Re: SKB 200E VS 385
Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 10:39 pm
The 385 is going to be in general beefier than the 200. While I believe the action is basically the same, I believe the barrels were heavier and the stocks were of a fuller design; the growth of steel shot and the need for a 3" chamber being the driving reasons.
Without knowing the gauge, balance & swing is tough to judge. I prefer the Ithaca-era SKB guns over their closest competitor, the Browning BSS, as the Ithaca guns were IMO closer to a true game gun design & feel. The Brownings to me feel bloated, as do the 300/400 series post-Ithaca SKB guns.
Having said that, if you are looking for more of a target or waterfowl gun the 300 series is probably a better choice. The one well-known problem with the Ithaca guns was that the butt stocks liked to crack due to the scalloped receiver; as a result replacement wood is pretty hard to find. The receiver is still scalloped on the 300/400 guns, but I believe the wood is inletted differently; don't seem to hear about those guns cracking stocks, but there's not nearly as many of them out there either.
JMO,
Dave
Without knowing the gauge, balance & swing is tough to judge. I prefer the Ithaca-era SKB guns over their closest competitor, the Browning BSS, as the Ithaca guns were IMO closer to a true game gun design & feel. The Brownings to me feel bloated, as do the 300/400 series post-Ithaca SKB guns.
Having said that, if you are looking for more of a target or waterfowl gun the 300 series is probably a better choice. The one well-known problem with the Ithaca guns was that the butt stocks liked to crack due to the scalloped receiver; as a result replacement wood is pretty hard to find. The receiver is still scalloped on the 300/400 guns, but I believe the wood is inletted differently; don't seem to hear about those guns cracking stocks, but there's not nearly as many of them out there either.
JMO,
Dave