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Which cartridges for Side by Side?


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Hiya

 

I have just bought my first Side by Side 12 gauge, a Spanish Ugartechea, I fancied trying one and one came along at a cheap bargain price in nice working order.

 

What cartridges and I best putting through it as a few people have said make sure you use light loads in it? What are classed as light loads as I am still new to this? Thanks

 

Cheers

Simon

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Hiya

 

I have just bought my first Side by Side 12 gauge, a Spanish Ugartechea, I fancied trying one and one came along at a cheap bargain price in nice working order.

 

What cartridges and I best putting through it as a few people have said make sure you use light loads in it? What are classed as light loads as I am still new to this? Thanks

 

Cheers

Simon

 

24 up to 28 gram should be comfortable to shoot in a side by side, the lighter the load the less recoil from any gun.

Edited by deny essex
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Hiya

 

I have just bought my first Side by Side 12 gauge, a Spanish Ugartechea, I fancied trying one and one came along at a cheap bargain price in nice working order.

 

What cartridges and I best putting through it as a few people have said make sure you use light loads in it? What are classed as light loads as I am still new to this? Thanks

 

Cheers

Simon

 

24 up to 28 gram should be comfortable to shoot in a side by side, the lighter the load the less recoil from any gun.

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I tend to favour using a SxS as opposed to an O/U as I am a bit of a "traditionalist" and feel that a SxS looks better in the field, preferably an older one where possible, others might think or feel differently differently but that is what individualism is all about! I should state that I don't have any problems using an O/U myself nor do I think any differently of those that prefer a more modern O/U as opposed to an older SxS, everyone to their own!

My current SxS is an Italian copy of a Chruchill XXV made in the early 50's with 25.5 inch barrels on 1/2 and 1/2 choke. I feel that "lighter loads" are better for an older SxS and try not to go above 30g loads - Always fibre wads. At the moment I am using 70mm Black Gold (5 shot) for crows which work very well in my gun - They bring the crows down cleanly and they certainly do a good job on rabbits if one pops up while I am crossing the fields to get on the flight line. I also use 65mm Clear Pigeon cartridges (6 shot) for general Pigeon, Rabbit and Rough Shooting and they seen to do OK in my SxS as well. Your gun or you might prefer a different type of cartridge but as a generalisation that is what I prefer to use and get on quite well with in my SxS, others might have different preferences, I am sure that they will happily offer their opinions!

Hope this helps! :good:

Edited by Frenchieboy
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I use a side by side - I'm not (never have been) convinced by the light 'loads' for less kick.

Just use a "game" felt cartridge - not a clay busting banger - IMHO it's the powder charge that 'hurts' - so use a slower cartridge - 6's usually fine - and if you feel techky - a touch more lead than you used to give a clay :blush:

In't old days - my 20g cartridges were 13/16th of an ounce = 23 grams, but now are 1 oz = 28 grams ... my old Browning was only 5 1/2 lb and my current Arrieta one is 6 lb 2oz - probably lighter than most 12g s x s or o / u by at least a 1 lb .. and it does NOT kick - never has - and I hope - never will :lol:

 

You will enjoy using it on game - it just feels right :good:

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The old ones are the best ones!

The rule of thumb says that the ideal (in recoil terms) gun/cartridge weight ratio is 96:1. For example, 1 1/16 oz, 1=96 and 1/16=6, 96+6=102 or 6lb 6oz. There's no reason why you shouldn't use a gun that's in good condition to the limit of its SWP but you may not want to do it continually.

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Thanks all plenty of advice to go on, I am going to try it out for the first time at my local clay ground, think I will try a 24 grm fibre wad 6's for first go out based on the above

 

I also like the look of a side by side as a traditional gun which is what drew me towards wanting one,

 

The Ugartechea I bought was made in 1974 looking at the markings and a chart I found I am just trying to work out which marking indicate the choking on each barrel.  It also has 2 triggers and the right barrel fires on front trigger

 

Cheers

Simon

Edited by saxosim
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From what you've said, it would appear that you are a novice. Would suggest that you get some advice at the clay ground before shooting.

Even if you find any reference to chokes, ignore it as that was 30+ years ago - measure it to be sure.

The right hand barrel will fire first only if you pull the right hand trigger first.

Not having a go, hopefully you'll realise that the above is sensible.

Most of all, enjoy!

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Yes sorry i just realised I hadn't thought about what i had said when I wrote it re 2 triggers doh!! :) i have edited it yes I am still pretty new to it all but have been practicing on clays for a while now and have been itching to try a sbs out

 

Cheers

Edited by saxosim
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I've only ever owned a side by side and I have always just used whatever cartridge I have to hand. Don't usully miss and have never taken much notice of the kick.

Will admit to bruises if i was only wearing a t-shirt, but it didn't stop me from doing it again, and only noticed the bruises from looking in the shaving mirror.

Just had a look and current cartridge are 30g No6 and wouldn't hesitate to shoot it one handed if it meant I would get the rabbit, pigeon or whatever. (I don't make a habit of it though)

Not trying to be macho, just trying to make the point that as long as you hold the right end it won't hurt. :)

Edited by 39TDS
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Having shot sxs most of my life i never go over 30g and tbh i only shoot that if i have run out of 28g carts. Always 6s always fibre wads.

 

The only exception to that is when i shoot drives with the liklyhood of duck even then i try not to shoot too many mostly because of the cost but also because i get a damn good smack across the chops.

 

I do remember back in the dim and distant past i had a red letter day on pigeon with my dad and we shot out of our normal supply and had to do an emergency shop for carts. The only thing we could get our hands on at the time were 32g eley maximums and we both finished the day black and blue!!

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Hiya, do the fibre wads make a lot of difference to the cartridge experience other than price with modern cartridges? Whilst I am practicing at the clay ground and they do allow plastic wads i wondered it either will do for practice? My local shop in whitley bay does seems to have some fibre wadded low weight 6's in stock according to the website but I don't really like the shop. Don't think my clay club sell anything other than 28grm 7.5's so a visit to a shop will be needed. Think I will try weldon gun room

Edited by saxosim
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Hiya, do the fibre wads make a lot of difference to the cartridge experience other than price with modern cartridges? Whilst I am practicing at the clay ground and they do allow plastic wads i wondered it either will do for practice? My local shop in whitley bay does seems to have some fibre wadded low weight 6's in stock according to the website but I don't really like the shop. Don't think my clay club sell anything other than 28grm 7.5's so a visit to a shop will be needed. Think I will try weldon gun room

Hi,

Getting confused. Although probably permitted, No.6 is not ideal for clays. What the club sells are, or even No 8s.

6s are good for game but if you are going pigeon shooting and particularly decoying, try 6 1/2 (2.5 mm) to make up for the pellet count reduction of the lighter load. Fibre is good for anything.

Cheers

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Buy Eley Grand Prix Paper or Three crowns paper, Failing that Kranks paper. When I am up in London I buy Holland and Holland paper cartridges, £7.50 a box but well worth it. Buy yourself a nice cartridge bag and fill it with real paper cartridges. You will feel about ten feet tall. forget all these 24g 28g nonsense cartridges. All right for those that come on here and ask whats the cheapest cartridges I can buy without wondering why they are cheap. Real cartridges are like real ale and real bread and real cheese, leather boots etc. You realise the difference when you try them

Edited by Vince Green
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Hiya

 

I have just bought my first Side by Side 12 gauge, a Spanish Ugartechea, I fancied trying one and one came along at a cheap bargain price in nice working order.

 

What cartridges and I best putting through it as a few people have said make sure you use light loads in it? What are classed as light loads as I am still new to this? Thanks

 

Cheers

Simon

my first gun was a ugartechea and i used 28grams loved it

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Buy Eley Grand Prix Paper or Three crowns paper, Failing that Kranks paper. When I am up in London I buy Holland and Holland paper cartridges, £7.50 a box but well worth it. Buy yourself a nice cartridge bag and fill it with real paper cartridges. You will feel about ten feet tall. forget all these 24g 28g nonsense cartridges. All right for those that come on here and ask whats the cheapest cartridges I can buy without wondering why they are cheap. Real cartridges are like real ale and real bread and real cheese, leather boots etc. You realise the difference when you try them

real carp :lol:

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