2" English Game Guns

[Steve Hodges]

Does anyone know how the 2" 12 gauge shells generally pattern? I know there are may variables involved in how a gun patterns, but generally speaking are the 2" shell know for good patterns? Thanks

[SXS OHIO]

They are specialized item....I have owned one 26" English gun at 5lbs 4oz. I used RST paper 7.5# Gun patterned very good, little recoil, barrels do foul out....no plastic wads to hold the shot. I did not shoot the gun well at all, it did not fit me, was a little short and was whippy. I may look for a 2" gun with 28" barrels, closer to 6lbs and better dimensions that fit me correctly. I like the concept. If you get a gun I have a flat of RST for sale. thanks all....SXS Ohio

[James L. Martin]

I have a 2 inch Midland and it shoots very good patterns with both RST 2" 15/16oz # 6 & 7 and Gamebore 2" 7/8oz 6 & 7. I just wish RST loaded 7/8 instead of 15/16. All those loads really kick in a 5lb 8oz gun. I know RST loads 3/4 oz but then I would rather use a 28ga.

[Ken Hill]

My 2” patterns well. I don’t think it is any better than a 2.5” gun. I use RST 7/8 and 15/16 oz loads. I really think the recoil is not noticeable. I bought a flat of Gamebore shells and the recoil is painful. I don’t want to shoot a box of Gambores in one outing. The gun weighs 5 lbs 8 oz. I understand some will argue a 7/8 oz 2” 12 is a square load and patterns better, but it would be minimal (if at all).

Ken

[Dean Romig]

Why buy a 2”” English gun when you can use 2” shells in the 12 you like to shoot most and the one that patterns best for you?

Lots of folks load their own twelve gauge 2.5” shells with 7/8 oz. and do not feel handicapped in the least either at SC, Skeet or on the upland birds we have here in the East.





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[Steve Hodges]

Originally Posted by Dean Romig

Why buy a 2”” English gun when you can use 2” shells in the 12 you like to shoot most and the one that patterns best for you?

Lots of folks load their own twelve gauge 2.5” shells with 7/8 oz. and do not feel handicapped in the least either at SC, Skeet or on the upland birds we have here in the East



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You can Dean but if you are seeking a very light 12 gauge, for the most part a 2" only chambered gun will give you that very light weight. I do not think I am interested in purchasing one, just doing some research.

[Dean Romig]

I’d like to try a Churchill XXV chambered in 2”





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[Kensal Rise]

As Mr. Hodges points out, the major raison d' etre of the 2" 12-bore was to combine the perceived pattern advantages of the 12-bore with the weight and handling advantages of the 16 or 20-bore. In many instances, it worked. But not well enough to last for long.

And... a Churchill XXV in 2" would be fantastic!

[Mills]

A friend of mine recently acquired a 2" 12 and it is quite nice. I helped him measure the barrels during his inspection period.

[Ken Hill]

A 2” 12 is something you don’t see often as few were made in the 1930s. The Brit gunmakers made these light weight guns with great handling qualities. You basically have a 12 gauge proportional gun in the 5.5 lb weight class; lighter than a smaller proportioned 20 gauge. They aren’t an all purpose gun, but something made to support a passing light weight fad in the 1930s. Charles Lancaster came out with 2” pigmy cartridges in the late 1890s and advertised you could carry more cartridges than the normal 2.5” cartridge.

Ken