Choices, choices

[Atavar]

So I’ve been thinking of getting a jump on upland season this year and maybe even shoot some trap, not comparatively but as a skill builder.
I think the first thing I need to do is upgrade my 12ga Coast to Coast pump (modified choke) to something newer with choke tubes to give me a bit of a chance. Right now the safest place for a bird to be is 20 yards in front of me.
Being on a smaller fixed income I have been watching pawn shops for a decent double at a reasonable price. Unfortunately the pawn shops in my area are *really* proud of their shotguns.
I am thinking 20ga might be a good choice now that I am getting older.
Anyway, while wandering through Walmart one day I looked and they have a Turkish made sidexside and a Turkish O/U for less than $200, and a semi-auto (I forget the brand but I recognized it) under $300.
I will gladly read any advice and suggestions.

 

[dodo bird]

From what I know about budget shotguns is to stay away from Turkish ones. The Mossberg maverick is held in high regard for best new budget shotguns. That is what I would buy if I was in the market.

Mossberg Maverick 88 Field Mossy Oak Habitat Pump Action Shotgun | Academy

Feel prepared in the field with the Mossberg Maverick 88 Field Mossy Oak Habitat Pump Action Shotgun. This firearm boasts a 28-inch barrel and features a Mossy Oak ...

www.academy.com

 

[sparkyv]

My most recent acquisition was the TX-made Maverick 88. Mainly I wanted it for SD, but because it was such a great deal, got the Field (MOD choke) and Security Combo model for $255, shipped. I highly recommend this budget Mossberg. A 20ga model is available.

From what I know about budget shotguns is to stay away from Turkish ones. The Mossberg maverick is held in high regard for best new budget shotguns. That is what I would buy if I was in the market.

Mossberg Maverick 88 Field Mossy Oak Habitat Pump Action Shotgun | Academy

Feel prepared in the field with the Mossberg Maverick 88 Field Mossy Oak Habitat Pump Action Shotgun. This firearm boasts a 28-inch barrel and features a Mossy Oak ...

www.academy.com

 

[22250Rem]

I've heard a lot of good things about those Mossberg Mavericks and it looks as though they are not set up for screw-in chokes. When I clicked on that link, the advertisement mentioned that they can use Mossberg 500 barrels. Perhaps the OP could get a Maverick now and upgrade it later with a Mossberg 500 barrel that takes screw in choke tubes. Thanks for that interesting link; dodo bird.

 

[entropy]

Turkish semi autos that are a direct copy of a proven design are your best value for your uses. The TriStar Viper and Raptor lines are both reliable guns at a decent price. The Turkish SxS and O/Us in the lower price ranges just won't hold up to a lot of shooting, and barrel regulation is spotty.
The lowest price point Turkish doubles I'd recommend are the CZ ones made by Huglu. They start at about $750 and go up from there.

 

[jmr40]

I strongly advise to avoid budget doubles. Spend a little more and get a decent semi-auto. Some of the Turkish made semi's aren't bad for the money.

12 vs 20. If you're shooting clays you're going to be shooting 7/8 oz to 1 oz loads in either a 12 or a 20. Same number of pellets and in the same weight shotgun same recoil. But since a 20 is usually about a pound lighter than a 12 you're going to get hit harder by most 20's.

When you get into game loads with 1 1/4- 2 oz loads in 12 ga vs 1 ounce loads in 20ga you get more recoil with a 12. You'll find 12 ga ammo easier to get and cheaper too. If having a lighter gun to carry around a 20 is an advantage.

I've had good experiences with the Stoeger shotguns. They are modified copy of the Benelli M2. The disadvantage is that they are inertia operated which means a very light shotgun with a little more recoil than a Gas operated gun.

Buy Stoeger M3000 Black Synthetic 12GA 26 41rd Online

Length of pull 14 3/8 Chokes IC, M XFT Receiver drilled and tapped for scope mounting Weight 7.3 lbs O

www.budsgunshop.com

The Weatherby is a decent gun too. Still inertia operated though.

Buy Weatherby Element BlackGray 26 12 Gauge Shotgun Online

The Weatherby Element Synthetic is an inertia driven shotgun, that is tough enough to endure whatever you throw at it. Whether you’re flushing pheasant and partridg

www.budsgunshop.com

A gas operated shotgun is a little heavier and the gas system reduces recoil. This is probably the best deal on a new gas operated shotgun.

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/beretta-a300-ultima-semi-auto-shotgun

I realize that is probably more than you want to spend, but you're going to be disappointed in anything less. Personally I like the inertia shotguns because I'm primarily a hunter who only shoots clays occasionally to stay in practice. The guys who shoot a lot really prefer gas guns for the recoil reduction. But for what I do I can live with a little more recoil.

I have no idea what they are actually selling for now, but a used Remington 1100 is another option. They are gas guns and old technology. But they work just fine.

 

[PapaG]

A $200 retail shotgun would give me concerns about reliability.

 

[Armored farmer]

Too many good quality gas guns to be had to buy a cheap o/u.
You're asking for trouble with a cheap o/u or sxs If you're planning to shoot very much at all...like >1000rds/yr.
Go to the gun club and hang around on shoot night.....see what they're shooting....there's a reason behind what you find there. You don't need an expensive gun....just a good one. And it needs to point, and fit.
My best advice is to go unarmed to the gunclub you intend to frequent.
Observe
Mingle
Ask questions.
Make friends
A good old 1100 or Beretta A300 will take you all the way.

If you get the hots for an o/u, it's gonna be north of $1k for a good used imho.
And.....get a 12ga if you're shooting trap.
This is just my $.02.
Best wishes on your quest.

 

[bannockburn]

Another vote for the Maverick 88. With an 18.5" barrel this 12 ga. shotgun will serve you well as a HD gun. For upland game I got a 20" vent rib barrel with Accu-Choke tubes.

 

[bannockburn]

For a 20 ga. for upland game I also have a Winchester Model 1300 with a 22" vent rib barrel with choke tubes and for HD an 18.5" barrel.

 

[Frulk]

Mav 88 or MB 500 is good advice based on what you’re looking to do. Being around Bemidji there ought to be a few gun or pawn shops with a used Winchester Model 12 in the racks at a reasonable price. That’s another option.

Having hunted around there, I’m guessing you’re after ruffed grouse. Model 12’s are highly regarded in the right configuration for their slick actions and ability to get on target. That’s a plus for grouse. I prefer shorter barrels with improved choke early in the season when leaves are still on the branches and modified mid to late when they’re spooked. Don’t think the Model 12s have too many short barreled factory options if any at all so that’s a hurdle. Upside is plenty of birds have been taken with 28 inch barrels.

 

[Frulk]

Another option to consider if you can find one. BPS Upland Special in 12 or 20 gauge. No longer made. At one time they sat in the racks new for around $500 or so. Versions in good shape will command more than that on the secondary market. The action feels like its lubed with warm Land O' Lakes butter. With the English stock (not everyones favorite but certainly mine) it comes up fast and the short barrels swing with much less effort than the longer tubes. Bottom eject drops the shells at your feet. Light and Fast. Just the ticket for wiley upland game. Somewhat easier to find used than the Ithaca 37 Upland Special.

 

[bannockburn]

Frulk
Another option to consider if you can find one. BPS Upland Special in 12 or 20 gauge. No longer made. At one time they sat in the racks new for around $500 or so. Versions in good shape will command more than that on the secondary market. The action feels like its lubed with warm Land O' Lakes butter. With the English stock (not everyones favorite but certainly mine) it comes up fast and the short barrels swing effort than the longer tubes. Bottom eject drops the shells at your feet. Light and Fast. Just the ticket for wiley upland game. Somewhat easier to find used than the Ithaca 37 Upland Special. with much less

The first shotgun I hunted upland game with was a well used Ithaca 20 ga. Model 37, borrowed from a friend of mine. It had a plain 26" barrel and had one the slickest pump actions that I have ever encountered. At the time I wasn't making a lot of money so I went with a standard off the rack 12 ga. Remington 870 and eventually got another barrel for it; this was my all-purpose deer/waterfowl/upland game gun. I do remember seeing an ad for the new Browning 20 ga. BPS Upland Special with it's English straight stock and short barrel and I knew it would be perfect for hunting! That English grip and with those short barrels made that shotgun very lively and quick to get on target. Alas though I couldn't afford one, as I was working and going to school at the time when they were being made. Eventually I did get a lightweight 20 ga, Remington 870 with a vent rib 26" barrel but as nice as it was it wasn't that 20 ga. BPS Upland Special.

 

[luv2safari]

Another option to consider if you can find one. BPS Upland Special in 12 or 20 gauge. No longer made. At one time they sat in the racks new for around $500 or so. Versions in good shape will command more than that on the secondary market. The action feels like its lubed with warm Land O' Lakes butter. With the English stock (not everyones favorite but certainly mine) it comes up fast and the short barrels swing with much less effort than the longer tubes. Bottom eject drops the shells at your feet. Light and Fast. Just the ticket for wiley upland game. Somewhat easier to find used than the Ithaca 37 Upland Special.

The BPS was an excellent gun. We were direct with Browning and were cut good deals, then we sold them for lower prices. We never got one back with a problem of any sort. I especially like the bottom ejection.

 

[luv2safari]

Having two in the family in 20ga and one in 12ga I highly recommend that you look for a Weatherby SA-08. They shoot 2 3/4" and 3" ammo, use Invector/Winchokes, and are reasonably priced. One of the 20ga guns was a test gun for an article on the gun, then new on the market, and it was shot heavily in Africa and S America. No hick-ups.

Ours are the 26" barrel mat finish Upland models.

 

[Barnfixer]

The Winchester SXP that my son uses mainly for duck and goose hunting has worked perfectly for the last 8 to 10 years. It gets abused, wet, full of grass and dirt. It doesn’t see to many real good cleanings, more like wipe it off and add a couple drops of oil. When he was younger it was his starter trap gun. It’s a Turkish gun and I’d buy another in a minute.

 

[Howland937]

If you intend to spend any less than $500, then either 870 Express or Mossberg 500/Maverick are the only ones to consider. Availability of reasonably priced replacement or extra barrels in about any configuration imaginable would seal it for me. Barring a screaming good deal, there's not a worthy semi-auto that comes to mind that's readily found under $500. Or $700 for that matter.

 

[nettlle]

For the money it would be hard to beat a Remington 870. A S/S for the money you are suggesting is either going to be loose when you buy it or shoot loose shortly after you buy it. Fixing a S/S or O/U with a loose hinge is big money.

 

[Bill M.]

Go to Academy and look at their line of Yildez guns for a SxS or O/U.

 

[MacAR]

getting a jump on upland season this year and maybe even shoot some trap

What that tells me is that you're not looking to shoot a lot of rounds; likely under 500/year. For that, I'd recommend you look at any of the Yildiz guns at Academy. I've had a couple, they shot pretty darn good, the only reason that I've gotten rid of them is because someone else talked me out of them! They're just the ticket for a bit of bird hunting and a couple casual rounds of trap.

However...

12ga Coast to Coast pump (modified choke)

Sounds like all you need is a Mossberg 500 barrel threaded for chokes; Coast to Coast was made by Mossberg as a store brand for one of the bigger retailers back in "the day". A 28" threaded 12 gauge barrel would be very cheap on eBay or some place like that. Much cheaper than buying another gun. Of course, if you just want another shotgun that's another story. As I said above, any of the Yildiz guns would be good, or if you're fond of a pump, I like the Winchester SXP's also. They're pretty cheap and seem to function decently for what they are.

Mac

 

[Random 8]

I would buy 100 Turkish O/Us before I bought one side by side. They are generally pretty serviceable guns. I've found some that fit me quite well, and some that feel awful. Those ones probably fit somebody, just not me. I shot a bunch of them at Ahlmans shooter's roundup over the last few years, and did pretty well so long as it was one of the "good" feeling ones. A friend has used one for 4 years of trap league now and it's still holding up well without getting sloppy. I shot a pretty good round with it one day on a gentlemen's wager. Wouldn't want to tour the ATA circuit with one, but they seem to hold up for the casual shooter.

Pumps: I've never been a fan of the Mossberg pumps. They work, they're reliable, they just don't feel right to me. I like the Remington 870... A LOT, and the BPS. You'll have the same issue with both of them though, that they usually come with long barrels. They have been made with shorter tubes, but they're hard to come by. If I were you, I would shop for an older 870 Wingmaster with the 24" choke tube barrel. If you can't find that, settle for the newer 870 or BPS with a shorter barrel.

 

[MacAR]

Another option to consider if you can find one. BPS Upland Special in 12 or 20 gauge. No longer made. At one time they sat in the racks new for around $500 or so. Versions in good shape will command more than that on the secondary market. The action feels like its lubed with warm Land O' Lakes butter. With the English stock (not everyones favorite but certainly mine) it comes up fast and the short barrels swing with much less effort than the longer tubes. Bottom eject drops the shells at your feet. Light and Fast. Just the ticket for wiley upland game. Somewhat easier to find used than the Ithaca 37 Upland Special.

I have to ask, did you have those shortened or did they leave the factory like that? A short pump with an English stock is extremely appealing to my shotgun tastes, and now thanks to you good sir, the shotgun collection that I thought was complete no longer is!

Mac

 

[Frulk]

MacAR.....Factory length barrels. Depending on how you measure them they're 21.5 inches. There are two 12's and a 20 in that picture. Length of pull is 14 inches. Stocks are OEM length. Bottom one looks a little longer because it has a turkey choke screwed in.

Other makers have made them. Remington made an 1100 Upland Special with short barrel/straight english stock. Might also have been an 870 at one time. Ithaca made the 37 in that configuration. Winchester made the 1300 in an Upland Special. That one is very hard to find. Could be one or two others floating around I don't know about.

 

[MacAR]

Thanks for that! I've always thought the 1100 and 870 Upland Specials were beautiful guns, but far out of my po' boy price range.

Winchester made the 1300 in an Upland Special. That one is very hard to find.

I saw one of those on GB last fall, bid it to $550 before I had to quit. It wound up going for almost $800, so I'm glad I quit when I did. But I've been sorta looking out for one here and there, and hope to one day run across one.

Mac

 

[Random 8]

Just did some looking at 870s. 20 GA guns have never been on my radar, so might have been there before or might be new. Rem has a 21" field model available in 20 GA that should be reasonably priced. It is without the extras on some of the special guns. I should think L&M in Grand Rapids can hook you up. It will likely be a special order, but they do enough business to make it happen. They make the "turkey" model in 12GA with the same short barrel. I think it would make a fine grouse gun, but it's camo/synthetic so no classic looks there.