Links to over-under reading material
- Thread starter tommy88
- Start date
Ahsan Ahmed
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
tommy88 - Welcome!
As first steps into your quest for an O/U shotgun, you may receive enough info material right here in your thread provided the questions are framed a bit more appropriately.
As the thread progresses, that in turn may also lead to more appropriate links (to reading material) at other sites. - What will the shotgun be used for - Hunting? Clay Shooting? or both? If only hunting - what type of hunting?
- What is your current level of experience/understanding of shotguns (any type)?
- What budget are you willing to dedicate towards such a purchase?
Why thank you kindly Ahsan
I just wanted to study the subject a little further before I started asking generic n00b questions. As for your questions, Im not new to shooting or hunting at all and have used and owned many rifles and shotguns before, just never an O/U.
Id rather not set an amount since I dont have much to compare too. Ill basically have to spend what I need to wether Id like to or not. Too little and you wont be happy, too much and its unnecessary and Id feel bad taking it into the woods.
What I need is a do it all smooth bore. That means wing shooting for ducks, geese, pheasant and grouse....maybe rabbit. And also I need a turkey and coyote gun.
This brings me to the biggest question regarding versatility. I want something with a bead AND a QUICK DETACH red dot or low powered scope.
Others features Id require is it to look good , be relatively weather resistant, have double triggers (i find the simpler something is, the better), to have interchangeable chokes, and a quiet safety catch.
Good overall build quality, rigidity, balance and low weight also wouldnt hurt.
So probably something in the 26-28in range. And if possible to take anything from a 2 3/4 target load to heavy 3 1/2 goose or turkey loads.
I know its quite a tall order, but if such a gun is possible to make for a reasonable price I would be a very happy man. Let me know how reasonable my demands are.
Thank you
Tom
I just wanted to study the subject a little further before I started asking generic n00b questions. As for your questions, Im not new to shooting or hunting at all and have used and owned many rifles and shotguns before, just never an O/U.
Id rather not set an amount since I dont have much to compare too. Ill basically have to spend what I need to wether Id like to or not. Too little and you wont be happy, too much and its unnecessary and Id feel bad taking it into the woods.
What I need is a do it all smooth bore. That means wing shooting for ducks, geese, pheasant and grouse....maybe rabbit. And also I need a turkey and coyote gun.
This brings me to the biggest question regarding versatility. I want something with a bead AND a QUICK DETACH red dot or low powered scope.
Others features Id require is it to look good
, be relatively weather resistant, have double triggers (i find the simpler something is, the better), to have interchangeable chokes, and a quiet safety catch.Good overall build quality, rigidity, balance and low weight also wouldnt hurt.
So probably something in the 26-28in range. And if possible to take anything from a 2 3/4 target load to heavy 3 1/2 goose or turkey loads.
I know its quite a tall order, but if such a gun is possible to make for a reasonable price I would be a very happy man. Let me know how reasonable my demands are.
Thank you
Tom
Ahsan Ahmed
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Why thank you kindly Ahsan
I just wanted to study the subject a little further before I started asking generic n00b questions. As for your questions, Im not new to shooting or hunting at all and have used and owned many rifles and shotguns before, just never an O/U.
Id rather not set an amount since I dont have much to compare too. Ill basically have to spend what I need to wether Id like to or not. Too little and you wont be happy, too much and its unnecessary and Id feel bad taking it into the woods.
What I need is a do it all smooth bore. That means wing shooting for ducks, geese, pheasant and grouse....maybe rabbit. And also I need a turkey and coyote gun.
This brings me to the biggest question regarding versatility. I want something with a bead AND a QUICK DETACH red dot or low powered scope.
Others features Id require is it to look good
Good overall build quality, rigidity, balance and low weight also wouldnt hurt.
So probably something in the 26-28in range. And if possible to take anything from a 2 3/4 target load to heavy 3 1/2 goose or turkey loads.
I know its quite a tall order, but if such a gun is possible to make for a reasonable price I would be a very happy man. Let me know how reasonable my demands are.
Thank you
Tom
Hello Tom,
Hope my initial post hadn’t offended you in any manner.
My queries earlier weren’t meant to question your experiences pertinent to shooting/hunting or knowledge of firearms in general but to obtain a better appreciation regarding your familiarity with various types of shotguns.You have adequately summed up your personal requirement(s) by stating such as being quite a tall order – from a more practical point of view, I’m afraid it is indeed!
It is true that a breech loading double gun such as a smoothbore O/U shotgun may be “press ganged” to perform all those roles and duties that you have outlined. However, bluntly speaking, that firearm will neither be a master nor a jack of all trades. In other words, that configuration isn’t really designed to fill all those niches i.e. effectively.
To cut to the chase (pun intended) – IMHO, a semi-auto shotgun will be a far more appropriate platform/configuration that could very satisfactorily conform to and address the multiple scenarios that you have visualized. Simply put, in that comparison, an O/U shotgun will never completely meet all the criteria that you have specified.
Just a throught - the new Stoeger M3500 (semi-auto) may be a good, reasonably priced candidate for such venture.....
http://www.stoegerindustries.com/firearms/stoeger_model_3500.php
R&R Rancher
CGN Regular
- Location
- Manitoba's Interlake
Hello Tom,
Hope my initial post hadn’t offended you in any manner.
You have adequately summed up your personal requirement(s) by stating such as being quite a tall order – from a more practical point of view, I’m afraid it is indeed!
It is true that a breech loading double gun such as a smoothbore O/U shotgun may be “press ganged” to perform all those roles and duties that you have outlined. However, bluntly speaking, that firearm will neither be a master nor a jack of all trades. In other words, that configuration isn’t really designed to fill all those niches i.e. effectively.
To cut to the chase (pun intended) – IMHO, a semi-auto shotgun will be a far more appropriate platform/configuration that could very satisfactorily conform to and address the multiple scenarios that you have visualized. Simply put, in that comparison, an O/U shotgun will never completely meet all the criteria that you have specified.
Just a throught - the new Stoeger M3500 (semi-auto) may be a good, reasonably priced candidate for such venture.....
http://www.stoegerindustries.com/firearms/stoeger_model_3500.php
Well put Ahsan. O/U's tend to be more specialized. Lighter, shorter models used in the upland and longer, heavier models for waterfowl. The reliability of single triggers is such that finding double triggers is usually a sign of a cheaper model. And I will add that I have never seen an O/U with a scope or red dot. The suggestion of a semi-auto is a good one. The only other thing I may suggest is pick one use and get and O/U suited for it. Get another one(s) to the other use(s) later
Thanks for the input. I went to shotgun world, good site.
Dont worry, I didnt get offended, things just sound differently when typed.
But back to main point. So what would be the differences between a waterfowl and an upland gun? And why would those features be better for that purpose?
Also I should note that I currently own a Barreta Pin tail combo (28in smooth and 24in rifled) and am thinking of buying my dads Tikka 412s 26in 2 3/4 -3( I believe that it was actually made by Marocchi as it says "made in italy") What my plan was, was to sell the semi Pintail and buy a Savage bolt action rifled 20ga to use as a dedicated slug gun and then use the Tikka 412s as an "everything else" gun. Problem is that the Tikka's stock doesnt fit me and I think the double fiber optic bead is off since when I shoot it im totally off in terms of elevation. So my choices are to either get someone to adjust the Tikka, or sell it and buy something else.
Now Im thoroughly confused.
I like the O/U alot. I like the way it handles and how short it is compared to a semi, not to mention how good they look. Also Im a big advocate of having less, but better guns. Its too confusing to get used to 3 shotguns as opposed to one bolt action and one O/U..... not to mention all the other hunting, rimfire, and target rifles in my safe.
Dont worry, I didnt get offended, things just sound differently when typed.
But back to main point. So what would be the differences between a waterfowl and an upland gun? And why would those features be better for that purpose?
Also I should note that I currently own a Barreta Pin tail combo (28in smooth and 24in rifled) and am thinking of buying my dads Tikka 412s 26in 2 3/4 -3( I believe that it was actually made by Marocchi as it says "made in italy") What my plan was, was to sell the semi Pintail and buy a Savage bolt action rifled 20ga to use as a dedicated slug gun and then use the Tikka 412s as an "everything else" gun. Problem is that the Tikka's stock doesnt fit me and I think the double fiber optic bead is off since when I shoot it im totally off in terms of elevation. So my choices are to either get someone to adjust the Tikka, or sell it and buy something else.
Now Im thoroughly confused.
I like the O/U alot. I like the way it handles and how short it is compared to a semi, not to mention how good they look. Also Im a big advocate of having less, but better guns. Its too confusing to get used to 3 shotguns as opposed to one bolt action and one O/U..... not to mention all the other hunting, rimfire, and target rifles in my safe.
Ahsan Ahmed
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
The Savage 220 in 20ga is great idea.
The Browning Cynergy O/U (provided it fits you well) could address all your needs in a package other than the component of optics and DT.....
http://www.browning.com/products/ca...ntent=cynergy-mossy-oak®-duck-blind™-firearms
Another option, the Fabarm O/U......
http://www.fabarm.com/en/products-waterfowl-bulrush.htm
High level view only since there are numerous variables to consider.....
Upland Gun = Generally light(er), 2 3/4in - 3in chamber, normally used with light(er) loads, greatly facilitates wield + mobility (read less tiring to walk around with) etc.
Waterfowl Gun = Generally heavier, 3in -3 1/2in chamber, normally used with heavy loads, must be non-tox compatible, need to cope with the harsher elements that is usually associated with duck hunting (read synthetic/camo etc).
The Browning Cynergy O/U (provided it fits you well) could address all your needs in a package other than the component of optics and DT.....
http://www.browning.com/products/ca...ntent=cynergy-mossy-oak®-duck-blind™-firearms
Another option, the Fabarm O/U......
http://www.fabarm.com/en/products-waterfowl-bulrush.htm
High level view only since there are numerous variables to consider.....
Upland Gun = Generally light(er), 2 3/4in - 3in chamber, normally used with light(er) loads, greatly facilitates wield + mobility (read less tiring to walk around with
) etc.Waterfowl Gun = Generally heavier, 3in -3 1/2in chamber, normally used with heavy loads, must be non-tox compatible, need to cope with the harsher elements that is usually associated with duck hunting (read synthetic/camo etc).
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Your reply gives me a lot to think about. Seems like everything boils down to me not being able to have "one do it all smooth-bore O/U", which was my original intent. What If I bought a lighter 3 1/2 that can do steel shot?
Both your links seem to have excellent guns, but I was hoping for a wood and steel gun that has that typical European look to it.
Both your links seem to have excellent guns, but I was hoping for a wood and steel gun that has that typical European look to it.
Ahsan Ahmed
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
A semi auto or a slide action would have been the closest feasible "multi-tool" in that aspect.
There is nothing written on stone that states one can't use a wood/blued shotgun......folks have been taking such guns out for everything long before the concept of plastic took shape. It should be ok as long as one isn't too sensitive when it comes to subjecting a nice shotgun to abuse that generally accompany Waterfowl hunts.
You will seldom find light field models (O/U or SxS) chambered for 3.5in cartridges......the ones that are comparatively lighter will produce more than necessary
recoil when used with the longer shell lengths or even with heavy loads of 2 3/4 for that matter!Personally, the way I see it - for all types of hunting that fall under the category of Small Game inclusive of Waterfowl - it may be more appropriate to own/use at least two different smoothbores if not more.
