The Beschi guns were assembled with parts rejected by ICD. They are very identifiable even though they do have ICD serial numbers. The Ithaca Classic Doubles name has been xxx out. You should be careful of these guns because you never know who finally assembled them. That's not to say that some of these guns are dangerous. I know that a least one former ICD gunmaker assembled several of these and they're fine. BUT, buyer beware. Quality wise, they are not the same, especially when compared to the Krupp/VGM guns. Remember, ICD dumped the Italians because of quality issues.
Chicago, I go to Hornepayne,ON which is about mid Lake Superior and up. You can hunt anywhere you want. It's all Crown land and they have Shaptails, Ruffed and Spruce Grouse. Even though the Canadian dollar is now at par, you can do the whole trip (1 week) for not much more than $500. I have been doing this since 1998 and I have 40-50 good covers on my GPS. Having said this, you can go anywhere (there plenty of old logging trails) and find birds. We stay in town for about $65/night and they only other costs are gas, license and meals.
The Sharptails are found in clear-cuts that are all over. The cuts are regenerating and this hunting hasn't been as good in recent years. Don't be confused, there is nothing clear about a clear-cut. I refer to it as "hunting in a junkyard". You really have to spot the flock or sentry. They usually have a bird watching things from an old birch tree, the only ones still standing. You can see them from a mile or more away.
My sources tell me that Ruffed Grouse are up from last year, which is always good news.
By the way, I waited over 2yrs. for my first ICD gun. It makes the wait for my RBL seem less of an ordeal. That first gun was featured in an episode of Gray's Sporting Journal titled "The Fouling Piece".
The ICD does not have a through bolt.
Last edited by Tom28ga; 09/23/07 08:58 PM.
