Best choice for a cheap double barrel?

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Guvnor

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I want a 28 gauge double but im on a tight budget. Ive been looking at the Stoeger uplander SxS (brazil), Baikal MP310 U/O (russia), and to a lesser extent the Tri-star U/O (turkey). All are under $500, with the stoeger the least expensive around $350.

Ive heard "mixed" reviews on all 3, and I realize it will be a crap shoot at this price range. I may be leaning toward the Stoeger since ive heard mostly positive comments on the gun.

Any comments?

Thanks!
 
I'm not familiar with the Tri-star, but I know the Stoeger and the Baikal well. The Baikal has a terrible history with QC. Some are OK, many have problems. The Stoeger's fit and finish is "utilitarian" at best.

IMO, you would be far better off with a pump until you can afford to spend somewhere in the teens to get a good double.
 
My only exposure to cheap doubles is CAS. The Stoeger pretty much rules the roost there. But there is often some gunsmithing or careful DIY to get them competitive. That might not be needed for casual hunting or blasting, though.
 
If your budget is THAT tight, how are you going to afford $11/box ammunition? 28's are not cheap to buy factory and shoot. Maybe you might want to think about saving a little more and getting a nicely used SKB or Ugaratechea for around $1,000....AND a reloader... :D
 
Ditto oneounceload all around.

Tight budget and 28 Gauge don't mix. And if you don't want to spend much money, I don't suppose you want to go buy a reloading setup, either.

The point of a 28 Gauge SxS is its unique handling. Cheap ones aren't worth having -- the 20 Gauge versions will be about the same weight and handling anyway, with readily-available bulk ammo.
 
I know 28 gauge and low budget is a bit of an oxymoron. But im not too concerned about price of ammo since I am not a high volume shooter.

I cannot handle 20 gauge recoil in a fixed breech gun for medical reasons (messed up shoulder), and im not really interested in a semi-auto right now. Hence why I am interested in a 28. I currently shoot a 410 but want something that throws a little more lead.

Intended use would be for grouse, woodcock, quail, and squirrel hunting.
 
Given equal weight guns and standard loadings, the 20 is not going to recoil that much more than a 28 - 1/8 of shot being the only difference. A properly fitted gun, with a good recoil pad will negate any difference.

A decent used semi will reduce the felt recoil even more, AND you'll get a much better gun for an equal amount of money over a cheap SxS.
 
A properly fitted gun, with a good recoil pad will negate any difference.
Click to expand...

Yes.

A cheap, light SxS will not be easy on your shoulder, because I haven't seen one yet that has a great stock design or a good pad. It's about the worst choice.
 
You may also want to look at CZ, they are a bit more expensive but I feel they are much higher quality (never shot any of the brands, but have handled the Stoeger and CZ) CZ's seem to have a much nicer fit and finish but you'll be looking around $700-$1000
 
Damn. So the 28 kicks nearly as much as a 20?

Ive shot a mossberg 500 in 20 gauge (7 pounds) and even with a slip on limbsaver, after 10 rounds of target loads I had to stop. My shoulder let me know it wasn't happy about it for a few days afterward.

My 5.5 pound 410 with a limbsaver I can shoot all day.


The Stoeger 28 weighs 7 pounds. I was hoping a 28 wouldn't kick much worse than a 410. If its closer to a 20 I may have to reconsider.

Thanks for the heads up.
 
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What about an older Savage or J.C. Higgins? They were inexpensive back in the day, are not "collectibles" as far as I can tell, and can be had very inexpensively. My father-in-law's J.C. Higgins (12 gauge) seems heavy compared to other SxSs, so if available in 28 gauge, might be something to consider.
 
CZs are really great values, I have a Huglu (the company that makes CZs)and it is a quality shotgun. They are a little above your price range, but I can promise you the first time you mount the gun, feel the balance, and see a 28 ga on a 28 receiver (not a 20 ga receiver barrelled down) the money wont seem much. check out the website, they have OU and SxS.


http://cz-usa.com/products/view/bobwhite-202-b-case-hardened/
 
CZs are really great values, I have a Huglu (the company that makes CZs)and it is a quality shotgun. They are a little above your price range, but I can promise you the first time you mount the gun, feel the balance, and see a 28 ga on a 28 receiver (not a 20 ga receiver barrelled down) the money wont seem much. check out the website, they have OU and SxS.
Click to expand...

And I can guarantee that the first time you pick up a well-made Spanish SxS, you will look at your Turkish gun and think fence post or firewood - the difference IS that noticeable......gas releases, bushed firing pins, Anson forearm release, canted triggers.....and most importantly, well-regulated barrels that actually shoot where they're supposed to........for not much more you can get something worth owning

JMO, YMMV
 
I have a Baikal I bought used a few years ago. Other than being hard to open and close, it's a great little gun. Shoots like pointing your finger.

We've put probably around 2000 rounds through it. Not a lot, but substantial.

If you don't reload, the cost of ammo will surpass the cost of the gun in a short time. 28 ga is probably running about $110 per flat these days. Even a low volume shooter could go through a flat in an afternoon, especially if a nephew or grandkid was around. ;)
 
Guvnor said:
Damn. So the 28 kicks nearly as much as a 20?

Ive shot a mossberg 500 in 20 gauge (7 pounds) and even with a slip on limbsaver, after 10 rounds of target loads I had to stop. My shoulder let me know it wasn't happy about it for a few days afterward.

My 5.5 pound 410 with a limbsaver I can shoot all day.


The Stoeger 28 weighs 7 pounds. I was hoping a 28 wouldn't kick much worse than a 410. If its closer to a 20 I may have to reconsider.

Thanks for the heads up.
Click to expand...
If recoil is the issue driving your choice of a 28, get a 20 instead. MUCH better selection of guns & much cheaper ammo. Get one of these shirts and the REACTAR pad to go with it. It will do wonders to lower felt recoil.

Shirt:
http://www.browning.com/products/ca....asp?value=036A&cat_id=301&type_id=116#center

Pad:
http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/clothing/detail.asp?cat_id=309&type_id=012&value=A024&cattype=309012
 
My stoeger came with both 20 and 28 gauge barrells. I notice a differance between shooting 28 over the 20. As I am one of those recoil noticing challenged individuals, I can't say how much of a difference. As for function no problems to report, it was stiff at first, but seeems to be loosing up as I get more rounds through it. I plan to go, shooting with my nephew, and his wife [4'11''] I'll ask her opinion.
 
My 28 gauges are pumps - a wingmaster and my 13 year old has a bps. They are both nice looking and reliable. I do hate the lame freaking worthless remington j lock...but other than that they are fine.

If I were getting a double, then I'd get a browning or beretta o/u.

Remington makes a nice auto that everyone swears buy for pheasant and upland game too. I think franchi makes one too in their al48'? Regardless, and auto will kick less than a pump or sxs/o/u all things being equal.

The bps is heavier so it will kick less. I have bought flats of 28 gauge shells for 98 dollars last year. You can find some online cheap sometimes at shotgunworld.com under the b&p section - sometimes they give free shipping and have a 10 dollar discount.

Nevertheless, the 28 got me into reloading.

Still, as a 28 gauge shooter...even low volume, you'll probably be like me and search midway and natchezz and many other places looking for lower priced 28 gauge shells. Walmart even carries the winchester target loads sometimes. And, they often put them on sale...and I buy the lot of them ;) It's a fun gauge to shoot.
 
Not sure where you are in the country, but if you are in the south and close to an Academy sporting goods store, I would suggest you check out Yildiz as well. I am in KC, and had to drive 312 miles round trip to pick up each of mine. Well worth the drive. I bought a 12ga at $399, and after taking it to the range a few times had to have a 20 as well.

Here is a good resource:

http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewforum.php?f=104

And if you do a google search, you will see that they are quite popular in the UK.
 
I recently saw a previously enjoyed (a.k.a. used) 12 ga. CZ Ringneck at my local Gander Mtn. for $500 - really looked like a much better put together piece than the new Stoegers they had. Of course the Stoeger was only $375. Me, I'd find another $125 and get the CZ after seeing both side by side.

On the other hand, the cowboy crowd does use a whole lot of Stoegers, and there are alot of tips and tricks to get them shooting nicely.
 
And I can guarantee that the first time you pick up a well-made Spanish SxS, you will look at your Turkish gun and think fence post or firewood........for not much more you can get something worth owning
Click to expand...
Which Spanish made doubles are not much more than a $700-$800 NIB CZ??? I've handled a 20 ga CZ Bobwhite and it sure didn't exude POS. I would like to own a straight gripped, double trigger, nice handling, 16 ga SxS, without having to take out a second mortgage.
 
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