Upland bird Shotgun

TJB · 11-28-2002, 04:21 PM

I am thinking about buying a double barrel shotgun for pheasant and chukar. Don't want to spend an arm and a leg but want something reliable. Not sure if I should go with O/U or side by side. Kind of leaning toward side by side. Anyone have any thoughts that might help me out?

11-28-2002, 05:40 PM

I have a Ithica 200E side by side in 20ga that I love. It would be a bit spendy now but you have to pay for quality.
I would recomend an OU for anyone that wasn't raised on a side by side. I never liked OU's until I started trap shooting.

KingFisher85 · 11-28-2002, 05:46 PM

Go for the O/U. But if I were you I would just go out and buy a pump or an audio 12 ga. You are going to be spending a lot more for a O/U or a S/S

GutshotApe · 11-28-2002, 05:51 PM

I have an AyA Model 4A side by side in 28 guage that is a very nice shotgun. Weighs only 5 lbs. and a box of shells weighs about half as much as 12 ga. It has a castoff stock (for right handed s*******) and mounts & points like a dream. The 28 ga. shoots 3/4 oz. loads (you can handload 1 oz. but if you want 1 oz. loads buy a 20) and I've killed Canada geese, pheasant, grouse, huns and quail with mine. Has 27" barrels and IC/Mod. Not a cheap gun but well worth the price if you like to hunt upland birds.

11-28-2002, 06:17 PM

KF85,
Dbl barrels are the only way to go for upland birds. I also have a 16ga and a 12ga side by side that I used for waterfoul.

The only shotguns that I have that aren't dbl barrel are a single barrel Beretta MkII trap gun, a 24" barrel Winchester 1300 20ga (turkey/varmint) and a 12ga Beretta 1201FP semi auto (turkey/varmint).

Two leg turkeys and varments :shocked:

blacktail · 11-28-2002, 08:06 PM

I have an older Ruger Red Label O/U 20 gauge that is great.

My Dad has two side by sides that are also nice - An Ithaca 200 and a Beretta.

The Browning Citoris are also a nice gun.

Mike

crabbait · 11-28-2002, 08:20 PM

Seems to me that the key here is that you want to use the gun for Chukars. To me, that means you do not want to spend $2500 -3500 on a sweet Spanish SXS (AYA, Arieta,etc). The side by sides are great guns and well worth the money but the abuse that a Chukars gun takes is too much for such a gun unless money and scarred walnut have no meaning to you.

I would highly recommend a Ruger Red Label in 12 or 20ga. I bought a used 12ga for hunting pheasant where lead shot is not allowed and for Chukar. It works perfectly, points very well and cost about $800. Once you start carrying an O/U or a SXS you will know why not to just get a pump or an auto (although I own some of each for waterfowl).

The O/U and SXS are inherently safer when covering upland terrain because you can open the breech anytime you are in transit or crossing fences or in really thick stuff. Takes an instant to close the gun and you are back in business.

nerta · 11-28-2002, 08:33 PM

[img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img] Find someone who has the gun that your interested in and try it out if possible. Myself I would go for the double side by but thats what I grew up on, Parker 12 guage, now retired to the cabinet. I agree that Ruger would be a good choice. They make both side by and over-n-unders. I think their side bys are some what spendy. I've switched to a pump with syn. stock and matte finish lately and don't shoot it as well as I would like more practice is needed, but I love the choke selections.

Dr Strangelove · 11-29-2002, 05:59 AM

TJB, I had a good time hunting with you today. You're an ethical safe hunting partner who's not too square. Pick an upland spot and we'll take my Beretta Onyx OU & Winchester 23 SS 12's. email me. Doc

KingFisher85 · 11-29-2002, 05:17 PM

Keta
Now if you are as good as a shot as me, :grin:

My browning BPS 28 GA pump is just fine for up pheasant and chukar.

Now I just bought a American Arms made by Benelli 12 GA shotgun with a 28 inch smooth boar barrel for $325, I use it for trap and upland birds.
Also a Remington model 1100 a few years ago for $550 with a 28 inch smooth boar. Don't use it anymore, I got me a Winchester 1300 for deer and ducks. The 1100 is 2 3/4 inch only!
Now, I want to get an O/U 12, 20, or a 28 GA shotgun but they are just to much for my pocket book. The cheapest one I found was a Stoeger condor series for $325 but a good guy I knew bought the thing after I told him about it and how I was going to buy it.
So far it has been a good shooting shotgun for him. And let me tell you, he shoots it a lot and he loves it.

If you want a O/U, Stoeger makes some good shotguns that wont run you dry.
Charles Daly makes some good guns that sell for a cheaper price.
Take a look at gun broker . I almost got that Stoeger auto 12 GA with 5 choke tubs for I think it was $300

Fubby · 12-01-2002, 01:36 PM

I am lucky enough to have several shotguns. However, for upland I would prefer my Browning Citori. The Browning comes in several grades and I recommend a grade I to anyone who is really going to use their gun for hunting. The choke selection is second to none and you can configure the chokes to match any situation.

I would look at Gart Sports. I bought my Browning there and their price was far less then any I found.

The other thing that is important is how does the gun feel when you shoulder it? For most people a shotgun is a purchase that you will have for some time. Make sure that you are not making you choice on a low cost that will be costly in the future.

Good Hunting -

bigshark · 12-01-2002, 06:27 PM

TJB

I have a Browning Side by Side that has 28 inch tubes and is choked Mod and Full. It is the sporter model which means it has a straight english grip and a beavertail forend. I bought it for my collection years ago. It has been fired but very little. I would sell it to you if you have any interest in it. E-mail if you do.