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Jul 28th, 2025
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 250 Likes: 5
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 250 Likes: 5 |
I have come down with a longing for a 16 gauge SxS as a companion piece for the 28. While I am a great lover of all things L.C. Smith and Baker, and have had on again/ off again affairs with the guns from Britain, these seem limiting for my purpose.
Here are some parameters: The gun must be able to eat a steady diet of black hull Remingtons or promo Federals. Should be able to tolerate intermitent feedings of Golden Pheasant Fiocchis. Barrels steel 28 or 30". Ejectors optional. Straight grip preferred. Needs some engraving. Chokes at or openable to rt barrel SK1- I/C, lft barrel Mod- I/M. Can be single or double trigger. Used preferable to new. 2 3/4" chambers, or openable to same. I can live with restored or upgraded American guns. Just can't get real warm over a Merkel. Price range $4K or<.
Having set forth our criteria, my questions are: Would a NID or a Fox be a viable option? Are the golden Pheasants going to knock a Fox outof the running? Look for a used AYA, Garbi, Grulla, Arietta? Give me some Ideas.
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 425
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 425 |
NID was built to do exactly what you describe. I think most later smiths, bakers, and foxes would also.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 13,883 Likes: 19
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 13,883 Likes: 19 |
BSS 20g, punched out bores to lighten it(they have extremely heavy barrel wallthickness, mine nearly .050"). These guns are very durable and handle 3" shells if desired. Modern steel, chopperlump, ejector, single trigger, about 6.5 lbs and could be down around 6lbs with the barrels backbored out and the stock commesurately lightened.
Last edited by Chuck H; 11/06/07 03:22 PM.
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,854 Likes: 118
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,854 Likes: 118 |
16 ga "elsies" are nice but most are 2 9/16" chambers, and a lot of people shoot 2 3/4", which in my opinion is not worth it, especially if the forcing cones are short. Also I don't know about using the Fiocci Golden Pheasant in them, too much on the inletted wood.
It really depends on what you are hunting and the type of cover you hunt in. If it is mostly open cover after wild pheasants I would think you would want something in a 16 ga 28" imp.cyl/full close to 7 lbs.
Coverts of New England after grouse and woodcock, I would use 20 ga, 28 ga. 26" barrels cyl-sk 1/mod. In the little over 6 lbs. range.
The same would be for quail.
If you are hunting stocked pheasant, quail, or chucker, I like a 28 ga. 26" barrels, imp cyl/mod sxs or I used to use and still have a BL-4 Beretta 26" barrels, imp cyl/mod, at slightly over 6 lbs.
If you reload then the "elsies" would be my choice and are my choice as I can load low pressure staying under 8,000 psi and protect the inletted stock wood.
Last edited by JDW; 11/06/07 04:07 PM.
David
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 283
Member
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Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 283 |
Doesn't anyone ever suggest Darne Or Charlin?
Exorcisms performed cheaply. "We get the Hell out!"
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 886 Likes: 43
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 886 Likes: 43 |
Early english boxlock " light" 12 bore ~ 6 # 6 oz 2 3/4 " chambers 1 1/4oz proofs 28" IC/ Full can buy less than $ 2500.00 normally Can sometimes find english grip guns- I don't know about a STEADY diet of golden phez- but these can handle all you want for hunting purposes. best regards, JBP 
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 680
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 680 |
A 1938 or 1939 Sterlingworth with factory 2 3/4 inch chambers sounds like just what you need. You will probably have to open up the chokes but that's no problem and you will have about $2K left over for a couple on nice trips.
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 9,350
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 9,350 |
The ultimate upland gun for me---and today pure magic in the blind for blacks teal and geese---is a SKB Model 500 20ga O/U IC/M 26-inch barrels, single selective trigger, digesting today Impact three-inch TM No. 3 and 2 3/4 one ounce bismuth No. 4 reloads. But your gun must fit; ultimate is for naught if it doesn't fit. Shut your eyes, mount your gun and open your eyes: if you're not looking straight down the barrel, no rib showing, say goodbye. Roy's auction reports approximately $600-700.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 13,883 Likes: 19
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 13,883 Likes: 19 |
Go to http://www.thadscott.com/ and look for the 16g 29" Arrietta. Take the $5 left over and buy some shells.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,946 Likes: 144
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,946 Likes: 144 |
Of the several 16-gauge doubles I own, my favorite, born with 2 3/4 inch chambers, to take afield is my 1947-vintage Husqvarna 310ASE with a straight grip and 70cm barrels. It weighs in at 6 pounds 9.4 ounces. The two late 1930 Fox 16s I have weigh in at 6 pounds 11.4 ounces and 6 pounds 13.3 ounces while my 1941 NID 16 weighs 7 pounds 2.6 ounces.
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