Well, guys,

I'll throw in my $0.02 worth. Maybe not worth even that much.

First let me say I have hunted a lot with DR's, both with ejectors and extractors, but mostly deer. No DG. We don't have DG in Virginia. I hunted black bears in British Columbia with a DR and bagged two. It's an ejector rifle. I really haven't encountered a situation where I had to reload my DR at top speed.

On the other hand, with what little wingshooting experience I have, I find ejectors help with getting back into battery. I've used both ejectors and extractors on my shotguns. I'll take ejectors over extractors. Now let me say that a shotgun shell isn't going to slide out of the chamber like a tapered brass shell. You've got to give them a tug.

John Taylor wrote that he favored extractors. His reason was the sound of the ejector. He went to great length to explain that DG quarry generally will not locate the hunter from the sound of the shot. He was emphatic that the DG quarry would instantly pinpoint the "ping" of an ejector, and the hunter could thereby meet his Maker. He went so far as to say that his practice was to disable ejectors in any rifle so equipped. In summary, my point is that he was not basing his conclusion on the speed of reloading, but on the silence of that operation. That's a totally different criteria from what is being discussed here.

As an aside, let me say I can't explain why an elephant would be confused by a rifle shot but would pinpoint the sound of an ejector. Taylor was of strong conviction on that point. I'll take his word for it. But it sure makes my curious mind wonder why the great British makers of large bore DR's persisted in putting ejectors on them if ejectors were sure death in a fray.

Now I admit freely that I'm just a talking dog on this subject, having never stepped ashore on the continent of Africa. The ducks, quail, pheasant, and doves I have pestered don't give a shit about the ping of an ejector, and they can't stomp me if they do.

One last thing about Taylor. Through most of his book he bad-mouths single triggers. I agree. I hate them. Then in the end of the book he softens on the Westley Richards single trigger. I don't believe a damn word he said about the WR trigger was sincere. He wouldn't have changed his mind like that. Frankly, I don't believe somebody who shot double triggers all his life could successfully convert to single trigger. I have little or no experience compared to Taylor, but DT's are hard-wired into my brain stem. If I shoot a ST gun the first shot goes off, then I find myself yanking the rear of the trigger guard. I think Taylor would have done this with a vengence. I bet WR graced his palm. But who knows?

Submitted in dark ignorance,
Curl

P.S.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL. My sincere best wishes for a safe and prosperous new year.

Curl