SxS Shotgun for clay and upland birds

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Biglurr54

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I'm looking to get a sxs shotgun for clay and upland birds. Nothing crazy. I'm not looking to compete or anything like that. I want something with a reliable reputation. I'm looking to spend around $500 or less in the used market. What would be some good models to look out for?

Would I be better off buying a new Stoeger Uplander 20ga?
 
I have this one: https://simpsonltd.com/brno-zp47-z45652/; positively the best-feeling SxS I own. Not only that, they were built to last (hand-fitted, too) and should serve you the rest of your days with proper care. The example I listed above is an extractor gun, whereas mine has ejectors, but that really doesn't make a huge difference. As to the Stoeger? Hard pass for me. Had one in 20 gauge, it doubled often, was sent back and "repaired" and still doubled; I swapped it for a Winchester M24 sxs 16 gauge and have been much, much happier.

Mac
 
I've has three Stoegers and two CZ Sharptails. Yes, the Sharptail is out of your budget, but I'm sure that the Bobwhite is also a superior gun to the Stoeger. The quality of all of my CZ's is outstanding compared to any Stoeger that I've owned.
 
thegatman said: "Sometimes the pins work loose"

Which pins worked loose on your gun? Is yours the G2 or the first series? I'm a low volume shooter and didn't shoot much last year because of the plague. I probably only have about 1500 rounds through the gun.
 
i some times run a few of my doublebarrels at the clay games and come close to my other shotguns(pump-o/u-semi-single shot) scores.. but i have only ever ran a course with one double and it was of all things, a rem 1900 12ga with 30" steel barrels and it took a whole season to shoot a 25-25 at trap. the drop was so bad i had to shoot it with whole face off of the stock to get it done. to me the side by sides realy shine in the hunting fields, i carry a browning BSS sporter S&S 20 ga and a early spanish 410 for close range hunting in corn fields and heavy brush where shots are 15-20 yards.
 
@MacAR gives excellent advise in the first response above.

While I too prefer an O/U for clays, that has more to do with gun weight than sight plane. My SxS are light carry guns and no fun to put 100 rounds through at a go. So, the BRNOs which tend to be heavier would make a round of sporting clays a much more pleasant experience. It makes for a heavier carry gun when hunting, but that is a reasonable trade off. I would be looking at Brno, the Germans like Merkel and Sauer, and especially guns with a Greener crossbolt. They will make for more pleasant guns shooting clays and will handle high volume shooting better. I would not get a gun choked F/F however unless there is enough barrel wall to be able to open them up to IC/M or LM/IM, which will serve you well for sporting clays and hunting. If you plan on shooting skeet or trap, you will likely want a gun threaded for chokes, which is an abomination in a SxS, in my opinion.

Stay away from Stoeger doubles. They are rubbish. I had one briefly for CAS. The patterns were only just acceptable (and CAS targets are silly close) the forearm shot loose in under 50 rounds and after 100 it was doubling. Several other CAS shooters I know have has similar experiences.

Also for your intended use, an old Fox Model B would probably be okay. They are not very dynamic but are heavy enough and well built enough that they will suit clay shooting.

Good luck.
 
Thanks, @Roverguy. I really, really like my BRNO; however, it doesn't have a Greener crossbolt. It has Purdey's "Third Bite", which accomplishes the same thing and is somewhat self-adjusting. I had my chokes reamed out to Skeet in the right and Light Modified in the left. Killer combo on just about anything that flies out to about 35-40 yards. After having the chokes reamed, I intended to pattern it but never did. No matter, it shoots very, very well. So well, in fact, that I won a small purse at the fire department's "turkey shoot" trap competition. I was the only one there with a SxS. Next month we'll have our annual family fish fry/pasture trap tournament. And more than likely, I'll be shooting the BRNO.

Roverguy said:
Stay away from Stoeger doubles. They are rubbish. I had one briefly for CAS. The patterns were only just acceptable (and CAS targets are silly close) the forearm shot loose in under 50 rounds and after 100 it was doubling.
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I'm glad I'm not the only one that's had an issue with the Stoegers. However, I believe that if mine had been a two trigger gun I might still have it. It shot very well; but sometimes it shot too well! Wasn't too hard on the shoulder, either. Having said all that, I wouldn't go out and buy a new one today. I have 3 double guns, and that's enough for me.

Mac
 
I would consider looking at AyA (Aguirre y Arranzabal) spanish SxS guns. My brother has a medium grade boxlock that he bought used in the mid 90s and he is a killer on wild quail and chukar with it but he can't bust clays with it.

Suerte.
 
What I would be looking for in a SxS for clays would definitely . not be what I would be looking for in a SxS for upland game.
For clays a heavier gun, built to take the many rounds in stride and mitigate recoil a bit. BSS, Winchester 21 or 23, Parker, or maybe a Beretta Hawk or similar,
For upland, something light and trim and good handling, say a Vincenzo Bernardelli.
 
I sore miss my Spanish SxS 20 guage. Wish I have never sold it. Great for grouse. I wouldn't use it for competition but it was great for walks in the woods. I replaced it with a Fausti O/U 20 G. which I like but not as much.
 
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Masaca1 said:
I would consider looking at AyA (Aguirre y Arranzabal) spanish SxS guns. My brother has a medium grade boxlock that he bought used in the mid 90s and he is a killer on wild quail and chukar with it but he can't bust clays with it.

Suerte.
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Of the Spanish gunmakers I know Grulla and AyA are still in business, there may be more. Both AyA and Grulla make seriously nice shotguns. The shotguns IMO are on par with English Best Shotguns, for quite a bit less than an English Best. Even though they cost less they are still pretty expensive. There was a time when the Spanish shotgun makers made shotguns to a price point to keep the doors open. These were imported to the United States. The only AyA you’re going to get for $500.00 used will be a price point shotgun which I’d stay away from. A GOOD used AyA would probably cost $5k on the low end.

Brazilian made SxS’s are the lowest quality SxS’s made today. I wouldn’t own one. Unless something has changed Stoeger SxS’s come from Brazil.

Mr. Mosin said:
And it's people like this that give shotgunners a bad rap
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I disagree, a statement was made but not
belabored. The statement also happens to be true.

People can argue until the cows come home but $500.00 will buy a much better quality semi than it will a SxS.
 
The above is true, the AyA that my brother bought in mid 90s was approximately $700 and then he put another $200 plus shortening the barrel and tuning it up. I have a 20 ga. AyA Matador which I believe is the lowest grade for AyA and it has gone up considerably. I also agree that it will be easier and wiser to buy a good semi than a SxS in this price range.
 
Simpson Ltd. had lots of old SxS's that range from very inexpensive, to spendier. The rub is that unless you know what you are looking for, you could get one not suited for you. The staff at Simpson should be able to put you onto a good SxS within your price range. It might not be pretty, but they have lots of old estate guns from all over Europe.

Roverguy said:
I would be looking at Brno, the Germans like Merkel and Sauer, and especially guns with a Greener crossbolt.
Click to expand...
Simpson usually has all these makes in stock.

https://simpsonltd.com/

Don't shy away from the short chambers; RST shells sell 2 1/2" shells, and you might be able to have it reamed for 2 3/4" inch.

http://www.rstshells.com/
 
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cdb1 said:
I’m glad this thread was started because I’d never heard of Simpson.
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Not to derail the thread, but I have done business with Simpson's several times and have gotten some good deals. Right now they're having a sale on sxs guns; guess trying to thin the herd a bit. At one time that had loads of them. Merkels, Sauers, Husqvarnas, Belgians, Russians, you name it. That's where my BRNO came from, and a no name Belgian hammer gun that I stupidly sold. Their descriptions are usually really good and if you have questions they'll answer them; heck, they'll go pull the gun and inspect it for you on the phone! What more could a buyer ask for?

Mac

PS I'm in no way affiliated with Simpson Ltd, just try to plug 'em every chance I get.
 
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