Hunting shotgun suggestions

I

imarco

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Currently have an Ithaca 37 with modified choke and a Winchester 101 with full and modified fixed chokes. I need a gun I can shoot steel through. I am thinking either another over and under or a semi. The O/A is a pricey option but love the look and feel so I am torn. looking for your suggestions. Budget about $1500. I would use it for skeet, deer and fowl.

I would like to know what you would chose and why.

Thank you for your time.
 
Guns are like women. So many different types. I prefer a nice semi and winchester sx3 works for me and savage 220 for deer. If you look hard you can find both for 1500.
 
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I use an o/u for the uplands. I haven't had the chance, but I would also use the o/u for doves with 2&3/4 loads of #7 steel... The o/u would not be my choice for slugs on deer, although I am sure you could with no issues...

I prefer a semi for waterfowl, but currently use a Nova pump... Might pick up a Winchester SX3 to replace the pump...

If you are going to shoot steel for waterfowl & use the 3.5 inch shells, then I would say go for a semi like the SX3.

Cheers
Jay
 
imarco said:
Currently have an Ithaca 37 with modified choke and a Winchester 101 with full and modified fixed chokes. I need a gun I can shoot steel through. I am thinking either another over and under or a semi.
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Why not get the 101 chokes reamed for steel or have tubes installed?
 
I prefer over/under's, they point and fit me better. My upland gun is wood/blue with 24" bbls and fixed choke. My waterfowl gun is the Browning Cynergy O/U camo in MOSGB with 28" bbls. I used an Auto 5 for 2 waterfowl seasons but just could not get the 'feel' of it hence the Cynergy.

RB
 
Your 37 with a mod choke should work well for waterfowl over decoys, deer & some clay shooting. I like auto loaders and have beat a Baikal for many years. I have a SBE2 on the way, not sure why but felt like a new gun. I would look at some of the sporting autos if I was to think about a clay gun. 3" chamber is lots. Just make sure the gun fits. good luck
 
Get your 101 tubes opened to .715 and .725... I just had a Citori done by Brady at Al's Corner Store... he did a great job... the gun patterns very nicely with 3" steel #3's.

I don't think your 101 will have the meat to install regular tubes... the O.D must be greater than 0.824"... or else you have to use thin wall tubes and then steel shot is out.

I would just ream the 101... it will become a great all-round field gun.
 
I pulled the pin on an SX3. Went out goose hunting with a couple buddies yesterday. My first time. I killed more geese than the other two, who have been hunting for years. They were both running 870's
 
Hmmm.... I think the 101's have chrome lined bores. Not sure that the chokes can be reworked by anyone I Canada. Anybody have any experience?
Otherwise, you need a good semi that can handle both low and high pressure loads - the B guns come to mind.
 
Sveinn84 said:
I pulled the pin on an SX3. Went out goose hunting with a couple buddies yesterday. My first time. I killed more geese than the other two, who have been hunting for years. They were both running 870's
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Do you really think you shot more geese because they were shooting 870s and you an SX3?
 
Geez I guess I sound cheap. I just bought a run-of-the-mill 870 pump. 28" barrel with a choke for waterfowl (sorry, can't remember off the i/d top of my head). Did it so my precious safe queens wouldn't get dirty. Great gun. It can get wet, dropped, scratched; I just clean it and oil it and she works fine. I think I paid maybe $400. Yes, it's heavy, but I'm a big boy. Tons of parts, and lots of $$$ left over.

Cannon
 
Redbull1 said:
I prefer over/under's, they point and fit me better. My upland gun is wood/blue with 24" bbls and fixed choke. My waterfowl gun is the Browning Cynergy O/U camo in MOSGB with 28" bbls. I used an Auto 5 for 2 waterfowl seasons but just could not get the 'feel' of it hence the Cynergy.

RB
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x2 on Cynergy - I doubt you can find one (even a good used one) within your budget ;-(
 
cosmic said:
Hmmm.... I think the 101's have chrome lined bores. Not sure that the chokes can be reworked by anyone I Canada. Anybody have any experience?
Otherwise, you need a good semi that can handle both low and high pressure loads - the B guns come to mind.
Click to expand...

There are gunsmiths in the GTA and vicinity who can do the job.
 
a j cave said:
Your 37 with a mod choke should work well for waterfowl over decoys, deer & some clay shooting. I like auto loaders and have beat a Baikal for many years. I have a SBE2 on the way, not sure why but felt like a new gun. I would look at some of the sporting autos if I was to think about a clay gun. 3" chamber is lots. Just make sure the gun fits. good luck
Click to expand...

Might be a little light for high volume waterfowling. My vote, like Jay's, would be for an autoloader. Heavier and designed for waterfowl hunting. Much better way to do things rather than trying to modify something else to try to make work.
 
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