Took the new old shotgun out today...

**Mike Irwin** · October 2, 2011, 02:57 PM

A Stevens 311 in 20 gauge that I bought from a member here. This is the first I've had the chance to get it out.

I'd shot the 12 gauge versions in years past, but this was my first time with the 20.

Shot two rounds of wobble trap.

First round was a 24 out of 25.

Second round was a perfect string until the last bird when I shot over it, so another 24 out of 25, for a wobble aggregate of 48 of 50.

Needless to say, I LOVE this thing!

When I pull it up to my shoulder it fits me so well and feels like an extension of my body.

I then took it to the skeet range. I didn't do so well there, but I never do particularly well on skeet. Probably hit 15 of 25.

All in all, a lot of fun and a great introduction to my new old gun!

OkieCruffler · October 2, 2011, 03:25 PM

Big congrats. I'm currently looking for a 20 to replace the one I gave to the number 1 son. I can't shoot trap for crap (just had to make the rhyme) with my 311's but I've been working on holding my head a little different on the mount to see if I can make it point a little different.

BigJimP · October 2, 2011, 04:19 PM

Good to hear the new gun is working out well for you Mike.

Certainly nothing wrong with a 20ga at most of the clay target games.

Dave McC · October 3, 2011, 07:33 PM

I love happy beginnings.......

Was that at Bull Run, Mike? Have to get down there one of these days.....

oneounceload · October 3, 2011, 07:54 PM

I have the Savage/Fox BSE - which is the uptown cousin of the 311 - while a nice gun, I find it a bit ponderous and heavy in 20, especially compared to the S&W Elite 20 I have or my friend's RBL - both of those are closer to 6 than 7 pounds.

I will say the Savage patterns nicely and I used it for many a pheasant over the years. I found its 26" barrels a little too "whippy" for me for skeet.

Glad you like yours Mike - they are reasonable in reliability and can be easily fixed by any competent smith

OkieCruffler · October 3, 2011, 08:00 PM

I was looking at a Sav/Fox today. Prettier than a 311 but that forend is too beefy for my taste.

zippy13 · October 3, 2011, 08:07 PM

Congratulations, sounds like you have a new friend.

Slugo · October 8, 2011, 07:46 PM

**Mike Irwin** · October 9, 2011, 08:53 AM

Thanks, all!

Hey, Mike, hope you're feeling better finally!

Lee Lapin · October 9, 2011, 01:28 PM

I love happy endings...

October 2, 2011, 02:57 PM	#1
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	Took the new old shotgun out today... A Stevens 311 in 20 gauge that I bought from a member here. This is the first I've had the chance to get it out. I'd shot the 12 gauge versions in years past, but this was my first time with the 20. Shot two rounds of wobble trap. First round was a 24 out of 25. Second round was a perfect string until the last bird when I shot over it, so another 24 out of 25, for a wobble aggregate of 48 of 50. Needless to say, I LOVE this thing! When I pull it up to my shoulder it fits me so well and feels like an extension of my body. I then took it to the skeet range. I didn't do so well there, but I never do particularly well on skeet. Probably hit 15 of 25. All in all, a lot of fun and a great introduction to my new old gun! __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

October 2, 2011, 03:25 PM	#2
OkieCruffler Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2001 Location: Denison Texas on the banks of Texhoma Posts: 1,556	Big congrats. I'm currently looking for a 20 to replace the one I gave to the number 1 son. I can't shoot trap for crap (just had to make the rhyme) with my 311's but I've been working on holding my head a little different on the mount to see if I can make it point a little different. __________________ John A. Monroe, Never Forgive, Never Forget, Blood Pays Blood

October 3, 2011, 08:00 PM	#6
OkieCruffler Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2001 Location: Denison Texas on the banks of Texhoma Posts: 1,556	I was looking at a Sav/Fox today. Prettier than a 311 but that forend is too beefy for my taste. __________________ John A. Monroe, Never Forgive, Never Forget, Blood Pays Blood

October 8, 2011, 07:46 PM	#8
Slugo Junior member Join Date: September 15, 2001 Location: Central PA Posts: 1,007	OUTSTANDING...

October 9, 2011, 08:53 AM	#9
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	Thanks, all! Hey, Mike, hope you're feeling better finally! __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

October 2, 2011, 04:19 PM	#3
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Good to hear the new gun is working out well for you Mike. Certainly nothing wrong with a 20ga at most of the clay target games.

October 3, 2011, 07:33 PM	#4
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	I love happy beginnings....... Was that at Bull Run, Mike? Have to get down there one of these days.....

October 3, 2011, 07:54 PM	#5
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	I have the Savage/Fox BSE - which is the uptown cousin of the 311 - while a nice gun, I find it a bit ponderous and heavy in 20, especially compared to the S&W Elite 20 I have or my friend's RBL - both of those are closer to 6 than 7 pounds. I will say the Savage patterns nicely and I used it for many a pheasant over the years. I found its 26" barrels a little too "whippy" for me for skeet. Glad you like yours Mike - they are reasonable in reliability and can be easily fixed by any competent smith

October 3, 2011, 08:07 PM	#7
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	Congratulations, sounds like you have a new friend.

October 9, 2011, 01:28 PM	#10
Lee Lapin Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2004 Location: SE NC Posts: 1,239	I love happy endings... __________________ Mindset - Skillset - Toolset. In that order! Attitude and skill will get you through times of no gear, better than gear will get you through times of no attitude and no skill.