A question for you guys that have experience with side by sides. I‘m 56 and have never shot a SXS in my life. I grew up shotgunning with every other type and my true love is an O/U. I own pumps and semi autos. I tend to shoot them all well enough. Hit some, miss some. (Lol) Anyway, my favorite gauge of all is 28. I load Bismuth to duck hunt with and shoot them through a semi auto. I like O/U some much, I am wanting to sell the semi auto and get another O/U I can bring in the marsh. Then thoughts of a SXS started swirling in my head. A 28 SXS for ducks? But I have a few buddies tell me, they are nice but you can‘t hit anything with them. It’s different than shooting any other gun. Now I really want to know. I want to prove to myself I can hit with a SXS. I don’t even know anyone who has one to borrow to shoot a round of clays with. Convince me? Do it, or forget it? Thanks!!!!
jawshunting
Get a SxS and find out for yourself. My dad used a side by side 10 before moving to a Winchester widowmaker and then an Ithaca 37. My uncle shot ducks with a Stevens 311 20 gauge from the days of lead into the steel mandate. I’ve done alright on birds with my doubles. If you can’t hit anything, practice more.
With a shotgun, the advantages are with you....a SxS is just a shotgun.
The particulars of any choice and your willingness to practice will tell the story.
The particulars of any choice and your willingness to practice will tell the story.
My son picked up a CZ SXS in 12 over Christmas. He uses it for skeet. Does not shoot any different then when he is using an O/U. He did it just to be different. Is the top of the line which is the Sharptail. About $1k and comes in 28gauge.
Not a super expensive experiment if you want to give it a try.
Not a super expensive experiment if you want to give it a try.
I have hunted with sideby's for the last 40 years. All vintage guns. It took me a very short time to get used to two triggers but once I did I prefer them for the instantaneous selection of choke on the shot. Good luck.
Your friends have planted the idea that you won’t hit anything with a double. So, I suggest that you not invest your money on one. Stay with what you know. If you’re still interested borrow one and try it.
FWIW, when I was shooting a lot of skeet, I occasionally used a SxS just to mix things up. I like them, but I find I shoot differently with them. The gun-up/pre-mounted style doesn't work for me with a side by side. I find I do much better if I shoot the double gun in a low-gun style -- even if it's just a little bit low. They seem to lend themselves to instinctive shooting better. Your mileage may vary.
Here's an idea: If you're looking for an excuse to buy a side by side, get a hammer gun.
Here's an idea: If you're looking for an excuse to buy a side by side, get a hammer gun.
Dust bin of history lol, tell that to Purdy, Westley Richards and other makers of the world's finest shotguns.
With the resurgence of SXS on the US and UK market all these negative comments are mute. I shoot my SXS just as well as O/U and AL. I guess my only recourse today is to go purchase another SXS.
You owe it to yourself to give one a try!
I like shooting, and most all the different aspects surrounding guns. When my father retired, he would take scenic drives around the hills in North Carolina, visiting historic sites, state parks, and gun shops. He'd jawbone with the fellers, and if something interesting was on the rack, he'd buy it.
Then he'd go to the range and shoot a bit. He enjoyed stripping them down and learning how each mechanism worked. Learning about the mechanical engineering of older firearms is a great hobby.
Some of the guns he loved and kept. Most of the rest, he'd give to me so I could do the same. Then we could talk and argue about 'em. I'd keep the ones I loved, and sell or trade the ones I didn't. He said he'd rather do that than leave me a big inheritance, because he would not be around to share in the fun. I miss the guy, he passed away a few years ago.
Two years ago, one of the members at my shooting club put his CZ Bobwhite G2 20 gauge up for sale. He told me the gun shot fine, but after shooting an entry level side-by-side, he wanted to get a much finer side by side and had his eye on an AYA. I picked up the used gun at a fair discount. I thought it would be fun to try, learn about, and if it didn't win my heart, I could always pass it along to another curious club member. At the price, I thought it might be a good gun for bad weather when I didn't want my beloved shotguns to get wet and frozen.
The 20 gauge Bobwhite G2 fell into an uncomfortable middle ground: I like it too much to take out in Wisconsin rain, hail, snow, and "winter mix". It's not got lovely hand checkering or beautiful engraving. It's not a dainty light-weight like those nice Spanish, Italian, or fine old American side by sides. But it's got choke tubes for flexibility,and is rated for steel shot and 3" shells. It swings nice, I can hit with it, and makes me smile when I carry it, action open, across my arm. Of course I detail stripped it to give a super deep cleaning and learn how the mechanisms work.
Two triggers? COOL! A new thing to learn to shoot, and it wasn't hard to get used to. Now I understand. You just have to try 'em to really feel the... the... reasons. The lockwork is smack-your-head simple. Brilliantly simple. And if something breaks, chances are you still have one barrel to finish the day's hunt. Brilliant.
3" 20 gauge... it can throw 1 1/4 ounces of lead at 1330 fps. Just like my 12 gauge guns. The CZ 20 weighs 6.75 pounds. That's trim, for a 12 gauge. I think of that CZ as a fine light-weight 12 gauge... it just has smaller bores.
But to be honest, that CZ isn't quite as nice as my Italian over-and-under. But the Italian costs more than six times as much.
I don't hunt ducks yet and don't know about 28 gauge, other than they charge a lot extra for less steel and smaller holes. Oh, people that buy 28 gauges don't seem to turn them over very often, either.
If you get yourself a CZ Bobwhite G2 new, it will run you about $725. You can shoot it a few years, and if you don't like it, sell it for ... what you paid for it.
My only firm advice: If you really want to experience a side-by-side, get two triggers!
Takes about 6 shots to get comfortable with, fun, traditional, and a brand new aspect of shotgunning to experience.
Barrels left and right vs up and down... about as much difference shooting as cericoated vs blued steel.
I like shooting, and most all the different aspects surrounding guns. When my father retired, he would take scenic drives around the hills in North Carolina, visiting historic sites, state parks, and gun shops. He'd jawbone with the fellers, and if something interesting was on the rack, he'd buy it.
Then he'd go to the range and shoot a bit. He enjoyed stripping them down and learning how each mechanism worked. Learning about the mechanical engineering of older firearms is a great hobby.
Some of the guns he loved and kept. Most of the rest, he'd give to me so I could do the same. Then we could talk and argue about 'em. I'd keep the ones I loved, and sell or trade the ones I didn't. He said he'd rather do that than leave me a big inheritance, because he would not be around to share in the fun. I miss the guy, he passed away a few years ago.
Two years ago, one of the members at my shooting club put his CZ Bobwhite G2 20 gauge up for sale. He told me the gun shot fine, but after shooting an entry level side-by-side, he wanted to get a much finer side by side and had his eye on an AYA. I picked up the used gun at a fair discount. I thought it would be fun to try, learn about, and if it didn't win my heart, I could always pass it along to another curious club member. At the price, I thought it might be a good gun for bad weather when I didn't want my beloved shotguns to get wet and frozen.
The 20 gauge Bobwhite G2 fell into an uncomfortable middle ground: I like it too much to take out in Wisconsin rain, hail, snow, and "winter mix". It's not got lovely hand checkering or beautiful engraving. It's not a dainty light-weight like those nice Spanish, Italian, or fine old American side by sides. But it's got choke tubes for flexibility,and is rated for steel shot and 3" shells. It swings nice, I can hit with it, and makes me smile when I carry it, action open, across my arm. Of course I detail stripped it to give a super deep cleaning and learn how the mechanisms work.
Two triggers? COOL! A new thing to learn to shoot, and it wasn't hard to get used to. Now I understand. You just have to try 'em to really feel the... the... reasons. The lockwork is smack-your-head simple. Brilliantly simple. And if something breaks, chances are you still have one barrel to finish the day's hunt. Brilliant.
3" 20 gauge... it can throw 1 1/4 ounces of lead at 1330 fps. Just like my 12 gauge guns. The CZ 20 weighs 6.75 pounds. That's trim, for a 12 gauge. I think of that CZ as a fine light-weight 12 gauge... it just has smaller bores.
But to be honest, that CZ isn't quite as nice as my Italian over-and-under. But the Italian costs more than six times as much.
I don't hunt ducks yet and don't know about 28 gauge, other than they charge a lot extra for less steel and smaller holes. Oh, people that buy 28 gauges don't seem to turn them over very often, either.
If you get yourself a CZ Bobwhite G2 new, it will run you about $725. You can shoot it a few years, and if you don't like it, sell it for ... what you paid for it.
My only firm advice: If you really want to experience a side-by-side, get two triggers!
Takes about 6 shots to get comfortable with, fun, traditional, and a brand new aspect of shotgunning to experience.
Barrels left and right vs up and down... about as much difference shooting as cericoated vs blued steel.
Is a SxS best for skeet? No. Can you master it? Yes.
are they fun? Sure. Why not tell the nay sayers that you aren’t a lickspittle.
are they fun? Sure. Why not tell the nay sayers that you aren’t a lickspittle.
For ten years I did as well in open competition with a SxS as I did with O/U's in the prior 15 years. Serious SxS shooters are a small group and the wow factor is a big plus for some.
Some of the best single shots I ever used were pump guns. I'll be forever amazed ... but not puzzled...that a certain NSCA state championship was won more than a half-dozen times with an 870.
First off, what the heck is a "lickspittle"!? I bought an SKB 200HR in 20ga a few years ago. I was curious about SxSs as well. I'm one of those guys that aren't a big fan. It's OK, but that as far as it goes. It feels awkward to me, it recoils more and it's just weird with that barrel out in front of you. I don't notice the barrel on any of my other guns, but I do that one. I will take an O/U, SA or pump many times over. JMHO, Steve
I have an old Parker (it needs to see a gun doctor though) and a nice steel barreled 1900 Remington in 12 gauge. Lately I took have been getting the SXS itch. I have considered a new Tristar Bristol in 20 gauge. Normally I would never consider a Turkish gun but 2 guys at the club have them in .410. Shoot them a lot and have had no trouble with them. Still on the fence on getting one though.
Horses for courses...a 9+ lb. 12 gauge over under is probably not the gun you'd likely choose to carry through the woods looking for woodcock and a light, splinter forended, English stocked 28 gauge is not the gun to shoot gun up clays games. I'm not a competitive clay target shooter but I do regularly shoot sporting clays in practice for bird hunting so I shoot gun down and I use my field guns to do it. I much prefer looking at SXS guns, especially old English guns.
The same can be said for a 12 gauge......they are not all anchors or 2x4s....especially afield.
But, reality seldom leads to promoting an imagined superiority of someone's decision.....and that is exactly what message boards offer.
The world still spins tho.
But, reality seldom leads to promoting an imagined superiority of someone's decision.....and that is exactly what message boards offer.
The world still spins tho.
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