SxS at long last

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BullRunBear

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At our gun club swap meet this morning there were two Stevens SxSs, a 12 ga. model 5100 and a 20 ga. model 311A. I've always preferred SXS shotguns but never owned any except for my muzzleloader 12 gauge. They both show plenty of use but the bores are bright and they lock up TIGHT. No sideways movement or looseness at all. The barrels are 28 inches long.

The 12 ga. has a brown plastic stock (called tenite I think). Not aftermarket but original to the gun. It has a tiny heart stamped into the underside of the frame, just behind where the forearm pivots. From what little I can learn it seems to be from the 1940s. There is a basic engraving of a bird dog on the left side of the receiver/frame.

The 20 ga. has a wood stock and I think it was made in 1950.

Neither gun has any choke indications but I read where that barrel length/gauge combination is modified (left barrel) and full. If anyone knows for sure, I would like to know about the choke.

These are just for casual use and fun. I have a lot of old 12 gauge 2 3/4 " hulls and plan to load them with black powder. I have the wads and cards for 12 ga. I haven't hunted for many years, but the idea of that 20 gauge for small game and upland game birds is getting my interest up.

I paid 450 for the two guns. Don't know if that is a good price but compared to some prices I've seen, it seems reasonable.

Any thoughts or suggestions about these old Stevens SxS would be appreciated.

Jeff
 
If the guns are in good shape and you wanted 'em, I'd say you done good. Going price around here for a 311 in good shape is 300-400 bucks gun show prices. I got more what I wanted, though, with my Spartan 20 for 299 plus sales tax brand new with screw in chokes and steel shot compatible. Sounds like you made a good deal, though, IMHO.
 
Not knowing your local market, I would say you paid a reasonable price. I have a 311 that is older than me, and still works just fine. I see this sort of gun occasionally at Cowboy Action Shooting matches, often used for black powder shells. They work.

If you have not loaded black powder shells before, they are loaded "square" by volume. In other words, if you use a 60 grain (by volume) measure for black powder, you use the same 60 grain volume measure of shot. Fill any leftover space with wads. Loads out of square tend to pattern quite poorly.

Plastic hulls melt when used with black powder. It burns very much hotter than smokeless. They are typically good for one BP load only. I like the Winchester AA hull. (But I make quite a few empties shooting Trap.)

Modern plastic wads are usually too long to work properly with BP, resulting on way too much shot over way too little powder, and they leave lots of melted crud in the bore. They require an over powder card behind them to avoid the crud, further reducing the proper volume needed for BP. I have used the Claybuster CB-1138-12 in BP shells for Cowboy matches. They work better than most, being shorter than most. They need the over-powder card under them to avoid crud, but it can be a fairly thin one. You can also put smaller bore wads in the shot cup to reduce shot volume to match powder volume.

Or, just stick to old fashioned card and felt. They work.
 
Good for you. I picked up a Stevens 315 today. 30", full/full, color case hardened receiver with the old Sears brand name "Ranger" on the side. Wood is decent and in good condition. Mine was $199+tax and I felt I had done well.

Anyone know where to finde serial numbers -> dates? I think mine is from the 1920's but would like to know for sure.
 
Guys, Thanks for the feedback.

No serial numbers on these guns until the GCA in 1968. I was cross-eyed looking for them until I came across that information. :eek:

Burt, I appreciate the loading info. I plan to use the cards and wads I use for the old CVA muzzleloader 12 ga.: powder, overpowder card, thick wad, shot, overshot card. I'll just experiment until I get the materials to fit the hull with room to crimp it. The equal volumes of powder and shot has worked really well in the ML and I assume it will in a shell, also. I have several hundred hulls to play with and the BP components are inexpensive. If I get only one reload out of the hulls, it will be cheap fun.

BTW, I measured the barrels. The 20 ga. has 28" barrels and the 12 ga. has 30".

Jeff
 
Interesting. Mine is serialized. On the water table, the barrels & the fore arm.

Be nice to go get some Mallards with next fall ;)
 
Be nice to go get some Mallards with next fall
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http://www.mackspw.com/Item--i-K122UGNT36S

Per federal law, don't use lead. This is your alternative in older guns not steel rated. You may know this, but thought I'd repeat myself and include this link. :D

Kent IMPACT Tungsten Matrix continues to be the only true alternative to lead. Tungsten Matrix is a patented blend of pure tungsten powder in a polymer matrix specifically developed to match the physical and ballistic properties of premium quality lead shots. Kent IMPACT Tungsten Matrix pheasant and game pellets are uniform in size, have consistent density and superior muzzle velocities to deliver maximum energy to the target.

Other tungsten products are restricted to the limitations of steel. These limitations are not found in Kent Tungsten Matrix products because of Kent’s unique lead-like characteristics. That also means Kent IMPACT Tungsten Matrix Pheasant and game loads are safe for use in older nitro-proofed or high-grade fixed choke barrels. If you have never pulled the trigger on Kent’s Tungsten Matrix you are in for a very pleasant surprise. Unmatched performance must be seen for it to be truly appreciated. Just pull the trigger. 10 rounds per Box, 10 Boxes per Case
Click to expand...
 
Haven't seen that stuff, no idea what the shot is made of, didn't see in the site, might have skimmed over it. Still pricey. I'll keep shootin' my Mossy for ducks and using fasteel. :D But, sounds like it'd work. I think Bismuth production is belly up, last I heard, but I'm a couple years out of the loop on all that, haven't paid attention. Someone might have brought it back by now.
 
I had an old 5100 12 gauge for many many years. I would still have it/ twer not for some Meth heads breaking into my house back in the late 90s. Heavy gun but solid shooter. $450 for both sounds like a good deal.
 
Man all that alternative lead shot stuff is so expensive.
Click to expand...

Yup, and in 1980 when the law went into affect here, I bought a used Mossberg pump and bought a new barrel for it and retired the old SxS from waterfowl duties I'd at that time used for 9 seasons. Today, for waterfowl which is a passion of mine, I shoot mostly Winchester 2 3/4" number 3 Hi Speed 1550 fps at about 10 bucks a box of 25. It's a deadly load on los patos. For geese, I use 10 gauge T shot, either winchester super X or reloads. The new stuff is about 25 dollars a box of 25 and reloads about 12 dollars a box given the cases are kept from the factory loads.
 
Good deal. I have a Parker-Ballard "Points Best" SxS in .410. I did some work for a lady who couldn't afford to pay me but offered firearms. I wasn't sure I'd like this shotgun at first and planned on selling it immediately, but it's turned out to be my most-used firearm of all time. I've eaten many good rabbits the past two seasons. I would never sell it for what you bought your shotguns for, though I have been keeping my eye out for a SxS in 12 or 20 gauge just for the fun factor; and the cheap ammo. .410 does wonders for small game and doesn't bruise the meat up real bad, but it's not too cheap.
 
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