There are bores other than 12 ?

[meles meles]

So, oomans, we have ourselves a (mon-matching) pair (brace?) of side by side English shotties, now we're thinking of expanding the collection. Both our existing guns are 12 bores, but we're ponderin' if there is merit in another bore. Maybe 16 or 20 ? They'll be for fun and clays...

[Browning_grrl]

I LOVE my 20's. My SxS is probably my favorite all-time grouse & rabbit gun. BUT... I don't shoot them for "fun and clays" so can't comment on that. :)

[Sixshot6]

So, oomans, we have ourselves a (mon-matching) pair (brace?) of side by side English shotties, now we're thinking of expanding the collection. Both our existing guns are 12 bores, but we're ponderin' if there is merit in another bore. Maybe 16 or 20 ? They'll be for fun and clays...

20 might have some merits but didn't 16 kinda die a bit in the 70's/80's with some advances in how shells were made or something like that?

Maybe this might shed some light on the 16? http://dailycaller.com/2013/08/20/what- ... e-shotgun/

[saddler]

Try a single barrel 10

Very good fun with buckshot loads :)
To save on wear & tear to the shooter it's possible to chop normal 3 1/2" shells down to 2 7/8" or 3" & use milder loads (but a much increased payload to a 12)

[meles meles]

Are you a cruel person ?

[meles meles]

And when, approximately, did 2 &3/4 inch shells start to supersede the 2 &1/2 inch variety ? Can any harm be done in shooting the smaller type in a gun chambered for the larger ? (We wouldn't do it the other way around of course...)

[M99]

Just bite the bullet and get a 28. Fantastic little game guns and will break your clays all day if you can shoot straight.

[ovenpaa]

A .410 is another, a thoroughly sporting shotgun and perfect for Rabbit.

[Kungfugerbil]

There's merit in all bores. Some are less useful now factory light loads and heavy loads are available - I can't see the purpose of 16b any more.

I was swinging a 20b semi around the other day and was amazed at how pointable it was compared to my 12b O/U - and as mentioned there's always room for a little .410

I've never quite seen what a 28 is for, but I can see the advantage of more lead vs a 410 for some applications.

Buy a number of each is the short answer, that's the good bit of the SGC vs FAC :)

Must go shopping now you mention it...

[Browning_grrl]

And when, approximately, did 2 &3/4 inch shells start to supersede the 2 &1/2 inch variety ? Can any harm be done in shooting the smaller type in a gun chambered for the larger ? (We wouldn't do it the other way around of course...)

Well, over 'ere, the 2 1/2 pretty much disappeared maybe 20-25 years ago. Nowadays, it's pretty unusual, as well, even to find a new gun chambered in 2 3/4. Everything is pretty much 3 now, with some masochists moving to the 3 1/2. No harm in using 2 1/2 in a 2 3/4 - no different than using a 2 3/4 in a 3.