Hemingway's Guns- great read indeed

[Grantham Forester]

From pages 163-164 of "The Best of Nash Buckingham": In the early 1890's --trombone-action repeaters--- carrying 6 shells apiece-- quickly infiltrated the ranks of sportsmen and market hunters.--- By1912-1913, when the Weeks-McLean Bill and Lucy Act appeared, it had become obvious that wildfowl populations------ were doomed unless remedial measures were taken. Federal bag limits of 25 ducks per day and 8 geese-- with 90 day open seasons---- were clapped on. To make assurance doubly sure, from the market-shooting slant, the good old 8 bore was banished. The lighter, faster-shooting pump guns and auto-loaders---- were not only allowed to continue, but made the watchword for advertising: 'Shoot more, shoot faster and kill more'. Putting away the 8 bore probably seemed the right thing to do to disenfranchise the market gunners."

The late Nash B. wrote this for Gun Digest in 1960. If he were still with us today, I wonder what he would think of: Steel shot, choke tubes, over-bored 12 gauges with 3.5" chambers, black synthetic stocks and camo-sprayed barrels, battery powered decoys and electronic callers.

In my experience, shooting a std. 12 gauge Model 12, plugged, the third shot is mainly for finishing a cripple, once you have fired the first shot, the incoming birds flare at the sound. I would have very much liked to have seen Captain Harold Money shoot his Model 1897 on decoying ducks, as described in Nash's best known story--

[Stepmac]

Originally Posted by Grantham Forester

In my experience, shooting a std. 12 gauge Model 12, plugged, the third shot is mainly for finishing a cripple, once you have fired the first shot, the incoming birds flare at the sound. I would have very much liked to have seen Captain Harold Money shoot his Model 1897 on decoying ducks, as described in Nash's best known story--

When hunting upland game, the covey rise or the flushed pheasant happens quickly and one might get off two aimed shots. The third is usually a "hope shot". Do we "finish off" a bird with that third round? I usually grab it and ring its neck, or a dog might grab it and then you ring its neck anyway.

Duck shooting can be different. Sometimes several/many come in if you are shooting from a blind with good deeks. You might cuss when you run out of shells. Usually, however; two is fine and reason for celebration.

The only time I would actually need to fill the magazine on my model 12, 97 or Auto 5 is when a mob or crazed people are assaulting my home or business. A belt fed weapon might be better.

[Rodney Sayre]

If your are duck hunting or pheasant hunting you rarely get a third shot and I never have got a second shot at a pheasant. I hunt deer with a tc single shot and know that those guys who shoot three times, missed with them all. If you are not on target don't shoot. Why wound game kill it or don't shoot. For me, It's about hunting not killing.