Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 Posted February 9 Posted February 9 So I'm considering treating myself to a new shotgun. Something not expensive. Specifically an O/U in a smaller gauge. Which brings up the first question: 20 or 28 gauge? Opinions? The second question is, naturally, which gun. I'm looking at the lower priced models - it'll get fairly limited use, and at my age (and budget) I can't justify being extravagant. That said, I was in a Sportsman's Warehouse yesterday and checked out a Stevens 555. With just handling it in the store, I was surprised - it was light, smooth, shouldered well, had good fit and finish, and in fact compared quite favorably with my Franchi Instinct at less than half the price. (Actually, "former" Franchi - I passed that one on to my son, as it deserved more use and enjoyment than it would ever get from me). Not surprisingly, it's Turkish made; seems to be one of the better products from that country that I've handled in the last few years. Anyone have any experience with or exposure to these imports? Thankee! Oh - one last note: The Kid and I have other 20 gauge shotguns, but no reloader. Yet! However, I DO have a 28 ga Mec that I picked up some time back on a "just in case" whim. The standard and "enhanced" models:
Pat Riot Posted February 9 Posted February 9 Deja Vu… I could swear I have seen this post before @Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967
Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 Posted February 9 Author Posted February 9 7 minutes ago, Pat Riot said: Deja Vu… I could swear I have seen this post before @Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 Not from me! Heck... I just popped into SW last night.
WD Farren Posted February 9 Posted February 9 Smaller gauge = more expensive ammo, plus harder to find. Recoil is independent of gauge... 1 oz is 1 oz, no matter the gauge. My personal take is "in for a penny, in for a pound." The corollary is "buy once, cry once" as long as one "buys right". I had one single experience with a bargain shotgun and it was an utter disaster. No more Made in Brazil (or Turkey) guns for me. YMMV.
Pat Riot Posted February 9 Posted February 9 The last time I was in Bass Pro they had a bunch of 28ga ammo.
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted February 10 Posted February 10 Finding ammo is the biggest issue. Me, stick with the 20. BTW, 28 gauge ain't SASS legal.
Crooked River Pete, SASS 43485 Posted February 10 Posted February 10 I really like my 28's, but it costs almost as much to reload as 12 is to buy new. 20ga if cost is a concern, but I've had no trouble finding 28ga ammo. I have a Browning clays gun and a SKB Turkish made field gun, shot a lot of clays with it before I got the Browning. The SKB is a great "lower cost" gun but still 2-3x more than the Stevens.
Still hand Bill Posted February 10 Posted February 10 28 ga is my go to for everything but sass. I bought a flat of AA’s and then reload. I have data for TSS which works for pheasant, ducks, and geese. For turkeys I use a cheap single shot 410.
watab kid Posted February 10 Posted February 10 ya ot depends on why your buying - whats it gonna gat used for , if skeet either will do , bird hunting id go the 20 , trap i like a 12 as well as sporting clays - but you dont say why ? i have a friend that was a champion skeet and sporting clays shooter with small bore - 410.28 , but hard as i might to learn he couldnt get me shooting either well , i shoot a 12 for everything anymore
evil dogooder Posted February 10 Posted February 10 28 ga all the way. There are a few inexpensive over unders that are built on the smaller frame and balance beautiful. I prefer my doubles to have the barrels on correctly.. sxs.. and shoot sporting clays and hunt with a nice cz . Personally I prefer it over the 20 and my results are better with it. Every shooter has their favorite. Personally outside of sass I do not shoot a 12. I grew up with 2 single shots, a 370 Winchester in 28 and a Stevens in .410. there wasn't any other shotguns in the house. my dad to this day has never owned a 20, and only one 12. it makes you take your time and aim.
Jabez Cowboy,SASS # 50129 Posted February 10 Posted February 10 28 for fun ... Great grouse gun ... I have a Winchester 101, IC/M 26 inch barrels ... He is not buying it for SASS , Over/Under... Jabez Cowboy
Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 Posted February 10 Author Posted February 10 1 hour ago, The Original Lumpy Gritz said: Finding ammo is the biggest issue. Me, stick with the 20. BTW, 28 gauge ain't SASS legal. Neither are Over/Unders....
Old Man Graybeard Posted February 10 Posted February 10 I have a Pointer…Turkish made 28 over under. It’s a fun little piece. So far has worked well.
Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 Posted February 10 Author Posted February 10 7 minutes ago, watab kid said: ya ot depends on why your buying - whats it gonna gat used for , if skeet either will do , bird hunting id go the 20 , trap i like a 12 as well as sporting clays - but you dont say why ? i have a friend that was a champion skeet and sporting clays shooter with small bore - 410.28 , but hard as i might to learn he couldnt get me shooting either well , i shoot a 12 for everything anymore 'Cuz I gots plenty of 12's. As I mentioned above, I gave my only other O/U (a 12) to my son; in the years I had it, it had only been out of the safe twice - the first time, he used it for doves and liked it quite a lot. The Kid also has a 12 ga CZ Woodcock, made in Turkey by Huglu for Česká zbrojovka a.s. That one he bought several years ago, and he does okay with it. It handles well, is a nice-enough looking gun, but it's always been a booger to open. Someone jokingly suggested that after a few hundred boxes through it he could expect it to loosen up to "normal." Maybe. So far it hasn't. Evidently the Stevens guns are built by another company (KOFS/Iber Arms) using state-of-the-art CNC equipment - hence, minimal hand-fitting required. My thinking was that a really light gun might be kinda nice for a change, and so the interest in a "sub-gauge." ,
watab kid Posted February 10 Posted February 10 59 minutes ago, Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 said: 'Cuz I gots plenty of 12's. As I mentioned above, I gave my only other O/U (a 12) to my son; in the years I had it, it had only been out of the safe twice - the first time, he used it for doves and liked it quite a lot. The Kid also has a 12 ga CZ Woodcock, made in Turkey by Huglu for Česká zbrojovka a.s. That one he bought several years ago, and he does okay with it. It handles well, is a nice-enough looking gun, but it's always been a booger to open. Someone jokingly suggested that after a few hundred boxes through it he could expect it to loosen up to "normal." Maybe. So far it hasn't. Evidently the Stevens guns are built by another company (KOFS/Iber Arms) using state-of-the-art CNC equipment - hence, minimal hand-fitting required. My thinking was that a really light gun might be kinda nice for a change, and so the interest in a "sub-gauge." , that makes sense but one has to ask the purpose , or at least we did once , today i agree with you "JUST BECAUSE" should suffice , if you want it buy it - id buy both , but im convinced i couldnt shoot them as well anymore getting old has its drawbacks
Jabez Cowboy,SASS # 50129 Posted February 10 Posted February 10 I shoot a 12 ga. Huglu Cowboy Special Hammered SxS for SASS when i'm not shooting my Hammered 16 ga. guns... The Cowboy Special cleans-up like a dream, with it's hard chromed bores, yes I shoot the Holy Black... My 101 weighs 5 3/4 pounds, what a dream to use in the timber ... Jabez Cowboy
Grizz Henry Posted February 10 Posted February 10 HC, I only use 16 Ga BP in a Fox DBL for CAS with MagTech brass hulls. For years I shot my 20 Ga. Win 101 O/U over pointing dogs and for skeet reloading AA hulls on a Ponsness Warren press then, like you, got to hankering for a sub gauge O/U. I first got a Tri Star Setter in .410 plus 4 boxes of MagTech brass hulls. You need oversized wads for brass hulls - source Ballistic Products. Used the 410 bird hunting and for skeet. The 410 gives you a good excuse for missing at skeet !!!! Shooting over pointing dogs gives you close shots & the 410 did well as long as I did my part. Then decided I wanted a 28 Ga. Tri Star Setter. As with the 410, to keep my ammo costs down, I got 4 boxes of Magtech brass. The 28 does everything that the 20 does and patterns much more uniform than the 20. It is all I use in the field & for skeet now, light, a dream to carry. Points like it has radar built in!! Suggest that you take a look at the Tri Star O/U's before you pull the trigger & buy. Grizz
Chantry Posted February 11 Posted February 11 20 hours ago, Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 said: The Kid also has a 12 ga CZ Woodcock, made in Turkey by Huglu for Česká zbrojovka a.s. That one he bought several years ago, and he does okay with it. It handles well, is a nice-enough looking gun, but it's always been a booger to open. , Try switching ammo, I have CZ SxS as well and does not like shells with softer primers, especially Herters, Estate and Federal. Otherwise I think it is a pretty good gun at the price.
Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 Posted February 11 Author Posted February 11 On 2/10/2025 at 4:10 PM, Chantry said: Try switching ammo, I have CZ SxS as well and does not like shells with softer primers, especially Herters, Estate and Federal. Otherwise I think it is a pretty good gun at the price. 'Tain't the ammo - it's stoopid stiff when it's empty. But starting to get better,though - the Kid sez it oughtta be right fine by the time he's my age.
Forty Rod SASS 3935 Posted February 11 Posted February 11 I'd buy a 28 just because I don't personally know anyone who has one....and I choose to be different sometimes. HA!
J-BAR #18287 Posted February 11 Posted February 11 I always thought the Ruger Red Label 28 looked and felt like a magic wand. How many rounds do you expect to shoot? 10,000? Get a 20. Less than that... Go to a gun store. Have them put a 20 and a 28 on the counter. Mount them both, swing them both. Trust your judgement.
Crooked River Pete, SASS 43485 Posted February 11 Posted February 11 40 minutes ago, Forty Rod SASS 3935 said: I'd buy a 28 just because I don't personally know anyone who has one....and I choose to be different sometimes. HA! Ya, nobody asks to "borrow" some ammo.
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