Gun advice

M

montanamark

New member
Hi everyone,

I'm fairly new to pheasant hunting and looking for advice on a first shotgun. I have, to this point, been spoiled using my father-in-law's Beretta O/U, but it's time to get my own. I'm just fine with an entry-level basic gun, and there's no shortage of nice used Wingmasters around here at pretty good prices, less than I'd pay for a new 870 Express, so I'm leaning toward that. My only concerns about them are they are generally from before they started using the Rem-Choke system, so they are fixed choke, usually full. I'm also hunting pretty much exclusively with steel shot, so I'm thinking I'm going to want a magnum for 3" loads, since apparently #2 or #3 steel is best for pheasants.

The other option (with the wife's blessing) is that I have a friend in the gun business who could get me a pretty good deal on a CZ, which would definitely be more aesthetically pleasing. Anyone have any experience with CZ shotguns? If I went that direction I'd be thinking O/U or side-by-side.

Thanks for any advice.
 
I'm all for double barrel guns. Two chokes (screw in), two loads, easy to switch out shells if you're hunting pheasant and encounter quail. Far safer because the status of the gun can be quickly and unequivocally ascertained by breaking it open. Super easy to load and unload. Lighter to carry because less weight is forward of your hand on the forend. BTW . . . you cannot run non-lead through a full choke. You'll split the barrel. You might split the barrel on an older gun with a modified choke. Stoeger makes an entry level priced O/U. A CZ O/U would be a step up. Beretta, of course, is a fine gun anyone would love to have.
 
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If you are going to be shooting steel I would not buy a fixed choke gun, especially a full choke. Spend the extra and get a gun with choke tubes. With steel shot you will probably be using the IC choke the most depending on what you a hunting and the loads you are shooting. I use IC all season whether I'm shooting lead or steel or some other non-tox.
 
Yes I would not be shooting Steel shot though a full choke fixed barrel. You need to open it up a bit. Like IC for 2 or 3 steel or mod for 4 5 and 6 steel . my Two pennys.
 
I would think you would like an OU better. Also I have owned CZ, a woodcock deluxe to be exact. Very nice shooting gun. I could be real deadly with it, a 12 bore. The only reasn I parted with it was it got a little heavy after a while. But the younger fella that bought it loves it and haules it around with no issues. But he is a colledge wrestler so he is more agile then me at this point. Over all I liked the gun. For the $, if they fit you, they are a dam good gun. I paid 7 bills for mine new in the box. And yes don't get a full choke any thing unles you limmit your self to lead shot. This gun came with 5 chokes.
 
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Thanks for all of the advice, and the warning on the steel shot. I had no idea. We were actually shooting #4 steel through my brother-in-law's Wingmaster full this weekend. Hopefully the gun isn't damaged, and with the tighter pattern it gives him and me an excuse for missing some of the birds we shouldn't have. :rolleyes:

I think I'll hold out for an O/U, work on the wife and the friend with the CZ connection and see what I can pull off. If anyone has or knows of a good used O/U for sale, let me know.
 
I doubt you did any damage

montanamark said:
Thanks for all of the advice, and the warning on the steel shot. I had no idea. We were actually shooting #4 steel through my brother-in-law's Wingmaster full this weekend. Hopefully the gun isn't damaged, and with the tighter pattern it gives him and me an excuse for missing some of the birds we shouldn't have. :rolleyes:

I think I'll hold out for an O/U, work on the wife and the friend with the CZ connection and see what I can pull off. If anyone has or knows of a good used O/U for sale, let me know.
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I shot steel through a full choke wingmaster for years, the problem isn't barrel damage it is too tight a pattern. Hard to hit a bird and then when you do you are likely to blow them up.

You might also check some of the on line sites like www.gunsamerica.com for used over and unders. There are some used Berettas in Great Falls for 6-700
 
montanamark said:
Thanks for all of the advice, and the warning on the steel shot. I had no idea. We were actually shooting #4 steel through my brother-in-law's Wingmaster full this weekend. Hopefully the gun isn't damaged, and with the tighter pattern it gives him and me an excuse for missing some of the birds we shouldn't have. :rolleyes:

I think I'll hold out for an O/U, work on the wife and the friend with the CZ connection and see what I can pull off. If anyone has or knows of a good used O/U for sale, let me know.
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If you get a gun with multichokes, and go to the range with steel shot to pattern it with the various chokes, if your experience is the same as mine was, you will find that steel patterns best, i.e. tighter and fewer holes in the pattern, with open choke rather than closer chokes. The steel starts bouncing around when it hits the choked part of the barrel and the pattern opens up with flyers more noticeable! this is contrary, pretty much, to conventional thinking about chokes dealing out lead shot. YMMV, but that was very evident to me. Over time shooting steel through a tight choke can damage the barrel, again IMO. Hope this helps.

I was just in Cabelas in KC K and saw a very nice Dickinson SXS that I really liked. This is the same gun as the S&W Elite Gold, and it had fixed chokes of IC and Mod. I did not buy it because I like to hunt pheasants and in many areas steel shot is becoming a necessity. I opted for a C-Z Bobwhite with screw in chokes instead. Only got one shot with it before coming home from pheasant country, but I killed the bird! I like it!
 
montanamark said:
Hi everyone,

I'm fairly new to pheasant hunting and looking for advice on a first shotgun. I have, to this point, been spoiled using my father-in-law's Beretta O/U, but it's time to get my own. I'm just fine with an entry-level basic gun, and there's no shortage of nice used Wingmasters around here at pretty good prices, less than I'd pay for a new 870 Express, so I'm leaning toward that. My only concerns about them are they are generally from before they started using the Rem-Choke system, so they are fixed choke, usually full. I'm also hunting pretty much exclusively with steel shot, so I'm thinking I'm going to want a magnum for 3" loads, since apparently #2 or #3 steel is best for pheasants.

The other option (with the wife's blessing) is that I have a friend in the gun business who could get me a pretty good deal on a CZ, which would definitely be more aesthetically pleasing. Anyone have any experience with CZ shotguns? If I went that direction I'd be thinking O/U or side-by-side.

Thanks for any advice.
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Keep borrowing your father in laws Beretta, and keep saving for your own.. Yes, you can buy a Wingmaster or a CZ, but deep down, you know what you want. (Your father in Law must be a great guy to let you have both of his babies!)

Keep an eye on the auction sites, and even the local classifieds. I just bought a Beretta 686 White Onyx 12 ga in perfect condition for $850.00. I dont really need it, and I havent shot it yet, but I own it. I shot 1100s and 870s most of my life, and I now carry a 686 White Onyx 20 guage. Too bad it took me so long to figure it out.

Your wife will be happier if you wait and save for the gun you truly want, rather than to spend the money now, and want a different gun in onother year.

$.02
 
Get a Good One

Here's a little different thought. If you like the OU, go buy a new one. Hang the price. Take the price of the gun and divide it by 30 years of hunting. Even a $3000 gun would only cost you $100 dollars a year to own. Now I know that you can't get a 30 year loan on a shotgun but you can put it on the VISA and pay it off over a year. Also, you can get a really nice OU for less than $3000. If you buy the used 870 you still have that cost and in a couple years you will probably be buying the OU anyway. Life is short, shoot what you like.

As to the wife, she will get over it. :D


Lock and Load! :D:D
 
Michigan Gunner said:
Here's a little different thought. If you like the OU, go buy a new one. Hang the price. Take the price of the gun and divide it by 30 years of hunting. Even a $3000 gun would only cost you $100 dollars a year to own. Now I know that you can't get a 30 year loan on a shotgun but you can put it on the VISA and pay it off over a year. Also, you can get a really nice OU for less than $3000. If you buy the used 870 you still have that cost and in a couple years you will probably be buying the OU anyway. Life is short, shoot what you like.

As to the wife, she will get over it. :D


Lock and Load! :D:D
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Or I piss the wife off, and lose access not only to the father in-law's Beretta, but also all of his private land that is pheasant heaven. :eek:

One of the appeals of the used 870 at the moment is that it probably won't be worth much less than I pay for it when I decide to sell it and upgrade. Or, like all the other toys in my life, I'll end up keeping it anyway. I'm going to go visit my buddy with the gun shop this weekend and see what shakes out.
 
montanamark said:
Or I piss the wife off, and lose access not only to the father in-law's Beretta, but also all of his private land that is pheasant heaven. :eek:

One of the appeals of the used 870 at the moment is that it probably won't be worth much less than I pay for it when I decide to sell it and upgrade. Or, like all the other toys in my life, I'll end up keeping it anyway. I'm going to go visit my buddy with the gun shop this weekend and see what shakes out.
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Buy what you are comfortable with. If at the moment it's an 870, so be it. You can always upgrade later and I agree with what you said, "If you take care of it, the 870 won't be worth much less than you paid for it". Good luck and let us know what you end up with.
 
There is the advantage of 3 shells.

Dakotazeb said:
Buy what you are comfortable with. If at the moment it's an 870, so be it. You can always upgrade later and I agree with what you said, "If you take care of it, the 870 won't be worth much less than you paid for it". Good luck and let us know what you end up with.
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I agree and as someone who owns 3 wingmasters but now shots a double, there are positives and negatives to everything. The 870 will hold more shells, which can come in handy. They are also very reliable (not that o/u are not). If the gun fits you is more important than anything.
 
A good used gun will probably never depreciate any more than it already has an may in fact appreciate. It's an INVESTMENT!

Convince your wife of that and go find a nice used Beretta O/U. I couldn't live without mine.
 
I have 2 CZ Bobwhite SxS's in 20 & 28. I like them both; I also like the double triggers.
 
I like pumps and thats all I hunt with. For somebody just starting out an auto is a much better choice in my opinion. Pumping a gun is one more thing to think about you don't want to have to worry about. Find a newer used auto that feels good in your hands and has removable choke. Stick with a 12 gauge with 3 or 3.5 inch chamber. Least thats I'd do.
 
Or I piss the wife off, and lose access not only to the father in-law's Beretta, but also all of his private land that is pheasant heaven.
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Geez Mark, since you put it that way, Helena is only 7-hours away & I get back home (Anaconda) frequently. I'll just bring a few of my fine shotties back and you can try them out while we hunt "Pheasant Heaven" together to see what you like . . . you can try O/U's. SxS's. semi-autos . . . I'm here for you, buddy . . .
 
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