Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Browning BSS side-by-side ?

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Some folks are discussing sporting clays competitions dedicated to side-by-side shotguns.

The competitors serious about these side-by-side competitions are reporting that most side-by-side guns having been designed for upland game are too light and the barrels too short and not suitable for serious competition.

Winchester Model 21 Trap or Duck models seem to be the only side-by-sides they consider capable of holding up to the rigors of sporting clays and not beating up the shooter.



They are are also discussing taking the discontinued Browning BSS side-by-side which was always been looked upon as too heavy for a field gun and now are extolling its virtues for competition.

Some are spending as much as $2,500 to restock the Browning BSS and put Briley chokes on it.



Used Browning BSS shotguns start about $900 and go up to $2,000 without rhyme and reason.

Restocking and putting in screw-in chokes would have a BSS approaching the lower end of the Winchester Model 21 market.



What are your thoughts on the Browning BSS ?

Left original or upgraded.



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IMHO, the Browning BSS would make a fine Sporting clays gun, but then what do I know? I broke 67/100 with my SKB SxS on my first ever run at a Sporting Clays course.

Ed

I had a Winchester model 23 12 gauge with 28 inch barrels. I re-choked to skeet I and Skeet II. The Win model 23 "beat" the hell out of me so I sold it and shoot a Parker #2 frame made in 1901 with 30 "barrels factory choked IC and Full. I make the chokes work on the sporting clay fields by changing loads.

I don't mind 28 inch barrels shooting 5 stand sporting clays but would not shoot less than 30" at sporting clays.

I would spend 2K on a 30 inch Parker or Fox before throwing money at a Browning BSS.

Doc

The BSS is a good solid gun, but for the money, I'd buy a Win Model 21.

I haven't weighed them, but I think my Winchester model 23 is lighter than my 12 gauge BSS. My 20 gauge BSS weighs less. I've found the BSS to be a reliable shotgun and I have shot it in double gun sporting clays competition. With a decent pad on it, it is comfortable to shoot.

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Been looking at Browning BSS shotguns on Guns America and Gun Broker today.

Been hearing some positive things from folks.

Some think that the BSS is among the strongest, most solid, most reliable shotguns ever made.

Butch Searcy converted a lot of BSS shotguns to 470 Nitro and 500 Nitro Express rifles for use by African PHs.

Temptation...


Any other opinions ?

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Another option is the B.C. Miroku (currently making Winchesters in Japan). It also has chopper lump barrels and is of sufficient weight to make a good clays gun. The older B.C. Mirokus made for Charles Daly are great buys. I recently bought one made for Mongomery Wards for $581.00 with an extra set of barrels and I like that gun a lot and it fits me perfectly. I also have a 12 gauge BSS and I like it too but it has 26" barrels, not good for clays. Thanks...Bill.

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Remember reading an older gunsmithing book which had several chapters on individual side-by-side shotguns, e.g., Fox, Parkers, L C Smiths, Winchester 21, etc.

The book itemized the attributes, strengths, and weaknesses of each make from a gunsmith's viewpoint as well as offering tips on repair of the common weaknesses.

What would you state are the weaknesses in either the design or production of the BSS ?


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Have a couple of over/under Miroku shotguns in 28 gauge and 410.

They are stout.

Also have some older Winchester Model 101 shotguns which some tell me were made by Miroku. Like 'em a lot.

Who makes the Japanese Citori ?

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I've had a B-S/S for 25 years and love the gun.

If you really wanted to make up a S/S 20ga. for sporting clays I would look for a Winchester M23 Light Duck. It has 30" barrels and a full forearm and pistol grip stock. Get it threaded for choke tubes and you got it!

Winchester 101's were made by Olin Kodensha located in Tochigi, Japan. Citori's are made by make Miroku.

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Somehow in my vault have a 20 gauge Winchester Model 23 with Winchokes.

Have never shot it.

But it does not have the long barrels.

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