Inexpensive O/U recommendation

Ravenwolf · August 29, 2001, 05:18 PM

Can anyone recommend an O/U that I can get that would be adequate for skeet, sporting clays, pheasant, and grouse. I would like to retire my old tired Mossberg 500 and get an O/U but the cost of the big name brands are keeping me from it. My only other alternative is to have screw in chokes installed in my Stevens 311A 16 ga but that in not cost effective either. Any help appreciated....RW

7X30WATERS · August 29, 2001, 06:04 PM

There is alot of talk of the Russian O/U on the cruffer list. I don't have any experience with them, but those that do are impressed with the guns for the money. I think you can pick them up for under $500.00

Allen

Kernel · August 29, 2001, 06:32 PM

I don't have any first hand experience with "budget" O/Us but here's a link to a pertinent Gun Tests article. They liked the Russian Tula.

Also, a recent American Rifleman (we all get that, right?), August IIRC, reviewed 5 or 6 inexpensive O/Us. -- Kernel

Dave McC · August 29, 2001, 06:36 PM

Part of the reason good O/Us and SXSs are expensive is the handwork needed to regulate the bbls so they shoot into the same place.

IMO, cheap doubles of either variety are not good choices. Either live with a repeater, or save up until you can afford a good,used double.

Bam Bam · August 29, 2001, 07:05 PM

From what I have seen around the 'Net from very experienced scattergunners Dave's advice should be taken seriously. A poor tool at any price is no bargain.

huntsman · August 29, 2001, 09:08 PM

I too agree with dave, But I owned an American Arms silver 2 that wasn't to bad (16 gauge) nice light field gun .I'm not sure how it would do as a target gun but I would still have it execept for the cast off stock.

K80Geoff · August 29, 2001, 09:25 PM

The only inexpensive O/U that I would recommend is the Baikal. And with the caveat that it is a very crudely made and finished gun.

It's locking mechanism is stiff, it swings like a log and has absolutely no refinements. But it is solid and built like a typical russian firearm.

If you want to get into competitive clays shooting and can't afford the good guns than go to a semi auto, don't waste your money on low end O/U's.

Better you should look for a previously owned Browning, there are plenty of them out there.

Geoff Ross

Ravenwolf · August 30, 2001, 05:28 AM

Thanks everyone for your replies...I think I'll take Dave's advice and save up for a better quality O/U. Any recommendations on which make/model that will fit the bill.....RW

Dave McC · August 30, 2001, 05:47 AM

The Big Two are Browning and Beretta, RW. Another good choice is SKB. Winchester 101s are great, but they've been discontinued for a while.

Much as I like Remington Pump guns, their O/U line is not up to snuff.

August 29, 2001, 05:18 PM	#1
Ravenwolf Member Join Date: July 31, 2001 Location: fingerlakes region of NY Posts: 23	Inexpensive O/U recommendation Can anyone recommend an O/U that I can get that would be adequate for skeet, sporting clays, pheasant, and grouse. I would like to retire my old tired Mossberg 500 and get an O/U but the cost of the big name brands are keeping me from it. My only other alternative is to have screw in chokes installed in my Stevens 311A 16 ga but that in not cost effective either. Any help appreciated....RW

August 29, 2001, 06:32 PM	#3
Kernel Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 1999 Location: Madison, WI.... "78 Square Miles Surrounded by Reality" Posts: 923	I don't have any first hand experience with "budget" O/Us but here's a link to a pertinent Gun Tests article. They liked the Russian Tula. Also, a recent American Rifleman (we all get that, right?), August IIRC, reviewed 5 or 6 inexpensive O/Us. -- Kernel __________________ "You can shoot down every MiG the Soviets employ, but if you return to base and the lead Soviet tank commander is eating breakfast in your snack bar, Jack, you've lost the war." — Anonymous A-10 Pilot, USAF

August 29, 2001, 09:08 PM	#6
huntsman Senior Member Join Date: March 7, 2000 Location: ohio Posts: 121	inexpensive o/u I too agree with dave, But I owned an American Arms silver 2 that wasn't to bad (16 gauge) nice light field gun .I'm not sure how it would do as a target gun but I would still have it execept for the cast off stock. __________________ cause he liked the quiet clean country livin and 20 more years slipped away -JB

August 29, 2001, 09:25 PM	#7
K80Geoff Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 1998 Location: NE Pennsylvania Posts: 3,639	The only inexpensive O/U that I would recommend is the Baikal. And with the caveat that it is a very crudely made and finished gun. It's locking mechanism is stiff, it swings like a log and has absolutely no refinements. But it is solid and built like a typical russian firearm. If you want to get into competitive clays shooting and can't afford the good guns than go to a semi auto, don't waste your money on low end O/U's. Better you should look for a previously owned Browning, there are plenty of them out there. Geoff Ross __________________ I am no longer a member of this forum. Bye!

August 29, 2001, 06:04 PM	#2
7X30WATERS Junior Member Join Date: August 26, 2001 Location: TEXAS Posts: 4	There is alot of talk of the Russian O/U on the cruffer list. I don't have any experience with them, but those that do are impressed with the guns for the money. I think you can pick them up for under $500.00 Allen

August 29, 2001, 06:36 PM	#4
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Part of the reason good O/Us and SXSs are expensive is the handwork needed to regulate the bbls so they shoot into the same place. IMO, cheap doubles of either variety are not good choices. Either live with a repeater, or save up until you can afford a good,used double.

August 29, 2001, 07:05 PM	#5
Bam Bam Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2000 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 842	From what I have seen around the 'Net from very experienced scattergunners Dave's advice should be taken seriously. A poor tool at any price is no bargain.

August 30, 2001, 05:28 AM	#8
Ravenwolf Member Join Date: July 31, 2001 Location: fingerlakes region of NY Posts: 23	Thanks everyone for your replies...I think I'll take Dave's advice and save up for a better quality O/U. Any recommendations on which make/model that will fit the bill.....RW

August 30, 2001, 05:47 AM	#9
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	The Big Two are Browning and Beretta, RW. Another good choice is SKB. Winchester 101s are great, but they've been discontinued for a while. Much as I like Remington Pump guns, their O/U line is not up to snuff.