Author Topic: Double Barrel Shotgun Question (Read 1885 times)

keeter · « **on:** August 19, 2009, 04:51:56 PM »

If you were going to buy a sxs shotgun for under $500, which would it be? I would like to get one for fall turkey hunting and also for small game. Can I get a good shooting gun for under $500?

Thanks

Graybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** August 20, 2009, 12:23:09 AM »

Probably one of the Stoeger guns. I've owned two or three and they seem to be solid guns and a good value tho not fancy.

keeter · « **Reply #2 on:** August 20, 2009, 04:23:23 AM »

I have been thinking about those guns. The uplander with single trigger. But I have read mixed reviews on them. Are they better than the Remingtons or the Mossbergs? I know the Mossberg is more expensive.

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #3 on:** August 20, 2009, 07:57:20 AM »

keeter, when you mention hunting small game and turkey, I thought I would pass on my deals with doubles. Over the years I have had a bunch maybe 20, Ithacas, Brownings, Fox, Parker, and Beretta's. Now I only have one. It was my Grandfather's Fox. I seldom shoot it. All of my hunting is now with pump shotguns. Here is the reason why. Maybe it has to do with being a rifleman first, but it is difficult in my experience to get a double to shoot to the same point of impact with both barrels.

When I shot trap from the 27 yard line, to hit with both barrels required a slightly different hold, at 16 it wasn't much of a problem, but at long range it showed up.

Also, it seems that a change in ammo can greatly affect the point of impact, expecially with s x s, one nice double I had shot fairly close with trap loads. I decided to use heavy loads: it was chambered for 3". With those shells at 30 yards, the left barrel struck low and left of the aim point. Enough that only a few pellets hit the circle 3 " in diameter.

While all were not as radical as this one, very few, maybe one of all those I owned would should both barrels to the same point at 30 yards perfectly.

So, I use 870's, model 12's, and Browning BPS's. I have not, so far run into the problem of a change in shells changing the point of impact like it did in doubles. $:-\$ I know there are those who love doubles, they are beautiful, but I want something to shoot where I point it.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #4 on:** August 20, 2009, 08:48:41 AM »

Personally I have a bunch of SXS shot guns from 410 ro 10 ga and most are older used guns.
I think I picked most of them up for 250 to 400
I think I would look for a good used stevens 311 or an old SKB/ Ithaca. Even some of the older american or spanish side by sides are good buys. Urgathateca are affordable as well as Zaballa brothers.
I have seen a few Browning BSS on shelves but did not have the coin to buy them at the time. The Japanese Moroku is who makde them.
Good luck in the used bin, the SASS shootiers are buying up everything.
The CZ / turkish Huglu guns are great too. I saw CZ as the latter guns do not have the double headed Turkish eagle on the lever. It looks like a pair of wet pigeons if you ask me. they are a great gun but about 1.5 times what you want to spend at $700 -750.
One of the neatest Side By Sides I had and never should have sold was an American Arms Waterfowl and turkey. Matt finish 3.5" chambers and 28" barrels with screw chokes. Friend bought it and hacked it down to 18" and put rifle sights on it for deer hunting. It went from a big gracefull side by side to a butt heavy too short gun.
McDuck

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #5 on:** August 20, 2009, 08:56:17 AM »

used Stevens 311 or used Fox model B

ncsurveyor · « **Reply #6 on:** August 20, 2009, 09:06:39 AM »

I got one of c.zastava's older works - the yugo surplus type. Built like a tank. 16gauge. Stripped the stock and refinished with tung oil. stripped the metal and refinished it. Took all the guts out and cleaned and polished the works.

I love it. Spent $150.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #7 on:** August 20, 2009, 09:10:07 AM »

Had a Barkil (sp) from Russia . Strong with the handling quality of a piece of gas pipe taped to a rough cut 2X6

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #8 on:** August 20, 2009, 10:35:37 AM »

MC,Was the guy who cut the barrels off and put sights on the double from N. C. or Calif. $:-\$

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #9 on:** August 20, 2009, 11:06:42 AM »

He is a friend of mine from College
Met him in VA,
we both grew up in NJ
While at school we hunted the farm in NC.
and now both live in CA. About 2 hours from each other.
we were in Southern Ca when I Lent the shot gun him and he was headed to NJ and wanted a fast deer gun.
After I saw he cut the tubes down I about had a fit.
He pulled out cash and we headed to the gun shop to do paper work.
I would have been happy if he only went from 28" to 22-24" and give the gun some swing and nice lines. I have been looking for another one for years. Guess I will have to break down and order a new one. I think I last saw they were 610 list price. So figure 750 now.
He is also the guy a laser ranged when we were elk hunting sitting on a ridge about 50 yards apart and I hear "No I love you more Pooh bear!"
He was on the F'n cell phone ot his daughter. I ranged him thinking I could take the antenae off the thing with my 338.
From then on I held his cell phone.

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #10 on:** August 20, 2009, 01:33:10 PM »

Wow some friend, borrow YOUR gun and cut the barrels off.

Have you done much patterning to check the point of impact of the doubles?

?

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #11 on:** August 20, 2009, 02:05:19 PM »

Yea.
He has a bad habbit of wanting these short little guns that have no real purpose. I think last count he has 3) 18" SXS, 4) 18" 870's and 3) Remington 11's at 18-20 inches. And he has 4 Ithaca 37 recievers he was planning on making riot models. Don't know...
If he had done what I wanted and cut it down to 23-24 inches I would still own it. I even put a tape line not to go under when he told me what he wanted to do. i thought a cheap side by side 12 bore big game gun with selective trigger and ejectors..... OK let's do it, the 24" looked good and I think the ballance would have been perfect. Now it is way to butt heavy to come up nice.
When you say patterning?
Do you mean as a slug/ buck gun or in general with shot? This thing has adjustable rifle sights, so one tube was set for a foster slug at 35 yards and the sights dialed in and a buck load was then found to give a good pattern at 20 yards using the same sights fixed in place for the slug.
As far as shot goes the barrels are regulated on most guns to have the two barrels intersect at 30-35 yards Much like most over and unders. I was shooting skeet with a SBS and this lady with patches all over her vest of 25 -50 strait in skeet, was looking at my gun ans asked how you shoot a SXS when the two barrels cross. I told here her O/U crossed too and she took off her fore end so I could show her. She then could not hit a thing as she was trying to figure out lead based on what tube and where the shot will cross.
Finally I went up to her, after figuring out what she was trying to do and told her the tubes cross right where the bird is.
She started hitting them again.

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #12 on:** August 20, 2009, 02:53:45 PM »

;)MC, I patterned most of my doubles at 30 yards or so. I usually found they would not print both barrels to the same point of impact. They would be off enough that it was noticable to the eye with out any form of measurements. As I said, one chambered for 3" shells shot fair with trap loads, but with 3" loads it was off enough to miss a turkey or bird at that distance. The only one that shot pretty close was a Beretta Silver Pigeon. I guess I have shot rifles too long and the results of patterning doubles just bugged me. I sold em and stuck with pumps ever since. I pretty much started with pumps after one single barrel, and always liked the way they handled and shot.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #13 on:** August 21, 2009, 05:12:07 AM »

My first shotgun was a brand new stevens 311 D model in 20ga.
so I guess the side by side is in my blood. Always thought they were neat and classic.
Dad has always had a Browning A-5 and when he saw the price of a 20ga Browning A-5 ....
I got a new SXS for my 13th christmas.

And with a dozen SXS currently in the stable as well as five autos and six trombone guns and a stacked barrel and single shot, not to mention the 8 now at dad's house. I just grab what I need for the job or what I want to shoot.
From old time to modern and everything inbetween.

1marty · « **Reply #14 on:** August 21, 2009, 02:28:35 PM »

I bought a CZ SXS and I love it-it fits right around what you want to pay

keeter · « **Reply #15 on:** August 23, 2009, 03:53:22 AM »

What about the Rem. Spartan 220? I have been thinking about buying one......looks like a gun you could hunt turkeys with as well as small game.

bobg · « **Reply #16 on:** August 23, 2009, 04:45:04 AM »

Where would a person find a Fox model B? In the early sixtys i bought one from a friend of my fathers that needed 50 dollars in a hurry. Gave him 50 bucks and it was mine. I hunted with it for 4 years. It was a great gun. The man called me one day and said he would like the gun back. Said he had a Remington 700 in 222 mag. That he would trade me for it. Like a fool i went for it. I have seen one since then. It was in a little gun shop. The owner said it belonged to his wife and she would probably shoot him if he sold it to me. If you can find one of these grab it. I know i would.
bobg

keeter · « **Reply #17 on:** August 23, 2009, 05:06:59 AM »

I can't find the SPR 220 in the 2009 Remington sxs in the Rem. catalog..............are they still selling this gun?

ncsurveyor · « **Reply #18 on:** August 23, 2009, 08:05:06 AM »

Quote from: keeter on August 23, 2009, 05:06:59 AM

I can't find the SPR 220 in the 2009 Remington sxs in the Rem. catalog..............are they still selling this gun?

Don't think so. Think they quit the Russian imports when they bought out H&R.

keeter · « **Reply #19 on:** August 23, 2009, 08:18:39 AM »

Does Remington sell a side by side at all?

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #20 on:** August 24, 2009, 05:56:31 AM »

Yes
Remington has the Spartan line that are well made Russian guns by Bikal
Good utility shotguns. They are are pretty as orthapedic shoes. But so are the stevens 311 guns and I like them so I guess the beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
I think Remington also has the Premier, either a spanish, Turkish, or Italian side by side. Maybe they are being made by CVA but not sure they have changed makers a few times. Neat gun. expensive but neat gun.