Good Duck Hunting Double

J

JH1

New member
I'm thinking about buying either an over/under or SxS to use for duck hunting this season. It won't be my primary gun but just to use five or ten times a year to mix things up a little. I'd like to find a good used american made double, preferably older. I would prefer it shoot 3" but not a requirement and would prefer it be able to handle steel shot, but also, not a requirement. Lastly I would like to keep it under $1000 since its not gonna be my primary gun. Can anybody give me an idea of what brands and models I should be looking for?
 
Consider the Ruger red Label. For the guys who shoot thousands of rounds in competition I hear they just don't hold up. But for no more rounds than most hunters put through their guns they are probably fine. I've not priced one in years and $1,000 may not be realistic. My brother bought one years ago when they were selling for around $700 new. I shot it well, but my brother ended up selling it after a couple of years.
 
A used Browning Citori Lightning model, 28" barrels and screw in chokes have been made for well over 25 yrs - and there are a lot of them used around in very good condition.

I picked another one up about 6 months ago for $ 750 / it had a few scratches on the stock and I'll clean it up and refinish it for one of the grandkids down the road... But I see a lot of them around $ 1,000 used / new I think they're selling for around $ 1,500 ....

Its a much strong gun than a lot of guns like Ruger, Mossberg, etc ... and it will stand up to steel shot, etc ...
 
I would say a red label or citori for O/U. For S/S ruger Gold label or Browning BSS if you can find one.
 
get ready

The purists may pitch a fit, but duck hunting falls in to the "rough use" category for sure. For that, a Savage 311 seems right to me. Made in USA, still affordable, you'll have to look to find one that is not beat, as most were used and abused plenty. Enough bbl and choke options to satisfy.

If I can find a 28" full and full,MAYBE full and modified, 3" that shoots both bbls to point of aim at 35 yds, (that I can test shoot to be sure) I will buy it as a turkey gun.
 
I've considered the savage fox guns because there seems to be quite a few of them around at reasonable prices, but I dont know anything about them.
 
Savage's Fox Model B shotgun was introduced in 1939 and was discontinued in 1989. It was made in many variants, the early guns had double triggers. If you can get a later model, the B-ST it will have a single selective trigger, beavertail fore-end and a ventilated rib. With the last model, the B-SE, you'll even get selective automatic ejectors. Considering the prices for other US SxS guns, like the Winchester Model 21, a late model Fox is a bargain. If you find one that fits you, it could be a gun that provides a lifetime of service.
 
Since you mention duck hunting - Browning, at least at one point, made a stainless steel 425 or 525 with a laminated stock - the target market was waterfowlers. Unfortunately, it didn't go over well at the time and they were discounted through CDNN and others. You might look around and see if you can find one of those. Friend I shoot with has one he used for sporting - loves the gun
 
I happened to see a used Browning BSS yesterday in my area / for $ 800 I think ...but I don't remember if it was 26" or 28" barrels either ...

Its one of the few BSS's I've seen for sale in awhile / but they are out there.
 
I've seen two BSS shotguns recently... Both were 12 gauge with 26" barrels.. One was $2000 and the other $1850... Unless they've had a bad encounter with Bubba, they are generally above $1500...
 
The Savage/Fox guns are nice enough to look at, but will not hold up to a lot of shooting or abuse. I've been there, done that.
 
Man, if I see a BSS for $800 I'll be all over it. I've appropriated my father's 26" improved cylinder - modified but I'm a full choke man and would love to find a mod.-full.
 
$$$$$$$$

For the prices being mentioned, you could buy 2 or 3 , 311's, and have enough for a Lab pup left over.

Obviously, some folks on the Forum are very well heeled.
 
For the prices being mentioned, you could buy 2 or 3 , 311's, and have enough for a Lab pup left over.

Obviously, some folks on the Forum are very well heeled.
Click to expand...

Not really - some of us just prefer to buy something once that has quality instead of three or four cheapies that can't take the constant use. Buy cheap and you buy at LEAST twice
 
There is a reason those guns are plentiful on the used market and cheap. For the guy who makes a box of shells last 2-3 years they will last a lifetime. Problem is most of them are so old now they have already used up that lifetime.
 
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