Modern SXS choices

[track]

I found a vintage JP Sauer and Sohn sidelock, which is absolutely beautiful. A12 gauge and light-in-weight for carring. I use the short 1.75" shotgun shells for ruffed grouse. With 2.75" shells, I use 1-1/8 .oz for other upland. I paid $2,300 for it, however there are many available in you're price-range.

 

[209jones]

Were I just looking for a lead shotshell gun, my choices would have been far wider at the time I was looking for them. First one I picked up was a CZ Ringnreck in 20ga in 2010 or so, still have that, works fine, probably 5 cases of 3" steel 1oz loads thru it now, along with 3-4 cases of lead rounds, predominantly 3" steel, some lead, good bunch of 2-3/4" handloads too. Also have a FAIR 20ga hammergun, no beefs on that, but was 3 times the price, it's shot snows and honkers and specks too.
The one thing with the EU new & newer shotguns these days are that they have to be proofed for high speed steel rounds, incl the Turkish ones. For lead only fixed, choke guns, there are a pile of good used ones around, if you step up to the 2500-3500 range, you can get a some pretty stuff too, just have to be patient and keep looking. IE a 3k Mauser with 5K min worth of engraving on it, some with the nice engraving and some serious wood as well, all from good mfgrs.

 

[boxhitch]

Just do yourself a favour and go here

https://intersurplus.com/collections/side-by-side

or greatnorthgunco.ca/?post_type=product&s=16+gauge&product_cat=

 

[Ol' Flinter]

You could do a lot worse that choosing a used Winchester 23 or Browning BSS, They are really durable boxlocks and they occasionally come up for sale here on CGN. They would be generally in your price range.

 

[sillymike]

See if you can wait it out and put together $2500 or so.
More options and a keeper to be proud of.

Yeah... And once you saved it, you'll end up thinking... Might just has we'll make it to $3k... And then you'll realize that there's tax and shipping...

-

On a more serious note, greatnorthgunco has what seems like a nice AYA for not much $

 

[canvasback]

I found a vintage JP Sauer and Sohn sidelock, which is absolutely beautiful. A12 gauge and light-in-weight for carring. I use the short 1.75" shotgun shells for ruffed grouse. With 2.75" shells, I use 1-1/8 .oz for other upland. I paid $2,300 for it, however there are many available in you're price-range.

I have one of those. Great guns. I love mine. A couple thoughts.

They were made prior to 1910. Many had Damascus barrels but some had fluid steel. None of the barrels were designed for or proofed for modern nitro powders and current modern ammo pressure levels of around 11,000 to 11,500 psi. Which is the pressure of those 1 3/4” shells. And every other shell offered for sale in Canada unless it is specifically labeled low pressure. Pressure generated has nothing to do with shell length or load. And after 110 plus years if you haven’t checked the internal wood to metal fit, shooting modern 2 3/4” 1 1/8 oz shells will hasten the demise of the stock. The recoil will see to that.

I typically use 2 1/2” shells loaded to either 7/8 oz or 1 oz with a pressure peak of around 7-8K psi. If it hasn’t been lengthened the original chamber length is 2 1/2. A 2 1/2 chamber will easily accommodate a 2 3/4” shell. What happens when you fire it is the end of the shell opens into the forcing cones causing a brief spike in pressure, usually around 700 - 800 psi. The spike is higher for smaller gauges. Given the gun was designed and proofed for around 8000 psi, using a 2 3/4” modern load spikes the pressure past 12,000 psi. I like my hands and eyes too much to do that.

Those actions came in two sizes. The easiest way to tell which is which is the larger in 12 ga tends to be close to 7 pounds and the smaller action in 12 ga tends to be between 6 1/4 and 6 1/2 pounds. They used the smaller action when they produced it in 16 gauge.

 

[track]

I have one of those. Great guns. I love mine. A couple thoughts.

They were made prior to 1910. Many had Damascus barrels but some had fluid steel. None of the barrels were designed for or proofed for modern nitro powders and current modern ammo pressure levels of around 11,000 to 11,500 psi. Which is the pressure of those 1 3/4” shells. And every other shell offered for sale in Canada unless it is specifically labeled low pressure. Pressure generated has nothing to do with shell length or load. And after 110 plus years if you haven’t checked the internal wood to metal fit, shooting modern 2 3/4” 1 1/8 oz shells will hasten the demise of the stock. The recoil will see to that.

I typically use 2 1/2” shells loaded to either 7/8 oz or 1 oz with a pressure peak of around 7-8K psi. If it hasn’t been lengthened the original chamber length is 2 1/2. A 2 1/2 chamber will easily accommodate a 2 3/4” shell. What happens when you fire it is the end of the shell opens into the forcing cones causing a brief spike in pressure, usually around 700 - 800 psi. The spike is higher for smaller gauges. Given the gun was designed and proofed for around 8000 psi, using a 2 3/4” modern load spikes the pressure past 12,000 psi. I like my hands and eyes too much to do that.

Those actions came in two sizes. The easiest way to tell which is which is the larger in 12 ga tends to be close to 7 pounds and the smaller action in 12 ga tends to be between 6 1/4 and 6 1/2 pounds. They used the smaller action when they produced it in 16 gauge.

The chamber in mine has been reamed to accept 2.75" shotgun shells. Being that I'm long-in-the-tooth, the max lead ounces I shoot is 1 1/8. Although it has 29.5" barrels, it is very light and has a-bit-of-a kick.

 

[track]

.....sorry, double post.

 

[canvasback]

The chamber in mine has been reamed to accept 2.75" shotgun shells. Being that I'm long-in-the-tooth, the max lead ounces I shoot is 1 1/8. Although it has 29.5" barrels, it is very light and has a-bit-of-a kick.

Mine has 29.5" barrel's as well. Also very light. Just over 6 1/4 lbs. The action is unbelievably svelte. Doesn't look like a 12 ga. If you ever decide to part with it, drop me a note.

 

[TheCarpenter]

Lots of info in a short time. CGN gives me hope for forums, and canada's firearms culture. THanks everyone. I Was looking at a cheap forest sxs on intersurplus, but with the dented barrel i'll likely grab a Baikal if I can find a neutral one. play around on that, see what I do and do not love, then spend more money either on a huglu or save up for a higher tier shotgun like Mount sweetness suggests.

Thanks everyone!

Carpenter