Author Topic: Best 16 ga. SXS (Read 980 times)

dougk · « **on:** December 12, 2005, 04:44:00 PM »

I am getting the bug to purchase a double trigger SxS 16 ga. with english stock. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Doug

Graybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** December 13, 2005, 05:24:17 AM »

If you TRULY mean BEST as you stated you want one of the English guns made in London. You can still order them from some of the old line makers and likely have to wait less than five years. Or you can buy from a used gun dealer. Expect to pay over $100,000 either way.

Now what is it you REALLY want?

dougk · « **Reply #2 on:** December 13, 2005, 09:10:07 AM »

ROTFL.....

I would say best for the money.

Being a frugal person, I was looking to spend $1,000 to $2,000. I did handle an english SxS that was exceptionally light and very easy to handle, it was priced at $3,900. I would have considered it but it had a IM and full choke.

Graybeard · « **Reply #3 on:** December 13, 2005, 06:16:44 PM »

Didn't figure you really meant that kinda "BEST".

But at least now we have a better feel for what you're looking for.

Take a serious look at the Turkish Huglu guns. CZ and one other outfit I cannot recall the name of right now imports them. They will easily fit within your budget and really are very nice guns. Extremely nice for the price.

There are some Ithaca doubles showing up on the market these days at very attractive prices after they went belly up again. Not sure what all is available but the ones I've seen locally are very nice and not that expensive. I think I've only seen 20s and maybe 12s locally. Not sure if made in 16 or even who the heck made them.

An older American made gun by Stevens, Fox or even the lower priced Winchesters might could be found that fit your budget. There was one locally here for a long time, a Winchester 24 I think it was. Really nice gun for $900 I think and it looked almost new. I sure looked at it a lot of times but being a 16 ga. didn't help it for me. Had it been a 20 I'd have bought it.

dougk · « **Reply #4 on:** December 14, 2005, 11:00:32 AM »

My wife uses a Huglu O/U in 20 ga. Great gun for the money. The problem I have is that CZ the importer of the Huglu does not have the 16 ga.

That Winchester 24 might fit the bill...

Graybeard · « **Reply #5 on:** December 14, 2005, 11:54:18 AM »

I subscribe to a magazine I think is called Shooting Sportsman. I can check that if you're interested. It is devoted solely to double barrel shotguns and their use. It covers both SxS and O/U but the emphasis is on SxS guns. They have gobs of ads in every issue on guns for sale from various vendors. Hardly any of those listed are within your price range. But I'd bet a lot of them actually have guns in that price range they just don't list as the rag definitely seems aimed at those with a lot more money than me.

There are lots of guns listed in the ads that sell for many times my annual income.

But check the newstands in your area to see if you can pick up one. Or contact them. A subscription isn't that much and the contacts you can get from it just might net you a nice gun like you're interested in. I think Dehann is the other outfit that imports the Huglu guns. Not sure they have a 16 either but you might check.

Mattkc · « **Reply #6 on:** December 14, 2005, 03:57:58 PM »

You might check CDNN they had some Daly sxs (Italian) on sale for $600. If you reload you can find Ithaca Flues for a good price but must shoot low pressure loads. I love sxs but my favorite 16ga. is my Citori with 26" barrels.

dougk · « **Reply #7 on:** December 14, 2005, 04:46:37 PM »

Dehann has a 16 ga. and the price is right ($600). Also I will check out CDNN.

I was looking at a lovely English 16 ga. SxS for $4,000 but thought about it and just can't justify spending that kind of money. I just in my old age I am looking for value and am willing to rely on my skill not the equipment. I guess its not about spending the money but rather finding a gun at the right price.

I plan to check out Shooting Sportsman.

Thanks,
Doug

Graybeard · « **Reply #8 on:** December 14, 2005, 06:19:56 PM »

Doug if you can't find it on the local magazine rack I can probably locate an older one here to mail to you if you'd like to see it before subscriping. But for a person who likes doubles it really is a good mag to get.

Like you I'm kinda torn on what to get. I want a really nice 20 ga. SxS double. Do I need it? Nope. Emphatically not. Do I really have an honest use for it? Nope again I really don't. But I sure do want one. I may go with a Huglu but I really want one a cut above that level, OK maybe even two cuts above. But price is a consideration. Wish it weren't but it is.

There is a BSA imported one I've been looking at on the local dealer's shelf now for over a year and I've still not been able to make a buy or forget decision. It's $1100 I think, not a bad price range from an affordablity stand point. If it were a double trigger it likely would already be mine but it's a single selective. Beautiful gun in the tradition of English Best guns. Not fancy just nicely made, in Spain I think. I like every thing about it but that single trigger.

The new Dakota SxS is nice but a bit pricey as is the new Weatherby Athena made in Italy. They are close to what I want but not exactly and cost way too much to not be able to get it the way I want it and neither offer any choices.

So I sit and vaccilate and wait for just the right one to come along.

dwl · « **Reply #9 on:** December 15, 2005, 07:14:38 AM »

You might consider looking at some of the used German 16ga SXS. The continent was, for some reason, more inclined to the 16s than the English. I found a very light, used Franz Kettner SXS and with Federal's H160 load of #6s at 1165 fps it works wonderfully for grouse and pheasant.

dwl

Don Fischer · « **Reply #10 on:** December 15, 2005, 01:47:56 PM »

You might check with Cabelas. I've been to several of their stores and you'd be suprized at what they have. I'd also want to be sure and get one on the 16ga frame; if you could find an old Stevens 311 it may be on the 12 ga frame. You might also look around for a J.P. Sauer of Germany. They made very very nice shotguns at one time. Another, if they're still around is Bernidelli. I had a Roma 3 16 ga w/double triggers in the early 70's that was a super gun. One other to look at is AyA of Spain. I use a Matador in 16ga and in 28 ga and lost my 12 ga. Matadors are single trigger but the better grades come in double triggers. Love my AyA's better than any s/s I've ever owned. Did use a Win model 24 once and was a very very nice gun. Almost forgot, if you can find one, I think there were some Parker reproductions made in 16 ga.

dougk · « **Reply #11 on:** December 16, 2005, 10:47:43 AM »

After looking at every possible option. Nice German, Belgium and English 16 ga. SxS, a few drillings (a nice Krieghoff drilling) in the $795 - $4,295 range. I could not justify the additional dollars. So I called my local gun shop and they had a Stoeger 16 ga in stock so I ended up with that. Nice thing is the mount is exactly the same as my 12 ga Stoeger which I am shooting dove at 80% with. On a side note, my wife was in the store the day before looking for a 16 ga SxS and they said none where in stock. Ummmmm

So this concludes my quest for the 16 SxS. There are many lovely older 16 ga. out there but given my guns are field guns in the harsh Texas hill country I am sticking with the work horses.
Thanks for the insights.
Doug

shootdonniebrook · « **Reply #12 on:** December 18, 2005, 10:38:31 AM »

I have a Fox sterlingworth 16 gauge that was my grandpa's, and i really love hunting with it. I have seen a few at gunbrokers.com and gunsamerica.com

dougk · « **Reply #13 on:** December 18, 2005, 11:08:29 AM »

I just patterned the Stoeger 16 ga. WOW The gun was easy to shoot with little kick. At 50 yards the pattern would easily take a dove. I can't wait until dove season reopens the end of this month.

The Stoeger was my first purchase into the 16 ga. I am very impressed and will keep my eyes open for a nicer 16 ga.

I am very impressed with the 16 ga.

Doug