Help: Gun Advice

[torch]

I have been hunting pheasants once a year for about five years now. I would like to get more into bird hunting as well as sporting clays (which I have never done).
The gun I have is a Browning BPS pump. Very nice gun that was given to me by my dad. I would however like to move to a over/under. What gun would you recommend? I will probably buy used to keep price down.
Thanks in advance!

[onpoint]

Browning Citori. Good quality, good priced and lots of them around

[torch]

Thats what I was thinking. What should I look for when buying? I know nothing about chokes or anything else pertaining to the guns. Like I said just want to get more into clays and hunting. Looking for as much advice and information I can find.

[onpoint]

Make sure you get a gun with choke tubes. No fixed choke guns(older). IMO, I would stick to a 12ga for the multi uses that you intend to use it for. Make sure that it's length of pull(stock length). Has not been cut, unless that is what's comfortable for you. Fit is very important, specially if you intend to get into the clays game. If you buy something at a good gun shop type place. I'm sure that they could help you with proper fit.

[Calisdad]

I shoot a 20ga but the 28 and 410 gauge guys probably think I'm overdoing it.

[torch]

Any suggestions on barrel length? Also, I was thinking twelve gauge as that is what my BPS is now. Anybody believe I should use anything else or stick with the twelve.

[bobeyerite]

Talking barrel length is like discussing Ford and Chevy. It is all what you prefer. I have shot shotgun for over 50 years. So I'm from the days of long barrels. I perfer the 28 inch for me I get a nice smoth swing from them. That I can keep going. If I should to 26 inch I stop my swing a lot. So I'm suggesting the 28 inch barrel. But like I said it is all what works best for you.............Bob

[jonnyB]

Good morning:

Interesting question regarding "which gun."

For years I shot a 12 ga, browning A5, 26". Still have the gun but use it as a back-up; due to surgery, had to switch to a 20 ga, Bng. gold auto, 26" and use improved cyl most of the time. Lighter gun and less kick than the over/under.

I'm hunting over a dog so the pheasant shots are close - I don't bother with the long shots that tend to cripple. Use 7.5 shells - more pellets and better pattern than 6's.

I see lots of over/under guns at the sporting range...my shoulder can't take the pounding.

Good luck and good hunting.

jon

[Calisdad]

Originally Posted by torch

Any suggestions on barrel length? Also, I was thinking twelve gauge as that is what my BPS is now. Anybody believe I should use anything else or stick with the twelve.

Ever hit a quail with a direct hit from a 12ga? Really not much point in it. I can understand wanting more lead flying in a sporting clays match or sitting in a goose blind but it isn't necessary for upland game. There isn't one gun that does everything well.

[CRP]

Before you buy an O/U, try one with hunting loads first. O/U's are cool looking and handle nice, but will jar you pretty good with heavier loads than target loads. You should also try one of the new lightweight autoloaders too. A Browning Maxus weighs 7 lbs (like a 20GA) but cuts the recoil of those heavy hunting loads. My 3" Maxus cycles all loads tried from 7/8 oz clays loads at 1200 fps to the 3" mags.

I have Citori's in 12/16/20. The 16 and 20 see some pheasant action early, but the 625 (12GA) just sits in the safe waiting for the right buyer. Like some other older hunters, recoil is not tolerated as well as it once was, and the Maxus fits the bill.