I've had a number of Ithaca imported SKB's and it it my understanding that the Mitsui imported SKB's tend to run a little heavier. I've been looking at a 12 gauge SKB 100 Mitsui import in nice condition and it seems like it would be very decent late season pheasant whacker, and priced where I could certainly get out of it damage free. This one has the black receiver with full coverage roll-stamp decoration.
Other than weight and decoration differences, are the Mitsui imports built as well as the Ithaca imports?
Dave, I've owned a buch of Ithaca SKB's as well as the later Mitsui guns. As far as reliability goes, can't say I ever noticed any difference. Other than the Mitsuis not having the Ithaca Raybar front sight.
I did have to chuckle once when I tried to trade a Mitsui SKB at a Scheels store. The gun guy looked it over, went back to his office, then returned with my gun. "Sorry, we can't take this gun. It's not on our approved list." Ithaca--or at least the same Ithaca that imported the SKB's--was out of business by then. Not sure why the Ithaca imports made the list and the Mitsuis didn't.
Always nice to have a single trigger double of some sort on hand for late season pheasants. For the money, I doubt you can make a better choice than SKB.
"I did have to chuckle once when I tried to trade a Mitsui SKB at a Scheels store. The gun guy looked it over, went back to his office, then returned with my gun. "Sorry, we can't take this gun. It's not on our approved list.""
Sounds about right for Scheels! IMO, they are the worst for trading or selling.
I've had several deals with them, and they either won't take it or low ball every time. Oh, well!
Happy 4th
Greg
Dave, the Ithaca SKB's are fine guns--at any price level. For the heck of it, I abandoned all other gun choices last season and shot a 20 Ithaca SKB 200 exclusively. Not a hiccup and it shot well. Gil
Thanks for all the info. I need it like a hole in the head, but since when does logic enter in?
so many guns, so little time (also so little money...)
I'd leave it Mod/Full and shoot RST's 1 1/4 oz. of hard 5's at wary roosters. They pattern well.
I'd leave it Mod/Full and shoot RST's 1 1/4 oz. of hard 5's at wary roosters. They pattern well.
I like that idea a bunch.
I'd leave it Mod/Full and shoot RST's 1 1/4 oz. of hard 5's at wary roosters. They pattern well.
Yeah. That RST load is about as close as you can come to the old Win AA Super Pigeon these days. Everyone seems to think they need more velocity. McIntosh, Brister and Hill all had good things to say about the Super Pigeon formula: 1 1/4 oz, 3 1/4 DE--1220 fps. Threw great patterns. Winchester never offered those in any shot sizes larger than 6, so if you like 5's, the RST's are the way to go. They pattern better than the old Super X formula (1330 fps), although there's not a significant difference--other than in recoil. And both of those pattern better than the current "premium" lead pheasant loads at 1500 fps.
I have indeed patterned these RST "Pheasant Loads" #5's and they threw the best patterns of any I tried including the older B&P nickel-plated 5's which I really like. The RST patterns were uniform and dense, really a cut above everything else.
I'll let you in on a secret.
Don't tell anybody.
The key to a great patterning 'Super Pigeon' load is the Remington SP-12 wad - and high quality shot of course.
Remington hull, W209, 24.5 Herco.
Looking for a low pressure 1 1/8 oz load for pheasants, I found this one:
Fed Gold Medal hull and primer, 21.7 grains Unique, Fed 12S3 wad. 7,000 psi, 1150 fps. Patterns really well. You can substitute 19.5 gr Green Dot, but that adds about 1,000 psi. I've used that load with Unique in 2 1/2" 12's. Really good results, both on paper and on pheasants. In short 12's, I usually use a Gamebore Pure Gold 1 1/16 oz Brit 6 load in the R barrel with that Fed reload in the L. Haven't used it as much lately, having reverted to the 16 most of the time for pheasants.
Early woodies, teal, and a few mallards. Anyone try this load?
Thanks, Brent! That's what I was hoping to hear. I can't see why it wouldn't be a good early season load. rrrr!
It is a fine late season load as well. Gotta love #5s for ducks or pheasants anytime, anywhere.
they will work in a Giant Canada too, if in a pinch.
