Upland Game Hunters?

[wes]

Anyone hunt upland game birds?

I tend to use a .22 myself, but the hunting is a bit different here. I'd like to move to something more useful should I happen upon other game.

I'm looking to move to a shotgun (OU or SxS) and want some recommendations. I may even have a chance to take the odd shot at a duck with it. It will not be used primarily for waterfowl so it can be lighter.

12 or 20?
OU or SxS?
Weight to look for?
Barrel length?

I have googled it but I want opinions from those here.

Currently I am looking at a few used OUs and SxS at the gunshop but haven't found anything that really does it for me, if you know what I mean, except for one really (for me) expensive Beretta Whitewing. But for that price, I can get a few used OUs there.

Thoughts?

[Mike Stewart]

Wes,

Tough Question.

I would say that you have chosen an area of selection that has no middle ground.

First--O/U shotguns swing and handle much easier than S x S for the less than experianced shooter.

The barrels are both pointing down range--on a S x S the right bbl point to the left and the left bbl points to the right--they are suppose to converge at a specific distance--maybe 25 yards--maybe 40 yds.--Depends on the maker and the quality of the gun.

In most cases--O/U's recoil differently than S x S 's. the bottom BBL of an O/U kicks straight back and the top BBl kicks only slightly upwards. On a S x S--They both kick up and Right or Left.

Not a big issue but it is there.

Now--quality.

On both of these type guns--there are cheap ones and expensive ones--there is not much in the middle.

A $300.00 version of either--Will not be a gun that will handle a lot of real use. it will be crude in fit and Finish--it will have a horrible trigger pull and overtravel on the sears , it will be either very tight to open and close or it ewill just fall open when you hit the latch. It will also show excessive wear after a few thousand rounds.

To over come all of the Above--it's going to cost you well over a thousand bucks for a Good one.

Browning or Beretta are the only choices I would put money on.

another major consideration is--Are you right handed?

if not--Forget the whole idea unless you are prepared to spend moey on a custom ordered stock.

They are all right handed from the factory.

Give me more info and I'll add more.

I know a lot about wingshooting and will share all my experiance helping you make a sound choice.

Mike.....................................

[wes]

Right handed.

I have my eye on a Beretta Whitewing right now. I want to hunt grouse for the most part and ducks if the opportunity presents itself.

I wouldn't mind a 20 but may get a 12 just for the ease.

This one will be a keeper for sure.

[Lemmy]

If you are going to hunt ducks, go with the 12 ga. with 28 inch barrels. The O/U is probably a better choice, but I do like the feel of a good S/S. I love my Weatherby, but Winchester and Remington are making some nice O/U's now. The Browning and Beretta are great too. You will have to spend easily over $1000 for these though. Otherwise, go with a nice pump gun like a Remington 870. Good price and quality.

[Kaxter]

My recomendation would definetly be the OU format, it just seems to feel much more stable to me.

That being said, the Browning Citori is a fantastic OU and its not too terribly priced. You can get a lightly used one for about 1000 bucks, or a NIB one for about 1300. Go on to www.gunbroker.com and look them up, they are great guns.

[Drivetech]

I've always (well, not always, but for a while now...) wanted one of these Rugers (http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=4165&return=Y)
(http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=4165&return=Y)

[Mike Stewart]

Drivetech,

Let me be a little subtle about the gun you have shown interest in.

IT WOULD MAKE A BETTER FENCEPOST.

I hope that cryptic message is understood.

Our mutual friend Birddog would disagree but he would be in the minoity with seasoned shooters.

Mike..........................:idunno:

[Mike Stewart]

Wes,


If you have any intenetion of doing a lot of shooting or of hunting Waterfowl at all--GET THE 12 GUAGE.

20 guage shotguns are great to carry--period. They kick more--they are too light for smooth even swings and have no advantage for anything.

I would also reccomend 28 or 30 inch bbls. the longer the better--The gun swings more smoothly with long bbls--I use 32 inch bbls for EVERYTHING. I would use 34's if they were widely avalible.

Mike..........................

[Matt Cucchiara]

Lots of good stuff here, Mike is pretty much dead on though I do prefer shorter barrels myself.Iam currently shooting an older(1987) Winchester 101 12ga with 27inch barrels and Win chokes. Pretty good all around package. Also have a 1991 Citori 12 with 28's. I bought both of these used for $1000 out here in CA and find them ALL the time in new condition in this price range. I would stay far the hell away from the new Winchester OU's, I have handeled about a half dozen of them and the fit and finish is absolute garbage! Just my .02
Matt

[Mike Stewart]

Matt,

You just casually mention that you are shooting one of the most sought after O/U's since the beginning of time.--Nice One.

I have a 27 inch 101 Pigion in 20-28 & 410 and I'll go you a couple better--I also have a 101 12 guage Skeet with euro circassian walnut stocks- and fitted case--retrofitted with 9 briley chokes--11 ounce mercury weight and a hand fit leather recoil pad. Did I mention the 5700 / 101 sporting clays set up the same way with the Euro-case.??

I still prefer my Browning ultra with the 32 inch bbls. I have retired all the others.

If you ever want to off-load that 101 you now know who to call. They were some of the finest handling guns ever made.

I also agree about the new ones--From what I have seen and heard--Steer clear. I have heard the same about the new Remingtons. The old 3200's were like tanks. The new ones are very different.

Mike..............................

[Matt Cucchiara]

I love the 101's, mines a field grade XTR I think the last year of 101 manufacture, bbls ok for steel shot and has removable choke tubes and satin nickel engraved reciever. I could'nt find one when I really wanted one thats why I bought the Browning then this one and a couple more since have popped up.I have only handeled one of the Remington OU's and they look and feel like those inexpensive OU's they sell at Big 5, just not the same as the Browning/ Winch 101 guns. My uncle has a Winchester 24 (plain version of the 21 side by side) that I would love to talk him out of but he wont give it up yet!

[wes]

Sooooooooooooooooooo, perhaps I should be looking for a Browning then?

There is a used Citori (which one I don't know) in the rack but it doesn't have choke tubes. Perhaps I shall, pardon the pun, hang fire for a bit and wait to see what comes up.

[Stabber]

Nice post Wes. IMO I'd go for a good "OL Semi auto if you were only getting one shotgun. Figure a Remington 1187 with interchangeable chokes, and it shoots any shells ya can buy from 2 3/4 to 3 1/2. With this shotgun you can basically do any hunting or sport shooting you'd like. After you get comfy with it, then look into a nice more expesive O/U.

[wes]

I have a Mossberg pump right now. It's okay but leaves me wanting more. Don't get me wrong, it shoots well and is reliable but there is that missing "it" factor. Hard to explain I know, but that's where I am right now.

I will finally have the time to get out hunting in areas I know well so I want what I carry to be a pleasure as well. For me, it's a tactile sensation as well. Goofy in words, I know, but true. I want pleasure in carrying it as well.

I have the local dealer on the look out for me so I should be able to have one around the start of hunting season here. We shall see though.

[Matt Cucchiara]

Cant go wrong with the Browning. I passed one up a couple years ago that had the barrels cut down to 24 inches, talk about a fast moving bird gun. It was cheap and I should have grabbed it.