hey guys... i'm sure there's a big bunch of you who have an extensive knowledge of guns... thus, i'm seeking advice on SxS shotguns... my only requirements is for the gun to be dependable and durable, shoots 12 guage and has a 3" chamber (for ducks & geese)... can anyone advise me on what options do i have?... i don't want to pay a fortune... don't care for engravings adn all cosmetics...
Seeking Advice on SxS 12 ga 3" chamber
- Thread starter Big Dune
- Start date
As much as I love SXS's, I'm not sure they're the best choice for migratory bird hunting. They're perfectly capable of handling magnum loads and steel shot (assuming a recent production model), but the design lends itself better to wing shooting upland birds. The main reason for this is the weight of the gun - SXS's are deliberately light, to make for a lively field gun, with the knowledge that lighter loads are likely to be used and recoil should be in the average range.
Using a SXS for ducks and geese, you will need:
- either removable chokes or steel substitute shot like bismuth or tungsten matrix
- a recoil pad (if installed permanently, watch out for the change in LOP)
A 3" chamber is going to be found only on a modern production SXS. Right off the bat, you're talking $1000 range. If I were contemplating the same thing as you, I'd buy a reliable used autoloader for migratory (for example, a Browning A5 with 3" chamber) and a used classic SXS for the rest. $600 should get you a good auto and $400 will get you a good starter boxlock in 12 gauge. Be forewarned, though, SXS's are an addiction. Many have heard their siren song and resisted successfully, but many more have been seduced by their charms (one look in my safe and you know to which group I belong
).I suppose this can be said of any gun design, but especially with SXS's the price seems to escalate quickly when you start to get more specific about what you want.
MauserMike
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- SW Ontario
MauserMike
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- SW Ontario
I'll be those guys are packing 10 ga guns.
I was reading an old 3rd ed. of the Gun and Its Development by WW Greener last night on "Wild Fowl" shooting.
Circa 1885, the advice is to use no less than #4 (lead) shot in a 10 ga, preferably an 8 ga, or even a 4 ga if making 80-100 yds shots at passing geese or swans from a fixed and easily reached position If carrying the big bores, he suggests you carry a smaller "cripple stopper to economise ammunition and save the constant firing of so large a weapon, which generally causes headache in the course of a day's shooting, if fired continuously."
Funny how times change, eh? Now we shoot "cripple stoppers" as the norm with crippling steel ammunition. The section on "punting" is interesting too.
I was reading an old 3rd ed. of the Gun and Its Development by WW Greener last night on "Wild Fowl" shooting.
Circa 1885, the advice is to use no less than #4 (lead) shot in a 10 ga, preferably an 8 ga, or even a 4 ga if making 80-100 yds shots at passing geese or swans from a fixed and easily reached position
If carrying the big bores, he suggests you carry a smaller "cripple stopper to economise ammunition and save the constant firing of so large a weapon, which generally causes headache in the course of a day's shooting, if fired continuously."Funny how times change, eh? Now we shoot "cripple stoppers" as the norm with crippling steel ammunition. The section on "punting" is interesting too.
Ahsan Ahmed
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
QUOTE=straightshooter;2411223]As much as I love SXS's, I'm not sure they're the best choice for migratory bird hunting.
[/QUOTE]
SS - I suppose this is one of those very rare occasions where I would have to somewhat disagree with your statement.
My folks and I, for many many years, poled duck boats through miles of unending marshes in pursuit of Migratory Waterfowl .....the dedicated duck guns were exclusively a variety of 2 3/4 or 3 inch hammerless Westleys, Greeners and Jeffreys and one beautiful external hammer Manton - all with either 30/32" bbls, ejectors (exception Manton), F/M or F/F chokes.
The advantage was that one did not have to walk and those heavy, well balanced sxs served to swing extremely well. And, boy, I still dream of those powerful ducks fold in mid air from a 2 3/4 lead shot out to 50-60 yds
IMHO, nothing beats a sxs in any form of Wingshooting regardless of make (BUT with well regulated bbls).....
Back to the original topic.....on a budget, I'd certainly look at the Baikal (or Spartan) sxs.....those have 3 inch chambers, with screw-in chokes and steel compatible.
[/QUOTE]
SS - I suppose this is one of those very rare occasions where I would have to somewhat disagree with your statement.
My folks and I, for many many years, poled duck boats through miles of unending marshes in pursuit of Migratory Waterfowl .....the dedicated duck guns were exclusively a variety of 2 3/4 or 3 inch hammerless Westleys, Greeners and Jeffreys and one beautiful external hammer Manton - all with either 30/32" bbls, ejectors (exception Manton), F/M or F/F chokes.
The advantage was that one did not have to walk and those heavy, well balanced sxs served to swing extremely well. And, boy, I still dream of those powerful ducks fold in mid air from a 2 3/4 lead shot out to 50-60 yds
IMHO, nothing beats a sxs in any form of Wingshooting regardless of make (BUT with well regulated bbls).....
Back to the original topic.....on a budget, I'd certainly look at the Baikal (or Spartan) sxs.....those have 3 inch chambers, with screw-in chokes and steel compatible.
Last edited:
I would have to agree. While the sxs has and does work it is not the BEST option available for most. I'm quite sure those guys in the pic didn't have access to a semi and quite possibly even o/u's, they used what they had and sxs were the gun in those days. Given todays choices a semi would be BETTER suited for the average shooter, more so than a sxs or o/u, that's not to say we are restricted to any one in particular. If you were working a gun counter what would you suggest to someone asking the question?
I'm not much of a car guy but the vehicle in that picture is probably circa 1920's while the Browning Auto 5 went into production in 1902. It is quite possible these guys had access to a semi-automatic but chose instead to use sxs.
I've used an sxs for waterfowl at a fancy-ass private club that forbade semis and pumps
. It was fine but I'd rather have had my semi-auto. As far as waterfowl sxs are concerned I wouldn't recommend a Stoeger but would consider either a CZ or Baikal if looking for something inexpensive.
Ahsan Ahmed
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
A proper sxs may not be the best but certainly one of the best options for any form of Wingshooting - I consider the only edge that a semi/pump has over a sxs (for Waterfowl) is the availability of synthetic furniture which is superior in view of the harsh weather conditions here in NA.
Moreover, the availability of that 3rd shot is quite insignificant, IMO. Neither does a camo clad shotgun has any great impact. The o/u, on the other hand would be a great pain the _ _ _ in a duck boat/blind.
For the record, folks here have been successfully (and without much complications if I may add) using wood stocked rifles/shotguns for generations.
Lastly, a knowledgeable/efficient (and honest sales person
) should do his/her best to first learn of that customer's preferences/needs based on that individual's hunting activities and then strive to adequately align that with a product instead of just pointing directly to that very first pump or an autoloader (using as examples only - no offence to users) that comes to mind
Last edited:
Ahsan Ahmed
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
True. A used 8lbs Browning BSS could be another better example...think it is good for steel too although I'm not entirely sure.
Come to think of it, couple months ago?, I traded (at Epps) a CZ Bobwhite 12ga in Exc condition. I had regretted parting with that since then and debated getting it back
It would have made a great Waterfowl gun. That sxs was the best Turk shotgun specimen I have handled/owned in terms of wood, fit/finish quality, smooth triggers etc. At the time, I figured that I had less use for numerous 12ga sxs and put it up as partial trade money towards a 28ga thanks all for your inputs... just to be clear, pumps and semis are out... don't like any of them much, with the exception of the benelly SBE II, but i can't afford it now... the third shot ain't causing any itch either... i'm a sxs and o/u guy, so i'm set on a sxs since i already have a beretta o/u, and i love it to the extent that my wife calls it "the other woman"...
for some reason i like the swing on sxs...
if i could, i would've for sure went with a brand new beretta sxs... but it's way more than what i can afford right now...
i'll check the baikals & cz's ... and i'll look at the stoeger as well...
if any of you have any other brand recommendations, plz let me know... and of course if any of you know of a good and affordable sxs (new or used) that's on the market, plz pm me or mail me at big_dune@hotmail.com
thnx again to all ya folks... really appreciate all your input
for some reason i like the swing on sxs...
if i could, i would've for sure went with a brand new beretta sxs... but it's way more than what i can afford right now...
i'll check the baikals & cz's ... and i'll look at the stoeger as well...
if any of you have any other brand recommendations, plz let me know... and of course if any of you know of a good and affordable sxs (new or used) that's on the market, plz pm me or mail me at big_dune@hotmail.com
thnx again to all ya folks... really appreciate all your input
Fabarm sxs shotguns are all 3" chambered, steel proofed and allow interchangeable choke tubes. I have the Classis in stock right now. They are priced higher than the Stoeger or russian guns but are a good value for the money starting at $2599 for an oiled finish.
Side by sides are alot of fun for waterfowl. I've got a Fox (by Savage) BSE 12 gauge that worked well with steel. It has chrome bores, vent rib, single trigger and fairly open chokes. I'd have to dig it out of the back of the safe to check, but I think it is IC-M. It has 2 3/4" chambers, but I was surprised at how effective the faster steel shells are. I've switched to using vintage side by sides using tungsten matrix shells so I haven't used the Fox in a while. Don't get confused between game guns and fowlers. The two below are a couple of my favorites, a 34" barreled Parker and a 32" L.C. Smith. Both with 3" chambers, but I use 2 3/4" shells in them to reduce recoil on the old wood. The Beretta S/A that I used to use has gathered dust the last several years.
