A newbie question

[Andre V]

I have recently bought a 12ga SxS pedersoli. I have never shot it or any other BP gun. I have only shot regular powder shotgun.

Now i have been going through all the forums for the last few days and have gathered a lot of great info. I do have one question that i am not sure of.

When wingshooting for doves, pidgeons, etc. How do you leave your hammers on your loaded barrels. I would imagine half cock until ready to shoot, then full cock. The Pedersoli guide says never to have both hammers in the half cock position.

I know you should have one barrel uncapped, but the reality is when the birds are flying, you dont really have the time to cap the other barrel. Would it be safe to have both barrels at half cock or just to rest the hammers against the caps??

I know this is real newbie stuff but you gotta start somewhere.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Rebel]

I always have both barrel on half cock and then when ready to shoot i cock the left barrel and fire it first followed by the right barrel if needed. Mine had both barrels cylinder bored so it didn't matter. It is easier for a right handed shooter to find the right hammer and cock it for a fast follow up shot. At least that has been my experience.

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

Never have the hammers resting on the caps. Rebel's advice for carrying and shooting is right on the money. The best safety device on any firearm is the shooter.

 

[Rebel]

And ALWAYS uncap the unfired barrel before reloading the fired one. :thumbsup:

 

[Andre V]

Thank you,

Both barrels at half cock makes sense, would it be advisable to have both barrels at full cock, when getting ready to fire?

 

[Rebel]

You can as long as you remember to uncock if you don't fire one. The only time i had both barrels on full cock was when goose hunting and might need a fast follow up. There is always the chance that firing one barrel will fire the other from the recoil which is not a lot of fun.

 

[Andre V]

Thanks everyone for your advice :thumbsup:

 

[Britsmoothy]

AV, I use the same gun as you.I walk with both tubes capped and the hammers at half cock. When I see some action coming I cock both hammers and return back to half when the excitement has passed. I remove any unfired cap before any reloading. I also hold the gun pinched between my legs with the hammers pionting to my rear, this naturally inclines the muzzles away from my hat!
Some do it so as you look at the muzzles it resembles a superimposed with the ram rod to one side and the loaded barrel furthest away from you. This has the advantage of you naturally not having to place a hand over a loaded barrel.
One other thing BP is the contempory fuel and the other stuff has only been here for a hundred years or so and may be just a craze :grin:
Oh sorry, wellcome friend. Once you get sorted and rid of some frustrations you'll have some fun with that Pedersoli,I guarentee it.

 

[wvbuckbuster]

I had a Navy Arms T&T made by Pedersoli. Carried it with both bbls on half cock and never had a problem! Always removed cap from unfired bbl before reloading. Used this gun to hunt squirrels and turkeys. Was reliable and gave good service. Hope you have a good time with yours! :thumbsup:

 

[Many Klatch]

Another hint for loading. I put a wad in the muzzle of the barrel that I am NOT loading so I can remember which barrel that I AM working on. Work slowly, methodically and carefully. Sometimes it helps to bite the wads on the sides so that air slides by and that can make it easier and quicker to load.

Many Klatch

 

[reddog]

Bingo to the above safety rules!!

 

[Andre V]

Thanks again guys. Good info for sure