Looking for a side by side

[NEhunter]

Looking at adding a 20g side by side this year. Anyone have any experience with the Fausti BC500 that Cabelas sells? Right now I am between this one and an excellent condition Browning BSS that I have stumbled on. Any other opinions on guns <$3000?

 

[VernAK]

That BSS is well thought of. I often wish I had bought one back then. If you aren't going to buy it, I'd appreciate a PM for my consideration. Thanks

 

[Clovis]

I'd at least look into a vintage gun if you find one that fits and you are comfortable with fixed chokes (and likely double triggers), w/ no steel shot and likely 2 3/4 chambers rather that 3 inch. You can find a lot of gun for $3k and buy one that already meets your specs if you have ever been measured and don't have exotic measurements. I have gone this route with a couple of old doubles that fit me and really enjoy them and shoot them as well as I shoot any shotgun. They are cool old guns, lighter than most contemporary doubles with really nice wood and longer barrels. It took me about 20 minutes to get comfortable with the double triggers and I have really enjoyed shooting more or less handmade shotguns at an enormous discount from what the same quality would cost new.

 

[cfounta1]

I have a BSS and its awesome. No experience with the Fausti

 

[NEhunter]

I'd at least look into a vintage gun if you find one that fits and you are comfortable with fixed chokes (and likely double triggers), w/ no steel shot and likely 2 3/4 chambers rather that 3 inch. You can find a lot of gun for $3k and buy one that already meets your specs if you have ever been measured and don't have exotic measurements. I have gone this route with a couple of old doubles that fit me and really enjoy them and shoot them as well as I shoot any shotgun. They are cool old guns, lighter than most contemporary doubles with really nice wood and longer barrels. It took me about 20 minutes to get comfortable with the double triggers and I have really enjoyed shooting more or less handmade shotguns at an enormous discount from what the same quality would cost new.

I have never been fitted. Unfortunately non tox shot of some sort is a must as most places that I hunt on a regular basis require it. There seems to be conflicting thoughts on whether the bss is gtg with steel or not so I would probably lean to bismuth if I went that route.

I did start taking a deeper dive into the Fair Iside and that appears to be a lot of fun for the money. Unfortunately nowhere near to check one out in person. Can’t find too many bad reviews of the gun and steel shot proof from what I gather.

 

[Clovis]

I have never been fitted. Unfortunately non tox shot of some sort is a must as most places that I hunt on a regular basis require it. There seems to be conflicting thoughts on whether the bss is gtg with steel or not so I would probably lean to bismuth if I went that route.

I did start taking a deeper dive into the Fair Iside and that appears to be a lot of fun for the money. Unfortunately nowhere near to check one out in person. Can’t find too many bad reviews of the gun and steel shot proof from what I gather.

I've shot bismuth in my older guns and been happy enough with its performance. I think UK changed its guidance on steel and now think it is ok in more open chokes but i haven't done that. Agree that the Fair Iside looks like a good deal for what you get. I have handled one in a shop and it seemed pretty nice.

 

[tt_johnsclist]

I love my BSS, you can’t go wrong. I have shot steel out of it, but generally bismuth. If you lean towards the budget side of things I have 2 CZ Sharptails that are pretty dang nice and can easily be had for under $1000.