If you were to buy a new(to you) SxS for hunting.

[Joseph Sheerin]

I have been debating the thought of picking up a nice SxS for all round hunting, shooting clays, etc sort of use. One that is capable of shooting most modern loads, and can take a bit of heavy use. I am ok if it is not capable of shooting steel shot as I can find bisthmuth if I have to.

Let's say the budget was $4000 to 5000(I am ok with less than that), what guns would you all be look'ing at.

I currently own a handful of Older American made guns, 16's and 12's.

I flip flop alot between 12 or 20ga for this new gun......

Guns I have considered, CSMC - RBL, Parker Repros, Classic Doubles guns, New savage fox A grade, etc.... But, am open to anything that is well made, and looks nice.

28" barrels is my preference, but would consider 30's.

[Andrew Sacco]

Call me crazy, but a 16g Trojan in 28" choked M/F will kill anything you need, and with spreader loads will smoke clays too. They are the sleeper gun if you ask me (16g)

[Dean Romig]

For all-around shooting I would opt for an original Parker with 28" barrels from DH down to VH or even Trojan. You can get one helluva nice steel-barreled or Damascus-barreled Parker in your price range. But that's just me - a dyed-in-the-wool Parker guy.





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[Joseph Sheerin]

For all-around shooting I would opt for an original Parker with 28" barrels from DH down to VH or even Trojan. You can get one helluva nice steel-barreled or Damascus-barreled Parker in your price range. But that's just me - a dyed-in-the-wool Parker guy.





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I own a 1927 225### VH with 28" M/F barrels in pretty nice shape. Has maybe a few minor cosmetic issues... But, other than that is in solid mechanical condition. I am just concerned about shooting the heavier loads in it.

[Victor Wasylyna]

I think you need a Parker Repro, Sporting Clays Classic. One gun, 28 inch barrels, multiple choke options, and shoots anything you can buy, including steel. Good luck finding one, though.

-Victor

[bobutler]

My go-to hunting gun is a 1925 VHE; 26" Vulcan barrels choked Skeet, Imp Mod. I have used it for most everything from ducks to doves to clays. I do shy away from extra heavy loads, but do use the rio elites often.

[James L. Martin]

You might look into a Winchester Model 21 a 12ga especially with double trigger's will fall into your price range and you can shoot anything except steel.

[Joseph Sheerin]

My go-to hunting gun is a 1925 VHE; 26" Vulcan barrels choked Skeet, Imp Mod. I have used it for most everything from ducks to doves to clays. I do shy away from extra heavy loads, but do use the rio elites often.

I bought some Boss 2 3/4" 1350 fps 1 1/4 oz loads. Just not sure that's something I want to shoot out of my VH......

[Joseph Sheerin]

You might look into a Winchester Model 21 a 12ga especially with double trigger's will fall into your price range and you can shoot anything except steel.

I have debated that, been a while since I seen one like that in that price though....

[Dean Romig]

I bought some Boss 2 3/4" 1350 fps 1 1/4 oz loads. Just not sure that's something I want to shoot out of my VH......



Good grief!

What kind of monster birds do you expect to shoot with those loads??

Pass shooting Eiders or high-flying geese?

:shock:





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[Gary Laudermilch]

I think a Parker repro would serve your needs. If you are ok with a 12 then a repro with 28" barrels choked IC/Mod would impress you. Mine is so marked but measures .006/.012 which I find ideal. They are not easy to find however.

Another alternative might be a Browning BSS. They are ruggedly built guns and priced under your budget.

[Joseph Sheerin]

Good grief!

What kind of monster birds do you expect to shoot with those loads??

Pass shooting Eiders or high-flying geese?

:shock:


.

To be honest, if I could have found something around 1200 fps I would have bought those. I originally purchased with plans to shoot out of a Model 12.

It's hard to find good Bismuth loads, that are not amped up to 1300 fps or more.... Without paying $70 a box.

[Dave Noreen]

I bought RBLs for use where non-toxic is required.

[Greg Baehman]

I think you need a Parker Repro, Sporting Clays Classic. One gun, 28 inch barrels, multiple choke options, and shoots anything you can buy, including steel. Good luck finding one, though.

-Victor
^^^^^ You will not get a better recommendation than the above. ^^^^^
A Parker Reproduction Sporting Clays Classic is THE most versatile SXS doublegun on the planet.

[Joseph Sheerin]

^^^^^ You will not get a better recommendation than the above. ^^^^^
A Parker Reproduction Sporting Clays Classic is THE most versatile SXS doublegun on the planet.

While this could be very true.... From what I am seeing, they only made 125 of these, which means the up 5K Budget would be way blown, assuming a person could ever find one for sale to begin with...

:D

[Craig Larter]

I bought a Browning BSS 28" for a marsh and travel gun for any conditions any ammo. They bring about $1500. Plenty of funds left over to buy a nice field grade Fox or Parker or sell your current Parker and upgrade to a nice GH or DH.

[George Lang]

I wholeheartedly agree Craig and would add the Ithaca 100 series doubles also. Shoot any ammo you want.

[Joseph Sheerin]

I have looked at BSS's multiple times, I'll have to keep an eye out for one I like.

I own a couple Citori's, been real happy with those. One of them was first double gun I ever bought back in 1985. $660 for a new Citori back then. :D

I've looked at the skb/Ithaca guns as well. Not sure I understand what the difference is between all the models. 100, 200, 280, etc....

[Rick Roemer]

I like a SXS Merkel or a Browning BSS for what you are looking for.

[Chris Pope]

For your price range I think you need two SxS's. I have a 12 ga VH Imp/Mod for pheasant and grouse; and a 28 ga repro for grouse, woodcock and snipe. I purchased both for less than $4800. The repro was well loved when I bought it (thus pretty inexpensive) and functions well. I do not use "high test" ammo in the VH and she takes pheasant just fine.

[charlie cleveland]

I shoot a ph grade 3 frame 12 ga its hade a new stock and chabers lengthened to 3 inch...it weighs 9 1/4 lbs...barrels are modified and modified 32 inch...I duck hunt with 3 inch steel shot heavy loads...I have had it for 7 years now first 4 years it was used a lot...it has never showed any sign of barrel damage with steel shot and the stock and gun are still good no cracks and these are stub twist barrels..charlie

[Chris Robenalt]

Your price range would buy you and original A grade AH Fox 20. The original or older seem to have a better feel...
Chris, AZ

[Joseph Sheerin]

I am looking at a model 21 I ran across. Trading info back and forth with the guy.

Also, if I run across a really nice Trojan with 28" barrels I am sort of liking that as an option.

[Mike Koneski]

My go to upland gun is a Trojan 16g 28". I shoot Fiocchi SD shells and handloaded spreaders. No problems at all with the reasonable modern ammo and they kill grouse, mudbat, ditch chickens, huns, bunnies, squirrels,,,,,,,,

[Jeff Christie]

What is a mudbat?

[Dean Romig]

It’s a rarely used colloquialism for a woodcock.





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[Daniel Carter]

More appropriate for snipe.

[Mike Koneski]

What is a mudbat?

A local term for a woodcock.

[Frank Srebro]

A local term for a woodcock.

My friend Mike and I are both local to each other though he's a transplant from flatlander country and I often chide him on that "mudbat" term. Except for a few years I've been local my entire life, have hunted woodcock with many friends since I was a kid, and never heard that term except from Mike and now some of his plebes. :rotf:

[Andrew Sacco]

My go to upland gun is a Trojan 16g 28". I shoot Fiocchi SD shells and handloaded spreaders. No problems at all with the reasonable modern ammo and they kill grouse, mudbat, ditch chickens, huns, bunnies, squirrels,,,,,,,,

What are your chokes Mike? Spreader right barrel and SD left barrel?

[Mike Koneski]

My friend Mike and I are both local to each other though he's a transplant from flatlander country and I often chide him on that "mudbat" term. Except for a few years I've been local my entire life, have hunted woodcock with many friends since I was a kid, and have never heard that term except from Mike and now some of his plebes. :rotf:

I learned it from the President of the local RGS chapter. 😎

[Mike Koneski]

What are your chokes Mike? Spreader right barrel and SD left barrel?

Yes, that’s the ticket.

[Joseph Sheerin]

Well, ran across a really nice Browning BSS just a few minutes ago, and picked it up.

1980's gun 12ga with 26" IC/M barrels.... I should even be able to shoot Steel shot out of this gun.

[Bruce Hering]

Well, ran across a really nice Browning BSS just a few minutes ago, and picked it up.

1980's gun 12ga with 26" IC/M barrels.... I should even be able to shoot Steel shot out of this gun.

Joseph:

They are great little guns. I have killed a bunch of ducks in the timber with the same gun. I would suggest you dont shoot any steel bigger then #4's in it though. Truthfully I have shot some #2's but that load makes me a bit nervous..... Just me....

Good luck with the gun

[Joseph Sheerin]

Joseph:

They are great little guns. I have killed a bunch of ducks in the timber with the same gun. I would suggest you dont shoot any steel bigger then #4's in it though. Truthfully I have shot some #2's but that load makes me a bit nervous..... Just me....

Good luck with the gun

I have a 1985ish Browning Citori that I hunted ducks with since I bought it new back then. Shot a lot of #2 steel out of it.... Never had an issue..... But, on SxS gun maybe #2's is not recommended.

The gun does have 3" chambers, which is a nice to have thing. :-)

[Andrew Sacco]

Yes, that’s the ticket.

: )

[Joseph Sheerin]

Finally got serial number for the gun, it has an "RP" date code, which is a 1978 gun.

I've looked at BSS's back and forth for a long time now, always wanted one, I guess today is the day.... Should make a good "shooter SxS". And, the price was right so very happy.

[Shawn Wayment]

I bought RBLs for use where non-toxic is required.

I just got a 20 RBL for the same reason

[CraigThompson]

I never was over joyed by the B-SS pistol grip guns . I liked the straight grip sporters and the sidelocks . I had a B-SS sidelock 12 gauge 26” IC/M for awhile I liked it quite a bit but like many others before and after it down the road it went . Now if I were buying one it would again be the B-SS sidelock 26” but now I’d opt for the 20 gauge .

[Joseph Sheerin]

Well, I bought this BSS to give it a go at ducks, more than anything else. A SxS that I can shoot modern heavy loads out of, and not feel the need to baby it.

The fact they are heavy and not as sexy as as sub gauge Parker is fine by me, because that's not what it's intended for. I may shoot the gun and decide it's not for me, and thats ok too, because at the price I got it for, and the condition it's in, I don't think I am going to get hurt on it. BSS's seem to have a pretty strong group of fans.

I know it's just me, but I have never liked the English straight stocked guns. Maybe because I've never been a grouse hunter, more of a ducks & geese sort of guy. They always felt too small in my hands. They are very attractive to look at, and I wish I liked shooting them, but just not my cup o' tea..... So far. :-)

At some point in my life, I do need to find me the "right" 20 gauge still. I have a nice 20ga OU, but do not have any 20g SxS's as of yet..... I may have to let a few other not so used items go before I make that purchase..... :-)

[Dean Romig]

Nash Buckingham sure seemed to like the English straight stocked guns and he shot some pretty beefy loads in his. But to each his own.

But I think if you want to really tug your gun back into your shoulder while shooting heavy loads a pistol grip IMO has a bit of an advantage.





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[edgarspencer]

I can't imagine how I would feel walking my woods and looking down at anything but a Meriden Parker. I have apologized to my 20ga Model 12 many times.

[Dean Romig]

What Edgar said +1





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[Joseph Sheerin]

Well, the good news is... My guns are not like women, and when I take a different one out for some fun, the ones sitting in the safe at home do not get jealous. I only own one Parker right now, and I enjoy shooting all the various guns I own. So, not quite to the point where I'm only taking out Parkers.....:D

Good thing Model 12's are so tough, there is no need to apologize to it. :-)

[jefferyconnor]

A late BSE or B Fox could do all the shooting the fellow was talking about, right? The post 1980 guns had cut checkering and raised ribs. Also, a Winchester 21, or post war NID/LC Smith ought to be good for his purpose and worry free except for steel.

[Joseph Sheerin]

Picked up the Browning yesterday, very happy with the purchase.

It's is in excellent condition, with just a few handling marks on the gun.

And, I got it at a price that I was very comfortable with.

This is the first beavertail forearm SxS I have ever owned, that's gonna take some getting used to..... Wish it was a semi-beavertail, or even a splinter forearm..... But, for the purposes I bought the gun, I am ok with that. Gun has 26" barrels, choked IC/M.

[Bill Murphy]

I have shot birds with many different combinations of brand, gauge, choke, weight, you name it. One gun to shoot coast to coast, ground birds and waterfowl, let me think. A high condition VH Parker 12, 1 1/2 frame, about 7 pounds, choked IC and Full or a two barrel set with open chokes and tight chokes. 26" in the open chokes and anything longer in the tight choked set. Same combination in a Philadelphia Fox A grade.

[Stan Hillis]

I have been a fan of the BSS guns for many years. My first one was a 26" gun, current one is a 30". The right barrel came choked at .018" and I had the left opened up to the same constriction. It has shot many, many limits of ducks here in GA, and in AR, TN and MS. It's my beater gun for ducks, and steel shot. I have shot 1 1/4 oz. loads through it for so long that the right barrel became off face. I shimmed it .003" and it just keeps on going. It's shot mostly 4s, with some 3s thrown in. Very few 2s. No visible barrel damage after all these years.

I agree with Joe about straight grips on heavy recoiling guns, like duck guns. Mr. Nash notwithstanding, I cannot get on a duck with the second barrel as fast with a straight grip gun as I can with a pistol grip one. I have a nice 32" barreled Fox A grade with 3" chambers, straight grip, that I have given up using with heavy loads. My pistol grip 32" HE grade, with bismuth, is the deadliest duck gun I've ever had in my hands. Oh how I wish I could use it with some of my vintage 1 3/8 oz. Super X lead loads, on some "tall ones". I love straight grips on little guns, having two 30" barreled .410 S X S dove guns stocked that way. Recoil doesn't bother me per se, just in how it slows me acquiring the second bird, with a straight grip gun.

BSS and ducks..........

https://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/63101_800x600.jpg (https://www.jpgbox.com/page/63101_800x600/)

https://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/63102_800x600.jpg (https://www.jpgbox.com/page/63102_800x600/)

Oh yeah, I can't get the 26" BSS back from the cat .......... he prefers 1 oz. of 9s.

https://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/63103_800x600.jpg (https://www.jpgbox.com/page/63103_800x600/)

[Dean Romig]

HA - I thought that was Joe Biden’s cat. :rotf:





.

[charlie cleveland]

that sure is some fine looking duck waters you are hunting..those big green heads are awesome...never qwned a browning double but from your hunts it looks like a duck hunting machine.....charlie

[Stan Hillis]

Those are the flooded backwaters of the L 'Anguille River in eastern Arkansas, Charlie. I love swamps anywhere, tho'. Mountains are majestic, and huge prairies, too. But swamps refuel my "soul".

The BSS 12 is not my first choice for a dove gun, preferring smaller bores most of the time, but there's no arguing it's effectiveness on them.

https://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/63110_800x600.jpg (https://www.jpgbox.com/page/63110_800x600/)

And, woodies .....

https://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/63112_800x600.jpg (https://www.jpgbox.com/page/63112_800x600/)

Stan

[Stan Hillis]

One more BSS escapade in AR ......

https://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/63114_800x600.jpg (https://www.jpgbox.com/page/63114_800x600/)

Oh, I did NOT kill all those myself.

Stan

[Joseph Sheerin]

Shot a few clays with it over the weekend at my place in N/C Missouri.....

Hit 25 straight with the last box of shells, once I got used to it. Granted this bird thrower isn't as challenging as your normal trap field is, but hitting is still a lot better than missing... :D

Gun has a 14.5" LOP which fits me quite nicely......

Can't wait to try it on ducks this fall.

[Joseph Sheerin]

Not sure why that uploaded sideways...

[charlie cleveland]

good pictures glad the gun fit you so good...them browning shine in the duck woods...charlie

[Joseph Sheerin]

good pictures glad the gun fit you so good...them browning shine in the duck woods...charlie

It wasn't just breaking the clays it was smashing them. 7.5 Top Gun Federals.

Can't wait to try it on decoying mallards. :D

[Stan Hillis]

Joe, I believe that the BSS 12 ga. is the easiest gun to shoot well, from the start, that I have ever used. Glad it's working for you. Watch out ducks.

[Joseph Sheerin]

Joe, I believe that the BSS 12 ga. is the easiest gun to shoot well, from the start, that I have ever used. Glad it's working for you. Watch out ducks.

Almost has me thinking a 20ga would be nice to have... :D

I don't currently have a 20ga SxS, been looking a long time, they always either seem to be out of my budget, or not quite the gun I am ready to jump on.

Part of the fun is the hunt though. :D