in heavy cover I hunt thumb on right hammer if I don't get him on the first shot well... my second shot is not the best. best ch

Thanks Calvin :bigbye:

Say, I like your new avatar picture. What Parker is that? It looks pretty big...

N 2 frame 10 30" barrels "fishtail 10". Background, creek I grew up in, life slips away.

looks like the creek you took me across calvin...and that old ten ga dont miss to often even though its hard to see abird falling through the thick smoke.... charlie

That would be the one charlie, right below is the beaver dam we crossed Thats the last day of season last year.

Our opener was Oct 1. I have been unable to get out but took the afternoon yesterday and hit some of my favorite haunts. No birds anywhere. The sun had touched the horizon and I was into my final walk. CHARLIE got a bit birdy and I was walking the edge of stubble while CHARLIE was in the weeds. A young rooster flushed and I didn't practice enough before hand. I pulled back on the hammer but the spring was stronger than my thumb pressure, so I didn't get it cocked. There was about 10 minutes left and I made it to my last spot, a never to be divulged roosting cover where birds congregate for the night. Having seen only one bird all afternoon, I wasn't holding out a lot of hope. As I stood on the top of a long abandoned rail line grade (rails and ties long since gone), I surveyed the cover. CHARLIE didn't seem too excited but I convinced her to tackle the thorns and thistles. Out popped a couple hens and a long shot rooster that I passed on. A few more hens and then two roosters. I did have the hammer cocked and chose one rooster and he dropped like a rock. #7 Golden Pheasant 2 1/2" shot shell ensured a nice meal for tonight or tomorrow.

That was the damascus barreled Boswell doing its thing. It is an underlever and has no serial number. I have yet to determine vintage but it will be back in the 1800's. It was a delight to carry, very light. Straight stock but not quite as good a fit as my GHE, I have to adjust my sight line once shouldered.

All in all, a fun day that ended with one bird and an old gun that is in good shape got to see the field again.

Cheers,
Jack