Semi vs Over/Under

[lizziedog1]

Before going any further, please no comments about pump shotguns.

For the rest of you, this thread is about over-under shotguns versus the self-loading ones. Which do you prefer for upland game? Not for deer, or for defense, but strictly for hunting small feathered creatures?

I figure each has its advantages.

The semi gives you an extra shot. Also, it tends to soften recoil.

The over and under gives the option of having two different chokes available. They are also quicker and quieterto get into action. Plus, for reloaders, hulls are easier to recover.

I realize some hunters tend to shoot one type of shotgun better than others. I do my best with autos. Not that I do great, I do better than with others shotgun actions.

So, you get up tomorrow mornng and decide to look for that elusive covey of quail. Do you usually grab a semi automatic or a stack-barrel scattergun.

 

[rcmodel]

I usually grab an Ithaca/SKB 20ga side by side, choked Skeet1 & Skeet2.

But thats just me.

I would think though, through your own admission you tend to shoot auto's better.
So that is what I would go with.
A light 20 or 28 gas gun to be exact.

Changing action types just before a quail hunt won't help your shooting any I betcha.

rc

 

[waidmann]

How funny, for shooting over dogs only, a Stevens 5100 16 ga. SxS, Skeet and Skeet II.

 

[jmr40]

If I could afford a quality double that is what I'd prefer. I've tried some of the mid priced doubles and have been disappointed. From my experience a quality double starts at around $2K. I can buy a Beretta or Benelli semi-auto for about 1/2 what a good double would cost me. That is how I've chosen to spend my money.

 

[DM~]

So, you get up tomorrow mornng and decide to look for that elusive covey of quail. Do you usually grab a semi automatic or a stack-barrel scattergun.

I also would grab a "quality" S&S, as it's what i much prefer...

DM

 

[451 Detonics]

The majority of my upland hunting is done with a Winchester Model 24, a SXS in 16 gauge choked IC/Mod. I do use a Valmet 412 O/U in 12 for waterfowl. When shooting a clay flurry I prefer the O/U, over all you will get more shots off in a limited time than with a semi unless you use the speedloader tubes or an X-Rail.

 

[Armed012002]

jmr40 is right. A quality semiauto does cost less than an Over/Under of the same quality.

However, there are a few quality options less than the $2,000 figure he mentioned.

The Browning Citori Lightning and White Lightning are very good values in Over/Unders. Buds Gun Shop have them for around $1,550.

The Beretta 686 White Onyx and White Onyx Sporting is around $1,700 to $1,800 also at Buds.

 

[DAP90]

I prefer the semi’s I’ve tried to the O/U’s I’ve tried.

To be fair, the only O/U’s I have any real experience with are the Ruger Red Label and the Beretta Blackwing. Those aren’t exactly primo examples but I didn’t shoot either well.

I could probably find a good O/U that fit me well but I’m not motivated to do so. I have a brand I like that fits me well. They don’t make an O/U.

As far the advantages of both types I’d say it’s pretty much a wash.

 

[Virginian]

I can't abide O/Us, so semis win. Love good SxSs too.

 

[clang]

I've got semis-, O/Us and SxSs

I take a light O/U to the firld most often - mainly because I shoot them best.

 

[lizziedog1]

I would love to able to use a side-by-side shotgun. I can't hit with one. I have tried, but I have some sort of mental block when using them.

I do think a nice one does add a certain amount of class to upland hunting, espically when paired with a good dog.

 

[vaherder]

Browing Maxus 12 gauge

Weighs less then 7lbs. Very little kick. Will handle any shell up to 3in. Doesnt have the nice wood of my Maxus Sporting to worry about.

28in barrel. I can walk a field for 12 to 14 hrs since that it was I do on the farm most days checking fences and working sheep.

Maxus is light and reliable. When I I am hunting upland game I am usually the only one carrying a semi auto. Everyone else has a heavy classic O/U and looks as purdy as a picture from an Orvis or Beretta catalog. After a couple hours they are huffing and puffing and cursing their heavy gun and upscale outfitter clothing. I am just enjoying the day with my Maxus and wearing my work clothes.

 

[6x6pinz]

upland bird there is no question, it is an O/U 28ga. dove 410 and waterfowl 12 in an auto.

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

Either my old faithful 12 ga Citori, or sometimes on a whim, a SXS 28 ga. I do just about as well with either one as long as the shots aren't too long, then the 12 wins.

My favorite waterfowl gun used to be an old LC Smith field grade with no finish left. I retired it when the lead ban came, and then traded it off. Stupid move on my part, I had a few doubles on ducks with that gun. I did double on geese one time with my Citori, shooting out of a canoe paddling down the Arkansas River. Surprised me as much as it did my hunting partner.

 

[rule303]

In the thick grouse woods, I use my 28ga O/U. For pheasants and such, I'll grab the 12ga auto every time. Doubles are generally heavier, in 12ga anyway, and on occasion the extra shot is nice.

 

[Pete D.]

The over and under gives the option of having two different chokes available.

How available are they? Many (most?) O/U come with a single trigger. Unless your selector switch is right under your thumb - not on all O/Us - changing the barrel is difficult at best in the flurry and action of a bird rising.
I hunt sometimes with an O/U 20 ga. Sometimes - many times - I carry a SXS 12 gauge. This year I am going to start with a Model 59 Winchester - at less than six pounds - and see where it takes me.
Pete

 

[oneounceload]

The semi gives you an extra shot. Also, it tends to soften recoil.

I would bet that if you did a study on third shot kills, you would find the success rate to be almost non-existent

For bird hunting I prefer either my SxS (first choice) or a VERY light O/U

In either case, the gun needs to weigh about 6#

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

I would bet that if you did a study on third shot kills, you would find the success rate to be almost non-existent

Right. When I bought my Citori in 1983, my brothers were ragging on me for giving up the third shot. My dad piped in "The third shot's usually a prayer anyway".

BTW, both of my brothers hunt with Citoris these days.

 

[DaleCooper51]

I have a preference for semis.

I like more of the weight between my hands rather than out front.

 

[Dave McCracken]

I've little experience hunting with autos so far, though that's about to change.

I have hunted with pumps, and enjoyed it. A couple of my fondly remembered upland guns were side by sides. A couple more are O/U 20s, both SKBs.

As for third shots, 50 years of hunting and I'm sure I can count the dead critters I took with that third shot on my hands and have fingers left over.

Get what you want.....

 

[wlewisiii]

I prefer a side by side over either. It's purely aesthetic in the end as the pluses and minuses even out over all. There is just nothing more pleasing that swinging up and seeing the rib between two barrels. That's for me. I hope you find what you enjoy.

 

[PJR]

Own both. Shoot both. Which one I pick depends on how the spirit moves me at the moment. For upland the choice is either a light 12 gauge breaking gun or a Beretta 20 gauge semi-auto. If I'm feeling particularly adept then I'll grab the 28 gauge o/u.

 

[7thGenAustinite]

i prefer o/u for bird hunting since you can run two different chokes to help cover a wider range of shooting situations.

 

[chas08]

I would bet that if you did a study on third shot kills, you would find the success rate to be almost non-existent

The third shot comes in pretty handy for dispatching fast swimming crippled waterfowl. But since the OP is talking upland hunting, my first choice is either an O/U or SxS. They seem to get on the faster moving/flushing birds quicker for me, and you don't have to hunt for your empty hulls.

 

[browneu]

I prefer semi autos but hate cleaning them so much I shoot an over under. I had a Beretta 391 and taking it apart and putting back together was painful for me. So I put up with the added weight of an over under to be able to assemble and disassemble and for easy cleaning.