Affordable Side by Side for Goose Hunting

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chivirac

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Hey there folks, I'm new hear and I need a bit of help. took a quick look at the forum and didn't see anything of this type (though it's likely I messed up so do feel free to redirect me). I'm looking for an affordable shotgun for goose and waterfowl hunting and would like your opinions.

The ideal gun would be:

-Side by side double-barreled
-Ok for steel shot
-affordable
-preferably old fashioned looking (I'm a historian, can't shake it!)

I've heard that a lot of the old guns (someone offered to sell me one from about 1912) are not safe with steel shot, is this true? Alternatively, I fell in love with the aesthetic of the marstar coach gun only to realize that with a barrel that short I might be hard placed to actually hit a goose unless it's attacking me and I'm taking it out at point blank, am I correct in this assumption?

If old guns are safe with steel shot, is there anything I should check for pre-purchase? Also, am I correct to assume that I should be shooting 12 gauge?

Hope my questions aren't too dumb.

Thanks,

Nick
 
If you want my opinion, you should avoid the older shotguns, and even be careful of some of the newer one. I would look for something more modern with a modified choke (unless its Remington, as their full choke is made for steel). 12ga is probably your best bet. You could also do well with a 16ga and a 10ga; however, the ammunition is harder to find and more expensive. Ideally you would get a 12ga with around a 28 +inch barrel and with a 3.5 or 3 inch chamber, as the 2.75 inch chambers are only really good for if you are hunting ducks or shooting over decoys. I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Paul
 
Take a look at these. There are a couple of guys that surf this forum that do own them. If you are lucky they will give you their thoughts.

http://www.davide-pedersoli.com/sch...tguns-side-by-side-shotgun-la-bohemienne.html

Marstar used to have them in stock and may still be able to order one in.

Also there's no problem being restricted to using 2 3/4" steel loads for geese. I regularly shoot them with old Federal 1 1/4oz of #1 shot out past 55yds and if they are centered in the pattern they come down dead! The new 2 3/4" Challenger loads of 1 1/4oz #1 shot are even better.
 
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Modern loads don't need long barrels. Short barrels are faster and there is more precieved lead. Once you master them the geese won't know. I've used a 18.5" barrel shooting BB and did well. My hunting buddies don't like the muzzle blast however. When I hunt geese I usually take a sxs in 10ga. If you like history read up on the 10 ga. Several Spanish companies make them and they're well built for their asking price on the used market. I've always prefered the patterns of my 10s over that of my many 12s

Most older guns will be choked f / m which can be opened up to allow steel shot. Ammo is more expensive

Another route is the more exotic soft non toxic shot witch is safe on older guns in good condition. However the prices may induce teary eyes if you miss. Best of luck
 
What is your definition of an affordable SxS? Are you talking $400.00 or $2000.00? As already mentioned, if it's in your price range, look for a Pedersoli Bohemienne as you said you are looking for an "old class" gun with modern features. I just picked up a super nice one in a trade with a fellow CGN'ER. I can't speak to function yet as I just got it 3 weeks ago but it is a very nice gun. It has 3 inch chambers, made for steel shot and has screw in choke tubes. I have a number of vintage guns but I would not recommend them to you as a goose getter that requires steel shot. Aside from the steel issue, many of these old guns have wood that is also getting up there in age and heavy recoil doesn't do them any good.
 
Awesome! Thank you so much for your opinions guys, I'll definitely look around!

I do love the pedersoli but it's a tad outside of my price range!

brybenn: so do you think the marstar coach could work? http://www.marstar.ca/dynamic/product.jsp?productid=75415 And I do love the history of the 10ga but I've heard that they aren't necessarily as easy to get a hold of, though I will take a look at Spanish guns then! Also, isn't the ammo more expensive?

gunsaholic: Sorry, I should have specified, affordable for a broke student, under 400 (I know it's crazy but I'm patient enough to wait for a deal) would be best!

So I should definitely check out toz, baikal, CZ hammer classic (and lust after the pedersoli)

Thanks a bunch again!
 
Would you by any chance know how expensive it might be to get the choke removed (ballpark figure of course!) weighing my options! Glad to hear that this should be compatible though!
 
Look at: Baikal Mp-43 , Stoeger Uplander, Both come with screw-in chokes, are chambered for 3", safe for steel and in your price range, $400-$500. Go online to: Ellwood Epps, GagnonSports, Prairie Gun Traders, P&D Enterprises, they have either or both of these. They also show up now and then on this site for less. They are, however, not guns to take to the trap club too often as they are not built for the high volume shooting like guns in the $2000 range. But, for hunting they should be O.K. for many years. Put snap-caps in the chambers too to save the soft firing pins and release the hammer springs when in the safe between hunts. Opening the full choke to modified choke will cost you no less than $60, provided the barrels aren't chrome lined, then it's way more...
 
jett said:
Look at: Baikal Mp-43 , Stoeger Uplander, Both come with screw-in chokes, are chambered for 3", safe for steel and in your price range, $400-$500. Go online to: Ellwood Epps, GagnonSports, Prairie Gun Traders, P&D Enterprises, they have either or both of these. They also show up now and then on this site for less. They are, however, not guns to take to the trap club too often as they are not built for the high volume shooting like guns in the $2000 range. But, for hunting they should be O.K. for many years. Put snap-caps in the chambers too to save the soft firing pins and release the hammer springs when in the safe between hunts. Opening the full choke to modified choke will cost you no less than $60, provided the barrels aren't chrome lined, then it's way more...
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baikal and toz take a beating, friend had an older toz with the 2 3/4 chamber and a baikal with 3". He does a lot of duck and goose hunting with magnum, high speed, etc steel loads. He has litteraly thousands of rounds through both guns with even shooting 3" magnum steel out of the shorter chamber toz. He has used them for many rounds of trap and skeet as well and they are still going strong today, I remember him telling me to look at the bore in his guns, not a mark and he has tortured them like no other.
 
I would say finding any double barrel sxs or o/u under the $400 price that works with steel might be a challenge, i might suggest stay with a pump in the field, 3 shots, not much that can break in the field if they get dirty, they last and work for steel and brand new start around the $300 mark and have interchangable chokes ( best of both worlds)
 
chivirac said:
Would you by any chance know how expensive it might be to get the choke removed (ballpark figure of course!) weighing my options! Glad to hear that this should be compatible though!
Click to expand...

Where I am , the last one I had done was $35.00 per barrel. But prices vary. As mentioned, the Baikals are another option in your price range. The barrels on them are chrome lined so steel is not an issue. However, opening the chokes on them is a bit tougher because you need a special reamer for chrome lined bores, unless you can find one that doesn't have full chokes which is often hard to find in an older Baikal. If the barrel walls have sufficient thickness, such as in an old Stevens, steel shot is not going to hurt them. But you do have to open up the chokes.
 
Tradeex has a selection of used doubles. Some even have modified/modified barrels that might be suitable for what you're looking for.
 
Grouse Man, isn't the search for the impossible all the more rewarding if you actually find what you're looking for?

And everyone else, thanks again for your input, I'll lurk around the classifieds for the next few months and see if I can come up with anything!
 
Honestly, Baikal is your best bet. Still a tad above your price range. I will take a Baikal over more expensive Turkish made CZ and others any day. I returned my Uplander for faulty trigger.
 
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