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< 16ga. General Discussion ~ How Should I Think About A 20ga Shotgun? |
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Posted:
Wed Jan 23, 2019 5:47 pm
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Joined: 01 Feb 2018
Posts: 13
Location: SE Michigan
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Thank you all.
I'm still a dedicated SXS guy. I'm also a stickler on workable stock dimensions, which knocks out a lot of early guns.
I check the major sites and dealers almost daily. Also, there are a couple of folks in the US and UK keeping an eye out for me. |
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Posted:
Wed Jan 23, 2019 6:13 pm
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Member
Joined: 06 Apr 2007
Posts: 3373
Location: The Great Northwet
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I've recently been doing some snipe hunting, which requires no tox ammo where I hunt. I've been using my 16 hammer gun and 12 damascus Lefever with #7 bismuth reloads, but it gets expensive and time consuming. There are times I wish I had a modern 20 sxs with tubes (or even a light 12) that I could just shoot anything in. I did actually buy a 6lb Charles Daly 12 that fit that bill, just to see if I'd like it, but I'm just not a single trigger/pistol grip guy, so I sold it. All that said, is it worth spending an extra grand or two just so I can avoid handloading a few times a year? Obviously not, at least from an economics standpoint. But let's face it, you don't need a 20, you just want one. Nothing the matter with that. Life is short! Enjoy the shooting. |
_________________ Gun art: www.marklarsongunart.com
Gallery art: www.marklarsonart.com
The man's prayer from the Red Green Show: "I'm a man, but I can change, if I have to. I guess." |
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Posted:
Wed Jan 23, 2019 6:45 pm
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Member
Joined: 24 Jan 2007
Posts: 467
Location: SC PA
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UncleDanFan wrote: |
I've recently been doing some snipe hunting, which requires no tox ammo where I hunt. I've been using my 16 hammer gun and 12 damascus Lefever with #7 bismuth reloads, but it gets expensive and time consuming. There are times I wish I had a modern 20 sxs with tubes (or even a light 12) that I could just shoot anything in. I did actually buy a 6lb Charles Daly 12 that fit that bill, just to see if I'd like it, but I'm just not a single trigger/pistol grip guy, so I sold it. All that said, is it worth spending an extra grand or two just so I can avoid handloading a few times a year? Obviously not, at least from an economics standpoint. But let's face it, you don't need a 20, you just want one. Nothing the matter with that. Life is short! Enjoy the shooting.
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CZ just reintroduced the Bobwhite as the Bobwhite G2, Mark. Available in 12,20 and 28; straight grip and double triggers. Street price is right around $600 for the 12 and 20. 28 is a bit more. Might be worth looking in to as a budget friendly snipe gun.
Marc |
_________________ "A man who doesn't spend time with his family can never be a real man" - Vito Corleone
''Common Sense isn't common" -Lefty Kreh |
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Posted:
Wed Jan 23, 2019 7:54 pm
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Member
Joined: 06 Apr 2007
Posts: 3373
Location: The Great Northwet
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Upland Carpenter wrote: |
UncleDanFan wrote: |
I've recently been doing some snipe hunting, which requires no tox ammo where I hunt. I've been using my 16 hammer gun and 12 damascus Lefever with #7 bismuth reloads, but it gets expensive and time consuming. There are times I wish I had a modern 20 sxs with tubes (or even a light 12) that I could just shoot anything in. I did actually buy a 6lb Charles Daly 12 that fit that bill, just to see if I'd like it, but I'm just not a single trigger/pistol grip guy, so I sold it. All that said, is it worth spending an extra grand or two just so I can avoid handloading a few times a year? Obviously not, at least from an economics standpoint. But let's face it, you don't need a 20, you just want one. Nothing the matter with that. Life is short! Enjoy the shooting.
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CZ just reintroduced the Bobwhite as the Bobwhite G2, Mark. Available in 12,20 and 28; straight grip and double triggers. Street price is right around $600 for the 12 and 20. 28 is a bit more. Might be worth looking in to as a budget friendly snipe gun.
Marc
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Thanks Marc. Funny you should mention that. I just saw that for the first time this evening as I was nosing around. Not a bad looking little gun, especially at its price point. That would make a nice little quail/clays gun too, and something for my nephew to learn on. Hmmm... |
_________________ Gun art: www.marklarsongunart.com
Gallery art: www.marklarsonart.com
The man's prayer from the Red Green Show: "I'm a man, but I can change, if I have to. I guess." |
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Posted:
Wed Jan 23, 2019 8:15 pm
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Joined: 17 Mar 2017
Posts: 2802
Location: Endless Mountains of Pa
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UncleDanFan,
Got to admit I am looking at the CZ double gun myself, DT and Chrome lined barrels makes for Great Wood Duck shooting. I lIke my L.C. Smith modern 28, but the double gun has single trigger only.
My old L.C. Smith #2 gun sleeved by Briley for 28 has been getting used heavy in the areas that I must use no lead. This little CZ gun, I just might invest in for those areas also.
Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man
Why in God's name did they not make this modern L.C. Smith with DT.[URL=http://www.jpgbox.com/page/56016_800x600/]
[/URL] |
_________________ "L.C. Smith America's Best" - John Houchins
Pine Creek Grouse Dog Trainers |
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Posted:
Thu Jan 24, 2019 4:59 am
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Joined: 01 Feb 2018
Posts: 13
Location: SE Michigan
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My 28ga AyA 4/53 barrels didn't converge. So, they were sent to Briley to fix the issue. It got thin wall coke tubes. I also sent my 12 AyA 4/53 barrels to Briley for thin wall tubes.
They are my steel shot guns. I recently shot at a private sporting clays course where they provided the ammo with steel shot.
It's good to have at least one shotgun that can handle steel shot. |
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Posted:
Thu Jan 24, 2019 11:06 am
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Joined: 17 Mar 2017
Posts: 2802
Location: Endless Mountains of Pa
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rWt,
God luck with acquiring the double gun you most want.
Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man |
_________________ "L.C. Smith America's Best" - John Houchins
Pine Creek Grouse Dog Trainers |
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Posted:
Thu Jan 24, 2019 1:04 pm
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Joined: 08 Feb 2009
Posts: 1310
Location: Western WA
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Quote: |
So, my circle of friends wants me to buy a 20ga SXS so we can all shoot 20ga's together from time to time.
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That's a perfect excuse to get a nice 20ga SxS.
The Ithaca SKB 200E is exceptional. And the Ithaca SKB 280 might compete with English guns at a fraction of the cost.
And then there are the Italian guns...and Spanish...and more.
Go for it! |
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Posted:
Fri Jan 25, 2019 5:28 pm
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Joined: 17 Mar 2017
Posts: 2802
Location: Endless Mountains of Pa
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rWt,
If you really want to invest in a Best American Classic 20 gauge double gun, I recommend you search for a Pre 1913 L.C. Smith. The field grade gun today will cost you between $2,200 - $4,500 depending on the condition of the gun and who is selling it, if you want a higher graded Smith, it will cost you lots more. If you get real lucky you may be able to pick a filed grade gun up out west some place, for less money.
I have a couple that few people have ever seen, they were Special ordered for my Grandfathers 13th birthday. At right around 5 lbs with 26" Barrels, French Walnut Wood and Engraving by Kraus, they are a Grouse & Woodcock hunters dream gun.
I use the SpredR shells in mine and have not opened the chokes. On my later made L.C. Smith guns with SST, I have opened the Chokes to C/IC in the 1st Barrel.
Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man |
_________________ "L.C. Smith America's Best" - John Houchins
Pine Creek Grouse Dog Trainers |
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Posted:
Sat Jan 26, 2019 2:28 pm
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Joined: 01 Feb 2018
Posts: 13
Location: SE Michigan
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Pine Creek/Dave wrote: |
rWt,
If you really want to invest in a Best American Classic 20 gauge double gun, I recommend you search for a Pre 1913 L.C. Smith. The field grade gun today will cost you between $2,200 - $4,500 depending on the condition of the gun and who is selling it, if you want a higher graded Smith, it will cost you lots more. If you get real lucky you may be able to pick a filed grade gun up out west some place, for less money.
I have a couple that few people have ever seen, they were Special ordered for my Grandfathers 13th birthday. At right around 5 lbs with 26" Barrels, French Walnut Wood and Engraving by Kraus, they are a Grouse & Woodcock hunters dream gun.
I use the SpredR shells in mine and have not opened the chokes. On my later made L.C. Smith guns with SST, I have opened the Chokes to C/IC in the 1st Barrel.
Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man
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They sound like sweet shotguns! |
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Posted:
Sat Jan 26, 2019 3:16 pm
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Joined: 09 Mar 2016
Posts: 756
Location: Mn.
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I just recently purchased my first 20 ga. shotgun, and it is also my first SxS my 60th birthday present to myself. The barrels will be back on Tuesday from Briley I had them put thinwalls in it. 28" Winchester 23 in 20 ga. I have a couple of 20's in the house I bought for my son a long time ago but don't shoot them myself.
Really wanted the Ithaca SKB to work for me because I have a fondness for Ithaca's and Savage16 let me shoot his last summer, but it just didn't click with me. Another friend I shoot with has a Win. 23 and he let me shoot it a lot this summer, it really clicked. So just like any shotgun try before you buy if possible. Modern stock dimensions are important to me also, and if a gun doesn't fit it is worthless. Don't care how pretty or rare it is. I buy them to shoot, and try to do it often.
At 7 lbs. it is a bit heavy for field use and I prefer the 16 for grouse anyhow. But now have a SxS for those shoots where they require the barrels to be all twisted up funny and sitting along side each other I like the raised rib single sight plane, single trigger, beavertail forearm, and pistol grip. And as I mentioned shot it REALLY well this summer.
During the Sweet 16 shoot last year another friend let me shoot his FAIR Iside EM and I shot that extremely well also. Splinter forearm got hot quick and seemed like I was always looking for the right place to put my hand. But didn't miss much with it. At 6 lbs. that very well may be my next hunting shotgun. It would be in 16 though. Have 6 16 ga. guns now so don't really need another. Yet it keeps calling me, because I know it works for me and feels good in my hands. And both guns are not limited to lead shot but can shoot anything I want to throw downrange. Or that the law requires. |
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Posted:
Sat Jan 26, 2019 4:00 pm
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Joined: 17 Mar 2017
Posts: 2802
Location: Endless Mountains of Pa
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Cold Iron,
Congrats on your new Gun, hope you have a lot of fun with it, post some pictures of her, when you get the gun back from Briley.
Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man |
_________________ "L.C. Smith America's Best" - John Houchins
Pine Creek Grouse Dog Trainers |
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Posted:
Sat Jan 26, 2019 4:50 pm
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Joined: 09 Mar 2016
Posts: 756
Location: Mn.
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Pine Creek/Dave wrote: |
Cold Iron,
Congrats on your new Gun, hope you have a lot of fun with it, post some pictures of her, when you get the gun back from Briley.
Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man
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It did not come with optional Winchester case, so I got a Jeffs Outfitters case for it. Very pleased.
The leather case for the brushes were back ordered at the time but I have that now also. |
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Posted:
Sat Jan 26, 2019 4:58 pm
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Joined: 17 Mar 2017
Posts: 2802
Location: Endless Mountains of Pa
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Cold Iron,
Real nice hard case, gun seems to fit perfectly and looks real good. I purchased a Browning hard case for my new 28/20 Silver Reserve Combo gun, I really like the way it fits in the dual BBL Browning case.
Seems there are some nice hard cases being made now.
Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man
[URL=http://www.jpgbox.com/page/56050_800x600/]
[/URL] |
_________________ "L.C. Smith America's Best" - John Houchins
Pine Creek Grouse Dog Trainers |
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