field shotguns, opinions?

[uplandhunter870]

im going to purchase a field shotgun this summer as living in bozeman i cant really borrow the old man's shotties anymore.

i prefer 20ga but am not dead set on it although it has to be an over/under.  would really like an SKB GC7 but i cant swing $1700.  looking to keep the price under a grand. found out the stoger makes a 12 & 20 combo set for $550. mainly will be for upland game, i never really got into waterfowl.

any opinions on stoger or any other reasonably priced o/u field guns

thanks
uplander

[CP]

I have two for sale in the classified section.  Either would meet your needs.

PS - IMHO 20gs suck, go with a 12.

[AWS]

The 20 will be just fine I quit lugging around a 12 years ago and use a 20 for  all my upland work and most of my waterfowl.  If I were you I'd hit the the used gun racks  and look at some of the top names.  You shouldn't have too much trouble finding a used Browning, SKB, Berreta Whitewing or Weatherby in that price range. Try and stay away from very old ones and fixed choke M&F because I think that you will see more and more steel shot requirements.  WMA's in MT require steel shoot for all hunting.  Most of my upland guns are older Belgium Browning Superposed Lightning, SKB SxS MF and LeFever SxS and I pack along a little lightweight 20 auto for the steel shot zones.  If you do look at some of the cheaper new ones try to find ones with double triggers as the single trigger switching mechanism is fairly intricate and is one of the most common ailments of inexpensive O/U.

AWS

[JKEEN33]

The 20 will be just fine I quit lugging around a 12 years ago and use a 20 for  all my upland work and most of my waterfowl.  If I were you I'd hit the the used gun racks  and look at some of the top names.  You shouldn't have too much trouble finding a used Browning, SKB, Berreta Whitewing or Weatherby in that price range. Try and stay away from very old ones and fixed choke M&F because I think that you will see more and more steel shot requirements.  WMA's in MT require steel shoot for all hunting.  Most of my upland guns are older Belgium Browning Superposed Lightning, SKB SxS MF and LeFever SxS and I pack along a little lightweight 20 auto for the steel shot zones.  If you do look at some of the cheaper new ones try to find ones with double triggers as the single trigger switching mechanism is fairly intricate and is one of the most common ailments of inexpensive O/U.

AWS

+1

I have a Browning, Ruger and Franchi O/U all are fairly nice. Go for a used Browning if possible. You can get them under 1k. Going to eventually be unhappy if you go to cheap.

[thinkingman]

The 20 will be just fine I quit lugging around a 12 years ago and use a 20 for  all my upland work and most of my waterfowl.  If I were you I'd hit the the used gun racks  and look at some of the top names.  You shouldn't have too much trouble finding a used Browning, SKB, Berreta Whitewing or Weatherby in that price range. Try and stay away from very old ones and fixed choke M&F because I think that you will see more and more steel shot requirements.  WMA's in MT require steel shoot for all hunting.  Most of my upland guns are older Belgium Browning Superposed Lightning, SKB SxS MF and LeFever SxS and I pack along a little lightweight 20 auto for the steel shot zones.  If you do look at some of the cheaper new ones try to find ones with double triggers as the single trigger switching mechanism is fairly intricate and is one of the most common ailments of inexpensive O/U.

AWS

Good info, here.
I switched to 20ga and shooting premium ammo, shot my biggest rooster ever this year....folded right up at an honest 35yds.
There are some nice 20ga O/U out there.
I would avoid Eastern Bloc manufacture for a shottie.
There is a beaut on Seattleguns.net right now.
Remember, fit is an important consideration for a shotgun.

[uplandhunter870]

thanks for the input everyone, not to be rude but im not new to shotguns grew up hunting upland game and shooting trap competitively. bought my first at 15, practically stole a very nice Renato Gamba.

what i am new to is shopping for a budget priced field gun, never had a need to buy a field gun as i could always borrow one of my dads, but moving half way across the country has put an end to that.

again thanks for all the replies and any and all suggestions are welcome

thanks
uplander

[birdwacker]

I love my weatherby 20ga it's an skb built for weatherby was under 1k when I got it.

[Ironhead]

Are you looking for an OU, pump or auto?

[uplandhunter870]

Are you looking for an OU, pump or auto?

would prefer and o/u with chokes in a 20ga just to cut weight but not opposed to the right 12ga either

[44 Flattop]

For the money, sounds like Stoeger is your best bet.  I'm a HUGE 20 gauge fan unless after waterfowl.  Since you aren't, the 20 is the bees knees!  If you get a 20/12 set keep in mind that you will be getting a 12 gauge frame with an extra 20 ga set.  Not vice versa.  I personally like a slim sleek 20ga for all day carry.  And I REALLY hate pickin' that extra 12 ga shot from my grouse...

[Ironhead]

You can find beretta's for under a grand used. I prefer 12ga myself but wouldn't mind a 20 for quail hunting. You should be able to find some lightly used 686's for under a grand. They are a nice durable shotgun.

[demontang]

I use a old remington model 11 12ga with a 18 1/2" barrel and its put down more birds then I can count and its fun to shoot, quick to aim and light to carry. I do like the stoeger coach gun my dad has to its another quick to aim and not to bad to carry.

[Bigshooter]

For the money, sounds like Stoeger is your best bet.  I'm a HUGE 20 gauge fan unless after waterfowl.  Since you aren't, the 20 is the bees knees!  If you get a 20/12 set keep in mind that you will be getting a 12 gauge frame with an extra 20 ga set.  Not vice versa.  I personally like a slim sleek 20ga for all day carry.  And I REALLY hate pickin' that extra 12 ga shot from my grouse...

That's why I went to a 28ga.  Lighter and it will do almost anything that a 2 3/4" 20ga round will do.  For me there is no need for a 12ga.  Unless you like packing a boat anchor around all day.

[Bofire]

12 gauge will do anything a 20/28 will but not the vica-versa.
Carl

[CP]

12 gauge will do anything a 20/28 will but not the vica-versa.
Carl

  and the weight difference is only a few ounces.

[Bigshooter]

12 gauge will do anything a 20/28 will but not the vica-versa.
Carl

  and the weight difference is only a few ounces.

Couple ounces?  There is a pound difference between most o/u 12ga compared to an o/u 28ga.  Not a big deal when your in a blind hunting waterfoul.  But its a lot nicer when your hunting chukar all day to have a light gun.