sxs for upland ? (bss sporter 20 or....)

sunray said:
26" is kind of long for upland game. That shotgun, in the stated condition, isn't worth $1500 though. Gagnon's is listing a 12 ga at $999.99. One of 'em in 2011, in excellent condition with the original box, sold on liveauctionworld.com for $1200US plus the fees. $1300 with an odd butt plate, at Precision Arms.
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Once upon a time, in a galaxy far far away, I would have agreed with you. It peaked when I personally discovered that a 24 inch barrel on one of my 12 gauge shotguns, I found it to handle rather poorly as a bird hunting gun. Some of my shotguns have 26 inch barrels. But I find I really prefer 28 inch barrels on my pump action 20 gauge shotguns. Much preferring their balance within my hands and they point more naturally for me.
I believe 30 inches should be just about right for a 12 gauge pump action. (without a rib)
And with any double gun, I would strongly disagree that 26 inches is too long for upland use.
 
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Brutus said:
And with any double gun, I would strongly disagree that 26 inches is too long for upland use.
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I agree.

My SKB M100 (and previous M200) is 25" and feels a bit choppy with the light front end. I would have prefered them to be longer for better handling, but I am still able to hit with it so I'm staying with that. Maybe some day I'll find a nice light 12 and try.
 
Lots of good info here guys.. I do appreciate it.

I have read the articles mentioned and will look for the books. I have been handling some nice doubles recently to get the feel of what fits me and what proper balance feels like. I was tempted buy a nice english at $1700 but the
2-1/2" chambers needed more research. I would reload the ammo if I do go that route. If I see an skb or bss for the right price I'll pick it up while I continue to learn more about the vintage brands.

Specific to reloading 2-1/2, does anyone use full brass with modern propellant just for fun? I saw a bag of it and it started an itch.
 
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Twoshots, not sure if your still following your post. I would be all over that Bss if in original condition(not cut-original hard plate). $1500 is not unreasonable for that gun. I collect and shoot them and have a couple sporters, they are hard to find. The 20gauge sporter with 28inch barrels is the most sought after one. I have had Ithaca's and toe to toe the Browning is a better gun. A Winchester 23 or Beretta 426 series would be comparative to the Bss. Just curious does the Bss that you have been offered have a silver or gold trigger?
 
it has a selective trigger. It looked to be silver but I think it might have been gold and fondling rather than shooting may have worn the finish off? I will look at it again this week but I think I'll be waiting for a lighter English unless the price drops.
 
No prob gold better than silver, gold trigger was the later run Bss not the early ones. I have heard of some issues with the earlier silver ones for some mechanical issues, however I have owned 20plus Bss's and not had any issues. Even with beat up ones. I have a 20 gauge sporter exactly what you describe and shoot it for skeet,rabbits,duck and sporting clays the gun works flawlessly. Good Luck. Cheers sidexeach.
 
I had a silver (selective) triggered 20ga. BSS Sporter w/26" bbl,s. way lighter carry than the 12ga Pistol gripped BSS I had before it. I could not hit game worth a damn with the English stock which I love how they look less the Bubba'ed pad install. The bugger doubled too. Got it cheap, sold it cheap and told of the warts it had.
I would try another 20 ga BSS or an SKB.
 
You might want to think about a CZ. You can get either a Bobwhite with double triggers, chokes and a straight stock for @$1000 or the Ringneck which has a POW grip for and single selective trigger @$1200. You wont have anxiety attacks busting through woodcock coverts with a CZ. Accuracy Plus in Peterborough has a used one the rack.
 
For 2 grand I'd be searching for a used rizzini or aya box lock or an older Ithaca. I've shot a few bss and although great quality I've never seemed to liked them. They just seem plain and boring. A sxs should feel alive in your hands and draw your full attention every time you see it. Maybe I'm just weird but some Spanish and Italian guns are of great quality and we'll under 2 grand.
Maybe look for a used rbl. I'm sure prophet river will help with importing as well

Take your time and try everything you can. Measure what drop cast and toe heel shape fits best. Shopping for a sxs is more important then a new truck
Fit is everything. I shoot a baikal better then my higher end guns but it fits so perfect.

Canceling the flight of 2 flushed pheasants with a cheap double gun that fits is a lot more impressive in camp then 2 missed shots from a British best!
 
Lol you are correct. I was going to add "That doesn't Fit" to the end but my sweet lil bull mastiff pup was at the time defeating the new gate. I told the wife a baby gate wouldn't work. Funny how she's only MY dog when she's bad
 
brybenn said:
Lol you are correct. I was going to add "That doesn't Fit" to the end but my sweet lil bull mastiff pup was at the time defeating the new gate. I told the wife a baby gate wouldn't work. Funny how she's only MY dog when she's bad
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I had to resort to a baby gate as well for our 2 Springers (litter mates) to stop them from falling down the stairs. Sadly not because they are pups but because they are old.
 
I ended up getting the bss for a fair price, I'll hunt it as it fits me well and maybe get a nice brit sxs later if one presents itself. It feels lively to me.
 
I found a 20 ga. BSS at a gun show recently for $1k, passed on it because I wanted screw in chokes. Instead I got a new CZ Bobwhite (straight stock) with 5 chokes for just over $600. It ain't no Browning, but the price was right for a hunting gun that'll get dragged through thickets rain or shine. It'll never be a collectors gun, which is fine with me, I buy them to shoot them.
 
I wouldn't get too horned up over screw-ins on a upland gun. Any IC/M or SK/IC will work fine. I had one of those Bobwhites as well and never did change the chokes on it.
 
I ran a CZ 28 gauge Mini Bobwhite for a few years and loved it.
never had an issue with wild pheasants and open chokes- stuck a set of Trulocks in it( SKT1 and SKT2) and left them in.
The choke in a shotgun is the least most important feature of it when it comes to birds, learning how to use the gun you are shooting is.
CYL/CYL will work just fine over a pointer or flushing dog unless they are getting up 50 yards away ( which I hear of often) and then most guys aren't capable of shooting at those extended ranges anyway.
Cat
 
SuperCub said:
I wouldn't get too horned up over screw-ins on a upland gun. Any IC/M or SK/IC will work fine. I had one of those Bobwhites as well and never did change the chokes on it.
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I agree. People make too much of insisting a gun must have screw-in chokes. I have had the odd one that had such chokes and, like many, I never changed the chokes. It's a personal choice but I would not turn down a double gun because it did not have screw in chokes. In fact I prefer them without.
 
I wouldn't buy a SxS WITH screw-in chokes. What the hell is the point in having 20 or 30 shotguns if not to have a variety of choke set ups for every occasion!
 
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