Side by side ok for 1st go around?

3

38Mike

New member
I recently got a good deal on a Browning Gold auto for my son in law; he's into sporting clays and I'm starting to get the bug too. I'm needing my own gun and as I've been looking around; have seen a nice CZ 20 guage side by side, and also Savage has the Russian import model 411 that's caught my eye.

Have ZILCH experience with scatterguns, would a side by side be OK for a rookie? (We'll see if an old dog can learn a new trick :) )

Thanks in advance,

Mike
 
I grew up on old Savage/Stevens 311's with a trigger for each barrel. Though I've tried other types of shotties, I keep going back to the side-by-side.
 
I grew up with the 311 too (still growing with them in fact :D ) and I just can't shoot any single barrel as well. Those two tubes just seem to swing alot smoother and stay on track better. The only time I've ever been laughed at was before the shooting started, after apparently my old SXS isn't quite as funny. :p
 
SxS shotguns are great field guns, and even now the occasional one can be seen in the winner's circle.

Hal M. Hare, Captain of the US Skeet Team, uses a Model 21.

Some of the finest shotgunning ever is seen in the live pigeon circuit. Many of the top guns there use SxS shotguns. With thousands of dollars riding on a single bird, the best shooters oft pick what they say is the best tool.

I recommend you try out a few shotguns before purchase.
 
lots of good books out there on SXS's vs over unders etc - but in general you will very few, if any, SXS's in sporting clays. SXS's are fun to shoot - but in sporting clays they'll be more of a novelty. But if you're really serious about a SXS - I'd suggest the Beretta. It's about $3,500 but its a lot more gun than either one you are looking at. The predominant gun in sporting clays is the over under - and you'll see a lot of Berettas, Brownings - some Krieghoff, Kolar etc but at most shoots the 2 B'Guns will probably make up 75% of the guns in the shoot ( in a variety of models ). A lot of the rest will be semi-autos Beretta, Benelli - etc but not too many Brownings. But what's popular isn't necessarily what is best for you. If you can find a "sponsor" or someone that will help you get into sporting - you will probably find they have some guns that they will let you try / or go to your local trap or skeet club and talk to some of the guys to see if they're shooting sporting and see what they're shooting. Personally I like the Browning XS Skeet - in a 12 or a 20ga for sporting - especially with a 30" barrel and an adj comb. I think the XS skeet model - because it has a paralell comb - is one of the most versatile guns they make. Personally I have it in 12, 20, 28 and .410 ( not tubed ) separate guns. I like them in the field - for skeet - and for sporting. About $ 2200 list - and a lot of gun for the money, but just my opinion. Good luck - and have fun with your selection process.
 
Bit the Bullet :)

Well, I did it, stopped by Gart Sports in town and they had a Remington Spartan ( Baikal ) side by side......couldn't resist. Now comes the learnin' how to shoot!

Wasn't looking to seriously compete in sporting clays, just wanting to have a little fun; so I figured to go low budget at first, paid 329.00 for the gun.

Thanks for all the good advice....:)
 
Once again, like my granpappy always told me. "If the good Lord would have wanted you to shoot an O/U He'd have put your eyes that way.":D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top