I'm trying to decide between two 20 gauges. The Pedersoli double barrel percussion and a Northwest Trade Gun flintlock. I'm excited by the thought of trying a flintlock for the first time, but I also like the possibility of a second shot on flushing grouse. Can't afford both. Any thoughts? Thanks
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Decisions Decisions
- Thread starter Walkabout
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rafterob
62 Cal.
Just admit it, you are going to need both. The trade gun is more versatile, so maybe start with that. Save your pennies, then comes the double, then a pistol or two, a long rifle, a plains rifle, a derringer.....
Doubles are doubles, so you get that second shot.
However.
A flintlock fusils is a little taste of heaven. Over the years I’ve owned three doubles and traded them off. Still have my fusil
However.
A flintlock fusils is a little taste of heaven. Over the years I’ve owned three doubles and traded them off. Still have my fusil
Phil Coffins
69 Cal.
A double gun is like getting two guns at once. Light handy and useful in rain or shine.
I have a Pedersoli sxs, shot woodcock with it over my dogs, but missed several grouse. But my ultimate goal is to shoot a grouse over the dogs with a flintlock; kit is ordered, waiting for its arrival.
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I just bought a Pedersoli 12 double on the classifieds here for a reasonable price. I’m excited. If I had found a northwest gun in the same price range I probably would have gone that route. I don’t think you can go wrong with either. Besides, as rafterbob noted sooner or later you will likely have both.
hanshi
Cannon
I owned a Pedersoli dbl for years; Red Badger now owns it. They are very fine guns. But I agree that the trade gun is a better first choice.
Rock Home Isle
54 Cal.
I started out with double barrel smoothbores…10 gauge first, and then a wonderful little 20 gauge upland game. Both are percussion.
The 10 gauge was purchased for goose hunting, and was an amazing firearm for that purpose. I then began using it to hunt pheasants, quail, doves, rabbits and squirrels…I had intended to buy a 12 gauge at a later date, but the 10 gauge proved to be so darned versatile…I never did buy the 12 bore.
The 20 gauge double was an impulse buy; I walked into a gun shop and there it was; beautiful English strait stock, light and maneuverable with a $125.00 price tag. The 20 has proven to be a wonderful gun on pheasants, doves and quail, as well as rabbits and squirrels. I never tire carrying that gun in the field, and I’ll never part with either of them.
About 10 years later, I got a Pedersoli Brown Bess Carbine kit, it was my 1st flintlock…and sadly, I have not touched my double barreled shotguns in many years…Flintlock Smoothies, OMG!!!! I just could not get enough of that whole flintlock smoothbore mystique. American Fowler followed the Bess…years later, that was followed by a Fusil de Chase; both in 20 gauge. I have a couple friends that wanted to try blackpowder, before actually investing their money in it, so I bought a 1/2 stock percussion 11 gauge off gunbroker. That gun turned out to be such a nice gun, for almost nothing, that I have never loaned it out.
Late last year, I added a youth .50 calibre smoothbore; for the grandsons to develop shooting skills. The boys love going to the range and shooting that little smoothbore. We’ll be developing loads and shooting shot out of it this summer…the oldest is ready for his hunter safety. So very excited…
At present I’m in the market for a nice little 28 gauge flintlock, to add to my growing flintlock smoothbore collection….
So yeah, get the trade gun.
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Thinking back over the decades I can't remember too many second shots on ruffed grouse even with a suppository shotgun.
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I guess my vote since the flintlock intrigues you is to get the trade gun. If killing multiple grouse was your main goal you wouldn’t be taking a muzzleloader in the first place!! Lol ! I don’t think you can go wrong with either. You’ll appreciate each one for what it brings to the table. Just picture the two of them hanging on the wall and your seeing them for the 1st time which one would you pick up 1st? That’s the one you’ll want to take to the woods. Or get both
Moved from unmentionables to muzzleloaders. My first love in unmentionables was and is quality double shotguns. Particularly in 16 GA. I have USA, British and German.
I have a Pedersoli ML shotgun and it is a decent gun. Can not really fault it. But it simply does not rise to the level of those unmentionables. I can and have found builders of superb ML rifles. But where is the builder who can produce a ML best double gun?
I have a Pedersoli ML shotgun and it is a decent gun. Can not really fault it. But it simply does not rise to the level of those unmentionables. I can and have found builders of superb ML rifles. But where is the builder who can produce a ML best double gun?
Get the Trade gun! I have a Northwest Trade gun from Sitting Fox that is great fun and very accurate out to about 50 yards. I liked it so much I next got a vintage Centermark Fusil de Chasse, also in 20 gauge. I own five other flintlocks and yet shoot the those two 20 gauge smoothies the most!
smoothshooter
50 Cal.
I would go with the flint trade gun since caps are pretty much unobtanium for the forseeable future, and if you luck into some, the price will likely be shocking.
That's an easy one, get both. life's short.
