Sorry for the noob question. I'm new to upland hunting and looking for recommendations for a good upland shotgun. Anyone have some good one they'd recommend? I've been looking at the Stoeger "Uplander" which looks like a good value. Thanks for any advice.
The SxS shotgun is the classic gun for upland hunting. While I have all types of shotguns, Single, SxS, O/U, Pump, and Semi Auto; my SxS are all that I use for the uplands. I much prefer two shots through two chokes over three shots through one choke. I've been hunting upland birds since 1964 and have never needed the third shot. Much of WA upland hunting requires non-toxic (steel) shot; soon the whole state will require it IMHO. Fortunately today steel shotshells are much improved over the steel of the last three decades.
Even with steel shot you don't need a 12ga. A 20ga is really all that you need. The gun is lighter and so is the ammunition; which one can really appreciate at the end of the hunt. I use a Remington® SPR220 (Baikal® IZH-43) 20ga SxS for my upland chores. IMHO double triggers are much better than any single selective trigger system. I've never seen trigger problems with double trigger shotguns. OTOH single selective trigger SxS, & O/U shotguns are not so robust in my experience.
The Stoeger® Uplander™ will be an excellent shotgun for you; but also look at a Baikal® like mine (available from
European American Armory http://www.eaacorp.com/longguns.htmlI also use #3, & 4 Federal® Prairie Storm® Upland Steel for my upland hunting. I can tell that it's performance is
OUTSTANDING in my 20ga guns.