Author Topic: Favorite shotgun action/style (Read 1724 times)

pastorp · « **on:** June 30, 2013, 02:45:52 AM »

Good morning guys, just sitting here looking outside and thinking.

Seems I've always preferred a SxS shotgun. Over/unders don't look right to me. I have a pump & semiauto but usually reach for my double first.

What's your choice, oh and make mine a 16.

spruce · « **Reply #1 on:** June 30, 2013, 03:08:24 AM »

In my mind no other type matches a S/S for looks or a lively feel. My go-to grouse gun for my whole adult life has been an Ithaca/SKB S/S 20 gauge.

I've owned a few O/U's over the years, but never found one that didn't remind me of shouldering a 2"x4"!

I do enjoy using, and hunting with, all types. Pumps for the joy of manipulating the action, autos for their soft shooting, my dad's old Iver Johnson single for the memories, even the Mossberg bolt action I had as a kid and shot a lot of game with!

I guess there are no "bad" shotguns, but I agree the SxS is at the top of the heap when it comes to looks and handling.

curteric · « **Reply #2 on:** June 30, 2013, 03:18:51 AM »

O/U's, I have pumps and semi-autos. My favorite hunting shotgun is a Browning, Citori, White Lightening, 16 ga. It's a true 16 ga receiver and weigh's in at 6 lb-5 oz.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #3 on:** June 30, 2013, 04:55:23 AM »

more and more my go to shotgun is one of the H&R/NEF

same for when i need a rifle

one shot usually does it

PowPow · « **Reply #4 on:** June 30, 2013, 12:18:16 PM »

My favorite is semi-auto, specifically a Benelli Montefeltro 20 ga. Lightweight, pretty and I am more productive with it.
Tried O/U's; a third shot makes the difference in getting the limit on dove shoots, and as few opportunities as I have to go, I want to get the most out of a shoot. Four and fifth shot make difference on how many get out of the field on a quail hunt.
I have a Supernova pump for times when heavy artillery is required, but it is a beast to shoot.
I recently got a Stoeger 2-trigger SxS; while I am enjoying learning to shoot it, I don't think I will ever be as productive as with the semi-auto.
I like the simiplicity of a single shot and have had a couple, but hunting time is too precious not to make the most of it.
(But like 45-70, I like a single shot rifle.)

Pastorp - good topic. will enjoy following it.

clum sum · « **Reply #5 on:** June 30, 2013, 12:41:21 PM »

My best is a pump, the best looking and most fun to shoot is a side by side, over and unders are ugly and there is no reason to carry a ugly gun. Autos should only be used wheen nothing else is avalible.

hillbill · « **Reply #6 on:** June 30, 2013, 12:59:39 PM »

to me the best feeling and shooting shotgun is a o/u.i had one for years but when i got out of skeet shooting i sold it. just too nice of a gun to hunt rabbits with.i really like sxs shotguns too, but sold all them too. so now my main shotguns are pumps, they do it all. but to be honest if i was to slip out the back door for a squirrel or rabbit hunt, id prob take a break open single shot.ducks, geese or quail id take my smith 916 pump or my win 97 pump.

limited to one id take a pump.

kynardsj · « **Reply #7 on:** June 30, 2013, 01:44:34 PM »

My all time favorite was the Savage Model 24. I once owned a 30-30 / 20 ga but have always wanted a 357 mag / 20 ga. I paid $89.00 new for the one I had back in 1972. Now that combination in good shape will run you $450.00 or better. 357 mag / 20 ga ( if you could find one ) is totally out of my price range. Those combinations would handle anything here in Alabama.

FPH · « **Reply #8 on:** June 30, 2013, 01:52:47 PM »

I like a semi for HD, and an O/U for hunting.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #9 on:** June 30, 2013, 03:14:14 PM »

Pump gun for me... boringly simple but always goes bang.

CW

Doublebass73 · « **Reply #10 on:** June 30, 2013, 03:54:25 PM »

Make mine a break action 16 gauge single shot by H&R. I've owned some cool pumps and O/U's but I get the most satisfaction hunting with a poor man's gun. I like to keep it simple. I would like to get a nice sxs some day but for now the single shot is all I need.

hunt-m-up · « **Reply #11 on:** June 30, 2013, 06:42:26 PM »

Semi for me of the Beretta variety.

Bugflipper · « **Reply #12 on:** June 30, 2013, 07:31:32 PM »

I like SxS muzzleloaders. It's a whole lot more fun to smell the blackpowder, control your own range on the fly and just wait for the smoke to clear to find what you got. I honestly don't care if it's a fine english double or a cheap belgian knock off. Just as long as it's a SxS with dual hammers and triggers that patterns well. I've been thinking of getting a used pedersoli or navy arms cause I'm worried some of the old ones are going to blow up in my face but they keep on surprising me. I did have to retire one to a wall hanger though. With the same charge in each barrel one side felt like a magnum and the other a dove load. Not so good with old damascus barrels.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #13 on:** February 01, 2014, 08:10:46 AM »

after the ''crash of 2014''.....i thought this thread lost some good info

so i revived it

more and more i choose the single shot exposed hammer. when i grab a shotgun...H&R
light ...simple...safe..easy load/unload.......i really can't remember needing more than one shot

but if it were one of those ''if i could only have one''....then pump...then double

twoshooter · « **Reply #14 on:** February 02, 2014, 12:42:53 PM »

I have always liked double barrels (hence the "twoshooter"), but I find that I mostly use my H&R singles now, I really wish I could find a 20ga TDC H&R. The only feature I miss on singles is a rib. I am still hoping to find a 16 ga barrel on the classifieds, as that is the most likely to find, the others being discontinued.

dstegjas · « **Reply #15 on:** February 02, 2014, 01:37:04 PM »

Years ago most people didn't have what I call specialty guns. People usually had one shotgun that did everything. Mine from the 70's was the Winchester Super X1. I had a full set of barrel for it that also included a deer barrel. It served me well over the years and is still in my gun safe. My dads was a 16 gauge H&R that I also have in the gun safe.

Nowadays people tend to have multiple shotguns for each specific purposes. They can be more specific in what they are being used for and not have a one gun fits all situation. I have a Winchester Supreme O/U that I use for hunting and sporting clays. A Winchester Super X3 in the deer hunting configuration since I am in Ohio. As you probably noticed I did stay with the Winchester brand.

Jim

Drilling Man · « **Reply #16 on:** February 02, 2014, 03:05:58 PM »

I much prefer a S&S...

DM

Dave in WV · « **Reply #17 on:** February 02, 2014, 04:27:01 PM »

I've only owned pumps. I did buy a 20ga single shot for my daughter. I have owned two 870s at the same time but gave one to my son. I have a model 12 and an Ithaca 37. I like the Ithaca the best.

IOWA DON · « **Reply #18 on:** February 03, 2014, 10:15:39 AM »

I much prefer a SxS double to other action and can shoot better with one than other action types. I've got a Browning and Winchester 23 SxS's in 12-ga, and an Ithaca NID in 10-ga Mag. My son (who hunts) shot my Browning one time long ago and said he did not like SxS doubles. A few weeks ago my 15-year-old grandson (son of my daughter, the only other hunter in the family) tried it, liked it, and hit hand thrown clay pigeons well with it. Anyway, I like my SxS doubles so well that I am thrilled that there is someone to leave them to who will appreciate them when I kick the bucket.

D Fischer · « **Reply #19 on:** February 06, 2014, 08:49:26 AM »

I have four shotguns now. Three SxS's and one pump. The only reason I keep the pump is it's a mod 37, IMO the best pump ever made. I have had very few semi-auto's. One was a Browning double auto, in a class all by itself, terrific gun. Have had a few Mossberg 500'w and one 870.. have had lots of SxS'x and just a couple O/U's. At this point in my life I am thinking that to have made all my SxS's even better, I needed smaller gauges. I have a 16 ga SxS that at one time was my go to gun. But this past year I have discovered that I do just as well with my 28 and 410! All three are AyA matadors. The 28 and 410 are both on frames for their respective gauges, wonderful guns. The O/U's I've had were nice guns, one was a Browning Citori 20ga. The other was a Savage mod 330 20ga. I liked the Savage best!

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #20 on:** February 09, 2014, 12:23:10 PM »

Over the years I have owned all types of shotguns from single barrels on... At one time around 2000 I had about a dozen O/U's and SXS's.. Everything was covered I had 28's,20's, 12's and a 3.5" 12... But being a rifleman first I noticed it was very difficult to get a double that shot both barrels to the point of impact.. This showed up from the 27 yard line at the trap range, and on the patterning board.. I had always kept a couple pumps I especially liked, so to make a long story short, I sold all the doubles except my grandfather's Fox.. It has been nothing but pump guns for me since that time.. I have 28-10's. Each has a use, and all shoot where they look..

popplecop · « **Reply #21 on:** February 10, 2014, 02:23:59 PM »

Have and shoot SxSs, O/Us, semis, and pumps. My favorites are SxSs for sure.

LONGTOM · « **Reply #22 on:** February 11, 2014, 02:48:30 AM »

I like them all but prefer the Browning A5s the best with a good pump running a close second, then the double barrel, single shot and lastly the O/U.
Just never grown a likeing for the O/Us, just me I guess.
I am also very fond of my oridginal 1887 Winchester Lever gun!!!

LONGTOM

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #23 on:** February 11, 2014, 03:59:15 AM »

Depends on what I will be shooting and how much shooting. PD a pump. Auto for deer and high volume. But an O/U is my favorite 20 ga in particular. Shoulder problems make the auto the go to gun for 12 ga and a lot of shooting.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #24 on:** February 11, 2014, 05:25:04 AM »

Hard to pick a single favorite.
Have a bunch of Scatter guns.
Many are SXS I have a single O/U and quite a few Pumps and Autos and even a couple single shots.
I guess it depends on what I am planning on doing as to what I want.
Ducks in the Salton sea - Benelli Nova as my S&W 3000, Rem 1100 and the SXS all seem to rust as soon as you pull them out of the case.
Upland - the little French 20 GA SXS in 2.5" or my Steven 311A in 410 are a joy to hike with for CA quail in the hills.
Phesants - the Spanish M30's I have as a mixed pair are perfect English style round action game guns.
Turkey - I now have a Benelli M2 tactical with ghost ring sights and interchangable chokes.
Deer - the Winchester 1897 Riot model has worked well as well as a Quail gun for NC over dogs where shots are short.
And as a Swamp Duck Gun in NC I bought a Beretta 390 used and it works well with the Steel or heavy shot as well as upland. With the gun living in a closet at dads humid house I hose it down with T-9 spray wax. Also why I will not leave a nice SXS there as it will rot in the gun closet. And Dad forgets to recharge the de humidifyer.

DranDran · « **Reply #25 on:** February 11, 2014, 10:54:53 AM »

I like simple to use/maintain guns, less moving parts the better. The only shotgun I have right now is a Model 12 in 12 gauge but it's built like a tank and points well.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #26 on:** February 11, 2014, 04:45:07 PM »

Quote from: DranDran on February 11, 2014, 10:54:53 AM

I like simple to use/maintain guns, less moving parts the better. The only shotgun I have right now is a Model 12 in 12 gauge but it's built like a tank and points well.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The Win M12 is a great gun. Very slick and smooth and very classy.
BUT,
That Benelli Nova is the ultamate in simplicity. Two pins hold in the trigger assembly, the mag cap has a push pin and I can have the gun totally apart, cleaned, lubed and back together in just a few minutes.
Simply remove the mag cap, pull the barrel, pop the two pins and pull down and out on the trigger guard to remove the trigger group, Pull the foreend off, squeeze the bolt head into the bolt and remove. The trigger and firing assembly is built on a trigger plate like a SXS and it comes off in one piece you can get to the whole mech to clean out leaves, unburned powder, and other gunk with a spray can and a couple Q tips.
Clean the inside of the reciever, clean the barrel, bolt, trigger group, and mag tube. Lube with a spray wax like T-9 and reassmeble cycle the action a few times and work the lube in. Let dry and cycle again. Very slick action. So far corrosian resistant with many hunting trips and thousands of rounds of through it for trap, skeet, and sporting clays since I bought it new early in 2006. I bought it knowing I would not like it and it would just be my Salt pond duck gun. But the action is so smooth, easy kicking, and shoots everything from 2 3/4" to 3 1/2" shells and with the carlsons extended chokes and the bright orange large bead, if I miss it was me doing something stupid.

HWB13 · « **Reply #27 on:** February 18, 2014, 08:42:01 AM »

thats almost like saying which kid do you like better. If I had to choose it would be the old trusty Ithica Model 66 I bought when I was 12. (getting close to 40 years ago) I have 2 mod 11's one fully engraved e model, my wife and I both have semi Charles Dalys, my HD is a Moss 500, and a couple of other singles. This year I took to the woods for birds with a 130 year old Saxton SXS. Lots of fun but 2 1/2" 12 ga don't grow on trees.