Author Topic: adivse on a double shotgun....which one? (Read 701 times)

myronman3 · « **on:** August 19, 2005, 11:01:29 AM »

i am planning on getting me a new double barrel shotgun here shortly. i figure it is between a beretta, browning, or weatherby or a rrrruuugggeeeer red label. i am thinking on a 20 gauge. if not a 20, i am considering a 28 or 410. most likely a 20.

opinions, advise, or ramblings welcome.

what say you, g.b.o. brothers and sisters?

Greybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** August 19, 2005, 12:54:03 PM »

Well now me bucko that's a loaded question for sure.

First up Browning is not now making SxS doubles to the best of my knowledge and the price of the older ones they used to make has gone up way beyond how good they were. In other words there are far far better at that price point.

Beretta is nice but wow are they EXPENSIVE. Not in my future. Ruger? Yuck, priced at least two if not three times what they are worth. No thanks, not for me. At this time in 12 ga. only I think and bulky and feel like crap.

So what's left? From your list the Weatherby. NICE! but expensive. From those you list it would be my first choice tho.

Why not take a hard look at the now CZ imported Huglu doubles. They have a pretty good selection of really nice looking and well made doubles both SxS and O/U. Being made in Turkey where there are some fine craftsmen who've not yet raised their prices to the European level they are some really sound buys. In fact I ordered one today while at the gunstore. He priced the Huglu Bobwhite SxS .410 double to me at $729 out the door. Now that's a super bargain for a gun that if it had the other names you mentioned on it rather than Huglu would set you backl well over $2000. I've been haggling this one with my dealer for some time now and today finally got a decent price commitment from him and it was in stock at his distributors so will be here next week.

dougk · « **Reply #2 on:** August 19, 2005, 03:04:04 PM »

What is the application? In my old age I have gone from expensive (Beretta) to reliable and value priced Stoeger. Reliable and nicely priced Huglu now CZ. The Berettas are just too nice for field use.

Give me the Stoeger SxS in double trigger over the others even the Huglu for field use. The wife has the Huglu O/U in 20 ga. nice gun, great gun for the money. But I still like the Stoeger SxS with double triggers for field work. If I where going to the range I would take the Huglu O/U.

In shotguns I can't justify an expensive price for any gun.

Good Luck,
Doug

myronman3 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 19, 2005, 06:19:30 PM »

upland bird hunting; grouse and woodcock, with the possiblity of pheasants.

lefty o · « **Reply #4 on:** August 20, 2005, 04:16:14 AM »

well since i didnt see you specifically mention a SXS, go pick up a browning Citori and see how well it shoulders. Browning, Beretta, and Weatherby all offer good O/U shotguns.

Graybeard · « **Reply #5 on:** August 20, 2005, 06:46:00 AM »

Most folks when they say "double barrel" are referring to a SxS but not everyone. IF an O/U is indeed what is desired I'd sure agree it's hard to beat a Citori. But those Huglu's are nice. For your uses a 20ga would do best.

lefty o · « **Reply #6 on:** August 20, 2005, 07:47:56 AM »

i understand that, but he also mentioned a "red label" and that aint a sxs. plus my double barrel shotgun happens to be an O/U. the more options the better.

while99 · « **Reply #7 on:** August 20, 2005, 04:31:41 PM »

You can't go wrong with a Winchester Model 21.

Ramrod · « **Reply #8 on:** August 20, 2005, 05:01:19 PM »

I'm also of the old school, a double means side by side. As far as O/U go, Beretta makes a nice one. A 686 with 26 or 28 inch barrels is a light and lively upland gun if ever there was one.
dougk, I don't think I can ever own a gun that is too nice for field use. What the heck do you think "field grade" guns are made for???

myronman3 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 21, 2005, 04:34:15 AM »

well boys, i am sorry i didnt answer sooner, my internet service was down cause a fire took out some fiber optic lines. guess the boys got it working again finally.

when i stated "double" i guess i was thinking either o/u or sxs. i could go either way; but most likely will end up with a o/u because they are more prevalent and because of that, cheaper.

i took out a loan to fill my tank with fuel before it gets cold and the price skyrockets. i plan on buying as much as i can ahead of time, then getting a bird dog as a companion for my boys and to hunt with. after that i figure i will have enough to buy a nice shotgun to go with the dog. so i will be able to spend more time in the woods this year with my boys.

so i am open to either option, but i want to get as nice a gun as possible for the buck. incidently, i am budgeting about 1400 for the gun, and am looking at used guns so i can get as much gun for the money as possible. the only concern i have is maybe getting a gun that someone has shot the hell out of.

i havent handled alot of these guns, but i did handle a o/u beretta once and that was one sweetly balanced piece, and when you closed the action, you could feel that thing close solid.

i did handle a huglu sxs also and it felt pretty good, but the lockup was nothing like beretta i had handled.

dougk · « **Reply #10 on:** August 21, 2005, 05:13:05 AM »

Ramrod,
you need to hunt the Hill Country of Texas. Last year we where moving thru thick cedar, which has a tendency to scratch the guns. I would much rather take a $300 Stoeger thru that than a $1,800 Beretta 686.

Doug

myronman3 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 21, 2005, 09:39:49 AM »

stopped at a gun shop today and they had a 410 ringneck leaning against the wall. i asked what it was and as the guy handed it to me he said he didnt know; a ringneck or whatever that was. i knew what it was, and looked it over really well. nice gun, no ifs, ands, or buts. i am starting to think for 1400 i can get a 410 and a 20. hmmm....