Allan Johnson
New member
Does anyone have any experience with any of the modern side by sides?
Modern side by side
- Thread starter Allan Johnson
- Start date
David Roach
New member
My Weatherby Orion 28g is really nice.
Allan,
Owned a used Ithaca S/S and thought it worked well for closer targets but the wider sighting plane made longer shots more difficult. Yes, I know you point a shotgun not aim but it just seemed the additional mass was a distraction at distance. On a positive note I believe the S/S is the most beautiful of any design, again, to my eyes. RM
Owned a used Ithaca S/S and thought it worked well for closer targets but the wider sighting plane made longer shots more difficult. Yes, I know you point a shotgun not aim but it just seemed the additional mass was a distraction at distance. On a positive note I believe the S/S is the most beautiful of any design, again, to my eyes. RM
Steve Sanford
Well-known member
RM~
Once again, you and I seem to be on the same wavelength. Although I cherish my Model 12 (100 years old this year) - the aesthetics of a side-by-side cannot be beat. My Dad gave me a Parker GHE - which was truly beautiful - but - hunting ducks on salt water, I rarely used it. I passed it along to other hands several years ago.
Of course, among boats, a gaff sloop is the pinnacle.....
All the best,
SJS
patrick mccarthy
Well-known member
I have a 16g and a 28g Fair Iside. I reach for one of these before any other in the safe
Todd Duncan Tennyson
Well-known member
I have a DeHaan 20 ga S2. I got it from Mark in Rigby back about 15/20 years ago. It is light, shoots well, but occasionally doubles on 3 inch mag cartridges. I think he charged me about $850 and it came with 5 chokes.
roy brewington
Well-known member
Picked up a Tristar 20 Bristol about 3 years ago. Been a great little gun so far with quality above its price. I have shot some woodies with it but generally I use it for crows & upland birds. As far as a waterfowl gun you may want to look into an older Browning BSS or Winchester 23. Both Japanese made and have enough weight to soak up recoil of waterfowl loads. Unfortunately no screw in chokes , at least from factory on these as they were made just prior to them becoming popular. They can be fitted with them though by Briley & other after mkt. vendors. Theres a few Turkish made doubles out there now that are seeming to have a good track record but They,re all a bit light in my opinion in 12 gauge for 3" shells but others may think differently.
Capt Rich Geminski
Well-known member
Check out used guns, but make sure it will take Steel shot. Many have very this barrels...
Mark Belknap
New member
My dad left me an American Arms 12 ga when he passed. 3 1/2”, parkerized. I use it more because it reminds me of all times we spent together
Kris Schaumburg
Well-known member
The one thing I will say is after seeing people pattern them for turkeys, it really makes you wonder how much better or worse of a shot you are based on point of impact.
Scott Farris
Well-known member
Is this true for most? I've never had this issue but then I'm not the 100 straight talent either. The ribs on my SxSs are roughly the same width as on my pumps and semis which keeps my perceived sight picture similar. Additionally, shooting with the off-eye open, fills in most of the blocked right eye vision for me. Towards the end of last year's pheasant season, (easy stocked birds) I dug out the 16 ga Ranger/Stevens SxS that I first learned to hunt within the 70s. I hadn't hunted with anything but semi.s for the last couple of decades, but just got the aesthetic itch to go retro. It still fit great and no "wider sighting plane" issues noticed. Only issue was, even though I had opened both barrels to IC, the steel shot pattern didn't open as quickly as desired. The pheasants were nailed a bit harder than desired (no crips.)
Seriously I would like to hear from you guys on the validity of the sight plane issue. Sure hate to have new shooter scared away from the SxS over what may be an issue that most can over come with a few days of practice at the range (where they should be spending practice time anyway.) Sure hate that the old SxS is disappearing onto the past.
Great picture.
The answer to your question is complicated, but then isn't everything? Yes the sight picture is different with two barrels vs one, but from what I've seen most shooters get used to it pretty quick. There is a school of thought that with a sxs, a crossing bird might be confusing for a newbie with nothing but single barrel experience, but a going away bird, especially a riser, might be easier. The safe answer for a new shooter is find what they like and stick with it. One barrel or two barrels doesn't matter if they learn with just one gun. Recoil might however, some sxs bite with heavy loads. Especially ladies and youngsters. Also the balance and dynamics of any double will be different than a semi/pump so there's that to consider.
I love sxs's, and I hate seeing them going away too. It's strange that when I was a kid, o/u's were more expensive than sxs's and the o/u was a luxury item. Now it's pretty much reversed, very sad.
Many top shooters have used S/S shotguns to great affect. Robert Churchill, a hero of mine, favored one with 25" barrels. He was a master with a shotgun and I clearly am not. So too are the majority of shooters and most of us choose what we shoot well. In my case it is a Benelli semi auto because in my quest to become proficient, several thousand rounds needed to be fired. Absolutely loved my Ithaca but I would likely need shoulder surgery by now. Even with light loads, recoil was substantial. Having said that, you should shoot what you enjoy; it is a free country after all. Maybe some day when I become much better at hitting I will return to a S/S for upland game. They simply are a joy to behold. RM
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Over and under or side by side? What's best? An expert opinion.
Jonathan Young gives his opinion on the age-old debate and offers his verdict on whether to use an over and under or side by side shotgun.
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