Woodcock, it is enough to name it to see the scenes that have been experienced in search of the piarist go by before your eyes: the hunt for this migrant of rare beauty, with a shy character, a romantic expression of game, recalls us to rugby, yes precisely to that sport that most English is not possible and of which it is said, with reason, to be played by men with the rudeness of carters and the spirit of noble lords. Perhaps now the comparison with the woodcock will appear less strange thinking about the infamous places where to go to find it, the gorges, the mud, the thorns, the branches, the dew that slips into the neck, the dog's stop and the difficulties to reach it, the characteristic beating of the wide wings, the glance to understand where this sylvan divinity is heading to take out of range of our rifle and, when all goes well, the shot and the retrieve of our trusty auxiliary. At this moment the hard and heavy challenge conducted with determination, strength, shrewdness find the elegant conclusion: the agitation of the soul under the sudden fatigue and a priceless serenity occupies our mind while we adjust the plumage from the colors of autumn. and, with some regret, we mirror ourselves in the big eyes before they become opaque. To achieve this goal it is good to put romance aside for a moment and devote ourselves to the technique to choose the most suitable rifle: a little while ago we had one in our hands that lacked nothing to be specific, only the step of the Arctic tundra frequenters who they have almost deserted our drought-stricken areas for now. So here is the model set up by Franchi: Feeling Woodcock Select.
The action frame in Ergal machined on the tool constitutes the first step towards lightness combined with resistance thanks to the insertion in the face of a hardened steel plate onto which the energy of the shot transmitted by the bottoms of the cartridges is discharged; the finish is then qualifying with a nickel-plated and engraved bottom with the addition of three woodcock shapes made of golden metal placed on the sides and on the back. The system is the classic Gardonese one with half-pins and earlobes plus the two low and side-by-side tenons placed flush under the lower barrel which are inserted into the blind mortises obtained in the back of the receiver by insisting against the crossbar and creating the seal; the closure is entrusted to the large block protruding from the bottom of the face and controlled by the key that goes into the grooves made on the back of the tenons: the inclined profile allows the automatic recovery of the play. The arming of the batteries takes place thanks to a double slide placed on the bottom of the back and moved by the strut protruding from the crosshead. The one-piece extractor with parallel stems inserted in the breech block and equipped with large grip glasses is very practical and robust: the automatic ejector is available on request, but frankly we prefer the manual on this set-up.
OUR TEST ON THE HUNTING GROUND:
The Um8 carbon steel barrels chambered for the 12/76 cartridge have a length of 62 cm and glossy burnishing: internally chromed and perforated between 18,3 and 18,5 mm, they highlight elongated connection cones to minimize water hammer to the shooter's shoulder while providing maximum velocity to the shot column; the interchangeable 5 cm chokes have the *** / **** / paradox values, the latter with a strong dispersing effect for very large patterns and garnished at close distances to facilitate the acquisition of the animal in flight without damaging it, excellent for hunting in the woods where the first barrel is usually fired below 15 m. The two barrels are joined in the breech through the monobloc and near the muzzle with two side ribs of about 7 cm to limit the weight; on the top runs the raised rib equipped with anti-reflective rolling and red plastic bar sight clearly visible on any background and in poor light conditions. The trigger is entrusted to a single trigger of considerable width and curvature similar to those of a rifle, a solution that we are observing on more than a smooth-bore shotgun and that we definitely appreciate: the readiness and roundness of release is combined with the release weight calibrated to approx. 2100 g for the first barrel and 2400 g for the second. For lovers of tradition, the double trigger trigger group can be provided. The system is completed by the slide of the safety inserted in the upper part of the action: the button for the selection of firing is recessed inside.
The stock with classic lines with pistol grip is combined with the rounded prismatic section forend for a favorable handling ergonomics. Furthermore, the woods of this particular version are in a precious Grade 3 selected walnut: the view is satisfied with the beautiful veins extended in the sense of recoil, the softness of the essence and the oil finish on the light primer that gives an appearance that we can define as serious and professional, the cards that Franchi usually plays to characterize her creations. An appreciable touch of modern functionality is given by the knurling at the gripping points: the brand's own design, called Allround 3D Interlacement, guarantees adequate grip even with muddy hands; to finish, we note the double-vented buttplate in oil-resistant black rubber that adequately dampens the recoil sensation and brakes inappropriate slips on the shoulder. There is no lack of opportunity to have left-handed football. Three numerical values to conclude: the weight of only 2.600 g, the informative price of € 1.750,00 for a whole product Made in Italy: and a 7-year warranty on the mechanical parts. But be careful: shooting with such a rifle, manageable, balanced and with surprising ballistic qualities over short distances, also facilitates the capture of other wild animals and therefore the practice is addictive. Seeing is believing.
Technical detail:
Manufacturer: Franchi - via della Stazione, 50 - 61029 Urbino (PU) Italy - Tel. +39 0722 307 1 - Fax +39 0722 307 370 - website: www.franchi.com
Model: Feeling Woodcock Select
CALIBRO: 12/76
Cane: 62 cm (tested for steel shot) joined with breech monobloc
Chokes: long 50 mm values *** / **** / paradox
Drilling: between 18,3 and 18,5 mm
Bindella: smooth and with anti-reflective rolling
Piega: 57 / 36 cm
Stock and auction: pistol grip in selected Grade 3 walnut oil finished
Recoil pad: in oilproof black rubber with double ventilation
Weighing machine: in nickel-plated Ergal and engraved with subjects shown in gilded metal
Weight :: 2.600 g
Shoot: single trigger (double trigger on request) with weights of 2.100 g for the 1st trigger and 2.400 g for the 2nd
Viewfinder: in red optical fiber
Checkering: Allrund 3D Interlancement
LOP 365mm
Accessories: transport case with instruction booklet, oil bottle, warranty coupon, 3 chokes and relative key, suspender kit