At it again - 16 gauge grouse gun restoration

[24 grams]

Originally Posted by Mike Franzen

That really is a nice looking gun. The bbls look a little rough from what I can see in the photos. How long are they? A few years I bought a VH 16, 0 frame, 30” bbls for next to nothing when it was all said and done. It was rough but I liked the way it was configured. I sent the bbls off to be blued and the wood, which was a mess, to Brian Dudley. Larry Del Grego got the receiver to clean up and repair the action and he replaced several screws. It has become a go to gun for quail. All that work was necessary to bring the gun up to safe shooting standards. And it looks a whole lot better as well.

Based upon some of the work I have seen here, it looks like Brian does excellent work. I particularly like the butt transplant he did here.

[George "Scott" Davis]

I'm agree with Bruce I don't want my hunting guns untouched as to me that is a clear sign they've been safe or closet toys. My hunting guns looked used and if they could I hope they tell their next "caretaker" about all the places we've been and hunted!! Additional I hope I they are really well worn before their next "caretaker" takes possession!
PS: All of my hunting Parker's are "G" grades, Fox's are Sterlingworths and L.C. Smith's are Field Grade.

[24 grams]

I am very much inclined to agree with you guys (George and Mike). After 93 years there is no sin in a little restoration. The nice thing about this gun is that it is unmolested. The barrels have lost their color, but there is no sign of pitting, nor of polishing to remove blemishes. The screws are virtually pristine and properly indexed. The stock is too short, but the drop on face is right on. I bought a slip on pad from Galazan, and it shoots where I look.
If I really love it, after this fall's trip to the grouse woods, I will probably have the barrels done, case color the action, and see about a butt transplant.
Would I ever see my money out of that work? Probably not.
In the meantime, I will keep my eyes open for a higher grade 16.

[Dean Romig]

A good fitting gun will take a lot of the uncertainty out of the process - the mount - the ADJUSTMENT to the gun’s fit - and finally the shot, if it’s not too late.

The ADJUSTMENT takes your mind off of the flight line of the target, be it feathered or clay, and you end up aiming instead of simply instinctively pointing your gun.



.

[Battue]

Gun fit is only not important if ones basic fundamentals Re shooting are poor. In which case a perfect fit means little.

With sound fundamentals all will shoot better....when the shooter doesn’t have to adapt to the shotgun.

[24 grams]

Originally Posted by Harry Neil

Gun fit is only not important if ones basic fundamentals Re shooting are poor. In which case a perfect fit means little.

With sound fundamentals all will shoot better....when the shooter doesn’t have to adapt to the shotgun.

I am familiar with the concepts and practice of gunfit, having been "certified" by Bob James a while back. One of the best books on the subject is Michael Yardley's, a review of which is attached, along with an article from Sporting Clays magazine on the subject.

Gun Fit Demystified - Sporting Clays - July 2008.pdf

[Battue]

My comments were general thoughts from personal experience.

If you mean Bob James from Montana, then years back I found him to be an extremely nice and knowledgeable individual, who had access to killer wood. Also watched him fit a shotgun for a gal I used to hang with.

Again years back I crossed paths with Yardley a couple times when he was over here and didn’t arrive at the same opinion. But he was young, perhaps he has matured.

Since we are now into fitters, I have yet to see the equal of John Whooly. He uses an adjustable try gun and fine tunes the fit not only on a plate, but also on targets. IMO well worth checking him out if one desires a fit.

[24 grams]

Originally Posted by Harry Neil

My comments were general thoughts from personal experience.

If you mean Bob James from Montana, then years back I found him to be an extremely nice and knowledgeable individual, who had access to killer wood. Also watched him fit a shotgun for a gal I used to hang with.

Again years back I crossed paths with Yardley a couple times when he was over here and didn’t arrive at the same opinion. But he was young, perhaps he has matured.

Since we are now into fitters, I have yet to see the equal of John Whooly. He uses an adjustable try gun and fine tunes the fit not only on a plate, but also on targets. IMO well worth checking him out if one desires a fit.

Over the years, as I developed my thinking on the subject, I have been fitted by Woolley, Batha, Bilinski, James, Ash, and I don't know who else. I took their numbers and decided for myself what works best. John's numbers come closest to my ideal fit for a sporter, and Chris's numbers work best for game guns.

But I have come to be surprised at how I, a mere mortal, can still shoot pretty much any gun just fine. Shooting in competition is a different matter, and that may have more to do with the head than the eyes.

As for Yardley, I shot with him in Chelmsford, and he was pretty buttoned up, but I enjoyed his company, and he knows a good curry when he finds one!

[Mills]

If you want to get really good, you need to shoot one gun. That is what I have heard from the experts. Just shooting one gun is something I am not going to do.

[24 grams]

Originally Posted by Mills Morrison

If you want to get really good, you need to shoot one gun. That is what I have heard from the experts. Just shooting one gun is something I am not going to do.

Absolutely!
Where is the fun in that!