>:u
- Thread starter westshtr
- Start date
As above, its possible to retrofit some older O/U's with choke tubes - but by the time you're done, you may as well have bought one already equipped so. Additionally, if you're going to put a lot of miles on the gun, best to get one that can be serviced, if needed.
gunsaholic
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Winnipeg, Manitoba
Here is a brief blurb on the Brno. I have 3 Brno SxS's and they are well built guns. But as the others have mentioned, if you are going to do a lot of shooting, then repairing/parts may or may not be a problem.
The Brno ZH series was regularly featured in the Frankonia Jagd catalogues during the 1960's thru, I believe, the early 1990's when production ceased.
The ZH 100 and later 300 series certainly have a unique action with a full height, sliding breechblock, Kersten top bolting and pivot arrangement for the barrels. If you haven't already noticed the rear trigger is, in fact, a single non-selective trigger capable of firing both barrels. Brno ZH guns are
ruggedly built but, somewhat heavy (3.4 Kg.) for a field gun. The "spark arrestors" on the muzzles of the 102/302 skeet guns do give the gun a bit of an intimidating appearance. IIRC, the ZH300 series superceded the earlier ZH100 series during the late 1960's. The ZH300's can be distinguished from the earlier series by the scroll work on the frame sides. Both series of shotguns were designed to accept up to eight interchangable barrel sets, including shotgun/rifle barrels, without fitting. Interestingly, the 1964 Waffen-Frankonia prices are listed in U.S. Dollars. Price for a ZH101 was US$134.55 and the ZH102 skeet gun was priced at US$145.80; extra barrrel sets were US$56.25 F.O.B. Wurzburg. By 1984 the price for the ZH302 had increased to DM858,-/US$265.00.
Read more: http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=225761#ixzz1g9SGSLS7
The Brno ZH series was regularly featured in the Frankonia Jagd catalogues during the 1960's thru, I believe, the early 1990's when production ceased.
The ZH 100 and later 300 series certainly have a unique action with a full height, sliding breechblock, Kersten top bolting and pivot arrangement for the barrels. If you haven't already noticed the rear trigger is, in fact, a single non-selective trigger capable of firing both barrels. Brno ZH guns are
ruggedly built but, somewhat heavy (3.4 Kg.) for a field gun. The "spark arrestors" on the muzzles of the 102/302 skeet guns do give the gun a bit of an intimidating appearance. IIRC, the ZH300 series superceded the earlier ZH100 series during the late 1960's. The ZH300's can be distinguished from the earlier series by the scroll work on the frame sides. Both series of shotguns were designed to accept up to eight interchangable barrel sets, including shotgun/rifle barrels, without fitting. Interestingly, the 1964 Waffen-Frankonia prices are listed in U.S. Dollars. Price for a ZH101 was US$134.55 and the ZH102 skeet gun was priced at US$145.80; extra barrrel sets were US$56.25 F.O.B. Wurzburg. By 1984 the price for the ZH302 had increased to DM858,-/US$265.00.
Read more: http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=225761#ixzz1g9SGSLS7
Interchangeable chokes are a must. Don't go too cheap on an O/U, there are lots of little parts in these guns. Its better to save for a decent gun, anything new under $2000 is not worth looking at. Cheap guns have parts that wear out quick and misaligned barrels.
Assuming that you obtain one in good condition, the BRNO is a solid contender. For your stated purposes, I don't see why fixed chokes won't fill the bill (I didn't see any references to skeet). For trap, you'll do best with a configuration such as F/M. I often hunt the uplands with guns choked F/M, but the area that I hunt includes large open areas. So, we're presented with both close shots in tight bush as well as long shots, as the birds often break cover and head across open areas. Tight bush conditions, such as our Eastern colleagues describe, may lend themselves better to more open chokes and the choice of skeet to employ those more open chokes at the gun range.
I'm practically a broken record when it comes to shell selection but, once again, I'd recommend using Gamebore Pure Gold or equivalent shells that have felt wads rather than plastic shot cups. In addition to not leaving plastic shot cups everywhere, these shells will allow the fixed chokes to do their job properly, instead of keeping your patterns even tighter than the chokes demand (assuming we're not talking about "spreader" cups or the like).
It has always been my personal philosophy to own numerous guns, each with advantages and disadvantages for given purposes. This approach has cost me birds due to momentary confusion in the heat of a bird busting cover. Trust me, you don't want to be switching guns even occasionally if maximum bag is your only goal. I don't care if on occasion I forget that the gun in my hands has an auto-safety. I consider it part of the bird's sporting chance to escape that I'm never fully instinctual with my gun due to using all sorts of different makes and designs.
This doesn't for a second mean that one can't be successful at many sports using a single, multi-purpose gun. But it does mean that you want to be aware of your personal philosophy in this regard and that your choices should reflect the specific, or the more general, nature of your intended usage.
Without knowing you or knowing where you live, I suspect that a Tradex U/O is an excellent choice for a gun at this point. I also anticipate that you'll get your money out of it if/when you outgrow it and your needs evolve.
I'm practically a broken record when it comes to shell selection but, once again, I'd recommend using Gamebore Pure Gold or equivalent shells that have felt wads rather than plastic shot cups. In addition to not leaving plastic shot cups everywhere, these shells will allow the fixed chokes to do their job properly, instead of keeping your patterns even tighter than the chokes demand (assuming we're not talking about "spreader" cups or the like).
It has always been my personal philosophy to own numerous guns, each with advantages and disadvantages for given purposes. This approach has cost me birds due to momentary confusion in the heat of a bird busting cover. Trust me, you don't want to be switching guns even occasionally if maximum bag is your only goal. I don't care if on occasion I forget that the gun in my hands has an auto-safety. I consider it part of the bird's sporting chance to escape that I'm never fully instinctual with my gun due to using all sorts of different makes and designs.
This doesn't for a second mean that one can't be successful at many sports using a single, multi-purpose gun. But it does mean that you want to be aware of your personal philosophy in this regard and that your choices should reflect the specific, or the more general, nature of your intended usage.
Without knowing you or knowing where you live, I suspect that a Tradex U/O is an excellent choice for a gun at this point. I also anticipate that you'll get your money out of it if/when you outgrow it and your needs evolve.
gunsaholic
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Winnipeg, Manitoba
Yes, as straightshooter said, I wouldn't be swayed because it has fixed chokes, especially if you aren't shooting skeet. If the gun is in decent condition to start with, I wouldn't be afraid to try the Brno. There are lots of old guns in use today that parts can't be bought for (like most of mine) but people manage to keep them shooting. Where there is a will there is a way. Also, tradeex are usually great to deal with.
