Over/under experts needed

[uplandhunter870]

like everyone has already said fit is key. i used to shoot a lot of ATA trap upwards of 50k shells a year between tourneys and practice. if the shotgun doesnt fit youre not going to enjoy shooting it and wont hit much.

i would stay away from Franchi, they look pretty but kick like a budwieser horse. Browning makes a really good O/U, CZ's are solid guns, IMHO Beretta's silver pigeon line is the cream of the crop but im biased. Beretta's just fit me and feel like an extension of my arms, one day ill own one

I picked up a TriStar O/U in 20ga that im putting through its paces and so far so good especially for a $400 O/U haha

[wadu1]

Don't forget about the Winchester 101. They've been around a long time.

Actually the newer 101's are FNH, imported by Browning (same company now). They are OK, but for me the wrist is to small and causes wrist problems for me as well as most Remington's. This all comes back to "FIT".   

[Firedogg]

. Tossing out another option no one has mentioned... a Ruger Red Label, but you need tonwatch for it on the used market. Nice solid shotgun thst swings well. There are a few different variations of it and it can also be found in 20 and 28ga. I have one that shares a lityle time with my Browning for sporting clays and skeet. The Ruger is the one that goes in the field with me.

  I like the 30" barrels, again for me it has to do with swing and follow through. Those extra few ounces in the barrels are easy to pack around and will benefit you more than hurt your shooting. Just change chokes and shot size for shooting different distances.

Fit, fit, and fit again.  If the stock does not come up to your cheek and give you a good sight picture down the barrel it won't matter what shotgun you get or how much you spend, you will miss.  So even finding one off the shelf that you think fits it is well worth the time to see someone who can make sure you have the best fit.

[Henrydog]

. Tossing out another option no one has mentioned... a Ruger Red Label,
[/quote]

They are great guns, I have shot one.  I was at a ATA shoot this summer in Montana and there was a guy looking for parts, I guess ruger doesn't even work on them or have any parts stock anymore.  Kind of hard to believe

[Henrydog]

Crap... Also for got, look at Guns Unlimited website out of Omaha, and Jaqua's out of Finley Oh.  Tons of o/u.  Both have a good reputation I know people who have ordered from both.  I would meet you at a gun club, but I don't think I would do you a favor.  Mine are all trap guns and the POI are different, and Length of pull on my have all been shorted and there cast off.  The vast majority of people who have mounted my guns hate them, which confirms what my wife always tells me, My face is messed up and my arms are short

[Come Get Some]

I have 6 Ruger red labels, both 20 ga and 12 ga. I love the 20 ga for all upland bird hunting. I shoot pheasants, quail, grouse, chuckar. Basically everything that flies. Not as much shot in the pattern as a 12 but much lighter and faster to swing. Especially when hunting quail. I shoot #6 Shot for all the upland birds. No one that hunts with me using a 12 ga. Kills more birds than I do with the 20 ga. I have the 12 ga in the stainless synthetic. Love it also. I also have a few SKB O/U They are very light and have worked well for years. I have ran many hundreds of shell thru my Rugers and never had a failure. Very easy to clean and point very well for me. Bottom line. You need to buy and shoot what feels the best to you no matter what anyone else shoots.

[nutntoit]

. Tossing out another option no one has mentioned... a Ruger Red Label, but you need tonwatch for it on the used market. Nice solid shotgun thst swings well. There are a few different variations of it and it can also be found in 20 and 28ga. I have one that shares a lityle time with my Browning for sporting clays and skeet. The Ruger is the one that goes in the field with me.

  I like the 30" barrels, again for me it has to do with swing and follow through. Those extra few ounces in the barrels are easy to pack around and will benefit you more than hurt your shooting. Just change chokes and shot size for shooting different distances.

Fit, fit, and fit again.  If the stock does not come up to your cheek and give you a good sight picture down the barrel it won't matter what shotgun you get or how much you spend, you will miss.  So even finding one off the shelf that you think fits it is well worth the time to see someone who can make sure you have the best fit.

I have actually been thinking about this gun. Almost half of my guns are Rugers, I like them a lot. Is there somewhere I can go to see a fit expert?

[Henrydog]

Stock fitters are hard to come by.  There used to be a guy on top of the Fredrick and Nelson Building in downtown Seattle....those days are gone.  Adjustable combs and Graycoils have replaced the art, and are much cheaper.  Only regional guy I have heard of is S and S Plus in Polson Montana

[jackson7]

wouldn't hesitate on an older Charles Daly made by miroku in japan. well made guns.
Could almost find a 12 and 20 for what you will pay for the others. skb is another.

[wadu1]

Stock fitters are hard to come by.  There used to be a guy on top of the Fredrick and Nelson Building in downtown Seattle....those days are gone.  Adjustable combs and Graycoils have replaced the art, and are much cheaper.  Only regional guy I have heard of is S and S Plus in Polson Montana

Mike and Jon do great work at S&S Plus.
Quote from thee website "We are considered amongst the top custom shotgun fitters in America."
http://www.ssplusstocks.net/

[nutntoit]

wouldn't hesitate on an older Charles Daly made by miroku in japan. well made guns.
Could almost find a 12 and 20 for what you will pay for the others.

This is something I have looked into, however I still haven't yet fired a Miroku made gun.

I tried out a CZ Huglu today and it felt really nice for the price.

[aaronoto]

I've really been enjoying my Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon 20g this year.  I didn't enjoy paying the price tag, but it should last a lifetime!

[RadSav]

I've really been enjoying my Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon 20g this year.  I didn't enjoy paying the price tag, but it should last a lifetime!

    Love mine!  I'll never carry a 12 for upland ever again.  This is the lightest gun I own and it makes a difference when chucker are on the menu.

I normally run IMP/MOD as chokes.  The wife runs Skeet/Imp with Heavy shot or FastLead depending on where we are at.  She busts them at some surprising distances with Heavy Shot.  Not as good as when Remington had their HD loads, but still impressive.

[ghosthunter]

Well I just purchased my first O/U and I wanted a long barrel and not break the bank.
I bought a Stoeger Condor Longfowler. Came with a set of flush chokes and extended chokes.

I did return it to the factory after four shots it would no longer open.

Stoeger sent me another brand new gun. And I have had no further issues. But I only have about 50 rounds through it so far.
It is not light. But not so heavy I could not carry it around all day.
Comes with a five year warranty.

Stoeger and Beretta merged I think.

Using for ducks right now and turkey in the spring.

ix gus in deer camp shoulder it and all liked the fit.

[nutntoit]

I have 6 Ruger red labels, both 20 ga and 12 ga. I love the 20 ga for all upland bird hunting. I shoot pheasants, quail, grouse, chuckar. Basically everything that flies. Not as much shot in the pattern as a 12 but much lighter and faster to swing. Especially when hunting quail. I shoot #6 Shot for all the upland birds. No one that hunts with me using a 12 ga. Kills more birds than I do with the 20 ga. I have the 12 ga in the stainless synthetic. Love it also. I also have a few SKB O/U They are very light and have worked well for years. I have ran many hundreds of shell thru my Rugers and never had a failure. Very easy to clean and point very well for me. Bottom line. You need to buy and shoot what feels the best to you no matter what anyone else shoots.

What would you say is a good price for a used new model red label? I found one for sale in my area that looks very nice, but I don't have anything to compare it to other thank GB which is always high.