Pennsylvania Game News - October 2021 - 60

Many of the newer semiautomatic
models are lightweight and have screwin
chokes, making them very versatile.
A semiauto might not be the best choice
for a beginner, who might forget it's
ready to fire again after the first shot.
But in the hands of an experienced
shooter, it's a good action choice, and
my second favorite for shotguns.
DOUBLE BARREL
Around 1990, I put down my semiautomatic
in favor of an over-and-under
double-barrel shotgun.
I like the handling characteristics of
an over-and-under, the availability of
two different chokes at one time, and
the top-tang safeties versus the sidebutton
safety found on most pumps
and semiautos.
I got a 12-gauge Ithaca SKB overand-under
(which now are very collectible)
with improved cylinder and
modified fixed chokes.
I used it for many years, then went
to a Weatherby 12-gauge Sporting
Clays model with 28-inch barrels and
screw-in chokes. That gun was heavy,
but well-balanced and, in addition to
breaking a lot of clay birds with it, I
shot a lot of doves and pheasants, even
waterfowl.
About 15 years ago, I decided to
go all out and have a fine side-by-side
double-barrel shotgun built to my
specifications. At a gun shop that dealt
in fine imported shotguns, I picked a
highly-figured walnut blank, got measured
for stock fit and had it sent to
Grulla Arms in Spain, along with my
measurements and gun specifications.
About six months later my Spanish
20-gauge with 28-inch barrels choked
60
skeet and improved modified had
arrived. The gun has a finely checkered
straight-grip stock, splinter forend,
double triggers and ejectors. It handles
3-inch shells and weighs just under 6
pounds.
I had to get used to the double triggers,
and the side-by-side barrels versus
the stacked barrels I'd been used to. But
once I did, I learned I wouldn't have a
double-barrel shotgun configured any
other way. Almost subconsciously, I
can select which trigger to pull to fire
the more open-choked barrel or the
light modified barrel depending on
target distance.
Apart from my pump-action turkey
gun, and occasionally my Winchester
42 .410 pump-action for squirrels and
rabbits, I now use my Grulla almost
exclusively and have taken every species
of small game here in Pennsylvania
with it, except geese.
My shotgun-action choice might
not be for everyone. Some hunters like
having the extra firepower with a third
shot that the repeaters offer, and some
like the single sighting plane of an
over-and-under double-barrel shotgun.
After all my years of small-game
hunting, for me, it's more about just
being out there, enjoying a fine, handcrafted
piece of equipment.
I like the traditional looks and handling
characteristics of a small-gauge
side-by-side double-barrel shotgun.
Handle as many shotgun-action
types as you can, and choose based
on the handling characteristics, your
budget and what suits you aesthetically,
as well as physically, and you'll have
confidence in your shotgun and enjoy
your time afield.
Pennsylvania Game News - October 2021

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