They do have an appeal. I looked over old Ithaca 10ga SxS 32" in very good shape (most of case color remaning, original barrel blackening, ckokes and chamber length). Weight about 9lb. Serial number 385xxx indicates 1924 year of manufacture. It would be fun to take some tall crow with 1&1/8oz 1&1/4oz loads. It's too bad one can not have them all.
Does anyone still hunt with SxS today?
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SwampWolf
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The reason I suggested that it might be more economical to invest in a new gun as opposed to spending $100.00 or more "opening up the chokes" is because the value of shotguns made by the Meridian Firearms Company varies considerably. The Standard Catalog of Firearms stated, "...Current values depend on model, gauge, grade and condition. Difficult to find examples in excellent condition as these were sold by Sears to customers who put them to hard use. In good condition their current values range from $250.00 for Plain Janes to $3,500.00 or more for top grades, of which few specimens are known."
If the value of the gun merits the cost or if the owner wants to use the gun for sentimental or other reasons irrespective of value, Briley Manufacturing Inc. in Houston, Texas has a reputation for good work modifying chokes; especially if the owner wants interchangeable choke tubes installed.
MacAR
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That is absolutely understandable, Swampwolf. I assumed (which I should no better than to do) that the owner of said gun didn't a) know about its collectibility, or b) knows and still wants to proceed with the modification. He did state that he hunted with it some, after all. At the end of the day, its his decision rather than mine and only he can do what he thinks is best. I will state that some don't have the means to invest in a second firearm. Myself (fortunately or otherwise) and others do have that ability although; and while I think you make a valid point, do tend to err to the "frugal" side. Hence my suggestion.
Mac
Choctaw
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A gentleman wouldn't be caught dead without a properly mounted SxS. To hunt with anything else is simply gauche. 
Most gents today prefer double with barrels rotated 90º. While it may sound odd Browining used to offer double auto or two shots from one barrel. I once seen picks of Irish shotgun with SxS chambers gradually converging into one barrel. I suspect it would take good amount of beer to convince someone to pull trigger on that.
SwampWolf
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Not "odd" to me; I still have the one I bought new in 1962. A great gun for hunting upland birds.
John Joseph
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For hunting I'd love to find a Spanish SxS with chrome lined barrels mod & imp cyl with double triggers that I could afford, but that won't happen here in CA. Since my faithful Fox had to retire I've been shooting a Spanish O/U with choke tubes and a single trigger. It's a nicely built gun but it's not a SXS
SwampWolf
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I would love to but I'm way too dumb when it comes to internet things like posting photos. Mine has a gray-colored, aluminum alloyed receiver. A good friend of mine who lives nearby is a serious collector of Browning Double-Auto shotguns and has every color Browning ever made-with the exception of the Holy Grail; the rarely, if ever, seen blue-colored one.
I really wanted to hunt with a SxS because they look so vintage cool. Bought a 20ga Ugartachea that seemed to fit me well and was a beautiful little gun. Found it used, but looked new. Great....until I took it to the field. Shot a couple rounds of sporting clays with it, which yielded uncharacteristically low scores. Hmmm. So took it dove hunting and shot badly...twice. Followed those trips with an outing using my Benelli 20ga and shot well. Since then I've shot doves with my Remington 870 Wingmaster 12ga, both Benelli 12ga and 20ga, and my old Remington model 17 20ga; all with better results than the SxS. With that erxperience, I'll never hunt with another SxS. They just don't work for me so I sold it.
Id like the skb 20 at my lgs. 26" imp cyl/mod.....itd be a good bunny slayer. But lets double check (no pun intended).....ive rabbit hunted 4 times in the last decade.
Its been on consignment for over 6 months. Price is ok but not a good deal.
I can get an 870 special field for less......and KNOW that will work very well for me.
Its been on consignment for over 6 months. Price is ok but not a good deal.
I can get an 870 special field for less......and KNOW that will work very well for me.
cowboy77845
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I use to until I could not. Have a Parker Reproduction that is quite handy in the upland game field.. Have considered selling my SXSs since my grandson is not interested in them. But the market is so soft now, I just decided to wait. I have an SKB, 2bbl set, 20/28 ga., 385 cased at my LGS. No interest whatsoever. I bought it a few years ago when SKB was going out of business. Got a few spare parts with it to ensure future use, Sold a Merkel 47E and a Browning sidelock a while back. Took big hits on them. Was just sick.
Bud had a BSS sporter that I tried on clays. Did fine with it.
Heck a SxS aint much wider than a Broadway trap LOL
Bunnies......maybe grouse. Bud says no grouse last 2 yrs at his cabin. Pretty bummed.
Id like a nice 20. But reality is Id proly not use it. Dont need more dust collectors. But if i buy a bigger safe.......
Heck a SxS aint much wider than a Broadway trap LOL
Bunnies......maybe grouse. Bud says no grouse last 2 yrs at his cabin. Pretty bummed.
Id like a nice 20. But reality is Id proly not use it. Dont need more dust collectors. But if i buy a bigger safe.......
Jackrabbit1957
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I do all of my shotgun stuff with sxs, my all time favorite is a Parker DH N series. I also shoot a CVA double muzzleloader quite a bit. Never liked the stack barrels though I shot a great round of trap with an SKB Ithaca u/o.
earlthegoat2
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I used to rabbit hunt a lot. When I was younger we had a Stevens 311s in 12 and 20 and I worked that 20ga hard going after rabbits. Dad liked the 12 better because the stock was a tad longer and he is tall.
Later on I acquired a Western Field 20 ga SxS and used that for a bit. More recently I found this incredible Bernadelli true side lock game gun in 20ga at a price I couldn't pass up. 25" barrels and choked Imp/Imp and weighing in at 6lb 4oz it is a pure treat to carry and shoot. Sadly, I don't rabbit hunt much anymore but this gun sees 100 rounds per month shooting sporting clays for the last few years.
When it comes to doubles, I generally never consider an O/U. Im too used to the SxS and 2 triggers. I might consider the right O/U. It would probably have to be a Browning Superposed or Citori with the straight stock.
Later on I acquired a Western Field 20 ga SxS and used that for a bit. More recently I found this incredible Bernadelli true side lock game gun in 20ga at a price I couldn't pass up. 25" barrels and choked Imp/Imp and weighing in at 6lb 4oz it is a pure treat to carry and shoot. Sadly, I don't rabbit hunt much anymore but this gun sees 100 rounds per month shooting sporting clays for the last few years.
When it comes to doubles, I generally never consider an O/U. Im too used to the SxS and 2 triggers. I might consider the right O/U. It would probably have to be a Browning Superposed or Citori with the straight stock.
George P
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Why chromed lined barrels? Plenty of used Spanish guns around
The Turkish made S&W Elite Gold, (now the Cabela's Dickinson) should meet your requirements.
John Joseph
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We're restricted to hunting with steel shot here, unless springing for prohibitively expensive non-toxics like Bismuth
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