Choosing a shotgun: Anything I forgot?

H

huntingfish

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Howdy folks,
So, I figured I'm going to be needing a shotgun eventually. I currently own a 30-06 (moose/bear) and a .22lr (grouse). I'd eventually want to have something that could serve as all of the following:

  • Carry along on walks in the woods (no, not for bear defense hehe, but mostly if I see a bird or two along the way). Ideally, on the light side of things.
  • Might try migratory birds eventually in the future (read: steel shot)
  • Might try turky hunting as well
  • Rabbit/hare hunting
  • Serve as a backup to my 30-06 should something go wrong with it (read: 12ga slugs, since anything less than that is illegal for big game here in qc)
  • Plinking/practice (maybe a bit of skeet, but this will be very very occasional)

I'd probably need different chokes as well.

I've been looking at stoeger shotguns. I personally like the looks and the feel of their o/u. I've held a SxS and I don't like the large forearm. I'd rather have a sleek forearm, I find them more comfortable. I'm not a big fan of "tactical" styles shotguns and such either.

My debate is choosing between a condor supreme and a condor outback. The supreme comes with ejectors while the outback only comes with extractors. The barrel length is also different. I believe both have auto-safety (which I'm not a big fan of, but that can probably be fixed by a gunsmith).

Anything I'm not considering or that I forgot?

Cheers,

Fish
 
Nothing wrong with auto safety for a hunting gun, but your gun, your choice.

Otherwise, any recently made gun should fit your bill.
 
I don't know guys, I don't really want a pump and definitely don't want a semi.

I'll go see the baikals though, just so I have something to compare.

Getting back to one of my original questions, what would a difference of 6" in barrel length change exactly?

Cheers,

Fish
 
6" is huge. If you plan on any type of wingshooting, then the longer barrel would be your only choice.

It's hard to regulate 2 barrels, so they might not shoot to the same POI, so it might be tough for turkey hunting/ shooting slugs.

You are basically asking for a car that's fast, carry a lot of stuff, handles well around corners, able to off road. Any shotgun can do all those jobs, but they aren't gonna be good at any of them.
 
huntingfish said:
I don't know guys, I don't really want a pump and definitely don't want a semi.

I'll go see the baikals though, just so I have something to compare.

Getting back to one of my original questions, what would a difference of 6" in barrel length change exactly?

Cheers,

Fish
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Most O/Us are really not designed for the slug shooter. Yes you can do it and with a rifled choke tube you may get reasonable accuracy. I lean towards fully rifled barrels for slugs.

The Stoeger/IGA Condor is a decent gun for the money and should serve most of your needs. Again, I'm not sure how well the O/U will work with slugs.

6" in barrel length can make the difference between a gun you love and a safe Queen. Some folks love short barrel guns and shoot them well. others like myself prefer and shoot longer barrels best.

If you didn't have an adversion to pumps, both Mossberg and Remington (LeBarons) have 3 barrel sets available that will pretty much do everything you'd want a shotgun to do.
 
As to your original question some other possible questions include:
a) Finish - do you need stainless or camo? Do you prefer wood or synthetic?
b) Sights - is a bead good enough for you? Or would ghosts or an optic be prefered?
c) Accessories - if you're looking to add anything is anything available for the particular gun you're looking at?
d) Weight - if you're hauling it, you'll probably want less. If you're recoil sensitive, you'll probably want more.
e) Warranty - if something should go wrong with it, can you get it serviced in Canada or is it a mail and pray senario?

Just some thoughts.
 
Honestly, migratory birds, turkey hunting, and slugs for deer is screaming for a Mossberg or Remington package - there's tons of deals going on with the rifled barrel and standard vent-rib being sold together. Slugs are going to be highly suboptimal in an over/under, they are not regulated like a proper double rifle, even with a rifled choke. I would suggest getting the O/U if you want, but be very aware that it will not do all those things well and you might wind up with a beater pump anyways.
 
I agree with mikeyb, the O/U is not the best choice for what he wants. The pump combo guns offer great value and versatility. For a walkabout shotgun nothing beats a break action single shot, short,light and well balanced. You do a lot more walking than shooting. Then buy the O/U if you really like it. After that you'll want a SxS double as a companion piece. HA HA, this is how it happens.
 
Consider a shotgun that comes in a multi-barrel combo set...different barrels for different needs.
One that has parts and accessories available anywhere, common on the EE here too.
One that has a proven track record, and years of in field service.
870 pump comes to mind...Remington
590 Mossberg too.
Even a clone model from overseas is cheap, so the extras added in will be cost comparitive.
 
The guy has made it clear he isn't looking for a pump or a semi. Why the hell do some posters push things on him he has clearly rejected? :rolleyes:

In addition to the Stoegers, the Baikals and CZ shotguns are worth looking at. If the wide forend of some sxs is a concerns the Baikals and CZ often come with slimmer forends.

Slug shooting from a double gun is a trial and error process. Some guns will print both barrels to the same POI. What's necessary is to find the slugs that work best. Predator defense however is a short range prospect and within 25 yards it's quite possible to get a combination that works.

Slug use is very low on his list. Most of the intended uses will be met with either of his choices or guns from Baikal or CZ that are about in the same price range.
 
Claybuster said:
The guy has made it clear he isn't looking for a pump or a semi. Why the hell do some posters push things on him he has clearly rejected? :rolleyes:
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My impression is that although he does not want a pump or a semi, a pump or a semi would be his best choice to meet his criteria.

Personally I would get a semi and just plain forget about the slugs, get another cheap rifle for back up. For wings hooting I am not a fan of pumps but do own one.

But if you are set on an O/U which is a great wing shooter, I personally would stay away from Stoeger, stiff triggers, bulky feeling etc. I would go with a Baikal or find a used Browning, I have never seen the CZ.
 
You said no pump but I really think this would fit your bill.
WBPS-81%20BPS%20Upland%2016ga.jpg


Shorter barrel and a straight grip would be nice for carrying but would serve your other needs in a pinch if required.
 
My only suggestion is that you handle some other brands of over/unders. The little experience I've had with economy O/Us is that they aren't very good - but I haven't handled the CZ or the Stoeger specifically. Try a Browning, or SKB, or Beretta, or Winchester, and then handle the Stoeger. If it still feels fine to you, go right ahead. If you do get the Stoeger, give us all a good detailed review of it, with pics, please!
 
Grouse Man said:
My only suggestion is that you handle some other brands of over/unders. The little experience I've had with economy O/Us is that they aren't very good - but I haven't handled the CZ or the Stoeger specifically. Try a Browning, or SKB, or Beretta, or Winchester, and then handle the Stoeger. If it still feels fine to you, go right ahead. If you do get the Stoeger, give us all a good detailed review of it, with pics, please!
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Thank you for putting delicately what was in my head. I love doubles but I have never held one that I liked that was under $1500.

For under $1000, cheaper semi or very nice pump.
 
If you look on the used market you might find a good deal on O/U and S/S shotguns, but the Stoeger line seems like a good choice for new.. For hunting and clays a modified and full choke cover most of your requirements. Barrel length is really a matter of personal choice for sighting, some prefer 30 inches others 26, it is how you process the sight plane and handle the gun that counts.
 
I know you said that you do not want a semi, but they are by far the most versatile shoguns around. If I had to only have one to do everything (i.e skeet, trap, upland, waterfowl, and the occasional slug, it would be a semi. I personnally have a preference for Berettas, but any of the B guns would be OK.


I would stay away from Stoegers. From what I have seen and heard, they are just not reliable enough for any type of frequent use. Get a used Browning and Beretta, and be hgappy... or buy a Stoeger and spend the next few years wanting a B gun.
 
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