semi-auto or O/U for an all around shotgun.

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troy fairweather

troy fairweather

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I am looking for a multipurpose shotgun, it will mostly be used for hunting small game and birds. but would be nice to bring it to the club close by with there 5 stand.
what would you use for a gun the o/u or a semi. i can't really spent more them $600,

for the semi i was thinking the tristar guns. o/u's i am not up to date on them, but how are the stogers or equivalent .i am thinking a 20ga maybe a 28ga but money is tight and ammo can be pricey. so what do you like and what would you recommend. thanks.troy.
 
LRDGCO said:
There are no new o/u for less than $1500 that are worth buying. Period. As per above, so not buy a $600 o/u.

If a Citori fits you well, there will be many good used ones in the $800 - $1000 range. They are too tall for me, for example and I get face slap from them. Miroku made Charles Dalys should be within budget with patience and fit rather Citori-like. If a Berretta is a better fit for you, there are many used Italian o/u in the same price range available. A used one of these will be far better than any new o/u priced under $1000

Among semis, while the Turks can indeed make a decent gun, you should be able to find a new black synthetic Franchi Affinity for $600. Also, the Weatherby SA-08 is within budget and, while Turkish made, comes with Weatherby's first class customer service. Forget Stoeger, they have the grace and dynamism of a 2x4.
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thanks for the info, i don't know to much on shotguns. very little on o/u's. i really don't know enough about the proper fit. wish there were more shops by me with better shot guns. i really should buy a better gun that will last my life, but out of work makes things hard. i was looking at a new deer rifle but maybe should spend that on a better shot gun.

whats the best semi for a $1000
 
I’m a bigger folk and the Browning’s indeed fit me better. As far as “the best” auto for $1000 goes, I like the Franchi AL48 for you specifically since you want 20 or 28 ga. These are super light and available in those bore sizes. They would be a pleasure to carry and shoot all day.
 
look at a used remington 1100-1187, I see them from 350-600 depending on condition. they are easy shooting with all kinds of extra parts-barrels-stocks. I used this 11-87(factory choke tubes- 2-3/4" or 3" shells) premier in 20ga yesterday morning for two rounds of sporting clays and three rounds of trap in the afternoon with no ftf-fte useing cheap Walmart bulk ammo, I bought it early this year for 550.00. just make sure what ever you buy(pump-o/u-semi) fits you, I think that's the most important in a shotgun.
 

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I'd get a 20 gauge. The 28 is a niche gun and does not have the availability, versatility, or price of 12 or 20 ga shells.
Actually, I'd get a light 12. A friend has a Benelli Ultra Light which is about an ideal hunting gun. Kicks a bit with her pheasant loads but is more comfortable with dove, quail, and target loads.
 
Aa used GAS operated 20 ga semi auto should serve you well for your purposes, and outlive you with decent care. You can get a much higher quality repeater for the same money as an O/U. No one will be impressed because you have an O/U.
 
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I would go with a quality pump or semi-auto shotgun (probably a 12 gauge but a 20 gauge would be great for hunting small game), because with the extra barrels and choke tubes you have a much more versatile gun to work with.
 
bannockburn said:
I would go with a quality pump or semi-auto shotgun (probably a 12 gauge but a 20 gauge would be great for hunting small game), because with the extra barrels and choke tubes you have a much more versatile gun to work with.
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Personally I think a Mossberg Model 88 is a heck of a buy. My gosh, I sure have seen enough of them in the field. And will not break the bank.
 
troy fairweather said:
for the semi i was thinking the tristar guns. o/u's i am not up to date on them, but how are the stogers or equivalent .i am thinking a 20ga maybe a 28ga but money is tight and ammo can be pricey. so what do you like and what would you recommend. thanks.troy.
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Oh, and despite my comment above that you can get more gun for the money in semi-autos, my dad did get an O/U Stoeger 20 gauge a few years ago. He has used it only lightly (it's sort of a backup to his Browning Citori and a loaner gun), but it has performed pretty well. He may have gotten lucky. We may not have really put it to the test. But I have to say that it has been at least acceptable/usable, and not a source of frustration.

I like my Beretta O/U better, of course. But it cost more, as did my dad's Citori.
 
LRDGCO said:
For fit, you really need to shoot one to know whether the shallower Italian design or deeper Browning design is a better fit. But rule of thumb is that bigger folks tend to fit Citoris better than the Italians.

For $1k, the Beretta A300 Outlander is a great call. The Franchi Affinity nice models are also a good call.
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when you say big you mean tall? i am big but only about 5' 10''. lost of meat on me, i normally like shorter lop's to. the a300 and the franchi look nice, and are probably more like the gun i need. i just could not decide between them.
 
eastbank said:
look at a used remington 1100-1187, I see them from 350-600 depending on condition. they are easy shooting with all kinds of extra parts-barrels-stocks. I used this 11-87(factory choke tubes- 2-3/4" or 3" shells) premier in 20ga yesterday morning for two rounds of sporting clays and three rounds of trap in the afternoon with no ftf-fte useing cheap Walmart bulk ammo, I bought it early this year for 550.00. just make sure what ever you buy(pump-o/u-semi) fits you, I think that's the most important in a shotgun.
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i like the old remingtons, i missed out on a nib 20ga 1100 last year for cheap. always my luck.
 
Jim Watson said:
I'd get a 20 gauge. The 28 is a niche gun and does not have the availability, versatility, or price of 12 or 20 ga shells.
Actually, I'd get a light 12. A friend has a Benelli Ultra Light which is about an ideal hunting gun. Kicks a bit with her pheasant loads but is more comfortable with dove, quail, and target loads.
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i don't mind recoil, but fell sometime a 12 is over powered. but i can now reload 12, so maybe that is what i should get.
 
Jeb Stuart said:
Shotguns IMO are tools, get the right tool and do not worry about impressing anyone. If impressing someone is your goal, then spend a lot of money, get some great engraving. Use the $600, as a down payment and finance one. If you are shooting Small Game or Big game, get a ov if you like one. Many folks love them. There are many choices. From the OPs post he does not seem like the type of guy out to impress any one. When you are out in the field, not many there to impress. Think about what barrel size you want and will use the most. I choose the 20" because it is much easier to handle in the environment I hunt in. Yet I have other size barrels for different situtions. It sounds like a 20 ga is what you are looking for. Ammo will cost a little more. How much shooting will you do?

You might even consider a Midland Backpack single shot. 12 ga, 20ga, multiple chokes, different size barrels, light weight etc. Solid build quality and only $150. Yes it is a single shot, but a great little gun for small game and even deer/turkey. And you can always get another gun later.Do you do a lot of hiking, camping etc. A lot of factors. You might not want a longer barrel for your needs. That will be up to you.
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i don't need to impress anyone lol. i don't shoot shotgun much. maybe 500 round a year if i can get out and shoot. i am still not 100% on a 12 or 20. those semi bereta ans franchi maybe a good choice for me. i have been thinking of picking up a single shot, mosty to mess with making some chamber adaptors.
 
Here is a interesting vid on the 88. That gun could be quite versatile and I believe you can get one in 20ga. And if you only shoot 500 rounds a year, then you can get a dependable shotgun, and put $300.00 to ammo. Should cover you for a long time. (however I do believe in on going training with a shotgun), The 88 can be bought for around $200.00.

Check out this video title The Best $200 I ever Spent!

 
troy fairweather

I have had Beretta and Franchi O/Us and they were great shotguns. They always felt very comfortable to shoulder, like their dimensions were custom made for me.

A Beretta A300 Outlander Synthetic is a very well made semi-auto but with a retail price of $800 (a Franchi Affinity 3 Synthetic will run you about the same price), it might be awhile til you get your money's worth out of them if your not using a shotgun all that much.
 
I'll echo some other folks who mentioned a Remington 1100. My dad has one that I've used some. Like it a lot. Have two barrels, 28 inch and a 20 inch smooth slug. I like shooting it.

Have seen them around the used racks for near or under $500.
 
An 1100 with the Rem-choke barrel would suit you fine, sounds like. You've got all the bases covered that way, just swap choke tubes to suit your needs. If you're set on an over/under, then check out these: https://simpsonltd.com/search.php?search_query=baikal&section=product&sort=priceasc . I have owned a couple of them through the years and got really, really good service out of them after having my 'smith open the chokes up a bit. Plus, they're built like tanks. Just a fuzz on the heavy side (to me) at 7.5 pounds, but they won't pound you into the ground. Simpson's is having a heck of a sale on them right now too, so that might be a cheaper way to go if you can find one that suits you. They also have lots of other nice used guns that might fit the bill. Check 'em out, you never know....

Mac
 
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