Advantage of using a double barrel for pheasant hunting?

[R. Miller]

I love the two chokes and think side by sides and O/Us just look cool too.

[raymondk]

less birds to clean when your gun is empty and the bird is still flying.

[brad coin]

If you do go with non 12 gauge double either SXS or O/U make sure that it is not a generic receiver and stock/foregrip.

there are alot of gun mfg's especially in the under $1200 range that will sell you a 20/16/28 gauge with barrels in those gauges but mounted on the same size receiver has a 12 gauge and not scaled down.

alot of the reason your going with a smaller gauge is for faster handling and less weight,, if your only saving an ounce might has well tote the 12 gauge some expensive sets will give you two sets of barrels with different gauges but alot of them are not balanced so you get that "between the hands" feel.

I carry a double because I like the beauty and feel of them like fly fisherman who still fish with split bamboo rods,,however if bottom line your out there for the meat take home then no reason to switch from a reliable pump or automatic

[Boon525]

I have a double and an 870, I still shoot in the field better with the 870, my double is heavier and better when I shoot trap....when ever I'm picking a gun to use in foul weather, mud, dust, or as a canoe paddle..it's always the 870. Love the double but it still has only 2 shells...

[Jarrod32]

Reading through these posts, I guess the answer is "to each their own". Everyone gets to use the gun they want, for their own reasons. I happen to love my O/U for pheasant hunting (for many of the reasons already covered in this thread). And my buddies and I tend to stay legal for waterfowl even when pheasant hunting (lots of ducks around here in northern South Dakota), so I would never have more than three shots anyway.

When strictly waterfowl hunting, I do like my pump and the third shot...useful for paying "insurance" on the birds that are coming down wounded. But the O/U is just fine for pheasant hunting...and it is rare when I need the third shot that I don't have.