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Turkey Guns & Shooting => Turkey Guns => Topic started by: ShortMagFan on May 04, 2020, 08:40:15 AM

Title: Side by Side 20 experience?
Post by: ShortMagFan on May 04, 2020, 08:40:15 AM
Have always loved a side by side as a turkey gun

Given the availability of TSS I think this season will be my last using a 12ga so I'm thinking of selling the tricked out SBE2 to free up funds for a SxS 20 ga to go with the tricked out M2 20

I'm thinking cerakote on the metal, dipping and shortening the stock and mounting a FF3. My primary concern/hold up is POI being different between the barrels. But I'm hoping I can compensate for that by building the gun for pattern consistency at 40 as opposed to trying to build something to kill further

While I wouldn't do this to a $3000+ Beretta Silver Hawk I'm also not going to go cheap on the gun either.

Doing some quick google research turned up the Stoeger Longfowler and CZ Sharptail as potential starting points.

Would love to hear of anyone relevant experience and pictures of your SxSs always welcome


Title: Re: Side by Side 20 experience?
Post by: Bowguy on May 04, 2020, 08:58:27 AM
Ok so you understand any double barrels have slightly diff poi. Understand too it's can be worse to much worse w cheap guns like the stoeger. More expensive guns are closer due to a more painstaking aligning.  I'd never recommend the stoeger. 
Also bear in mind many extended chokes don't fit in double barrels.
Imo if you want cheap go for a mossberg pump or something like that. It'll actually work good. 
Also be careful if you happen to go to an older gun that couldn't handle modern pressure.
What would shortening a stock do?? (Save for needing a shorter lop)  Guns must fit, nothing is gained cramping yourself up no matter the popularity.  Things to consider.
Title: Re: Side by Side 20 experience?
Post by: ShortMagFan on May 04, 2020, 09:30:08 AM
Yeah I'm not going the cheap route. Been there done that with SxSs and it isn't worth it with different POI. I'd welcome suggestions for a quality SxS 20ga starting point that will hopefully minimize POI differences

Shortening the stock is due to me generally having short arms as well as wanting to make this gun, as a dedicated turkey gun, as maneuverable as possible. The LOP difference between my sons M2 20ga compact and my SBE2 is noticeable and the difference between "just a little too long" and "just right"
Title: Re: Side by Side 20 experience?
Post by: Bowguy on May 04, 2020, 09:37:42 AM
Makes sense. I really can't comfortably recommend one. Ya gotta watch asking someone you don't know, you don't know what they don't know.
Title: Re: Side by Side 20 experience?
Post by: Mossyballs on May 04, 2020, 10:34:27 AM
I've considered the same thing less the ff3.
I am considering the cz bobwhite g2 w/ 26" barrel.
Title: Re: Side by Side 20 experience?
Post by: BrowningGuy88 on May 04, 2020, 10:54:34 AM
Quote from: Mossyballs on May 04, 2020, 10:34:27 AM
I've considered the same thing less the ff3.
I am considering the cz bobwhite g2 w/ 26" barrel.

This is the way to go.

I have a CZ 202 Upland (Bobwhite with a silver receiver) in 20 gauge with 28" barrels and a Bobwhite 28 gauge with 26".

They both shoot the left barrel at 40 and the right barrel at 25 to point of aim with the sights set for the left barrel at 40.

The 28 is my main squeeze and I shoot 1-1/2 ounce of T9's out of her. Killed a bird with the open barrel at 30 yards this year and a bobcat at 10 yards with the open barrel as well.

As far as chokes, in the 20 I use Carlson flush mount. 585 in the left barrel and 600 (improved Modified) in the right. In the 28, extended chokes, Briley XF in the left and Trulock SK1 in the right.

I highly recommend the Bobwhite for what you want.
Title: Re: Side by Side 20 experience?
Post by: ShortMagFan on May 04, 2020, 11:19:29 AM
I'm new to CZs. I like the dual triggers of the Bobwhite but the pistol grip stock of the Sharptail
Title: Re: Side by Side 20 experience?
Post by: BrowningGuy88 on May 04, 2020, 12:26:58 PM
The Upland I have was a special for Jon's sport shop in Wisconsin and it has a a Prince or Wales grip which is rounded.

Yildiz makes or made a 20 gauge pistol grip with double triggers, but I don't know how to find one new.
Title: Re: Side by Side 20 experience?
Post by: g8rvet on May 04, 2020, 12:31:17 PM
I searched for a Yildiz double trigger and could only find them in UK for sale.
Title: Re: Side by Side 20 experience?
Post by: crow on May 04, 2020, 02:15:17 PM
I'm hunting with a CZ bobwhite 20ga Gen. 1, I'm shooting a mid bead as my rear sight.

with lead field loads it shoots a very good POA to POI, what I have found in my gun with Fed HVWT or TSS is the right barrel shoots right and the left barrel shoots left, the heavier the payload the more each barrel is off.

I set my gun up to shoot the right barrel with a 1.25oz pheasant load or a 1oz TSS load, both of these shoots POA to POI, the pheasant load will get you to 35yds, the 1oz TSS #9 load will get you a good bit past 40yds

In the left barrel by dropping a 1 5/8oz load down to a 1 7/16th oz load of TSS and a little choke filing it
shoots to POA and has a 10" pattern that will go way past where I would shoot a turkey

left barrel has an ext. trulock .571, right barrel has an ext. Carlson .575
in the CZ 20 ga. bobwhite barrels you can shoot 2 extended Trulocks, 2 extended Carlsons, or mix them.

from what I've read some CZ bobwhite shooters got where they wanted to be with TSS and flush mount chokes, I did not and went with the ext. chokes

my trigger pulls were heavy, they broke crisp, but heavy, CZ will work on them under warranty for you.
With the recoil from a 3" 1 5/8 0z. turkey load the prince of whales stock might have the edge, but the English strait grip stock hasn't been an issue.

if you found an old double that you like, there are low pressure TSS loads available.
I've shot TSS and HVWT (in small pellet sizes) in several older guns with no barrel/choke damage, or scratches/scouring of the bore.
Title: Re: Side by Side 20 experience?
Post by: Jstocks on June 08, 2020, 09:59:21 PM
Quote from: Mossyballs on May 04, 2020, 10:34:27 AM
I've considered the same thing less the ff3.
I am considering the cz bobwhite g2 w/ 26" barrel.

Does the g2 come in a 26" barrel option?
Title: Re: Side by Side 20 experience?
Post by: Ranman on July 13, 2022, 08:03:08 AM
Yes, the 20ga does.
Title: Re: Side by Side 20 experience?
Post by: btomlin on July 22, 2022, 03:57:45 PM
sounds like you could use a CZ Bobwhite all-terrain.  I think they come with a green cerokate finish and swivel studs from the factory.  Dual trigger like a SxS should be set up.

I have a straight stocked cz upland that I bought from Jon's sporting goods.  I have busted a lot of pheasant and quail with it over the past 8 yrs.  Sent back to CZ for warranty trigger work as the trigger poundage was more than the weight of the gun.  It came back really nice.  One of my fav bird guns.
Title: Re: Side by Side 20 experience?
Post by: shatcher on July 24, 2022, 08:11:20 AM
The side by sides are fun to fool with.  Set up right, very diverse.
Title: Re: Side by Side 20 experience?
Post by: owlhoot on July 26, 2022, 11:20:05 PM
Quote from: crow on May 04, 2020, 02:15:17 PM
I'm hunting with a CZ bobwhite 20ga Gen. 1, I'm shooting a mid bead as my rear sight.

with lead field loads it shoots a very good POA to POI, what I have found in my gun with Fed HVWT or TSS is the right barrel shoots right and the left barrel shoots left, the heavier the payload the more each barrel is off.

I set my gun up to shoot the right barrel with a 1.25oz pheasant load or a 1oz TSS load, both of these shoots POA to POI, the pheasant load will get you to 35yds, the 1oz TSS #9 load will get you a good bit past 40yds

In the left barrel by dropping a 1 5/8oz load down to a 1 7/16th oz load of TSS and a little choke filing it
shoots to POA and has a 10" pattern that will go way past where I would shoot a turkey

left barrel has an ext. trulock .571, right barrel has an ext. Carlson .575
in the CZ 20 ga. bobwhite barrels you can shoot 2 extended Trulocks, 2 extended Carlsons, or mix them.

from what I've read some CZ bobwhite shooters got where they wanted to be with TSS and flush mount chokes, I did not and went with the ext. chokes

my trigger pulls were heavy, they broke crisp, but heavy, CZ will work on them under warranty for you.
With the recoil from a 3" 1 5/8 0z. turkey load the prince of whales stock might have the edge, but the English strait grip stock hasn't been an issue.

if you found an old double that you like, there are low pressure TSS loads available.
I've shot TSS and HVWT (in small pellet sizes) in several older guns with no barrel/choke damage, or scratches/scouring of the bore.

Thanks for the detailed info crow. My G1 is so darn purty though , i don't want to camo it.
Title: Re: Side by Side 20 experience?
Post by: crow on July 27, 2022, 09:36:18 AM
I didn't camo the bobwhite or the old sxs's

but if you want a fast easy to remove camo, the camo vet wrap from Tractor supply works good.
It goes on and off fast and easy, if it leaves any residue that will come right off with rubbing alcohol.

I do use it on an old single shot, blends nice and takes the glare away. the texture of the wrap also helps to keep the gun from sliding off your knee when sitting.
Title: Re: Side by Side 20 experience?
Post by: DocHolliday on July 28, 2022, 08:43:17 AM
Owlhoot,
I have Oarkerized the barrels of a couple Bobwhites to knock the shine off. Works really well and looks great too!


(https://i.postimg.cc/T3Fw9qwv/A452-DF4-C-E083-4-BE8-9219-C59-B7-BC65-E7-F.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/gxymch8g)
Title: Re: Side by Side 20 experience?
Post by: Mallard1897 on February 26, 2023, 06:30:54 PM
I have the bobwhite g2 all terrain 20ga and I will say it's a tough little gun. Held up to two waterfowl seasons of hard use and points well.

Picked the g2 all terrain with the intent of having a turkey and waterfowl gun I didn't have to baby.

I've had problems with it patterning low with 3" #5 long beards and a tru-loc extra full flush choke with just the factory bead. I've been told straight grip stocks can sometimes pattern low. Anyone have a similar issue? Would love to take it out in the woods this spring if I could get the pattern height centered.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230226/1efa8d291f9de5a6f5a5b2e4b66be358.jpg)

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Side by Side 20 experience?
Post by: crow on February 26, 2023, 08:19:27 PM
Nice Pic Mallard1897

My Bobwhite patterned low for me when aiming like a rifle, I put a mid bead on it for a rear sight and that raised POI to shoot "on", the mid bead also doesn't interfere with wingshooting

you could also cut a dovetail in the rib and slide a plain rear sight in it for turkey, take it out for ducks

Doc Holliday put a Skinner rear peep sight on his Bobwhite which would also work good