Are they a thing of the past ?

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haggisbasher

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The British/European SxS shotguns are the most beautifully balanced,lively shotguns that anyone could ever dream of shooting.

Most people today shoot O/U shotguns,( WE ARE NOT CONSIDERING SEMI AUTOS/PUMP GUNS )

What type of gun do you prefer when hunting 'Upland/Rabbits, etc'?
 
They are a thing from the past that still fill a unique niche in the present.

A properly fitted and configured sxs (straight grip, spliter foreend, double triggers) has no equal when it comes to hunting upland. They are lighter, easier to handle and more suitable for instinctive shooting.

The o/u comes a very close second but the more open gape of the o/u (the angle of the gun when it is open) tends to risk putting the barrels into the dirt or attracting more debris into the action.

And besides you display a certain style with a side by side resting over your shoulder that the o/u just can't match.;)
 
What Claybuster stated.....

And in response to the original "topic" question.....heck, no way!! :D ......can't visualize a gun rack/safe without at least few sxs standing alongside a few o/u and semis (well, at least one or two semi in synthetic for the blind and mud) :D
 
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For upland? A SxS 20 gauge with shorter barrels, >28".

The nicest little gun that I ever shot for upland was a spanish 20 with 22" barrels. Very slender and light, whippet fast. It was borrowed and I've been looking for a similar gun ever since.
 
spi said:
For upland? A SxS 20 gauge with shorter barrels, >28".

The nicest little gun that I ever shot for upland was a spanish 20 with 22" barrels. Very slender and light, whippet fast. It was borrowed and I've been looking for a similar gun ever since.
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There is this straight stock Hemingway sxs (Bernardelli) in 12ga, 2 3/4 chamber with 24" bbls at Williams Arms, Port Perry, ON.....very nice.

http://www.williamsarms.net/usedfirearms.html

I would have grabbed that if it weren't for a Weatherby Orion Upland 20ga that I already ordered for.
 
I can't make myself like Churchill style shotguns. I prefer a longer set of barrels...28" or 29". I usually sneak the Old Man's Sauer out during the fall. The SxS opens so smoothly and quickly and reloads faster than an O/U. And as Claybuster said, you're less likely to jam them into the dirt. If I can lay my hands on some 2 3/4" #2 and #4 Bismuth I think we'll see a certain F/F choked Model 21 make a triumphant return to the goose fields of South-Central Saskathewan.

And as an aside (red: rant) WTF is with these doubles nowadays with screw in tubes? :mad: Do you really need something other than Full/Modified for upland hunting? Maybe even Improved-Modified and Improved Cylinder in thicker cover (not the real thick stuff). When I first saw the Kimber Valier I thought, Finally, someone has it figured out. Straight grip, double triggers, splinter forend...then I read on and see it has choke tubes. Way to boner an otherwise great gun. Choke tubed barrels are heavier and, I think, ruin the balance of a fine double. Now, if they would take a set of non-tubed 16 bore barrels and mate them to that 20 bore frame...sorry, got to go, I need a cold shower just thinking about it.:redface:
 
BigUglyMan said:
And as an aside (red: rant) WTF is with these doubles nowadays with screw in tubes? :mad:
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I guess this wouldn't be the time to tell you about the Boss sxs I saw in the UK that had Teague thinwalls installed by the owner. :eek:
 
If I were an older, refined Scottish gentleman who owned a castle like Haggisbasher, I would have several fine sxs shotguns available in the rack, just waiting for the gamekeeper to take me out for some pheasant.

Alas, I am but a poor commoner....
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... and so can only dream of such things!
 
popcan said:
If I were an older, refined Scottish gentleman who owned a castle like Haggisbasher, I would have several fine sxs shotguns available in the rack, just waiting for the gamekeeper to take me out for some pheasant.

Alas, I am but a poor commoner....
530.gif



... and so can only dream of such things!
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Maybe we can convince the Laird of the merits of hosting a CGN driven shoot at his castle. ;)

But only for those among us who understand "driven" shoot doesn't mean hunting from a truck at the side of the road. :D
 
Claybuster said:
Maybe we can convince the Laird of the merits of hosting a CGN driven shoot at his castle. ;)

But only for those among us who understand "driven" shoot doesn't mean hunting from a truck at the side of the road. :D
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If he would do that, I would then offer to host aCGN week at "Chateau Popcan" for grouse in the fall.....
 
Claybuster said:
Maybe we can convince the Laird of the merits of hosting a CGN driven shoot at his castle. ;)

But only for those among us who understand "driven" shoot doesn't mean hunting from a truck at the side of the road. :D
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Man, do I miss those times spent wingshooting in the tea gardens (SE Asia).......you never knew what would emerge in addition to the jungle fowl each time the "beaters" worked a patch of land :)
 
I bought my dog from a guy who breeds Brittanys, Chocolate Labs, and Black Labs. He also raises pheasants.:) My favorite spring break is a drive out to his place to go chase after some released pheasants with the dogs. ('course it doesn't hold a candle to the ruffies in the fall)

I'll admit right up front, you can hunt upland with any kind of a shotgun. And, I do. But, by far my favorites are the nicely balanced SXS's. They, indeed, represent the summit of the makers art. The craftsmanship that goes into those guns, and the ingenious designs (like Lefever's adjustable hingepin) is amazing. The evolution of the SXS has taken centuries. The best in terms of balance, durability and function have merged with truely fine wood and breathtaking metalwork and engraving.

I will probably never be able to afford a best quality gun, but there are scores of mid-grade guns that can be had for quite reasonable prices. (On the off chance that you don't know anything about SXS's and you're thinking about grabbing a cheap used one, I encourage you to do just that. But, before you do, post the make and model and any particulars on this site, so you can get some advice about matters such as chamber length, nitro proofing, and aftermarket modifications.:eek: )

I guess I should put my money where my mouth is and admit - most of my modest collection is SXS's.:D

SS
 
straightshooter said:
I bought my dog from a guy who breeds Brittanys, Chocolate Labs, and Black Labs. He also raises pheasants.:) My favorite spring break is a drive out to his place to go chase after some released pheasants with the dogs. ('course it doesn't hold a candle to the ruffies in the fall)

I'll admit right up front, you can hunt upland with any kind of a shotgun. And, I do. But, by far my favorites are the nicely balanced SXS's. They, indeed, represent the summit of the makers art. The craftsmanship that goes into those guns, and the ingenious designs (like Lefever's adjustable hingepin) is amazing. The evolution of the SXS has taken centuries. The best in terms of balance, durability and function have merged with truely fine wood and breathtaking metalwork and engraving.

I will probably never be able to afford a best quality gun, but there are scores of mid-grade guns that can be had for quite reasonable prices. (On the off chance that you don't know anything about SXS's and you're thinking about grabbing a cheap used one, I encourage you to do just that. But, before you do, post the make and model and any particulars on this site, so you can get some advice about matters such as chamber length, nitro proofing, and aftermarket modifications.:eek: )

I guess I should put my money where my mouth is and admit - most of my modest collection is SXS's.:D

SS
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Awesome, would you share some photos with us,i'd love to see them.
:redface: I sold mine :(
 
Not sure about the Perfect Grouse & Woodcock Gun ( and it would do nicely for Quail too ! ) but it would surely be a SxS, 20g. or 28ga. with 28" barells, not fussy whether extractor or ejector (... I pocket my empties - why give away a good covert ? ) like single selective triggers, straight stocks ( but can live with a pistol grip) and small, semi-beavertail forends ( just enough to stay away from hot barells) . Something like that in a DHE Parker, C grade Fox, Mod. 21 Winchester or the like would do ...
 
beretta boy said:
Not sure about the Perfect Grouse & Woodcock Gun ( and it would do nicely for Quail too ! ) but it would surely be a SxS, 20g. or 28ga. with 28" barells, not fussy whether extractor or ejector (... I pocket my empties - why give away a good covert ? ) like single selective triggers, straight stocks ( but can live with a pistol grip) and small, semi-beavertail forends ( just enough to stay away from hot barells) . Something like that in a DHE Parker, C grade Fox, Mod. 21 Winchester or the like would do ...
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I didn't notice any 'British' guns in your list !!! ;)
 
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