my "new" 20 ga

[zoner]

I've been putting together a "combo" gun, two barrels fitting the same reciever. It's a 357/20 ga. Bought a 20 ga mod barrel here,then swapped a MC green lam buttstock for one with a straight comb and straight grip. Putting it together yesterday i installed the 20 ga barrel,then did a "mount and swing" or two in the living room( the Queen was NOT home). I kept both eyes open,mounted and cheeked the stock, then pointed and swung on the moulding that joins top of wall to ceiling. About halfway thru the swing i stopped and closed my left eye to "aim" down the barrel,and it was pointin right where i was lookin. this thing fits me like a glove. Next will be a trip to the range and some work with the pattern board. I'll get a pic up later. Thanks to Lonny and bikerbeans fir helping me put this gun together....Mike

[Lon371]

Mike
 You are most welcome. Glad she is coming together for ya.

Lonny

[gcrank1]

Ive got two good frame fits and thus ways to go for mine. One is a 12/20 swap barrel and the other my custom HB 25-35WCF/20. One thing for sure is that I like popping off the 20 better than even trap loads in the 12, and that with a recoil pad buttstock.
BTW, Im using dedicated forestocks for each barrel.

[bikerbeans]

Mike,

Glad the stock is working out for you.  The M/C stock you sent me is on my 30-06 shorty and I am very happy with it. 

Tom

[zoner]

bikerbeans i'm glad it's working out for you.....and i'm gonna do the dedicated forend thing too....Mike

[Daman]

Good on ya Zoner. That would make a handy little combo for here in South Alabama. 357 for deer, hogs, and such and the 20 for small game and birds and turkeys.

I am interested in building a combo with a Topper 158 30-30/16 ga. That ought to do me fine. Got the 158 30-30 and been looking for a Topper contoured 16.

Daman

[gcrank1]

I admit to being not a knowledgable shotgunner, but nowdays isnt there enough of a shell selection for the 3"X20ga that do what the 16 used to? I know some are very fond of the 16, and set up to reload for it, but the price of factory loads that I see, and the hard to find barrels, mean it is out of my relm to even try out.
Since patterns are an individual barrel thing and the 20 can be had with as much payload as the 16 I would think there would be no downside to the 20?

[MSP Ret]

The 16 is just plain "sweet" and nostalgic. I really like mine, and it shoots slugs exactly to point of aim with the brass bead. Here in New England 16 gauge shells are easy to come by and pretty inexpensive. I like my 16's, it is a fine gauge and it just plain works, without having to go to a heavy 3" 20 gauge. That said, I have 20's as well and I like them almost as much....<><....

[Daman]

I like the 16 cause my friends don't bum shells in the woods! I also like the performance at distance compared to the 20 in 2 3/4" loads. I also get the 16's for about $7 a box locally.

Daman