New Rifle!

[spazzy]

Hey all, I just finished up my first year of pharmacy school and bought myself a present for the hard work/suffering over the year as a reward. It's a Chiappa Double Badger 22lr/.410 over/under. I shopped around for a Savage 24 and decided even used they were out of my price range. I was undecided between the Double Badger and an HR Pardner, but I wanted the over/under 22/.410 so I went with the Double Badger.

I ordered it online from Buds and picked it up from my FFL with no problems. I used Buds "Make an Offer" and knocked about $25 off the list price. I am surprised about the fit and finish of the gun, I was expecting worse for a sub $300 rifle. It is also heavier than I thought it would be. It locks up very tight and now is stiff to break open, I am guessing that will change in time? I have never bought a new gun (my 870 from 1975 has 1,000s of rounds through it and is very slick) The ghost ring peep with fiber optics is really cool and I don't think I will put a scope on it. I dig the double triggers for barrel selection/fast follow up shots. It will be my squirrel slayer in the fall!

I am going to shoot it tomorrow and will probably update the thread.

Now, only if I had more 22lr ammo, I will probably eat into my ~1k stock tomorrow!

Edit: Here is a link for the stock photo and some more info
http://www.chiappafirearms.com/product/2626

 

[tdstout]

Congrats on the new gun! I've never seen one of those before, be sure and tell us how it shoots.

 

[Geno]

Congrats on completing the first year, and congrats on the new gun! If your professors pushed you as-hard-as I pushed my former graduate students, you reaaaally earned that thing!

Geno

 

[spazzy]

Geno

If I had $1 for every time I was stressed and wanted to quit, I could buy a truckload of guns! Two more years of in classroom learning and then one year of rotations.

 

[Geno]

spazzy:

Been there, and shared that set of emotions! Hang in there, and enjoy the new rifle.

Geno

 

[spazzy]

I finally got a chance to take it out shooting yesterday. My grandpa built a short range before he passed, about 35 yards. Some of my best memories are out there shooting with him. There is an old patio set with table chairs and umbrella, pretty cool set up.

It took me awhile to get it sighted in, my first time sighting in a rifle with irons. From the rest I was getting quarter sized groups, definitely impressed with the accuracy. My shooting ability with irons is the limiting factor.

The shotgun barrel shoots a bit high, but I was expecting that with that barrel being lower than the 22. It has a full choke and patterns very nicely with 6 shot at 15, 20 and 25 yards. I shot it at 35 yards and there was 10 pellets in a 6 inch circle, but that is really pushing the limits of the pea shooter sized shotgun. Definitely a squirrel or rabbit getter!

Next time out I will bring some clays and try to break a few.

It hits the rimfire rim very strong and I had no duds at all. I shot about 75 rounds of 22 and about 10 of various .410. Overall a great range session.

 

[Geno]

Great news! Congrats on having the time to get out and to use it. As you noted, that your grandfather set-up the range, is a real plus-factor!

I learned to hunt using my aunt's break-action .22LR/.410 shotgun. It was a real treat to take it to the woods, and bring back a rabbit or squirrel. It's hard to beat the pleasure associated with break-actions. They're just fun, and quite cost-effective.

Glad to see you're enjoying it! Remember to post more pictures.

Geno

 

[bannockburn]

spazzy

Neat looking shotgun! Definitely has that old world European look to it.

 

[kimberkid]

Congrats, on completing your 1st year & the new gun!