Why do I want a SxS?

[harbinger_j]

I currently have a Winchester 1200 with a 28" barrel, and started shooting some trap.

I find myself wanting another gun for hunting waterfowl and possibly upland birds (and because I want another gun)

I like the look and idea of the side-by-side and also like the break action. But in most things I have read here I haven't heard a recommendation for a SxS.

Question 1: If you use a SxS what do you use it for?
Question 2: Is a SxS good for hunting birds?
Question 3: Does anyone use a SxS to shoot trap or skeet?

[Heavy Metal Hero]

EDIT: Fixed.

[Carl N. Brown]

Side by side (double barrel) is usually more expensive
for equal quality to a pump action or autoloader, so
they have fallen slightly out of favor. Doubles do offer
advantages and disadvantages. For some types of hunting
they are the best choice. Long time favorite all over the
world for hunting birds. A good one though is expensive
compared to a pump or auto of equal quality.


Side by Side is usually shortened to SxS.

SBS is an official ATF acronym for Short Barrel Shotgun
(under 18") which is an NFA federally registered firearm.

My only SxS is a Baikal Bounty Hunter cowboy action style
shotgun, 20" barrels; any shorter it would be SxS and SBS.

[sm]

Because your eyes are "OO" and not "8" so it just makes sense to shoot a SxS .

:)

[Oldnamvet]

I have a SXS and have used it for pheasant, chukar, and clay birdies. It works well with all.

[elkhuntingfool]

I have a SxS with double triggers - takes some time to get used to it - but now I use my index and middle fingers on the triggers - works a whole lot better. I use it for upland game as well as trap and skeet.

[andrewdl007]

I've used my SxS for dove, quail, and clays. I love mine..I dont know I guess there is something classy about Side by Sides.

[wolf_from_wv]

I just want one... No specific use...

[Dave McCracken]

SxS shotguns are effective hunting tools and fun besides. The couple I've owned were great in the field. For birds, some other guns may equal them but none surpass them.

[Superreverb]

I like mine, because they are SO quick on-target. With the pair that I just got from "The Old Man," target aquisition, and target destruction seem almost effortless (I find myself spot-shooting with them and not even realizing it....).

There's a reason that game hunters love 'em. I'm guessing that that attribute is a major factor.

Oh - they're also cool :D

Regards - Ed

[skeeter1]

I've got a pair of SxS SKBs. The Model 100 is my hunting gun. 12-gauge, 26" barrels choked IC/M, splinter forend. It's the ideal upland game gun and does pretty well on waterfowl. Light weight, about 6lbs., quick pointing, and for a quality SxS, not terribly expensive (you should be able to find one in excellent condition for about $750. It would do OK for skeet, but with the light weight, 100 rounds leaves my shoulder all black-and-blue.

The Model 200 is the one I use for trapshooting, and it does that very well. 12-gauge, 28" barrels choked M/F, full beavertail forend. It weighs considerable more than the hunting gun, about 7.5lbs., and with a nice one going for around $1500, it's not something that I want to drag into the field.

[Dave_in_GA]

If only for the "look".
I have a TTN 1878 hammerdouble.

Magtech brass shells with a square load of ff Goex and 1 1/2 oz #4.

Goes BOOM :evil:

[swingpress]

I like my SxS for several reasons:

1. It shoots where I look
2. Can shoot the improved or modified at will (double trigger, love it)
3. Classy looks
4. Wide profile is comfortable on my shoulder when hiking behind my dog or after sundown
5. It doesn't throw my hulls on the ground
6. If one side ever fails, the other is almost completely independent and likely to keep functioning

My SxS is used for informal trap, upland bird hunting, and general small game hunting. It is a heavy 12 gauge and I think a good argument could be made that many qualities of a SxS are complimented by lighter guns. I could see myself using a smaller SxS for quail but never have.

[Okiecruffler]

"Because your eyes are "OO" and not "8" so it just makes sense to shoot a SxS ."

Thanks Steve, I appreciate that.
I cut my teeth on a SXS, still have it and a couple of others. Used them for everything you can use a SG for and a few things you shouldn't. They just swing better. Barrel length vs barrel lendth they are shorter and handier than a single tube. Hard to beat that super quick choke or even load change. I've been shooting a double trigger since God made dirt, so it's natural to me, but I think even the most clumbsy amoung us can figure it out pretty quick.

[Thefabulousfink]

I just recently picked up a blackpowder SxS that I plan to use on pheasant and quail. One note though: a friend of mine shoots a lot of trap and she told me that during a long course of fire, the barrels can become hot and the small wood forearm makes it difficult to keep from burning your hand. I believe that this is one of the reasons that many trap shooters have switched to over/unders or single-barrels.

[Dr.Rob]

Winchester Model 24... all I've used it for is busting clays, and it does that very well.

Now my Pedersoli BP double has gotten a lot more 'fun' use... and I've always wanted a stagecoach gun, but extrenal hammers are nowhere near as fast to use. That CZ Durango caught my eyes though...

[Dave McCracken]

RE double triggers...

Three of the doubles I used in the past had them. Switching for the second shot takes less time than recovery and reswinging.

A two triggered double is essentially two shotguns sharing some components. Reliable as heck, versatile and effective. What's not to like?...

[Kingcreek]

I don't favor my doubles for clay games but there is no reason why they couldn't be used for that. (If I'm going to burn a few boxes of shells, I just prefer softer shooting gas auto.)
I have had great pleasure and success taking birds with my 26" Browning SxS's in both 12 and 20g. I've shot the 12 a lot over the past 25 years and it is like a can't-miss death ray on pheasants. They are single, mechanical, select-trigger which is fine with me. It's what I'm used to.

[sm]

SxS with double triggers, and each barrel with a different fixed choke, are great guns!

Instant choke selection with the trigger finger for shooting conditions.
This is proven by history and stills gets proven.
Just look for the gals and guys with really big grins and full game pouches. :D

[Sistema1927]

I have a SxS with external hammers that I use for CAS. While I haven't tried it yet, I bet that it would be a great quail gun. It has internal choke tubes, and while I normally shoot modified/modified I have enough tubes to shoot just about any combination that I would need. I would need to practice barrel selection since I always shoot right/left with the double triggers, but reloads and re-cocking the external hammers would come second nature since you are always reloading the shotgun on the clock in CAS.

[coelacanth]

Balance

[Lee Lapin]

Why do you want a SXS?

Could it be it's because you are a gentleman and a scholar, with classic taste in fine shotguns? 8^)

Actually it's hard to find a better gun for bird hunting than a good double barrel. I too prefer two triggers rather than one, and different chokes with the left barrel choked a bit tighter. Though actually you should have TWO doubles, a nice light 20 or 28 gauge with shorter barrels for upland birds, and a heavier 12 gauge with longer barrels for waterfowl.

That's if you really want to do it right, of course.

lpl/nc

[harbinger_j]

Thanks for all of the input.

Is it worth it to get a SXS under $1K?
CZ or Spartan or another?
Should I look at a used gun? Which ones?

I think I'd be looking for a gun that had longer barrels and probably double triggers and choke tubes

I am not saying I am loaded but it might be worth it to me to spend the $2k+ if I would be getting a superior gun to hand down to the next generation.

I probably won't get this gun for a while so I could save up.

[Okiecruffler]

If you have the 2K to spend how about getting a Stevens 311 in each ga.

[swingpress]

I wasn't at all impressed by the CZ Bobwhite I owned for a short time.

The Savage Fox B I bought for half the price has been much better.

This is not to say that I couldn't appreciate a Gold Label, but I'm well served by the Savage in the meantime.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/affordable_doubles.htm

[Lee Lapin]

One more vote for the (Savage- made) Fox Model B. They're just gussied-up 311s, but it's a classic design that has served a couple of generations very well. A good used one will make you a great first double to cut your teeth on, and you won't have to hang your head when comparing it to other SXSs. For that matter a 511 will do fine too, if you run across one of those you like. Just shop around for a while and keep a sharp eye out for a good used boxlock double. They're out there.

lpl/nc