New Barrels or New Gun for Upland 20ga

I picked up a 20ga Stevens 311 sxs for pheasant and bunny hunting. I shoot some clays with it and did not get many. The barrels are chokes in cylinder and ic. I have yet to pattern the gun, but I have that on my list of things to do.

I prefer to have a gun that can reach out to 35yards. Most game is out in that range by the time I shoulder, safety off, and get on target.

I think would prefer a modified and full choke.

Should I just continue to practice and pattern with the Barrel it has now, or look for a different barrel either. Modified choke?

I am also considering buying a TriStar Bristol (interchangeable chokes) but I worry about quality. (And single trigger).

 

Those chokes are ideal for upland hunting with pointing dogs. A little open for pheasant imho.
Go to #6 shot for pheasant for a bit more knock down on heavy feathered, big bones.
Shoot some more sporting clays and get a bit quicker?

 

Our dogs are more flushing dogs as the birds are in thick cover and you lose the dog in the cover u til the bird flushes. I went this weekend with #6s. I agreed the chokes would be great for field pheasants with a pointer. But here in the Northeast, there isnt much of that. That's why I would perfect modified/full.

I also wonder if I just need to pattern and shoot.kore clays with the gun. I'm used to shooting my 12ga 30" full choke turkey gun on clays.

 

Have you shot SXS's before. Some people have a hard time getting the proper lead when looking over a SXS. Try to ignore the barrels and just focus on the rib. After some practice you won't even notice the two barrels and the lead will be instinctive.
I think this is why so many find shooting over-under's easier.

 

I haven't shot much sxs. Is the lead different than a single barrel?

 

1. You usually can't just swap barrel sets on SxS's unless they are made for that specific receiver, or a fitting to do so with that specific receiver. It would not be cost effective (meaning it would cost near what the gun did, or more, to have a barrel set fitted) to do so. You're more likely better off buying another whole gun with the chokes you want.
2. With the chokes on it, you should be standing next to the thrower, not far behind it like in trap, skeet or sporting clays.
3. Pattern it! I think you'll find you have a grouse gun. Not good for pheasants, and not the best, but marginal for rabbits.
4. The 311 isn't exactly a Perazzi either, so a Bristol is fine if you don't plan on shooting it a lot.
5. Check out the SxS on this site: Many are European estate guns, most are full and full, or full and mod., and great deals if you want a field gun you don't have to worry about babying, at low prices. Very few 20's, more 16's and 12's. Read the descriptions fully, and check chamber length; some are 2 1/2" or 2 9/16".

https://simpsonltd.com/search-results-page?q=shotguns

There is no difference in leads between a SxS and other guns using the same load in the same gauge.

 

I love that site but I know nothing of all those guns! I bought this one as unknown chokes and then measured when I got it. Any advice on what to look for on that site for a good sxs.

With the availability of 12ga maybe I should look for a 12ga instead.

 

Man, I hate to see you ditch that sxs. I love them . Mine is mod and full , I wish it was ic and modified.
You might have tubes put in it?
I've not hunted grouse in the pines, sounds like you could use a little more choke.

 

I'll trade you cylinder/improved.

 

Oh, that would make sense, but I can't sell or trade mine. My first shotgun. LC Smith.

 

Well if your ever interested in trading barrels. I'd be interested. I'm hoping to find someone who wants to trade barrels or is selling a barrel.

 

I've never seen one choked Cyl and IC in a fixed choke double. All of them I've seen with 26" barrels were IC in the right barrel and Modified in the left. With 28" or 30" barrels they are typically Modified in the right barrel and full in the left. Some of the more high end guns could be ordered with different variations, but the 311 is a budget gun. Unless it has been modified after it left the factory I can't see them offering another choke.

While it might be possible to have the barrels threaded for choke tubes it will cost more than the gun is worth. Those barrels have to be fitted at the factory or by a competent gunsmith. If it can be done at all. Doubles aren't like pumps and automatics where barrels are easily interchangeable. I doubt if it is possible to simply swap with someone. Both of you will probably end up with a barrel that doesn't work. If you want to tighten up groups the only real alternative is to try different ammo.

I love a good SXS as much as anyone, but the 311's were cheap budget guns that have been out of production for years. They were intended to last a lifetime for the type of shooter that fired 1-3 boxes of ammo a year. Most of the ones still out there already have most of their useful life used up. IMO it's time to look for another gun.

 

This is the point I should have made. Some people try and lead with the barrel they think is going to be the one firing or the one in lead and get distracted. Just use the rib and you'll be fine.

 

Again, you cannot go willy-nilly exchanging barrels, even between the same model gun. Changing them between different makes is usually impossible. (Remington 3200 and Krieghoff 32 are the only exception I know of, since Remington sold Krieghoff the design-but they still need fitting.)

As to what to look for on Simpson Ltd's site when looking at the SxS:
If you want a hunter, not a looker, some of the guns with rough stocks are a good bargain:

Here is a good example of a good solid hunting gun at a good price:

https://simpsonltd.com/sauer-sohn-sxs-with-extractor-z46684/

This one is sold, but it is a good example of what to look for:

This gun was probably owned by a hunting club; It's been taken out and used. It is chambered 2 3/4". (a plus) It is solid mechanically (Simpson's descriptions are very precise-any defect will be mentioned, and are visible in the pics), and there are only three concerns, two are very minor, the other would be major if you plan to shoot it a lot: The small crack about 3/4s up where the lock and wood meet, straight back from the barrel. That is small, I wouldn't even worry until it started getting bigger. The toe of the buttplate is cracked off; this common in such guns. Reproduction ones are made, and originals can sometimes be found at gunshows. Measure the width and height, and bring a tape measure with you.
The other one is the action lever is ever so slightly to the left, which means the locking block is worn. It still has some life in it, if the gun will be used occasionally, (200 rounds a year or less) it's probably good for a decade or two.

It's a good solid Sauer 30 action, (single underlug with a Greener crossbolt pin for extra strength) with an average LOP, (Length Of Pull-from buttplate to front trigger) Full chokes, that has some finish wear where it should be, heck if I were looking for a 12 ga SxS, I'd take the Drive down to Galesburg, Ill. to look at it, if it weren't sold. I'm sure I'll eventually end up ordering something from them, they have a lot of gun club target revolvers and .22 autos and at decent prices. S&W and Colt, High Standard .22 autos, etc.

Here's one that's again, good mechanically, but she's been rode hard and put away wet:

https://simpsonltd.com/sauer-sohn-sxs-z49203/

Another Sauer 30 action, 14 1/2" LOP, full & full, very little finish left on metal and wood, bores are good, a small gouge on the left side of the pistol grip. The action lever is in about the same place as the other one, again not a big deal, this won't be your Trap gun!

This one isn't pretty, but a good woods gun, you won't need to worry about the finish.

It's still for sale, too.

 

You can get your Stevens threaded for screw in chokes if there’s enough barrel wall thickness. Or, these days you can buy a quite handsome field SxS new for $1000 or a quite good Spanish or German field gun for $500 -$700. Very hard to beat Simpsons in the link provided above.

 

These folks charge $120 per barrel for choke tube threading, or $105 to open up a fixed choke: http://www.shotgunchokes.com/pricing.html

 

Mike Orlen, $65 /barrel for threading for choke tubes.

https://www.shotgunworld.com/threads/updated-mike-orlen-price-list.502358/

 

I have Stevens 5100, which I believe is the same as the Savage 311. Mine is a 16 gauge. Good sid shotgun. As others have already stated, you can probably get barrels for yours, but then they should be properly fitted to your action by a good gunsmith, knowledgeable about doing that type of work. It would be cheaper to buy a Mossberg pump with screw in chokes at that point.

 

For what it's worth, I looked at Numrich. They were out of stock, but barrels run $167 for your shotgun. I would keep it as is and buy a Mossberg pump or a semi auto with choke tubes.

 

I like a classic sxs. I would love to have the barrels tapped for chokes. I'll have to see if there is enough wall thickness. I'll also look on Simpsons.

 

I'm guessing a previous owner had the chokes opened up