High end single shot field guns

conor_90

conor_90

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Want to get a well made shotgun for upland game hunting and rabbit hunting on the prairies. Maybe some pass shooting at waterfowl targets of opportunity.

My tastes no longer correspond with my budget as I’m going back to school. I was considering a huglu side by side but want more of a lifetime gun.

I had a huglu o/u and liked it but I don’t know if they are really built to last. Not really a fan of pumps for bird hunting. Also considered German side by sides but they all seem to have full chokes and I don’t really like the styling

Thinking of trying to find a Henry single 12 gauge. I had a single shot rifle but it was before they fixed the triggers; besides the 7 lb trigger it was good.


Any other suggestions for single shots that aren’t bottom of the barrel and will last? Budget 600 or less. I know the yildiz are pretty nice for Turks but would prefer a steel receiver. 3 inch chamber and chokes preferred, steel rated would be good for my pass shooting dreams.

Open to suggestions of well made older models as well. I’ve heard mixed reviews of beretta folders. Opinions?

Thanks
 
Pre 64 Winchester 37 .Not a Cooey 37A build , solid gun that is balanced well made and points well . Hard to find but they are out there.
 
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brybenn said:
High end and $600 budget really dont go together
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Yup. I was going to suggest a call to Kolar (I'm sure they'd build you a field single to your specs)... But the down paiement to start the build is probably more than $600

They used to offer a shotgun barrel for the TCR 87, but I haven't seen one of those for sale in ages
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High end and $600 budget really dont go together
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Always got an opinion eh?

As you are something of an expert in cheap guns I’m sure you know most singles are going for 75-300 dollars. If something is 3x the cost of average that would put in the high end no?

I am asking about field guns not trap specific singles worth 1000’s of dollars. Unlike you I generally buy the guns that I post questions about so I put my price outside the realm of fantasy.

Yup. I was going to suggest a call to Kolar (I'm sure they'd build you a field single to your specs)... But the down paiement to start the build is probably more than $600
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If someone asks for a solid Mauser under one grand do you suggest they call Ralph Martini?

I wouldn’t get my panties in a twist if someone called a 2000 dollar rifle “high end” but I guess shotgun guys are built different…


Let me rephrase since this is so offensive no one can come up with an answer:

Can someone suggest a modern single shot field gun that is better than the Turk offerings and is a field gun? Considering the Henry so something in that price range would be good.


Try to find a Beretta single. They sell for 300-400.00 on the EE and are a quality firearm. That's about all you will get for under 600.00.
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Cheers
 
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Have to admit, the Henry really fits that bill. And they're a handsome looking gun.

OP, what about procuring a decent older Cooey 840, or CIL, and make a project out of it?

Most barrels are robust enough for steel, and can be machined and threaded for thin wall chokes?

Just a thought, but someones older beater, might be a decent platform to do a small build. I sold an older CIL to a guy 2 years ago, and he did just that.
 
OP, what about procuring a decent older Cooey 840, or CIL, and make a project out of it?
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I’ve been considering this or reaming out the chokes on a German side by side to mod if I can’t find a Henry. Solid old single, refinish the wood, add a red pad and get thin wall chokes installed.

Wasn’t sure about the steel but the pass shooting might be more of a fantasy; won’t really know until I’m on the ground in sask. I can always get a couple boxes of bismuth or similar for the off chance. I’ve certainly run into wood ducks and mallards in ponds and ditches and seen geese overhead in northern BC and Alberta while putzing around looking for grouse or moose

The Henry does seem to be the ticket here; just curious if I had overlooked a “hidden gem” that shotgun nutz knew about that fit the criteria. The 3.5 chamber seems tempting on the off chance that I go Turkey hunting some day, likely unnecessary and probably unlikely
 
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For sure I’ve never used it in my minimal waterfowling or felt the need, like I said “ likely unnecessary”, certainly not interested in firing potentially more than one shot at waterfowl with it from a 6lb single shot.

The ejector, recoil pad and chokes are certainly nice touches on the Henry. Just a matter of finding one.
 
For under $600 I'd suggest an older pump like the Stevens 820 I got about 20 years ago for $175. All steel construction, none of that aluminum receiver crap. There are other old steel guns like that around. I made mine to be a light refurbishment project and it still looks good and shoots great. Steel and walnut. Still out there, but you'll have to look.
 
conor_90 said:
I’ve been considering this or reaming out the chokes on a German side by side to mod if I can’t find a Henry. Solid old single, refinish the wood, add a red pad and get thin wall chokes installed.

Wasn’t sure about the steel but the pass shooting might be more of a fantasy; won’t really know until I’m on the ground in sask. I can always get a couple boxes of bismuth or similar for the off chance. I’ve certainly run into wood ducks and mallards in ponds and ditches and seen geese overhead in northern BC and Alberta while putzing around looking for grouse or moose

The Henry does seem to be the ticket here; just curious if I had overlooked a “hidden gem” that shotgun nutz knew about that fit the criteria. The 3.5 chamber seems tempting on the off chance that I go Turkey hunting some day, likely unnecessary and probably unlikely
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If I were you, I’d be going in the direction of opening the chokes on a double gun, either SxS or O/U, rather than a single shot. Just way more versatility.

However reaming the chambers out to 3 1/2” is just a dumb idea, likely making the gun unsafe to shoot. The chamber is for all intents and purposes straight walled, while the exterior of most barrels taper from the breech end. There are accepted minimum safe barrel wall thicknesses and if you ream a straight walled chamber in a tapered exterior tube, you are thinning the walls of the tube.

And, as been pointed out, the 3 1/2” shell is a waste of time. Hell, I only shoot 2 1/2” and 2 3/4” and NEVER feel like I need more. And I have been hunting turkey since the mid 1990s. And waterfowl since the mid 1970s.

Regarding high end or not, maybe don’t be so quick to take offence and slander someone and instead take the opportunity to learn something. It’s clear right now Brybenn has likely forgotten more than you know. That post of yours just serves to diminish you.
 
Never intended to ream out any chambers; referring to the Henry coming from the factory with a 3.5 inch chamber. Thanks for the advice I guess?

Like I said “likely unnecessary”, a third repetition should do the trick for those of us with short attention spans

I am familiar with brynbenns posts and strongly doubt your statement. I don’t know much about shotguns but they are far from the only guns out there…

If I am “diminished” in the eyes of you and BB I will not lose a wink of sleep I promise :dancingbanana:

You ontario shotgun boys sure are prickly
 
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For a field gun might I suggest a Model 1897 in 75mm?

For your consideration;
0_Canon_de_75_mm_modèle_1897_-_Musée_de_l'armée_à_Paris_2.jpg
 

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