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.

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.

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

^^^^^ 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

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.

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

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....

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

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.