20ga SXS options?

[MP-44]

Many years ago when I was in high school I came across another hunter in the woods, he was carrying a 20ga Savage Fox BSE ( going by pics on the net that is what I remember it looking like ) I thought it was beautiful and have wanted one since. After all those years I decided to at least shop around for one in really nice condition.

Are these Savage/Fox BSE worth the $800+ for their build quality?

Any other suggestions for a 20 SXS that is <$1500?

I did look at the CZ Ringneck and that it looked attractive but wasn't sure about the "made in Turkey".

BTW, I do not want one with the straight grip stock

[Virginian]

A Fox BSE is a Stevens 311 with ejectors and a single trigger under the skin, and I certainly don't think it's worth $800. The fact that you don't want a straight grip may work to your advantage price wise. Some to look at within your budget possibly depending on condition with some models:
Browning BSS - May have to settle for good condition
Richland Arms 747 - I had one and liked it. So did Francis Sell
Winchester 23 - May be in the good condition Pigeon Model range.
Beretta "Wing" 4** _ Also maybe good condition
AYA Matador - Not fancy, but solid
SKB or Ithaca SKB - A real deal if you can find one

[COK]

I have a 20ga Ithaca SKB for grouse and find it very nice for that , light and good quality firearm. Well in your price range.

[eastbank]

i bought a used(made in 1976) browning bss sporter in 20ga for 450.00 some years ago. and its a very fine shotgun. eastbank.

[PetahW]

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My 20ga SxS is the econo-version (no ejectors, non-walnut stocks) of the Savage BSE , a Sears/Stevens 311 - with my preferred 26" bbls & IC/MOD choking.





A decent 20ga M311 ought to be able to be found in the low $400 range (or less).




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[Virginian]

Wow, that is the best looking Stevens I have seen in decades. I started hitting ducks with a 311 54 years ago. Then the next door neighbor let me borrow his 12 gauge J.C. Higgins version and I was hooked on power for ducks. Have liked SxSs ever since.

[PetahW]

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Thanx, but I only bought it - for $200. .


I DID have to pay somewhat more for my Grade 1S 28ga Ithaca Flues SxS, though.



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[Virginian]

Nice looking. What's the DAH? I never found many of the old doubles to fit me because of too much drop. I did eventually find some SxSs to spend a lot more money on too. Too many in fact.

[PetahW]

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The Ithaca's one of the first run of 28ga's in 1911, but I never bother to measure a stock's drop or cast on/off - I just mount guns to see how they fit. (In 50 years, I've never bought a gun I didn't first give a hands-on examination)

My shooting posture's much like that of shooters a century ago - upright w/raised head (but on the stock) - so most of the older guns suit me to a T.

BTW, I don't fire modern loads through it, only low-pressure RST's.


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[MP-44]

Update: I found a Fox BSE 20 for a much better price. The pic doesn't do it justice. Looks like it saw very little use.

[PetahW]

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Niiice ! ! The CCH looks in good shape, also !

How do you like the way that full beavertail forend handles/shoots ?


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[MP-44]

Thanks! Yes, the CCH looks nice, I'll eventually take a better pic that will show off the receiver.

I do like the wide forend better than a slim.

[MP-44]

Better pics

[AtControlFreak]

I love the SxS's. How come I can't ever find one for $200! That was a steal PetahW.

[PetahW]

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Oh, I dunno 'bout that - after all, I DID have to replace the half-buttplate that was on the Stevens 311 when I found it.

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[Mike Irwin]

I'd been wanting a SXS in either 20 or 28 gauge for some time. I was looking at possibly CZ; a friend of mine bought one and it is quite nice.

Then I saw this little gem right here, posted by Slugo (who owns the rights to this picture).



LOTS more pictures taken by him in this thread: http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...hlight=stevens

I made an off-handed inquiry whether it was for sale, and he was interested in selling, so a few weeks later I picked up my new Stevens 311.

I have REALLY bonded with this shotgun. I've not shot it nearly as much as I would like, but I always have a very good time when I do.

[PetahW]

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AFAIK, Savage used a system, as to how the Savage/Stevens SxS's were choked, for all gauges.

18-1/2" = CYL/CYL
26" = IC/MOD
28" = MOD/FULL
30" = MOD/FULL
30" = FULL/FULL

Although SN's weren't required until 1968, Savage stamped all their firearms made from 1949-70 with a Date Code Letter enclosed within a circle, usually with a number, and located just ahead of the TG's on the bottom of the action.

1949=A, 1950=B, etc - up to 1970=X, skipping "O" & "Q".



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[Unlicensed Dremel]

The Huglus (CZ Ringneck etc.) aren't bad guns at all.

50 years ago, people that Italian shotguns were junk (if it ain't English, it's crap!).

Now the B guns are where it's at.

I think people will look at Turkish guns the same way in a couple more decades.

[OkieCruffler]

Oh you 311 guys, don't you realize that those old things are like swinging a pig on a shovel. Not good for anything other than propping up tomato cages.

[Mike Irwin]

I guess that means that I'm pretty good at swinging pigs, because I can hit like crazy with my 311.

Is it the best balanced shotgun I've ever held?

No.

It's it the most naturally pointing?

No.

It's it the classiest looking?

No.

It's an entry level shotgun. Always has been, and always will be.

But I like my shovel pig.

[PetahW]

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My 20ga is a pig with a silver lining..................


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