Buying a 20 Guage O/U

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BCFred

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I know, which gun to buy is a topic that has almost been kicked to death in some ways, but I have started looking for at 20 ga o/u to use for clays and skeet. The purchase will likely happen sometime in the coming winter or early spring. So, I have a bit of time to save and look. Intend to spend around $1000. Would very much appreciate opinions about which particular guns to look at and what to look out for ;). One problem I have is that I don't know brands and model numbers, especially older ones. My Citori in 12 ga turned out to be a good buy and I'll likely always keep it for trap.
 
Sounds like you should try to find a good used Citori in 20 ga. ...
preferably 28" barrels with interchangeable choke tubes. Not likely you'll find 30-inchers, but if you can, why not ? The little guns benefit from longer barrels for clays.
 
For that amount of cash you can find a good, second/thirdhand SKB made, Ithaca Model 500 O/U. Beautiful upland game/skeet gun, can be had with chrome lined bores, selective single trigger, 3 inch capable in 20 bore, excellent balance too.
Mine has fixed chokes, with 26 inch tubes. Anything shorter feels 'dead,' on a moving target.

EDIT: They are not made new and imported anymore. So for spare parts Ron Sharpe in Dunnville Ontario, is your only hope, north of the 49th parallel.(He bought alot of Ithaca/SKB gun parts in '88)

Cheers and good luck.....
 
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beretta boy said:
Sounds like you should try to find a good used Citori in 20 ga. ...
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X2 if you are already familiar with and like the Citori in 12. You might also consider a used Miroku which is the same gun as the Citori although typically not as fancy. Another option would be a Winchester 101 which is also very similar to the Citori although IMO better in a couple of regards. A real find would be a Nikko or Golden Eagle. Both of these guns were made in the same factory as the Winchester 101 by the same people but without the flying red "W" they are often available for considerably less money.
 
BCFred said:
I know, which gun to buy is a topic that has almost been kicked to death in some ways, but I have started looking for at 20 ga o/u to use for clays and skeet. The purchase will likely happen sometime in the coming winter or early spring. So, I have a bit of time to save and look. Intend to spend around $1000. Would very much appreciate opinions about which particular guns to look at and what to look out for ;). One problem I have is that I don't know brands and model numbers, especially older ones. My Citori in 12 ga turned out to be a good buy and I'll likely always keep it for trap.
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Rather than buy a new gun why not start reloading. Some nice 12ga. 7/8-1oz loads work great on Clays.
 
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This is the Baikal 20 ga. with 3" chambers, nickel receiver, 28" chrome lined barrels, single selective trigger and comes with 4 chokes if I remember correctly. It will never compare to a good quality gun like Browning but for for approximately $750 it fits my needs and pocketbook. Shoots well and I'm not afraid to scratch it which is all I wanted.
 
BCFred said:
I know, which gun to buy is a topic that has almost been kicked to death in some ways, but I have started looking for at 20 ga o/u to use for clays and skeet. The purchase will likely happen sometime in the coming winter or early spring. So, I have a bit of time to save and look. Intend to spend around $1000. Would very much appreciate opinions about which particular guns to look at and what to look out for ;). One problem I have is that I don't know brands and model numbers, especially older ones. My Citori in 12 ga turned out to be a good buy and I'll likely always keep it for trap.
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Why not put a set of Briley tubes in it,Fred?:rolleyes:
They are much cheaper than a new gun ( $550), and work super!
You can get a four tube set and really have fun!
Rick lawrey at Lawrey Shooting Sports in Caledonia, Ontario can help you out- super to deal with and fast service!:)
Cat
 
It's quite late but I wanted to say that the comments here are just great! I'm really looking forward to this project. Some capsule comments. I hope I don't miss anyone because every comment was helpful and made me think. I never thought of Ithaca or Winchester, but now I will look more closely and will be able to evaluate what I am looking at better when I travel from club to club. The Citori in 20 ga would be very high on my list if I ran into a good one second hand. Baikal is a shotgun mentioned in the forums here before. They interest me, but I don't know if they will stand up to really heavy use. The price is right and it is a nice looking gun. It also helps that some people are pleased with them. As for reloading, I am doing that for skeet and trap now. My loads are 1 oz with spreader wads and improved cylinder chokes. They work well, but I want a somewhat lighter gun for skeet and I want...of course...another gun :D Briley tubes is a really interesting idea. It may be THE idea! I have read about tubes and apparently most competitors go this route in the big tournaments, but haven't seen a set and don't know how they work. Thank you again guys...great help...fred:)
 
Ellwood Epps has the blue version of the Baikal listed on their website for $589 and nickel for $649. As for standing up to heavy use, I bought a single bbl 12 ga Baikal close to 20 yrs ago now and its still going, albeit on it's third owner now.

http://www.ellwoodepps.com/new_firearms_BAIKAL.asp

My 20 was purchased for Clays and grouse, in that order. Its worked fine for me with no glitches. It isn't a fancy gun, the trigger guard looks cheap IMHO, the checkering is heavy and it's a bit stiff to open. Compared to my Citori Trap it is a Ford vs. Lincoln. But it is a good solid performer. And having screw-in chokes is a bonus too.
If I had found a used Citori for a reasonable price I would have bought it, but those Citori 20 gauges are hard to find and hold their value well.
 
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