What's the best combo gun under $1000?

TheCoachZed

TheCoachZed

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I'm kinda looking at combo guns again. I'd like something with accurate centerfire rifle barrel, ideally in .22ish calibre. I think .223 over 20 gauge would be best, but .223 over 12 would be OK. I see .222s occasionally, which would be OK, or could be reamed out to .223 ....

And I see a lot of .22 HP on Tradex. I would prefer something with enough jam to shoot a whitetail at 100 yards, hence the .223, but I suppose .22 HP might be OK if I was reloading.

I see Savage 24s, Tikka M07s and Baikal in this price range. Which one is preferable? I want this gun for marsh hunting and woods hunting, where you can get a shot at *anything* when you're out.
 
For not much more, you can buy a Brno (CZ) model 802. Not sure who can bring one in for you, but I would contact Italian Sporting Goods in Vancouver, BC, as I have seen new production Brno's being sold through them.
 
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hammer fired 12 ga side by side with caliber insert set.... preferably 12" barrel.

Mount a laser sight on there and you're gonna be baggin animals like no tomorrow.


But in all seriousness, I would avoid combo guns... thats just me.
 
The Kurgan said:
For not more, you can buy a Brno (CZ) model 802. Not sure who can bring one in for you, but I would contact Italian Sporting Goods in Vancouver, BC, as I have seen new production Brno's being sold through them.
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I used to have a Brno 7x57R/12g. Fantastic little gun. Never let me down and was pretty accurate too.
 
TheCoachZed said:
I'm kinda looking at combo guns again. I'd like something with accurate centerfire rifle barrel, ideally in .22ish calibre. I think .223 over 20 gauge would be best, but .223 over 12 would be OK. I see .222s occasionally, which would be OK, or could be reamed out to .223 ....

And I see a lot of .22 HP on Tradex. I would prefer something with enough jam to shoot a whitetail at 100 yards, hence the .223, but I suppose .22 HP might be OK if I was reloading.

I see Savage 24s, Tikka M07s and Baikal in this price range. Which one is preferable? I want this gun for marsh hunting and woods hunting, where you can get a shot at *anything* when you're out.
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Pretty well describes the Savage 24 V in 223 over 20g.

Plus I believe you can get an insert for 22lr

Plus Plus they are not expensive.

Plus Plus Plus they are available used.
 
Daver_II said:
hammer fired 12 ga side by side with caliber insert set.... preferably 12" barrel.

Mount a laser sight on there and you're gonna be baggin animals like no tomorrow.


But in all seriousness, I would avoid combo guns... thats just me.
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If going that route (and I wouldn't as inserts are pretty much useless), I would look at the Huglu's--nice guns!!
 
TheCoachZed said:
I'm kinda looking at combo guns again. I'd like something with accurate centerfire rifle barrel, ideally in .22ish calibre. I think .223 over 20 gauge would be best, but .223 over 12 would be OK. I see .222s occasionally, which would be OK, or could be reamed out to .223 ....

And I see a lot of .22 HP on Tradex. I would prefer something with enough jam to shoot a whitetail at 100 yards, hence the .223, but I suppose .22 HP might be OK if I was reloading.

I see Savage 24s, Tikka M07s and Baikal in this price range. Which one is preferable? I want this gun for marsh hunting and woods hunting, where you can get a shot at *anything* when you're out.
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1.) What province are you intending to hunt? Some provinces have minimum caliber restrictions .... for example .223 would be illegal for moose or deer in Quebec.

2.) In that price range (under $1000) there are no new combination guns on the market in Canada ... at least not in 20ga or 12ga. So you are limited to the used market. Baikal guns are known to be workhorses ... they aren't beauties .... but they function well and reliably. BRNOs as well have a good reputation .... Tradex is your friend here in that category.

3.) I bought a new BRNO Combo 30-06/12ga a couple years back ... they were on the market ... new in Canada ... there might be still some around ... but they are closer to $2000.-

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1741332-Combination-gun-options?p=15116752&viewfull=1#post15116752

4.) With a a budget of $1000.- I would go with a side by side shotgun with double triggers ... and a slug loaded in one barrel. With 30" barrels and just a front bead you should be good out to 50 meters for whitetails. And if you want to reach further out you could install a rear and front sight ... Today's rifled slugs like the Federal Truball are accurate enough out to 100 meters.

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1637998-Huglu-Good-or-Bad?p=14957290&viewfull=1#post14957290
 
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TheCoachZed said:
I'm kinda looking at combo guns again. I'd like something with accurate centerfire rifle barrel, ideally in .22ish calibre. I think .223 over 20 gauge would be best, but .223 over 12 would be OK. I see .222s occasionally, which would be OK, or could be reamed out to .223 ....

And I see a lot of .22 HP on Tradex. I would prefer something with enough jam to shoot a whitetail at 100 yards, hence the .223, but I suppose .22 HP might be OK if I was reloading.

I see Savage 24s, Tikka M07s and Baikal in this price range. Which one is preferable? I want this gun for marsh hunting and woods hunting, where you can get a shot at *anything* when you're out.
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I would not confine yourself to the .22 centerfires as for the most part the rifle barrel twist is too slow to take advantage of modern projectiles that improve their versatility. The caliber restrictions in New Brunswick will likely be lifted hopefully by the new year. If the Baikal was available with a 16 or 20 gauge barrel instead of 12 it would be my first choice, a .243, .30-30, .308 or .30-06 would be versatile and have readily available ammo, dies and brass compared to some of the european offerings.
 
I would not get too concerned about a specific caliber of rifle cartridge in a combination gun. As long as it's legal for your intended harvest.
These tend to be fired mostly in hunting fields versus range time. This assumed rate of ammunition consumption is considerably less compared to just about any other centerfire repeating rifle.
Myself I lean towards a rimmed cartridge to lessen the probability of a stuck extraction fired casing. But that's just me.
 
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Jim870 said:
I would not confine yourself to the .22 centerfires as for the most part the rifle barrel twist is too slow to take advantage of modern projectiles that improve their versatility. The caliber restrictions in New Brunswick will likely be lifted hopefully by the new year. If the Baikal was available with a 16 or 20 gauge barrel instead of 12 it would be my first choice, a .243, .30-30, .308 or .30-06 would be versatile and have readily available ammo, dies and brass compared to some of the european offerings.
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I certainly thought of that, Jim. But the .223 would still be OKish for head shots on rabbits too, and coyotes, which is realistically what would be around when I was toting it
 
0faustus0 said:
1.) What province are you intending to hunt? Some provinces have minimum caliber restrictions .... for example .223 would be illegal for moose or deer in Quebec.

2.) In that price range (under $1000) there are no new combination guns on the market in Canada ... at least not in 20ga or 12ga. So you are limited to the used market. Baikal guns are known to be workhorses ... they aren't beauties .... but they function well and reliably. BRNOs as well have a good reputation .... Tradex is your friend here in that category.

3.) I bought a new BRNO Combo 30-06/12ga a couple years back ... they were on the market ... new in Canada ... there might be still some around ... but they are closer to $2000.-

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1741332-Combination-gun-options?p=15116752&viewfull=1#post15116752

4.) With a a budget of $1000.- I would go with a side by side shotgun with double triggers ... and a slug loaded in one barrel. With 30" barrels and just a front bead you should be good out to 50 meters for whitetails. And if you want to reach further out you could install a rear and front sight ... Today's rifled slugs like the Federal Truball are accurate enough out to 100 meters.

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1637998-Huglu-Good-or-Bad?p=14957290&viewfull=1#post14957290
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I have a nice German SXS. I would really like a proper rifle barrel. My old Winchester 1300 would be the bee's knees if I wanted to shoot slugs.

The reason I want a .22 cal centerfire is because of our messed up rules in NB.

I could also theoretically shoot slugs and buckshot out of the shotgun barrel too, on a combo, if I wanted. In fact, that is partly why I wanted it. Good for brush hunting with buckshot, rifle barrel for clearings
 
TheCoachZed said:
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I could also theoretically shoot slugs and buckshot out of the shotgun barrel too, on a combo, if I wanted. In fact, that is partly why I wanted it. Good for brush hunting with buckshot, rifle barrel for clearings
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Just keep in mind that those combo guns are not regulated to shoot slugs to the same point of aim as the rifled barrel!!!
They are regulated for shot out of the shotgun barrel ....

Buckshot should work fine ...
 
I have tried many combination guns and any that have cost under $1000 were ... disappointing. That includes several Savages, Brno, & Tikka and others. I currently have a nice Heym .222/16 ga. that actually does what it should do. Shoots accurately, functions perfectly, good triggers and sights and scope in QD scope mount, shoots both barrels to the same point of aim. It's for sale if someone is interested. But it costs about double your budget.
 
0faustus0 said:
Just keep in mind that those combo guns are not regulated to shoot slugs to the same point of aim as the rifled barrel!!!
They are regulated for shot out of the shotgun barrel ....

Buckshot should work fine ...
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This reverse was a fallicy of FIE Garcia Bronco.
The 410 barrel was true cylinder choke. So what it printed slugs very well to the 22 barrel at 35 yards.
Where it really counted was birdshot pattern that might or might not cleanly harvest a bunny at 20 yards.
 
I bought a Sabbati 12g/ .222 and had a smith Rheem it out to .223 . Then picked up another barrel set on 12g/ 6.5x55 Sw. it’s now my go to fav . Found everything on Tradex
 
I’ve got a savage in 30-30 over 20 gauge. Great gun for packing around when your just out for a wander and want the option of taking any legal game you come across. I make a point of more or less keeping to the trails and smaller openings when I’m carrying it so I’m not overly handicapped by the open sights (but the way my eyes are going that’s getting closer and closer). Not a 22 centre fire, but good for most things
 
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