Grouse gun recommendation-please help.

Thanks, lots of info out there.

It would be nice to get a new shot gun, but I think I will either stick with what I have or find a nice old used SXS. This will be more economical and I like the old world design and quality.

I like the Browning Citori superlight feather, but do I really want to shell out $2,000? I had a chance to handle a Ugartechea at the Kamloops gun show and immediately fell in love. CZ will definitely be an option if I choose to buy new. I really like the feel of the straight english stock.

Thanks for all of your suggestions.
 
I got my stoeger Uplander sxs 20ga used in excellent shape for under 300$. It is perfect. It has 24" barrels, straight english stock and removeable chokes. I couldnt be happier with it. Its not a browning or a Franchi, but it does the trick and didnt blow the bank. The fit and finish is just fine, especially considering the money.
 
I use a sawed off Win model 12 but I'm a bit of a pump gun fan. I hunt in Ontario in heavy brush with a ball cap and a hoody on under my jacket to keep the bush out. I just plow through the underbrush and look up when I hear wings beating.

I'd recomend a 20 or light 12 over a 410 for cost and versatility of ammo
my $.02

Welcome to a great sport! You can go in bottom dollar or high end and you'll still get the same enjoyment. Allot like fishing!
 
Wood stoves right about the cost of 410cal ammo, unless you handload and shoot alot of it, stay away just as an economical suggestion. Even the trap/skeet shooters think I am nutz loading 410 as it is teadious and fustrating for most, I load them as my whole family loves to hunt grouse with 410 singles and doubles, so I get stuck( really enjoy it though!) reloading about a 100 rounds in crappy years and as much as 500 in goodyears like the past 3, cheers Dale in T-Bay
 
Where I am at the grouse live in pretty thick woods. I only have the one multipurpose shotgun but it works.

A Remington 870.
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Hee hee! That's quite the grouse gun you have there llwyd! :) I use a Mossberg 500 with an 18.5" barrel (no choke) early in the season and a Ranger (Cooey 84 copy) that has been cut to 20" and has a modified choke tube in it. I find the shorter barrels, while slightly less than ideal for a good swing, work great in the thick brush that I tramp through. I wish I could afford a nice O/U or SxS for grouse hunting, but my budget simply won't allow it.
 
mmatt said:
Hee hee! That's quite the grouse gun you have there llwyd! :)
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It's the only shotgun I have. I have managed to acquire fractures in both hands or wrists over the years, one of which did not heal right. The pistol grip stock and angled fore end are a real treat for sore old bones.
 
Stoeger Uplander sXs or Baikal IZH 43 sXs ?

After some thought and giving 870 a try with grouse hunting, I have finally decided that a 20 Ga. sXs is in order for upland hunting. A quick review of the Trade Ex's impressive used sXs guns proved disappointing, as their inventory does not include any 20 Ga sXs's. Also, I am not into single shots.

So I have started to look at the entry level new SxS guns. The two above-noted guns seem to be it. Both available in southern Ontario for around $600 :eek:! (These guns are sold in the US for half that price!).

I had an opportunity to handle the Stoeger, which is made in Brazil by Bioto. It is heavy, crude and feels very sturdy. Kind of like a Russian sks. :) Unfortunately, it has a reputation for misfiring problems i.e. sometimes the pin makes a dent but not hard enough to fire. Too bad as I kind of liked that utilitarian look and feel.

Never held a Baikal 43 so I will wait for your comments. I hear they are similar in being heavy, crud and well built, without the misfiring problem

Which one would be your choice? I appreciate your comments.
 
Home3 said:
Stoeger Uplander sXs or Baikal IZH 43 sXs ?

After some thought and giving 870 a try with grouse hunting, I have finally decided that a 20 Ga. sXs is in order for upland hunting. A quick review of the Trade Ex's impressive used sXs guns proved disappointing, as their inventory does not include any 20 Ga sXs's. Also, I am not into single shots.

So I have started to look at the entry level new SxS guns. The two above-noted guns seem to be it. Both available in southern Ontario for around $600 :eek:! (These guns are sold in the US for half that price!).

I had an opportunity to handle the Stoeger, which is made in Brazil by Bioto. It is heavy, crude and feels very sturdy. Kind of like a Russian sks. :) Unfortunately, it has a reputation for misfiring problems i.e. sometimes the pin makes a dent but not hard enough to fire. Too bad as I kind of liked that utilitarian look and feel.

Never held a Baikal 43 so I will wait for your comments. I hear they are similar in being heavy, crud and well built, without the misfiring problem

Which one would be your choice? I appreciate your comments.
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My comment is that I would not buy either one of those guns. To properly make a decent SxS, the retail can't be in the $600 range. New is a problem at under $1000.

I have lot's of SxS guns. None were bought new. Not all are antiques that have to be babied with ultra-hard-to-find expensive ammo.

You don't need to be in a hurry. Follow the exchange here, look at other sources and buy a well made, used gun. If you are using primarily for grouse there are lots of light loads of lead you can send down the pipe.

Buy a gun that does the job AND you can be proud to own.
 
canvasback said:
My comment is that I would not buy either one of those guns. To properly make a decent SxS, the retail can't be in the $600 range. New is a problem at under $1000.

I have lot's of SxS guns. None were bought new. Not all are antiques that have to be babied with ultra-hard-to-find expensive ammo.

You don't need to be in a hurry. Follow the exchange here, look at other sources and buy a well made, used gun. If you are using primarily for grouse there are lots of light loads of lead you can send down the pipe.

Buy a gun that does the job AND you can be proud to own.
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I disagree stongly with that. While its true, you get a better gun if you spend more money, you can get good doubles for under 1 grand and even under 600. Not everyone on this site pulls in six figures a year. I got my Stoger Uplander used in nearly mint condition for 300$ about 2 years ago. Its light, easy to point, looks good well made and goes bang every time I pull the trigger. Plus, if a branch scratches the stock, I dont feel too bad. Ive had it out for 3 grouse seasons now and I couldnt be happier with it. You dont have to blow the bank to get a good sxs.

Home3, although I have never shot the Baikal, I can vouch for the Stoeger. I would not hesitate to buy one. I know others I hunt with that have similar positive expriences with stoeger sxs's.
 
Scott Bear said:
Anyone try the CZ redhead mini (O/U) or the bobwhite (SXS)?
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I have used one extensively in 28 gauge and can tell you that it is stone cold reliable, points super fast and shoots where you look.
My buddy has it now and likes it more every time he uses it.
I have killed everything from chukars to geese with that gun.
As far as cheap SXS guns go, I don't think the price point is a big deal, of that is what a person can afford, so be it.
I have owned a few Stoegers and such, and they work well, and did not break.
They were a tad heavier than some, but they did the job.
There is a 20 gauge C.I.L SXS for sale at shooters Choice which would be a great gun for someone - I had one at one time when I was younger and it was a fine shotgun, made by CBC IIRC.
Cat
 
cote_b said:
I disagree stongly with that. While its true, you get a better gun if you spend more money, you can get good doubles for under 1 grand and even under 600. Not everyone on this site pulls in six figures a year. I got my Stoger Uplander used in nearly mint condition for 300$ about 2 years ago. Its light, easy to point, looks good well made and goes bang every time I pull the trigger. Plus, if a branch scratches the stock, I dont feel too bad. Ive had it out for 3 grouse seasons now and I couldnt be happier with it. You dont have to blow the bank to get a good sxs.

Home3, although I have never shot the Baikal, I can vouch for the Stoeger. I would not hesitate to buy one. I know others I hunt with that have similar positive expriences with stoeger sxs's.
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I never said anything about breaking the bank. In fact my whole point was to indicate how to spend $600, as he might on a new gun, and get a much better quality used gun.

You proved my point by buying your "nearly mint" Stoeger for $300, because you bought it used. All I'm saying is don't rush, look around. $600 doesn't buy very much in a new SxS. That's not my opinion, that's just the facts of what it takes to build a SxS.

And anyone's income has nothing to do with looking to get good value.
 
I've posted this picture before- but its such a perfect grouse/timberdoodle gun I can't help myself. After watching the EE for a bit I picked up an Ithaca Flues 20ga with chopped barrels from a very fine CGN'er. Light, nimble, just the right bang- this gun makes me want to go hunting! :D

Ithacapose.jpg
 
I much prefer o/u guns to sxs guns,so I will do doing all of my bird hunting with either my Citori 28gauge or the Citori 20 gauge that I am currently shopping for.

How about the Browning Citori 28 gauge?
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I bought a like new used one a couple of weeks ago.I was shopping for a Citori 20 gauge,but when I picked up the 28,I just had to have one.Of course the great deal that Pud at Bashaw Sports gave me,helped to seal the deal.

Clay at Prophet River has two Citori 28 gauge guns on the way for great deals as well,but for the same price,my used gun included five Briley extended chokes,and A browning luggage style case.
 
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