Over/Under for hunting

My Baikal O/U has taken deer in shotgun w/shot only zones. Fun and accurate at a reasonable price, hasn't jammed yet.
 
I'm planning on getting an O/U myself and am in a similar dilema having never shot an O/U I'm concerned I won't like it and I don't want to invest a lot. The used market is where I will probably head for my O/U, although mine will be pressed into mostly ruffed grouse hunting with the occasional day in a duck blind and maybe 100 rounds a year at informal clays.
A Franchi Falconnet has caught my eye and I'm wonderring if this gun would be steel safe if I had choke tubes installed? Also where these guns 3" not that it matters, just curious as I heard they recoil hard and I'm curious how they earned this reputation?
 
Scott_N said:
Usually deer shotguns have rifle sights on them, and sometimes rifled barrels. An O/U isn't going to work all that well with slugs, assuming that's what you'd use. I can't comment on turkey hunting.
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The 79 year old guy I hunt with that blasted a big doe at 75yrds 12ga O/U this year would have to disagree with you:p
 
Thank's for the responses!

Beadwindow said:
Keep a careful watch of Tradeex's offerings. A few years ago I picked up a nice Spanish O/U (Sarriugarte) for $350 plus tax and shipping after finding out from other posters here that the base models of that brand were of Citori quality and only went up from there. The stock fit was a bit short for me, though I recently discovered shooting it at the trap range in the winter that it's perfect for when I'm wearing the clothes that I'd be hunting in.

I have since seen other interesting O/U shotugns for approx $4-500 that I probably would have purchased had I not already had the one I'm talking about. If Tradeex ever gets a bunch of Lanbar O/Us in, they're generally regarded as a decent low cost brand that's fine for regular hunting use.

Of course, you'll have to consider what chokes you'd want with an O/U, especially as many of the older, tighter choked guns are a no-go for steel shot. A high end but low priced model might be worth having tubes installed by a compentant gunsmith though.
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I have been watching Tradeex now and they do have some good firearms. I saw some Berreta and Franchi semi-automatics on there for what I think is a reasonable price. I might actually pickup a SxS from there just for fun. I'll keep an eye out for the Srariugarte and Lanbar's.

Ardent said:
Baikals are even rougher than the Stoegers, in my opinion, though likely marginally better. The Browning Citori, and Ruger Red Label could be found in your price range used (or extremely close) you'd just be shopping awhile. This really is a case of better to spend $750 by waiting an extra month to save the coin than buying a piece of garbage now for 80% of that. As the saying goes, "I'm too poor to buy cheap tools." You'd never regret waiting and shopping for a quality gun, a Stoeger or Baikal and the likes might just put you off doubles altogether. A lot of guys try a junk double and come to the opinion doubles aren't for them, doubles are expensive to build so a $1500 one still qualifies as cheap in that realm. A $750 used Citori or Red Label, or a Tradex Beretta etc, is a flaming steal of a bargain.
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I'll be keeping an eye out. I am not rushed since both Turkey and the summer are a bit away and upland season is even further. I plan to shoulder a few shotguns at the Toronto Sportsman Show to see how they fit generally. I am not looking for a gun to shoot thousands of rounds a year. I want something to hunt with and the occasional round of clays/skeet/trap. I don't even belong to a range that has those facilities to to go out and do that I would be a guest, on a friends farm or pay per use range. i get what you are saying about quality. I will keep a look out for something used and nice. Are CZ Canvasbacks any good in your opinion, or do the decent one start at the Redback? Also, the Baikal has all the features I want, can't see them being all that bad. Do they wear out quickly?

Surrey Boy said:
My Baikal O/U has taken deer in shotgun w/shot only zones. Fun and accurate at a reasonable price, hasn't jammed yet.
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I figured that this would be the case. I might be wrong but a shotgun is a shotgun, you just have to compensate for the quirks of that type or model.

JamesM said:
I'm planning on getting an O/U myself and am in a similar dilema having never shot an O/U I'm concerned I won't like it and I don't want to invest a lot. The used market is where I will probably head for my O/U, although mine will be pressed into mostly ruffed grouse hunting with the occasional day in a duck blind and maybe 100 rounds a year at informal clays.
A Franchi Falconnet has caught my eye and I'm wonderring if this gun would be steel safe if I had choke tubes installed? Also where these guns 3" not that it matters, just curious as I heard they recoil hard and I'm curious how they earned this reputation?
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That's a concern of mine as well. I wish I knew someone with one. My idea is, if I got a decent used one, I could sell it for close to what I paid.

brybenn said:
I've kept my sxs baikal. Sold my o/u to a good buddy

For the money I'd buy and hunt with them np. I have over 25 000 rounds thru my ij58 sxs. Its my fav skeet gun even though its choked f/m. I prefer shooting sxs guns.
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25,000 rounds? I can't even imagine putting that many through it in my lifetime for what I'd use it for.

freddyfour said:
The 79 year old guy I hunt with that blasted a big doe at 75yrds 12ga O/U this year would have to disagree with you:p
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Awesome that he's still out doing it!
 
Don't forget the SKB O/U. Some of the the later made ones had removeable chokes that would be more likley to be steel shot friendly. I have an older Ithaca/SKB Model 500 O/U in 20 gauge 26inch IC/Mod, and I have come to regard it as my most favorite and heavily used upland game gun. Once upon a time I thought I needed one in 12 gauge, but I could not make up my mind for a field gun or a dedicated trap gun, so I let that idea fade away. And I have other guns for slug shooting, but if I really had to, one barrel filled with a 20 gauge slug could suffice at close range.

A quick check at websites such as shotgunworld dot com & you'll find more opinions and reviews by other SKB owners.
 
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Brutus said:
Don't forget the SKB O/U. Some of the the later made ones had removeable chokes that would be more likley to be steel shot friendly. I have an older Ithaca/SKB Model 500 O/U in 20 gauge 26inch IC/Mod, and I have come to regard it as my most favorite and heavily used upland game gun. Once upon a time I thought I needed one in 12 gauge, but I could not make up my mind for a field gun or a dedicated trap gun, so I let that idea fade away. And I have other guns for slug shooting, but if I really had to, one barrel filled with a 20 gauge slug could suffice at close range.

A quick check at websites such as shotgunworld dot com & you'll find more opinions and reviews by other SKB owners.
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Thanks for the comment. I'll check out the SKB as well. A quick image search and I can say that I like the look of them. Looks like decent used can be had around my price range too, but damn the modern ones can be pricey

I am considering going with 20ga because I really feel like 12ga might be a lot more than required for the birds I plan to hunt. I could be wrong, I am pretty new to shotguns.
 
The big differences you'll note on a base level double versus one of higher quality will be the things that make doubles famous; weight distribution, ergonomics, fit and finish (critical on a double, rough doubles are a lot like the gravelly voiced hooker on the corner versus something a lot sweeter, yea, they both shoot but...). A smooth, quality double functions like a Swiss watch; sharp, tight, and precise. Just a joy to use with very little effort required for any of the motions with the gun. Both barrels plot over each other on the pattern board with boring regularity, rather than the complete mystery enjoyed with the Stoeger I tried and Baikal I owned, you'll find options like auto ejectors very handy and they actually work properly, etc.

You can probably tell, I have a bias; I hate cheap tools with a passion. When it comes to my sport, I really, really hate cheap tools. :)
 
Best advise I can give is find a club with an active skeet field. Show up be friendly state your case and most shooters will offer you the chance to handle and even shoot their guns. I know I always bring an extra gun or two. Its also a great way to meet new shooters
 
Brutus said:
Cintax, gauge & choke are factors indeed. Plus shotshells have come a long long way in performance. One glaring example is my recent experience with one of my 12 gauge 'riot' guns. I was pretty much given some older Canuck #4s in another deal. Down near Smokey Lake I was ruffie hunting with this 20inch 12 gauge. Seen a grouse at 35 yards. Should have been into the stew pot. Bang! Zero results and Mr Bird even flies into a tree to make things easier. Okay, second chance and I closed the distance for the second shot, bang, Mr Bird flies off to live another day.....again zero effect and I stand thier cursing myself (and those Canuck shells) under my breath! :) Oh well, thing is I used Federal Prairie Storm #6s in my 20 gauge O/U and using the open chokes I've easily taken sharptails at near to 40 yards with this excellent hard hitting combination. Of course, comparing riot guns and dedicated hunting guns is not exactly fair now is it?
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Sounds like I'll be experimenting a lot once I make my choice. I kind of like the idea of tuning the firearm and loads to be exactly what I want.

Ardent said:
The big differences you'll note on a base level double versus one of higher quality will be the things that make doubles famous; weight distribution, ergonomics, fit and finish (critical on a double, rough doubles are a lot like the gravelly voiced hooker on the corner versus something a lot sweeter, yea, they both shoot but...). A smooth, quality double functions like a Swiss watch; sharp, tight, and precise. Just a joy to use with very little effort required for any of the motions with the gun. Both barrels plot over each other on the pattern board with boring regularity, rather than the complete mystery enjoyed with the Stoeger I tried and Baikal I owned, you'll find options like auto ejectors very handy and they actually work properly, etc.

You can probably tell, I have a bias; I hate cheap tools with a passion. When it comes to my sport, I really, really hate cheap tools. :)
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I do understand what you mean, I usually buy the right tool for the job the first time as well. I can't justify the pricetag on some of these high end O/U, if I can't find anything worth buying at the price I can afford, I might go with a semi or a Wingmaster pump. How does a CZ Canvasback or Redhead rate on the scale from gravelly voiced hooker to 'something a lot sweeter"?

brybenn said:
Best advise I can give is find a club with an active skeet field. Show up be friendly state your case and most shooters will offer you the chance to handle and even shoot their guns. I know I always bring an extra gun or two. Its also a great way to meet new shooters
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A very good idea, I'll give that a try.

In the same sort of idea, I'll be handling as many shotguns as I can at the Toronto Sportsman Show next weekend.
 
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Also, what gauge would be best? Mostly planning on upland (including turkey), but occasional clays on the farm and one or two days at the range (pay or guest my range doesn't have clays). If this gun is no good for deer, I will grab a cheap pump or break in the fall.
 
I've only had a CZ Bobwhite, 28 gauge, it was OK but tight and a little rough. Not in the same league as a Citori or Red Label, but better than Baikals and Stoegers. Keep in mind CZ doesn't actually make them, they're Turkish made.

For gauge, I used to be a nut for smaller gauges, until I realized a good 12g weighs the same and is so much more versatile. A 12g can be stoked with 7/8oz loads to "be" a 20g, exact same recoil but even better patterning generally, or all the way up to heavy 3" Goose loads if desired (in modern 3" chambered guns). I've used 1oz steel loads in a good few countries now and it seems my wingshooting preference. I also like non-toxic, something you'll have a lot more options for in a 12g than any other. I shoot steel for everything, even using it extensively in Africa where it raised eyebrows initially as they had scarcely heard of steel shot, as if I'm eating it, I don't want a lead pellet near it.
 
I have an older classic English SxS:D that's been my mainstay for upland birds. Short, light and fast, just what the Dr. ordered for fast breaking Ruffs.

JSBoreham2-1.jpg


A number of years back, an old friend and gunsmith of English origins, quite strongly suggested, that for some of our weather conditions here on the 'wet coast', I get something else to use for some of those less than favourable days. Still in the box at a small gun shop in the Naniamo area a few years ago, I lucked into a Ruger Red Label, that I;) 'now' use on those less than favourable days.

ModelRedLabelRugerOU20gaMag.jpg
 
Went to a local gun store and tried on a couple different Browning Citori's, Stoeger Condor Competition, Beretta 686 White Onyx, Winchester 101 Field. All very nice guns, I think that the Winchester fit me best though. I also tried on a Stoeger Uplander and another SxS that I can't recall. I actually really liked the SxS guns a lot - I am very sure one of those is in my future. Going to be trying the fit of many other guns next weekend.
 
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