I've been looking at a lot of the threads on here about O/U's and of all the recommendations made, I only seen one for the Ruger Red Label. I've been a Ruger fan my whole life and have a few No.1's and M77 bolt action rifles. I've always heard that the Red Label was a good shotgun but with seeing only one recommendation I'm beginning to wonder. Are they worth the price or is there something out there thats better/nicer for the same money? Seems alot of the ones on Gunbroker are in the 1000 to 1200 dollar range. I'll be buying used and not new.
Thinking about buying my first O/U
- Thread starter jaytee
- Start date
.What are the issues with the Ruger? Beretta is out of my price range, didn't see hardly any at all on GB for less then 2 grand. Browning might be a possibility but they look heavy and most of them seem to be in the 1200 dollar range on the low end and they look beat up.
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Cobblestone
New member
Check out the CZ's. Good gun for not as much money.
onpoint
Active member
The issues with the Ruger's in most cases are the ejector's or trigger problems. Sometimes the gun starts only firing one barrel and click on the next. Nothing worse then having a dragging tail from a all day hunt. Then to have the gun go click on the only opportunity of the day.
CZ's have had their issues also. Again the triggers group and ejectors.
Trust me, I know all about tight budgets and totally understand.
If your looking for just any O/U because it has one barrel on top of the other and you can say you have a O/U. IMO, that's the wrong way to approach the issue. Better to have a reliable pump gun, then to have a low priced O/U that has issues. May not look as cool to your friends but far less frustrating.
Save your money and get a better quality gun such as a used Browning Citori. A few nicks or scuffs is a small price to pay for a gun that will perform flawlessly for a life time. It's taken me 47 years to obtain the guns I have. Trust me, I made it a top priority in my life, many other things people would consider a much more important matter in ones life. Were put on the back burner or gone without so I could afford these guns. It's all in just how important you think having nice guns are. I have friends that would love to have the guns I have but they live in a fancy big house and can't swing them. Don't laugh but some get even upset that I don't have my priorities like there's and I shouldn't have these guns. It's all in how one chooses to get by in life.
CZ's have had their issues also. Again the triggers group and ejectors.
Trust me, I know all about tight budgets and totally understand.
If your looking for just any O/U because it has one barrel on top of the other and you can say you have a O/U. IMO, that's the wrong way to approach the issue. Better to have a reliable pump gun, then to have a low priced O/U that has issues. May not look as cool to your friends but far less frustrating.
Save your money and get a better quality gun such as a used Browning Citori. A few nicks or scuffs is a small price to pay for a gun that will perform flawlessly for a life time. It's taken me 47 years to obtain the guns I have. Trust me, I made it a top priority in my life, many other things people would consider a much more important matter in ones life. Were put on the back burner or gone without so I could afford these guns. It's all in just how important you think having nice guns are. I have friends that would love to have the guns I have but they live in a fancy big house and can't swing them. Don't laugh but some get even upset that I don't have my priorities like there's and I shouldn't have these guns. It's all in how one chooses to get by in life.
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BritChaser
Well-known member
Really like Browning Citoris. They vary according to model so you have to pick the right one for you. Have had two and never any issues at all; no repairs, no failures. Currently have a 625 Citori (now called the 725) and I shoot it better than any gun I have ever shot.
Ruger Red Label
I have owned quite a few o/u's, have both Brownings(4) and 2 Rugers left. Got rid of the Berettas and H&R, I found Berettas o/u's beat you up too bad(I shoot a lot of sporting clays and trap). One Browning I use ( field grade 3 1/2 in Citori) gets heavy carrying all day.
I use Benelli and Winchester SX semi-autos and pumps more for field and duck hunting, easier to reload than break open a o/u.
Both Rugers I have are great, both were purchased used, one a 28ga and a 20ga. The 28ga had a misfire problem when I purchased from a friend who ran many cases of shells through it(before the problem) using it in the field and sporting clays. I sent it to Ruger and yes they fixed it and sent it back free of charge. No problems now! Rugers are light, handle well and shoot straight.:cheers:
I have owned quite a few o/u's, have both Brownings(4) and 2 Rugers left. Got rid of the Berettas and H&R, I found Berettas o/u's beat you up too bad(I shoot a lot of sporting clays and trap). One Browning I use ( field grade 3 1/2 in Citori) gets heavy carrying all day.
I use Benelli and Winchester SX semi-autos and pumps more for field and duck hunting, easier to reload than break open a o/u.
Both Rugers I have are great, both were purchased used, one a 28ga and a 20ga. The 28ga had a misfire problem when I purchased from a friend who ran many cases of shells through it(before the problem) using it in the field and sporting clays. I sent it to Ruger and yes they fixed it and sent it back free of charge. No problems now! Rugers are light, handle well and shoot straight.:cheers:
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wolfcreeknc
Member
I have 2 Browning Super lights, one in 20 and one in 12. They are great guns and I have never had a problem. Only twice has the top barrel not fired but I think that is because I didn't have the gun shouldered properly when I shot the first barrel and the gun requires recoil to shift to the second barrel. The superlights are a tad heavier than the featherlights (newer versions). If you watch gunbroker you can generally find one for about $800 if you are patient. Once the season ends the demand for them starts to go down so you have quite some time to keep and eye out for them. It would be best to go handle some variations in gun shops to see what type you like, there are lots of citori iterations, I am partial to the english stock for the field and have whacked 25 out of 25 several times on the clays with them as well:thumbsup:
wolfcreeknc
Member
Forgot to mention that the superlights are only 2 3/4 chambers.
I guess another question I have concerns barrel selection in regards to firing. Do you have to manipulate a lever or button or something to fire the second barrel or what? Seems it could be a bit time consuming and cumbersome or does the gun do it automatically so all you have to do is pull the trigger twice? Again I'm totally new to this O/U thing, only shot a pump.
wolfcreeknc
Member
Jaytee, if the gun has a single trigger then on the safety selector you either shift it to the left or the right to fire either the O or the U barrel first. Once the gun is fired the internal mechanism shifts to the other barrel due to the recoil (keep the gun on your shoulder) and then the next barrel is ready to fire upon pulling the trigger again. Typicially you set the first shot to be the bottom barrel so that the recoil is driven streight back more so the barrel has less tendency to lift upward keeping the sight plane more consistant and on target; at least that is the way it was explained to me and I have not deviated from it. Having two barrels allows using two chokes, typicially the first shot fired is closer in thus more open choke on the first barrel you select to fire.
Hope this all makes sense!
Hope this all makes sense!
Makes perfect sense, thanks!! And that brings up another question. I've seen on here that several folks prefer to shoot a 20 for pheasants instead of a 12. I've always shot a 20 when quail hunting and have never hunted pheasant but figured you would need the extra power and pellets of a 12 to get the job done on the larger pheasant. I'm sure this is really just personal preferance but what do most of you guys use for pheasant? I'm kind of a wuss when it comes to recoil so if a 20 would get the job done I'd be okay with that, and a 20 is usually a bit lighter to carry right?
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Jaytee, looks like the question about a RL was answered.
When I was shooting a O/U for roosters it was a 20 Ga. I was shooting over a two Springer Spaniels at the time. Which as I am sure you are aware a flushing breed.
So shooting roosters with a 20 is very doable. I think some of the fellas who are shooting a 20 now are also shooting over a pointing dog. Which I am now doing, but I am now shooting a SxS 12 Ga with light loads. (just haven't gotten the funds for a 20)
My point being either gauge is more than enough to bring down birds consistently.
What I would strongly suggest before you fork out the funds for a O/U is go to a gun store.
Try the fit for a Browning, or a Beretta or which ever O/U you are seriously thinking about. You should be able to shoulder the weapon with your eyes closed then open them and have a perfect mount. Wear your hunting coat when trying this.
I know what it means to be on a budget so I suggest the above because the last thing you will want is a gun that does not fit you but did cost you a good deal of $$$$$$
Once you have found a gun model that fits you. I then suggest you find a shell that fits the gun. I am not referring to using a 2 3/4" or 3" I am referring to patterning a shotgun for the range you find you normally shot at.
Now given you will have two barrels and one barrel you can use a tighter choke. You may wish to pattern both barrels with different chokes.
In doing so I think you will find a 20 Ga can kill roosters easily. Remember the English often shoot 12 Ga 2 1/2" light loads out of SxS and they do great at passing shots on Pheasants.
When I was shooting a O/U for roosters it was a 20 Ga. I was shooting over a two Springer Spaniels at the time. Which as I am sure you are aware a flushing breed.
So shooting roosters with a 20 is very doable. I think some of the fellas who are shooting a 20 now are also shooting over a pointing dog. Which I am now doing, but I am now shooting a SxS 12 Ga with light loads. (just haven't gotten the funds for a 20)
My point being either gauge is more than enough to bring down birds consistently.
What I would strongly suggest before you fork out the funds for a O/U is go to a gun store.
Try the fit for a Browning, or a Beretta or which ever O/U you are seriously thinking about. You should be able to shoulder the weapon with your eyes closed then open them and have a perfect mount. Wear your hunting coat when trying this.
I know what it means to be on a budget so I suggest the above because the last thing you will want is a gun that does not fit you but did cost you a good deal of $$$$$$
Once you have found a gun model that fits you. I then suggest you find a shell that fits the gun. I am not referring to using a 2 3/4" or 3" I am referring to patterning a shotgun for the range you find you normally shot at.
Now given you will have two barrels and one barrel you can use a tighter choke. You may wish to pattern both barrels with different chokes.
In doing so I think you will find a 20 Ga can kill roosters easily. Remember the English often shoot 12 Ga 2 1/2" light loads out of SxS and they do great at passing shots on Pheasants.
Cobblestone
New member
You can find a happy medium if you go with 16 gauge. I have a Citori Featherlight, 16 ga., that is a dream to shoot and carry
Chave Dakota
New member
We call o/u shotguns boom boom here in SD. As you only get two shots and then you reload. I know I get the argument that it should only take you one shot a bird... thats up for discussion with alot of people. I went on a hunt in central South Dakota last year where they didnt allow o/u shotguns. I like the o/u for the trap or sporting clay course as its a great fit.Dont buy a boom boom, Buy an automatic.:cheers: