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I bought a Charles Daly model 500 20 ga.Can anyone give me some idea of its year of mfg? ser # 192xxx. Thanks

Should be between 1968 and 1971 and it was made by Miroku, the same folks who made the Browning BSS.

You gotta a goodun!

1968-71 is when the Beretta made Chas. Daly Empire was made. 1963-76 is when the Daly 500 was made by Miroku.
///////The 500 will usually weigh 1/2 lb less than a BSS. It is a very well made gun and IMO, one of the best buys on the market.

I've never seen a SN list which will allow you to date a Miroku Daly any more accurately than the above indicates. Same is true for SKB sxs imported by Ithaca, as far as I know.

Some say the Miruko/Dalys are basically the same as the Browning BSS. I could not find a thread that actually compare the two showing similarities and more importantly differences. Has anyone seen such a comparison and could direct me to it OR can post a comparison?

Same factory, completely different guns (for the most part). Both are very good guns.

Now that I have my SXS I will be using it for ducks in the fall. Of all the non toxics Hevi Shot, Tungsten matrix and bismuth, which will be easiest on the gun. Never used any of them so would like to get one that will work the best. Thanks

Of those loads, Tungsten Matrix is probably the best combo for your gun, if it can handle it. Bismuth works, but is a bit soft and hard to find. TM and Bismuth are pricey. HeviShot and Rem High Density both work very well and are priced more reasonably. The long-discontinued Federal Tungsten Polymer is a great duck load if you happen to find some. Nice Shot and HeviShot Classic Doubles have a good reputation. Of all of those loads, I would lean toward HeviShot Classic Doubles, if you can afford it. Here is why: The Daly and Miroku guns tend to have thinner/lighter barrels than the Browning BSS, and the guns themselves are generally lighter. The hot loads could beat up the gun and the shooter simultaneously. The BSS's had 3" chambers and I think most or all of the Daly and Miroku guns had 2-3/4" chambers, so your ammo selection might be somewhat limited. I have used steel in my BSS 20 with no ill effects, but it has the typically heavy BSS barrels and the chokes have been eased a bit (by the prior owner). If your gun is choked M/F, don't even think about steel or tungsten-iron or HD.

I am only a very occasional waterfowler, but I've found that tungsten matrix works extremely well in old doubles. Patterns a lot like lead, and it's very barrel-friendly.