doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Idle pursuit of the ideal 20 ga

Brent the Lefever Nito Special may be just the ticket, but like the NID are on the heavy end of the spectrum. I am working on an LC from '26 that is less than 6 # but has 2 1/2 " chambers. Guess it is up to what your minimum load requirements are. 7/8 of 5's or 6's works well within the limitations of the load. 1 oz.ers you are into a 2 3/4" chamber and while you can squeeze 1 1/8th into a 2 3/4 hull the 3" would handle it better. So if you are hunting right after a snow you will be able to use those light short chambered guns, but those early Jan. days when it's -10 the sun is out not much wild and a crust on the snow as you said your 10 might be just the ticket. Just don't go over to Doolittle Prairie and you won't need non-tox. Later, Mark

A solid American 20 for hunting ?

I would go with a Fox, or a Winchester 21 if the budget allows.

Non-tox is already an issue in California. The govt has banned all lead ammo for for all hunting of all critters statewide, and the phase-in is well underway. I won't use steel in my old doubles because I don't want to open the chokes, and steel in a 28 or .410 will be nearly useless. I also won't hunt upland in CA after the phase-in is complete.

I wonder what will happen to the first guy who uses lead in self defense against a bear or cougar? Bunch of numbnuts running this state.

Better to pay a fine than to be PC and become a bear's dinner. PC is a disease.

A 16, the right 16, would be absolutely fine. I just have a nice one in a hammer gun, so it would have to be a hammerless for variety. Certainly, I could see that working.

Doolittle is exactly 1 mile south of me. I never hunt there as I have more birds in my front yard than that place, but I'm not aware of if being a nontox site. The places I do hunt are not, and I don't think they are likely to change.

In looking at Gunbroker, and using just Sterlingworth as a search item, I find a whole bunch of nice guns. Many would be excellent, but more than I have in the way of $ at the moment. I think that tells me I need to save up a bit, and not buy cheap or I'll regret it.

2.75 chambers would be preferable over 2.5s certainly, but I suspect I really don't need 3". The thing I like about the 3" however (and to the extent that I know what I'm talking about with 20s, which I don't), is that they would have ample room for blackpowder loads and wads which seem to be so much more space constrained that smokeless. I would be just fine if I found a gun that I would only load with black. Smokeless would be convenient, more for shooting at the range, than for hunting.

I'm not too worried about bears either. At least not here

Okay I used to be a 20 ga died in the wool guy but after a few trips to South Dakota I have traded my 20's in for 16's. My favorite wild pheasant gun is an LC smith featherweight 3e 30" restocked with a modern stock.

But if you insist on a 20 the BSS is a good gun and the 21 is too but a bit pricey. Another that may fit in your budget... A model 23 Winchester. I would go for a light duck gun. While these may not be as classic as the older foxes, Parkersburg or LC smith. The modern stocks will help you shoot better and they will take a beating better

I still love my 20s for pen raised birds over my Gordon setter my favorite is a tricked out super posed with 28" barrels and brileys
Btw I usual take that 16 LC out opening day of duck season for a easy limit of ducks.

It is fun to shop for a new gun,isn't it
Jerry

Since your open to a sixteen look at the Flues. The graded 16 Flues don't go for a lot of money but usually have very attractive wood and checkering. The engraving is good but in the American style.

Since you considered the Japanese Miroku you might look at the pre-war German 16s. Lots of bang for the the buck there. The engraved birds are frequently walking and usually a rabbit is making its way across the side of the action. Style is different than English or American guns. The German guns frequently have sling swivels and intercepting seers, not a bad combination.

Best,

Mike

Okay, since I'm dreaming and flexible and nothing is on the line at the moment, what kind of money does it take to buy a decent Darne? Yeah, not even sort of American but they do look "interesting" for reasons I can't explain.

since your open to continental guns, look at french and Belgium. Some screaming deals for the quality, especially if it is an off brand.

A decent Darne in 16 will be much less expensive than one in 20.

Most older Darnes are stocked for a runty 11 year old boy.