Gobbler Nation

So after spending a couple of years hunting with a 20ga and hand rolled TSS, I had a strong desire to build a 28ga. Having never owned an O/U, I thought this was an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. I had three goals for my search:
1. Short barrel(s)
2. Lightweight
3. Economical

After searching online I settled on a Savage/Stevens 555 Compact. This gun has 24” barrels, aluminum alloy receiver, 13.25” LOP and comes with 5 chokes. Researching reviews I did notice a few years back that several people had an issue of both barrels firing at once. That being said, I didn’t see recent posts concerning this event so I went with the theory the manufacturer must have corrected the problem. Secondly I noticed several comments on the poor trigger being both heavy and excessive travel. Even with these cons noted, I searched for a deal and evenally order online for a shipped price of $495.11.

Upon arrival I was pleased with feel of the gun and appearance of the Turkish walnut. The trigger was not good. My gauge measured 7.25lbs. with some extra travel. To my local gunsmith and he eliminated the travel and reduced the pull to 5lbs. Next I sent the barrels to William at Sumtoy for a base mount. Also ordered a two piece barrel ban swivel set (GTSW44) from Grovtec for my sling.

After I got the barrels back, I mounted a Venom, with a wide protector from gobbler74, installed the swivel set and slipped on a LimbSaver AirTech recoil pad. I screwed in an IC .520 and went to shooting. The gun now has about 150 shells fired through it between field loads and TSS. Happy to report no problems with both barrels firing at once.

So back to my goals:
1. Short barrel(s) - not many choices less than 26”, so 24” will work, check
2. Lightweight - unloaded and without the sling this gun weighs 5lb 4.2oz, big check
3. Economical - picked from my ffl guy for a total of $515.11, check

Hand loading and hunting with TSS has been a blast with the only negative, beside the obvious cost, is the up close, “in your face” shots. Those shots can result in misses using lead but with TSS the problem is even greater. With that being sad, my hope was to dedicate one barrel for this purpose. The attached pics show my results. If you are looking for a 28ga, you have my recommendation.

most awesome! that up close shooting shows how versatile TSS is that its not so tight you'll have a problem missing.

Very nice! I have the same gun but with a sumtoy choke. Are you shooting one of Hal’s loads?

Yes, shooting Hal’s loads. Still debating between the 1.5oz and 1.625oz.

That’s a great pattern you got. I have the same gun with 26” barrels and have gotten really good results from mine. Really impressed with it so far.

Awesome set up my friend!!!! You will love the 28ga in the Stevens 555. I have a 20ga in the 555, and I love the matt black finish on the metal. That’s going to be a turkey killing machine!!!

Very nice!

I like the upgrades you have added. Killed my first 28 ga bird, the spring, with the same set up. Mine really likes the 9.5's

WestALspurhunter wrote: ↑September 9th, 2018, 10:04 pm That’s a great pattern you got. I have the same gun with 26” barrels and have gotten really good results from mine. Really impressed with it so far.

Do a little choke filing and you can bring the bottom barrel up to the top barrel!!!

I likey.

2Shooter wrote: ↑September 10th, 2018, 7:54 pm

WestALspurhunter wrote: ↑September 9th, 2018, 10:04 pm That’s a great pattern you got. I have the same gun with 26” barrels and have gotten really good results from mine. Really impressed with it so far.

Do a little choke filing and you can bring the bottom barrel up to the top barrel!!!

Got a sticky for choke filing?

No, but look up poorcountrypreacher’s post on here abour it. I done it, and it works! Steve