Need help finalizing my decision on double barrel shotgun

Gnome75

Gnome75

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Well I have decided on getting a used double barrel shotgun. It will be my first double gun so I am looking for opinions.

First what I will be using it for. All I use a shotgun for is informal trap shooting (hand thrower on crown land) and generic screwing around in the bush. I don't hunt so steel shot is not a requirement, the closest I will come to hunting is blasting crows. Price is not an issue since I have found several options that I am willing to pay for.

1. O/U or SXS? From all research it seems like the O/U is preferred by the pros and recommended overall. But the SXS has more cool factor. I don't care about how many triggers it has. What would everyone recommend and why?

2. What choke combo? I have decided that one of them must be full. I thinking the other should be modified because I can put everything through it including steel and a lot of people say to use loose restriction when clay shooting. What would everyone recommend and why?

3. Any other words of wisdom or experience I should know about?
 
For most purposes a modified/improved choke pattern is more versatile especially for clays that are hand thrown. As for sxs vs O/U you will probably get more bang for the buck from an O/U as sxs's are generally more expensive for comparable quality. Trade ex sells used sxs's that are a cut above budget new sxs' s and have a great reputation.
 
Gnome75 said:
I have been looking at the tradex double guns and the budget is going to be 300ish
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Yikes. Honestly, there isn’t much worth owning at that price.

Full choke is good, something lighter for the other, Improved or Modified would be good. O/U if you can get a good one, but I doubt you will at $300.
 
For informal clay shooting, I don't know why you would want Full. The combo of Imp Cyl and Mod are plenty, Cyl and Imp Cyl even better.

I imagine you're looking at Husqvarna, correct?
 
Grouse Man said:
For informal clay shooting, I don't know why you would want Full. The combo of Imp Cyl and Mod are plenty, Cyl and Imp Cyl even better.

I imagine you're looking at Husqvarna, correct?
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I had a pump with screw in chokes and full was the only way I could hit anything. moidifed was a close second

There are lots of brands on tradex. I was eyeing the Baikal sxs but it sold. There are some decent ones in the 300 mark
 
Brassman66 said:
Myself I like the side by Sides and yes the look cool.

Will be tough at the price range but if you have a choice reach for the one with Ejectors not just an Extractor.

Have Fun - K.
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Ejectors versus extractors is pretty much a personal choice. I prefer extractors. Also, ejectors on a lower end SXS is one more thing to go wrong.
 
gunsaholic said:
Ejectors versus extractors is pretty much a personal choice. I prefer extractors. Also, ejectors on a lower end SXS is one more thing to go wrong.
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I was thinking the same thing. When I do the tacticool double barreling high speed low drag operator stuff I will get ejectors.
 
Baikal are well built guns for the money. I prefer sxs guns because there is less opening angle and they mount and swing better for me. I prefer double triggers on a sxs and extractors simply because it's easier to not have to bend over to pick up empties if they get passed my hand when opening. Also a simpler mechanism.
For informal fun choke for smoke. The old fixed full and mod chokes often pattern much better than newer cheap choked guns
Trade ex is good ppl. Read the description well and the gun will arrive in better than stated condition most times
 
Blastattack said:
Yikes. Honestly, there isn’t much worth owning at that price.

Full choke is good, something lighter for the other, Improved or Modified would be good. O/U if you can get a good one, but I doubt you will at $300.
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There are a few. Tradex sell some very good sxs in that range.
 
Gnome75 said:
Well I have decided on getting a used double barrel shotgun. It will be my first double gun so I am looking for opinions.

First what I will be using it for. All I use a shotgun for is informal trap shooting (hand thrower on crown land) and generic screwing around in the bush. I don't hunt so steel shot is not a requirement, the closest I will come to hunting is blasting crows. Price is not an issue since I have found several options that I am willing to pay for.

1. O/U or SXS? From all research it seems like the O/U is preferred by the pros and recommended overall. But the SXS has more cool factor. I don't care about how many triggers it has. What would everyone recommend and why?

2. What choke combo? I have decided that one of them must be full. I thinking the other should be modified because I can put everything through it including steel and a lot of people say to use loose restriction when clay shooting. What would everyone recommend and why?

3. Any other words of wisdom or experience I should know about?
Click to expand...

Gnome75 said:
I have been looking at the tradex double guns and the budget is going to be 300ish
Click to expand...

Not to be a wise ass but options are going to be extremely limited in a $300 gun.....the first of which will be quality and reliability!
 
Gnome75 said:
I don't care about how many triggers it has.
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I bought my first o/u with double triggers, because I thought they were cool. What a mistake!! Using the front trigger would really beat up my middle finger on the back of the guard. Technique was not the issue, maybe the size/shape of my hand or the trigger guard. It got so bad I cut up an old handle bar grip to wear on my finger. That worked OK untill I sold the gun.
Single triggers all the way since then.

And If I may suggest the Maverick Hunter or the HS12 (18" version of the Hunter) are awesome o/u's for under $400.
 
Mikey66 said:
I bought my first o/u with double triggers, because I thought they were cool. What a mistake!! Using the front trigger would really beat up my middle finger on the back of the guard. Technique was not the issue, maybe the size/shape of my hand or the trigger guard. It got so bad I cut up an old handle bar grip to wear on my finger. That worked OK untill I sold the gun.
Single triggers all the way since then.

And If I may suggest the Maverick Hunter or the HS12 (18" version of the Hunter) are awesome o/u's for under $400.
Click to expand...

All of my upland guns are SxS shotguns with two triggers, and I have no issues with my finger getting beaten up.
 
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