Posted: 10/21/2009 5:00:04 PM EDT
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Is there such thing and a cheap side by side. I want a new shotgun for pheasant hunting and I'm trying to decide between a Remington 887 or some form of a SxS but everything I've seen is $1000 +.
I would like to keep it in the $300-$400 range so whats by best option for a pheasant gun. |
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Is there such thing and a cheap side by side. I want a new shotgun for pheasant hunting and I'm trying to decide between a Remington 887 or some form of a SxS but everything I've seen is $1000 +. I would like to keep it in the $300-$400 range so whats by best option for a pheasant gun. Heck, can always wonder around gun shows and buy an old no-name in the 100-200 range, may fit your needs if you shop around enough. |
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Is a side by side the best choice for pheasants or should I stick with a pump. Pump is definitely easier, as is a OU. SXS did take dove, pheasants, ducks, and what ever other fowl you can imagine for a long time before the pump, but that is simply because there was nothing else. From everything Ive read and the people Ive talked to, SXS work fine once you get used to them, they are fine, its just the getting used to them phase that frustrates most people. As a side note, I don't consider myself a shot gunner of any standards, this is merely what I have picked up over the years from talking to people and reading little blurbs hear and there. |
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I learned to hunt with an 870, I have 3 pump shotguns.
I bought a well - used Stevens 20 SXS a couple years ago. I think I paid $120. It's my favorite shotgun now. BTW - I really wanted a Beretta Silver Pigeon a buddy was selling - but I couldn't hit shit with it. Neither could he. Beautiful gun though, and it felt like magic. |
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Stevens 311. Forget about the Brazilian or Russian garbage. Check for cracks / soft wood in the wrist of the grip where it meets the receiver. Make sure the wood around the fore end iron is sound. Too much oil on the barrels over the years can soften it. Put a couple of empties in it, dry fire, and open...look at the primers to see if or how bad the firing pins drag (easy fix.) Check the classifieds at shotgunworld.com . They have a dedicated SxS classified forum. |
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My first side-by-side was given to me by family, it was my grandfathers. I did a little history on it and it is a Crescent Model 88 that dates somewhere around 1929. Was a great shooter and even with the mod. and full chokes it was alot of fun at skeet. It got me hooked on american made double guns. They can still be found for under $500 in decent condition for their age.
I didn't want to shoot it much due to it's age so I went and found a Stevens 311A in 20ga.with 26" barrels. Got it used for $180, did some home checkering on it and finished the wood in a walnut stain and then a hand rubbed oil finish. The metal on the gun when I bought it was pristine, but the wood was in a little dinged up shape. After refinishing it was like new. Sadly it was stolen from my house 2 days before my gun safe was delivered  .
After losing the 311A, I went in search of another project gun to work on. I found a Savage Fox B in 12ga. with 28" barrels, raised target rib and midbead, choked IC and mod.. Got it for $300. The metal again was perfect but the wood was the major detractor. It was american walnut so it cleaned up beautifully and after a hand rubbed oil finish it shined like new. I installed a 2mm foam cheek pad and limbsaver recoil pad and it went to work as a skeet and sporting clays gun. It is a wonderful gun, based on the box lock action of the 311 which is built like a tank. It is prettied up a bit from the 311 with some engraving and stock checkering. The balance is good with the center of gravity just infront of the hinge pin, swings beautifully on crossing birds. You can find quite a few american made double guns that won't break the bank. Are they the best way to go? Probably not, but have a classic feel and beauty about them. As SevenMaryThree mentioned shotgunword is the AR15 of anything shotguns and is a wealth of knowledge. |
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Is a side by side the best choice for pheasants or should I stick with a pump. Pump is definitely easier, as is a OU. SXS did take dove, pheasants, ducks, and what ever other fowl you can imagine for a long time before the pump, but that is simply because there was nothing else. From everything Ive read and the people Ive talked to, SXS work fine once you get used to them, they are fine, its just the getting used to them phase that frustrates most people. As a side note, I don't consider myself a shot gunner of any standards, this is merely what I have picked up over the years from talking to people and reading little blurbs hear and there. I shoot SxS's, O/U and semi-auto interchangeably. You should never be looking at the barrel(s) anyway. |
| Used Stevens 311. Almost al the Bakail / Russian / Remington Ive picked up are not timed right to cock the hammers on opening. There way to late and make the gun hard to open and stay fully open. That being said I have a 20 inch removable choke 12 gauge Bakial that works correctly and has nice wood |
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Is a side by side the best choice for pheasants or should I stick with a pump. I've hunted pheasants in Iowa with a auto, pump and O/U. Auto, by far is the best choice. Especially if you are hunting a dense bird population. Multiple flushes with follow up shots are common. If you want light, a SxS 20 gauge would work. Check CDNN for their CZ USA offerings. Useable guns in the $550.00 range after all is said and done. |
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Stoeger makes some in your price range. yup. or a Baikal (that's what I have) pretty rough around the edges but makes for a good project.  this i have nice baikal coach gun, baikal actually makes a lot of reproduction western type firearms and they are pretty good quality |