Need a shotgun for upland, possibly clays

[CQ43]

I need recommendations for a shotgun for upland hunting esp. pheasant, and also possibly for clays. I know there are very good SxS and O/U shotguns out there but this gun has to be under $1000, preferably under $800. I have even considered pump shotguns for their all-purpose use (I'm not trying to compete professionally here and don't have that much experience; I don't need the best equipment).
I haven't been able to find the right SxS... Could a Stoeger Uplander SxS fit the bill?

Thanks in advance for your help

 

[oneounceload]

For your money, and realizing that clay targets are in the mix, IMO, a good semi would be the better bet, especially one of the Beretta offerings - even if used.

Otherwise, CDNN has new Lanber O/Us. If you really want a SxS, look for a used Uggie (Ugartechea) from Spain - based on the Holland and Holland classic field gun design, used ones will be in your price range. The fit, balance and handling is far better than the Stoeger

 

[Mudinyeri]

Used Beretta White Wing or Browning Citori?

 

[oneounceload]

If the Beretta or Browning can be found in that price range ( I haven't looked in a while), those would also be great choices

 

[DAP90]

The Beretta 3901 semi-auto 12ga can be had for around $650 or so new. This is essentially a Beretta 390 gas system. I’ve never shot one (I have a 391) but it gets good reviews other than being a pain to clean (true with the 391 too).

I’d take a good look at these if I were you.

 

[bob9125]

For Pheasants and occasional clays, I recommend a Browning BPS Hunter in 20 gauge. Couple that with a Truelock Precision Hunter choke and you have a combination thats hard to beat for Pheasant, and is light enough to carry all day without wearing you out. I have one that I have used for clays as well.

 

[Milkmaster]

Beretta Silver Snipe o/u shotgun. 26" full and modified barrels, vent rib. $450.00 615-809-6530

This was on the local board last night. Something similar to this would be a decent choice for your needs. Be patient and you will get better results.

 

[vaherder]

Although its a little heavy for upland Mossberg 930. Stoeger's are garbage.
At a little closer to $1k a new or used Browning Maxus. Black and 28in barrel. No need for 3 1/2" version.

For SC use in an O/U you want barrels of around 30" or more in length.

28 or so will do for a semiauto.

 

[Fred Fuller]

I have a real soft spot for a double barrel for bird hunting behind a dog. I think you're on the right track there.

It should be reasonably easy to find a good used American made 'working class' boxlock SxS in your price range. Look for an older Stevens 311, Fox Model B etc., or see http://www.chuckhawks.com/affordable_doubles.htm for a rundown on a few more plus some foreign made doubles too. And see http://www.chuckhawks.com/american_double_guns.htm for some history and a list of names to look for as you shop. Note that a certain subset of people are quite taken with some of these names and tend to over-price any such guns they have for sale. Smart shopping is essential.

Best of luck in your search,

lpl

 

[oneounceload]

I'll take exception to the Stevens - I own the Savage "up-scale" version - too heavy, balance is not great, triggers are gritty

If the OP really wants American-made, IMO, he'd be better off looking for an older LC Smith, or Parker and having the stock adjusted to suit - better made, from the glory days of US double gun making

 

[petrey10]

Your best bet would be to find a used Citori or older Charles Daly (produced in the 70s)... these guns are great and hold the most value... both would be O/U and have more recoil than a semi auto


Semi auto you could go a few different ways... used = 1100, one of the Berettas, Benelli m2

New stuff semi auto look at the Franchi I12, or Beretta 3901

New O/U the Lanbers are quite nice... CZ makes a nice O/U also all for under 900



I wouldn't get a SxS for shooting clays but that is just me

 

[Finprof]

Remington 1100 or Beretta 391, since you said upland would be mostly for pheasants. If you said grouse and woodcock, my answer might be different, but not if you were going to shoot a lot of clays. Both have done really well in just about any kind of clay event - trap, skeet or sporting clays at the highest level.
The nice thing about either auto is that just about anybody can shoot well with them.
I started shooting trap with my 1100 field gun. My scores dropped when I bought a dedicated single barrel trap gun.

 

[Mudinyeri]

Stoeger's are garbage.

Have you ever owned a Stoeger? My Stoeger double barrel, while not of the same quality as my Beretta or a Browning, is a good, reliable gun.

 

[bob9125]

I need recommendations for a shotgun for upland hunting esp. pheasant, and also possibly for clays. I know there are very good SxS and O/U shotguns out there but this gun has to be under $1000, preferably under $800. I have even considered pump shotguns for their all-purpose use (I'm not trying to compete professionally here and don't have that much experience; I don't need the best equipment).
I haven't been able to find the right SxS... Could a Stoeger Uplander SxS fit the bill?

Thanks in advance for your help

I have been in your shoes. When I was a kid being raised by my widowed grandmother, we were too poor to own a gun of any sort, so I occasionally borrowed a single shot 16 gauge from one of my cousins. I am still fond of memories of that gun even though it did not belong to me.

Several years later, I found myself in the position where I could afford to own guns and so I went through a series of different types looking for what was the best for me. I bought and sold a Stoeger coach gun. They gun seemed heavy, cheap and I could not hit the broad side of a barn with it.

Then came a semi-auto and an over and under. The semi-auto functioned well most of the time, but seemed to require a lot of maintenance to keep it functioning. The over and under was fine, but heavy and I made the mistake of getting a 26" barrel instead of a longer barrel and it was somewhat whippy. All of these were 12 gauge guns.

I eventually bought a 20 guage Browning BPS Hunter. I have found the gun that works for me. The gun is lightweight, but still packs a punch. 20 gauge packs plenty of punch for both clays and upland hunting. I have used it for trap and skeet and while it is not ideal for those two activities, it meets my needs because I shoot for fun, not for competition. The guns is light enough that it will not wear you down after walking several hours in the field. You mentioned that you considered a pump for its overall utility. I again recommend a 20 gauge BPS pump as a weapon that meets the needs you describe in your original post.

I no longer own the semi-auto and don't plan on buying another. I am in the process of selling the over/under and I could not be happier the with pump.