Over Under Opinions

Grouser said:
Forget everything above and go out try as many guns as you can in your price range -- buy the one that fits you best -- that's the one that will shoot best for you -- Fit is everything wither your shooting game or clays!
OMHO
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Agreed, fit is important, but it is not everything. LOTS of guns fit me just fine, with no perceptable difference between them in terms of fit. So if I determine that 6 different guns fit me equally well, what then? I need to make my decision based on other factors. That is the value of the above posts, and why its probably best not to just "forget" them.
 
Why do you want the O/U? I wouldn't recommend one until you can commit to spending at least $1000. If its for clays and you plan on shooting quite a bit, I'd say $1500 is more realistic. Otherwise buy a semi-auto. Or stick with what you have. Cheap o/u's really aren't worth their trouble.

Budget o/u to consider are the CZ line, Yildiz guns (models with a steel receiver only, some are aluminum) and the franchi. Also a savage Milano is a great gun, but you'll have to find one used.

If you're serious about clays start thinking about saving for a browning or beretta, which for clays are some of the more affordable options.
 
I agree also buy a gun that is more reliable for high grade shooting,avoid budget o/uers,the CZ canvesback is doing well in the sporting clay fields,but I would buy a big B gun if i would get involved in sporting clays seriously.
 
Excellent. Thanks for the advice. I do shoot a LOT when I go shooting but being that I am a larger fellow, I dont mind the recoil, I can absorb it pretty good. I probably should have mentioned that I like to empty shells. I have shot some really beautiful O/U but when I hear the price they paid, I almost fall over. I am looking for good quality, something that won't let me down in a year, but wont break the bank. The pigeon busters you all have mentioned seem like a great start and I will look into getting a few of those in my hands and letting off some rounds. I am fairly new to the clay sport so a gun specified for a clay style isnt really what I am looking for, just a good gun that will break birds. Thanks again CGN'ers. thats why I come here.
 
A used old Hunting Browning with the old Invector Choke system , not the newer Invector Plus chokes as they are more expensive.
You can find one for under $1000
 
When it comes to over/under, you get what you pay for. There are lots of moving parts in an O/U and poor guns though work fine in the beginning, wear out with costly repairs and down time. I have a Beretta 686, both in 12 and 20 gauge. For 25 years worth of sporting clays and pheasant hunting, neither has been in for a single repair. Can't say the same for the guys who picked up cheaper guns thinking that they would work well and last. THere is not an O/U new on the market worth having for less than 2 grand, IMO. If thats out of your price range, then find a hobby you can afford as you won't be happy with a cheap gun.
 
Frackz said:
+1 Franchi Instinct SL

I ended up grabing one because of the price. The word is amazing and then gen is very well balanced and easy to swing.
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Come back and tell us about your Franchi instinct when you get 3000 or 4000 rounds through it shooting clays .I purchased a instinct 20 ga to shoot skeet with when they first hit the market the forearm shot lose by the time I had the first flat of shells through it .:(
 
fiddler said:
When it comes to over/under, you get what you pay for. There are lots of moving parts in an O/U and poor guns though work fine in the beginning, wear out with costly repairs and down time. I have a Beretta 686, both in 12 and 20 gauge. For 25 years worth of sporting clays and pheasant hunting, neither has been in for a single repair. Can't say the same for the guys who picked up cheaper guns thinking that they would work well and last. THere is not an O/U new on the market worth having for less than 2 grand, IMO. If thats out of your price range, then find a hobby you can afford as you won't be happy with a cheap gun.
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I would agree with this. Especially the statement about the newest decent to own and lower priced quality O/Us.
Sadly SKB has closed it's doors and finally everyone gets it that they were pretty decent O/Us at a lower cost.
Citori is the only one I would dare to mention at the lower end. Even better, thier Lightning models.
A good friend has a CZ O/U in 20 gauge. Which for some strange reason they no longer make after a really short run of introduction.
I have no idea exactly why CZ dropped thier upland 20 gauge??
 
I have a cz upland ultralight I break clays with just for practice once in a while. I would agree though with the above posts. This is a field gun only. The 12 gauge weighing in at 6 lbs is just not made for high volume shooting. I'm currently saving some cash for a Beretta silver pigeon. Until then, I can give anyone a run for their money on the clay fields with my 870. You don't HAVE TO spend big dollars to enjoy the hobby like some have mentioned.
 
Without a round count per year from the OP, it's impossible to point him in the right direction.
If you're only shooting 2000 per year, then you may get away with almost anything for a few years.
But if you are shooting 20-25K per year as many serious competitors do, then you're into a whole different level of O/U that can take that kind of abuse.
It takes 5 years at that rate to hit 100K. There's guys I know with several hundred K though their O/U's.
 
Not all Brownings and Berreta guns are created equal, and to think that one can automatically get one that will be better from trap than another brand is not correct.
relieved forcing cones, higher ribs, different barrels and stock sets make up a trap gun, not just a steel receiver .
their are also many good guns on the market these days that have alloy receivers as well.
Find one that fits your budget and your form, and you will be okay.

Cat
 
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I Have a Beretta 682 Super Sport bought in 1992 for $3000.00 at that time. I shoot Sporting Clays with it every Sun and 20 some years later and well over a hundered thousand rounds through it. Gun never touched mechanically and still inperfect operating conditiuon. A lot of investment up front but its only a once in a lifetime investment. I also have an older SKB model 600 ( with tubes) that has also done a great job with no trouble
 
I got a Baikal for carrying on the quad and informal trap shooting nice shotgun for the quad and shooting the odd bird but when shooting trap (a few guys and a cheap spring clay thrower) after about twenty shots have to stop and let it cool off as cannot open action so not one I would recommend for clays of any kind. great for birds as not worried about damage if you roll the quad etc. I would like a Browning but for the amount I would us it not worth it
 
Ahem.

Somebody in the EE just posted a Browning Clitoris. That would be my recommendation.

A Clitoris for only twelve hundred bucks is a great deal. You should absolutely grab hold of that.

(I didn't want to start a whole new thread just for this joke.)
 
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