SxS VS. O/U

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What do you guy's like best for upland game? And why? Any prefered bore size?
 
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28 is plenty for a pheasant, if you know how to shoot. That's why use 12's.:D I like them both. I now prefer the O/U over the SxS, but only because I like the feel of it. The SxS is still the classic upland gun. 12 is the standard, but I've killed birds with a 16 and a 20 as well. Though I did have a bad experiance with a 20, and let's just say a wounded pheasant can run faster scared than I can angry. I've used 12 gauge guns exclusively ever since and have never lost a hit bird.
 
Light 12 gauge sxs (6-1/2lbs.) in the traditional English pattern -- straight grip, splinter forend, double triggers, auto safety. For walking in the field the straight grip is more comfortable and I like the smaller gape of the sxs compare to the o/u. I also use lighter loads in 12, nothing heavier than 1-1/8 ounce and most often 1 ounce.

I have lots of o/u time as well in 12, 20 and 28 gauge. I still prefer the sxs but don't feel handicapped with an o/u.
 
I like the 16 in an O/U, shoot a Citori and a Merkel. both 28" barrels. Most versatile upland guage. Hits like a 12, carries like a 20. I have and use a couple of 28" 20 ga. O/U's ( choked mod/full and IC/Mod) and a couple of 12 ga. SxS's too, ( 25" choked skeet/mod and 28" mod/full) so obviously my preference is not a hard and fast rule. What I use depends on the game. Big difference between early season ruffed grouse at 15-20 yds and late season sharptails. Those ruffies are best shot with an open pattern of 7/8 oz or so of #8's, far&wild sharptails with 1-1/4 oz of #5's out of mod or full. So many nice guns to try, so little time...
 
SxS is a gentleman's gun Sir! I had the chance to fondle a Beretta SxS in 20ga., what a beauty even if it only had a single trigger. Personally if you're going to get something as slim and trim as a SxS it makes sense to take advantage of that and get it in something a little smaller than 12ga. That being said I do find the 28ga. a little too small, 20ga. is just right in a SxS for me. Nothing wrong with an OU, they're just not as elegant in the hand as a SxS.
 
The "why" part of your answer is because:

- they're well balanced and mount fast
- they lend themselves to quick shots on crossing targets
- they're light to carry (good scaled-frame 16 and 20 ga. are)
- "instant" choke selection with double triggers
- if you're lucky, it was hand fitted and finished by craftsmen

I like the O/U at the trap range. And, Sharptail grouse are tough birds that make you take a lot of long shots. You need your favorite cannon, like a pump gun, and heavy loads for them!
 
pharaoh2 said:
28 is plenty for a pheasant, if you know how to shoot. That's why use 12's.:D I like them both. I now prefer the O/U over the SxS, but only because I like the feel of it. The SxS is still the classic upland gun. 12 is the standard, but I've killed birds with a 16 and a 20 as well. Though I did have a bad experiance with a 20, and let's just say a wounded pheasant can run faster scared than I can angry. I've used 12 gauge guns exclusively ever since and have never lost a hit bird.
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28 gauge is fine. That's why I shoot 12?
 
Longwalker said:
I like the 16 in an O/U, shoot a Citori and a Merkel. both 28" barrels. Most versatile upland guage. Hits like a 12, carries like a 20. I have and use a couple of 28" 20 ga. O/U's ( choked mod/full and IC/Mod) and a couple of 12 ga. SxS's too, ( 25" choked skeet/mod and 28" mod/full) so obviously my preference is not a hard and fast rule. What I use depends on the game. Big difference between early season ruffed grouse at 15-20 yds and late season sharptails. Those ruffies are best shot with an open pattern of 7/8 oz or so of #8's, far&wild sharptails with 1-1/4 oz of #5's out of mod or full. So many nice guns to try, so little time...
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X2 On the 16 bore only in a SXS I am not a big fan of the English straight stock much prefer the Prince of Wales grip.
 
12ga straight stock English SxS with Eley ammo for close in Ruff shooting.:D 20ga Magnum Ruger Red Label O&U for Pheasant.:) AYA 10ga 3 1/2" SxS, 2 1/4 oz loads for Ducks & Geese. :evil:
 
I liked the looks of a o/u more, but when I got to handle a few sxs' , I was more than impressed. I am new to shotgunning, so I must take it slow... Good sxs don't come cheap.
 
I am much more familiar with the O/U's having had more than a few over the years. I also have had a SxS for about 3 years and as far as upland goes I really don't find either to be a hinderance or a superior variation as far as getting onto and hitting Ruffies.
I am finding the 12 gauges to be a tad on the heavy side at the end of the day compared to a 28 guage O/U I passed onto another member a few years ago and have recently picked up a 20 guage O/U and am looking at finding a 20 SxS.
I have had both full pistol and Price of Wales grips and find neither to be uncomfortable but, I do prefer the POW to pistol cosmetically. I do however love the looks of the English grip and that is what I want to try in a 20 gauge SxS

Tim.
 
Have a 20 Ga. OU for grouse. Also have a 12 Ga. OU for skeet & clays. If there were enough pheasant to hunt exclusively here I might use it. See the odd pheasant but mostly grouse. My 20 has 3" chambers, so I think I would still be OK if I had time to change loads. Now, if I came across a 20 Ga. SXS that felt good, I could be tempted.
 
Gunslinger said:
SxS is a gentleman's gun Sir! I had the chance to fondle a Beretta SxS in 20ga., what a beauty even if it only had a single trigger. Personally if you're going to get something as slim and trim as a SxS it makes sense to take advantage of that and get it in something a little smaller than 12ga. That being said I do find the 28ga. a little too small, 20ga. is just right in a SxS for me. Nothing wrong with an OU, they're just not as elegant in the hand as a SxS.
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Did you get to handle it at the St Catharines gun show last week?
 
straightshooter said:
Sharptail grouse are tough birds that make you take a lot of long shots. You need your favorite cannon, like a pump gun, and heavy loads for them!
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OK, I have to take umbrage at this statement. Not the "favourite cannon" part, but the pump gun part. SxS's are ideal for sharptail grouse, at least those that have some choke. This is one area where I can back up my statements with numbers. Can you say "limited out"? I thought so.

Sharptail
 
A well-balanced 12, 20 or 28 SxS ... not real fussy whether it has a SST or
DT, and don't mind straight, POW or PG stocks - as long as the gun FITS
and balances (very) well. Can live with either a splinter or shallow, small beavertail FE. Prefer 28" barrels & can't stand auto-safeties ... have them disconnected on every double I've ever owned. Light loads (per gauge) of 8's are generally all that's required for grouse or woodcock, but often swithch to the 1-1/4 oz. load of 6's in the 12 ga. for pheasant.
 
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