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Post by william on Sept 22, 2021 19:19:39 GMT -5
...<snip>... "Excel" brand??? Turns out to be a Monkey Ward house breand: The IJ version is a single barrel made from 1910 to 1935(approx) and it is the exact same gun as the Iver johnson Model 36 except it has the EXCEL name stamped on it.. The Model 36 was made from 1909 to 1957.Jan 25, 2014 -Gunparts.com
I have my great uncles 16 gauge "Hercules" sxs from Monkey Ward. All indications are that it was made by Stevens. It was quite common for large companies like Montgomery Ward to contract with the manufacturers to stamp their name on house branded guns. He has a cool piece of history.
I found this Stevens 311A (20 gauge) at a gun show and decided to rescue it. Around here they used to be sold in hardware/general stores (like Western Auto). The thing is built like a tank..... ![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51505641965_029672b000_c.jpg) ![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51505641980_56aa4cf17e_c.jpg)
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Post by Ronv69 on Sept 22, 2021 19:29:28 GMT -5
I have my great uncles 16 gauge "Hercules" sxs from Monkey Ward. All indications are that it was made by Stevens. It was quite common for large companies like Montgomery Ward to contract with the manufacturers to stamp their name on house branded guns. He has a cool piece of history.
I found this Stevens 311A (20 gauge) at a gun show and decided to rescue it. Around here they used to be sold in hardware/general stores (like Western Auto). The thing is built like a tank..... ![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51505641965_029672b000_c.jpg) ![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51505641980_56aa4cf17e_c.jpg) M Back in the mid 70s the reloading supply I was using had a pair of Model 311s in 410 for $350 for the pair. One had the 26" barrels and the other one was a factory Whippet with 18" barrels. I have regretted not buying them for almost 50 years.
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Post by william on Sept 22, 2021 19:32:49 GMT -5
Been there, Ron. I picked this one over the 410 sitting next to it (same price on both) because this one was in much better condition. I didn't know at the time, but the 410s are worth 3 or 4 times as much as the more common 12 and 20 gauge models. Still think about the little Stevens 410 I passed up.
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Post by Ronv69 on Sept 22, 2021 19:46:12 GMT -5
I looked at Google and there doesn't seem to be any pictures of a whippet shotgun. It's a double barrel shotgun with minimum legal barrels and the stock sawed off to make the minimum legal length of 26".
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Post by urbino on Sept 22, 2021 21:45:55 GMT -5
My 12ga is a Benelli Nova. I might make a different choice today, I dunno. I like the fact that it'll shoot/cycle anything that says "12" on the side.
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Post by Ronv69 on Sept 22, 2021 21:48:24 GMT -5
My 12ga is a Benelli Nova. I might make a different choice today, I dunno. I like the fact that it'll shoot/cycle anything that says "12" on the side. So will my $50 Turkish single shot. 😉🤠
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Post by don on Sept 23, 2021 10:04:03 GMT -5
I have an old SxS Western Field 16g that I bought about ten years ago for $130. Not as sexy as my Bernardelli double, but it will get it done, and the price was 1/10 that of the Italian gun.
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Post by Ronv69 on Sept 23, 2021 13:09:08 GMT -5
I have an old SxS Western Field 16g that I bought about ten years ago for $130. Not as sexy as my Bernardelli double, but it will get it done, and the price was 1/10 that of the Italian gun. How about 16ga shells? My friend has a 16ga Auto5 that takes 2.375 shells.
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Post by william on Sept 23, 2021 16:19:55 GMT -5
Just to let you guys know--Federal sells ammo online direct. It is expensive--but if you cannot find the 410 or 16 gauge shells you need, you can get it there (for a premium price). I haven't seen 16 gauge on the shelves of sporting goods stores in forever.... www.federalpremium.com
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Post by don on Sept 23, 2021 18:34:28 GMT -5
I have an old SxS Western Field 16g that I bought about ten years ago for $130. Not as sexy as my Bernardelli double, but it will get it done, and the price was 1/10 that of the Italian gun. How about 16ga shells? My friend has a 16ga Auto5 that takes 2.375 shells. I buy my 16g dove loads at Cabelas. No trouble finding hunting ammo for the 16s. My home defense shotgun is a Mossberg 500 in 12.
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Post by Ronv69 on Sept 23, 2021 22:13:32 GMT -5
Just to let you guys know--Federal sells ammo online direct. It is expensive--but if you cannot find the 410 or 16 gauge shells you need, you can get it there (for a premium price). I haven't seen 16 gauge on the shelves of sporting goods stores in forever.... www.federalpremium.comI've recently bought some 9mm and some of the new Punch 22lr from them. Good ammo and fast delivery. As for the prices, they at least only sell at retail.
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Post by Plainsman on Sept 23, 2021 22:24:14 GMT -5
I'm allergic to factory ammo. I have some self-defense hotstuff for the 9s and 45s but virtually all of my stuff is handloaded. I just wish I was a little more inspired to get out in the gunshack and crank it out.
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Post by simnettpratt on Sept 23, 2021 22:27:43 GMT -5
Cheapest 16ga I could find is at Brownells: 250 shells Federal #8 2¾" for $150 (0.60 a round) Brownells 16gaCheapest single boxes are at Sportsmen Fullfillment (whoever they are), at $19 for Winchester High Brass #6 2¾" (0.76 a round) and they have 30 boxes www.sportsmanfulfillment.com
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briarbuck
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Leave the gun...take the cannoli.
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Post by briarbuck on Sept 24, 2021 9:08:47 GMT -5
I stick to low brass for my old Remington side by sides. For pheasant and grouse I am shooting high brass express shells but out of a newer gun. I would not want to shoot too hot of a load out of my old guns (100 + years)
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