Post by: uplandhunter870 on April 20, 2011, 11:35:37 AM
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
Post by: CP on April 20, 2011, 11:39:19 AM
PS - IMHO 20gs suck, go with a 12.
Post by: AWS on April 20, 2011, 11:57:49 AM
AWS
Post by: JKEEN33 on April 20, 2011, 03:44:17 PM
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.
Post by: thinkingman on April 20, 2011, 04:28:50 PM
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.Good info, here.
AWS
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.
Post by: uplandhunter870 on April 20, 2011, 07:23:04 PM
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
Post by: birdwacker on April 20, 2011, 07:29:59 PM
Post by: Ironhead on April 20, 2011, 07:40:38 PM
Post by: uplandhunter870 on April 20, 2011, 07:58:53 PM
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
Post by: 44 Flattop on April 20, 2011, 08:05:02 PM
Post by: Ironhead on April 21, 2011, 11:04:03 PM
Post by: demontang on April 22, 2011, 08:20:37 AM
Post by: Bigshooter on April 26, 2011, 04:48:00 AM
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.
Post by: Bofire on April 26, 2011, 01:02:39 PM
Carl
Post by: CP on April 26, 2011, 02:13:36 PM
12 gauge will do anything a 20/28 will but not the vica-versa.
Carl
:yeah: and the weight difference is only a few ounces.
Post by: Bigshooter on April 26, 2011, 04:50:24 PM
12 gauge will do anything a 20/28 will but not the vica-versa.
Carl
:yeah: 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. :hello: