doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Recomendations for first English sxs

I am a long time grouse hunter but only into SXS's for the last few years. The gun cabinet has several new spanish guns that I bought mostly because of fit. They had the long barrels and long stocks I want. I like them and shoot them well. I am looking for my first english gun and want a 20ga with at least 28 in barrels and 14 3/4 stock. Any recommendations under 4-5k?

If you would like to shoot off the shelf ammunition the Webley and Scott 700s can be good buys. There is a drop off in quality in the last of the 700s. If you are willing to reload or have ammo shipped in the selection gets a log bigger. In the second category the between-the-wars Birminghams are the best buys.

I have a personal preference for non-ejector guns for my game guns as I spend less time picking hulls up off the ground and it eliminates something else to go wrong.

I have a 16 gauge as described above that I often carry behind my birddogs.

Best,

Mike

If you have to have an English gun the old adage of "beggars can't be choosy" applies. Very few 20 gauge guns were turned out by the Brits and if they are in good condition a significant premium is attached to them. Most English guns were built "in the trade" that is, by outworkers. So, it would be difficult to point to any one maker and say you should try to buy his. In other words, every maker was capable of offering a "best" gun and also a low priced gun. My suggestion: if you find a 20 gauge, let the gun be judged on its own merits, not by the name on the barrel.

It would do you no disservice to consider a light English 12, and get some 20 gauge tubes to fit. I have an English 12 @ 6lbs even, which is lighter than two other 20's that I have, and I guarantee you it is a candidate for the same thing. I was at Cabela's tonight, and they have the 20ga inserts for $47.95, and I'm sure you can probably beat that price somewhere.

good luck on your quest,
binko

When you're talking British guns is there really a difference between the gauges???
If you look around enough. you'll find some of the lesser known makers built guns that would knock your socks off concerning quality, fit and finish. Find one and pick it up and swing it you've never felt anything like it in a firearm, its feel in you hands can never be adequately described with any language and it doesn't matter what gauge it is!!!
The best description I ever heard about a British game gun was, your hunting in the woods and when a leaf falls from a tree a Brit gun wants to snap up to your shoulder and point at it!!!

I know where there is a cracking little BLE 20 by Thomas Wild. Cased and as new but I will keep it a secret as I am trying to get the money together myself. Besides it is in the U.K. Good luck; they are out there. Lagopus.....

A & D actioned Southgate ejector treble top lever gun by G.E. Lewis from 32/33 Lower Loveday St. Brimingham.

You might look for a 2" 12 instead of a 20. A very interesting substitute for a 20 British gun.

Just remember after next administration takes over getting ammo shipped to your doorstep will proly be a no, no. That is precisely why I had big box delivered from TX for my beloved 9,3x62. The most effective form of gun control is AMMO CONTROL.
How many local US shops carry 2" 12br ammo? One does make $ by moving mounds of inventory and not buy keeping dusty stuff on the shelves.