Very new...shotgun help...

F

Fli Cssna

New member
Good Evening All,

A very hearty hello from SE Wisconsin!

I'm sure the veterans of this site have answered this question 1000 times before, as it's just like the questions I answer often on my regurlar Fly Fishing haunts (So, what is the best 5wt. fly rod for the money?)

Ahem...So, what is the best o/u or side by side for between 400-700 dollars?

I'm sorry in advance, and I hate to do this, but I'm really stuck here.

I've looked at Stoeger's on-line, but can't seem to find any other double barrel in that price range.

Additionally, I don't know if I should purchase an O/U or a side by side, and in what guage? I hear 20 is good for what I want to do, and I hear 20 is underpowered for Pheasant hunting here in WI.

It's likely I'll only go out and chase Pheasant, Quail, Grouse, etc...MAYBE ducks.

If you've any thoughts on any of the matters listed above, sure would appreciate your commentary.

Regards,

Mark

'Trout caught on flies you've tied yourself are best. Trout caught on flies you've tied yourself from materials made with birds you've shot yourself are even better me thinks!'
 
with you hunting duck and pheasant I would go with the the 12 and when you go after the smaller birds just lighten your shot.. Check this link out.. I have been thinking about this one, have heard good reviews and the price is good..good luck http://www.gunweek.com/2005/feature0210.html
 
Oggie-

That is a nice looking gun for the money. Have you handled one? Any in KC gun stores?

I see they have it in 16 gauge. I don't have a 16 now, but would sure like one. It would mean another reloader, but that would be fine.

Maynard Reece (MR) Byrd
Dodge City
 
FLI: I own a 12 ga and 20 ga Spartan 310. I am well pleased with them. They are tight operating out of the box but with shells run through them they loosen up nicely. I'd buy another! I just don't need the prettiness to knock down birds for the table. Geno
 
I can't speak to the quality of the guns listed above, but I did own a Stoeger Condor OU. Unless it fits you very well, I don't really recommend it. After a few hundred rounds mine started firing both barrels. After two trips to the 'smith for "adjustment" failed I sold it and saved my pennies for a used Beretta Ultralight. I'm very pleased with that, but it's double or more the price that you suggest.

As far as the OU/SxS debate, it's probably about as easy to answer as the ones you see on your fly-fishing forum about knotless versus tapered leaders :p
Seriously though, OUs seem to be preferred these days, but there is no reason why a SxS won't knock them down just fine. Probably it's preference. SxS is not for everyone, especially because most of us aren't used to it. They can also be even more expensive than OUs and you have much less selection. Other than that, try to get a chance to handle/shoulder a few of each and see what you like. My buddy just got a very nice old Spanish SxS that comes up and swings beautifully, but when I was looking I could find nothing suitable, so I went with OU.

All of the above is just my own - not particularly qualified - opinion!
Cheers,
-Croc
 
Afternoon all,

Thanks a heap for all your advice thus far. I certainly appreciate it.

I had a chance to shoulder both an O/U and S/S, and although I've been told by one person that a S/S is 'more difficult' to shoot, I just plain like it better it seems? I like the sightline down the barrel better, it 'fits' better to me?

With that said, I did not like the Stoeger. It felt all wrong, and the rib looked wavy to me. It felt and looked like the least expensive gun on the rack. This was unfortunate to me, as I was pretty excited about getting into an O/U for 500.00.

So, with that said, I've come to the conclusion that I may have to spend 1000.00, and I guess I'm okay with that.

I looked at the Fausti S/S and I loved it. I was told to look at a CZ, and will do so. I was also told to look at the Ruger Red Label, and I will do that as well, albeit that's nearly triple my original budget, so unless I REALLY like it, that one is out before it's considered.

Insofar as the guage is concerned, 12 it will be. If I can get a combo 12/20 with the gun I purchase, I may do so, because it seems to be a pretty attractive addition to me.

With that said, I'm not too much further along than I thought I'd be, but at least I know what I like. Now I have to find the right mix of price and quality.

Thank again, and please do chime in if you've any other thoughts, I'm all ears.

Cheers,

Mark

'Trout caught on flies you've tied yourself are best. Trout caught on flies you've tied yourself from materials made with birds you've shot yourself are even better me thinks!'
 
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Editors note:

Oh, and to the others who posted the links, I am going to hunt down a Spartan and the Charles Daly as well (thanks much for those links), and add those to my search.

I believe it short sighted and somewhat foolish for me to presume that just because I didn't like the Stoeger that all the guns in that price range are unlikeable, allowing me to stay within my budget and still perhaps con my wife into letting me get into a new steelie rod this summer/fall?

'But honey, look at all the money I dind't spend on my new shotgun!?!'

Ahhh, I can hear it now...

Cheers,

Mark
 
M. R. Byrd said:
Oggie-

That is a nice looking gun for the money. Have you handled one? Any in KC gun stores?

I see they have it in 16 gauge. I don't have a 16 now, but would sure like one. It would mean another reloader, but that would be fine.

Maynard Reece (MR) Byrd
Dodge City
Click to expand...

Yes, They have them at Cabales also DICKS Sporting goods can order in. A nice looking gun for the money and have chatted with others on line that has had them and have nothing but good things to say about them..
 
Thanks Oggie. I am in KC about every four weeks, but my wife tries to keep me occupied and away from Cabela's. I ask everyone for directions from Cabela's, that is my landmark. One son lives about 20 minutes northeast and the other 20 minutes southeast. Cabela's isn't on the shortest route between them, but occasionally I miss my turn.:)

Maynard Reece (MR) Byrd
Dodge City
 
Ya, it can get a little confusing around that area..:thumbsup:
 
Guns 'n Rods

A good rod for the money is Cortland. I have 5/6 8 1/2 footer that works and casts just fine.

If you're going to get one gun, I would get a dbl 12. Whether a s x s or o/u, go to a store, pull some up to your shoulder and see which view down the barrels is the best for you. If you hunt lighter birds, you can always ease up on the load and chokes. I hunt Bob White's and doves with a 12 and never blow them apart.

Stoeger advertises dbl 12s in the price range you mentioned in Pheasants Forever magazine. I have an o/u that shoots perfectly fine, although it does not have some of two features of better guns, a selective safety (so you can shoot either barrel first) and ejectors.

Happy hunting and good luck fishing.
 
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