Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: ValleyHunter on October 22, 2011, 11:56:55 PM

Title: Recommendation for Upland shotgun
Post by: ValleyHunter on October 22, 2011, 11:56:55 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Recommendation for Upland shotgun
Post by: rgalanti21 on October 23, 2011, 12:20:15 AM: A price range will help people give you advice :twocents:
Title: Re: Recommendation for Upland shotgun
Post by: ValleyHunter on October 23, 2011, 12:42:18 AM: As for price I'm trying to stay under $500 btw. Thanks.
Title: Re: Recommendation for Upland shotgun
Post by: rgalanti21 on October 23, 2011, 01:02:15 AM: The upland would be a good choice if you must stay under $500; however, I would go with the condor, but that's just because I have a preference of O/U compared to SxS's. Both are good guns though. I think going with a Stoeger is definitively going to be your best value for your price range though :hunter:
Title: Re: Recommendation for Upland shotgun
Post by: ValleyHunter on October 23, 2011, 01:09:08 AM: Thanks for the advice. I was looking at the condor but have never shot an O/U. I've heard that they are "balanced better" or something. I like the side-by-sides for their simplicity but it will take some getting used to as I'm accustomed to pumps right now. Stoeger looks like a good brand for where I'm at right now. Thx.
Title: Re: Recommendation for Upland shotgun
Post by: rgalanti21 on October 23, 2011, 01:12:43 AM: Stoeger is a good brand for wherever anyone is at :IBCOOL: *cough cough* get a side by side *cough cough*
Title: Re: Recommendation for Upland shotgun
Post by: dawei on October 23, 2011, 11:11:38 AM: Quote from: ValleyHunter
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.html (http://www.eaacorp.com/longguns.html)

I 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.
Title: Re: Recommendation for Upland shotgun
Post by: ValleyHunter on November 17, 2011, 09:10:41 PM: Thanks for the advice. I ended up going with the Uplander SxS. What a sweet gun and easy to handle.