I might be posting this in the wrong topic but I thought it might be better since I'm only looking to do upland hunting. I am looking to buy a new shotgun and was wondering some opinions. Do you guys think an over-under or a semi auto is better for birds. I've been using a Browning trap and its worked well in the past but I want to give it back to my dad and pick up something new. I was looking at over/unders but didn't know if one was better than the other. I'm new to hunting so sorry if this seems like a dumb question

i like the o/u . they are lighter, and not finicky like a semi auto so they dont jam. much easier to clean

I think it is a matter of preference. I used a pump my first 10 years and switched to o/u and I really enjoy it.

More and more ranches require that you pick up your hulls, plus you don't want other people to see where you found a covey. I prefer the o/u because it gets there quicker, but you need one to keep from scattering hulls all over your pasture.

O/U

O/U for upland birds.

I have used both and if you can shoot there is no advantage to either IMO.

O/U and nice pic Bill.

Thanks!!!!!! That was taken at a NSTRA trial in Floresville. We have another trial there this weekend. I'll take my camera and start a new thread.

I got an invite to hunt this weekend, and had to turn it down because of NSTRA. I'd rather hunt, but had already committed to the trial. I'm down to my last box of shells. I'll have to run by Acadamy tomorrow and pick up a few more boxes. Don't buy them by the case anymore.

I prefer a gun that breaks open. I like to carry it open across my shoulder when the dogs are running. My hunting partners know I'm safe with it open. I own several SXS and O/U. I only carry a semi-auto for waterfowl.

Really appreciate the input everyone. I went to Cabelas today and found a Beretta and a Browning o/u that I really like. Now its just a matter of waiting for the cash!

My o/u got stolen Know its a sxs but I also like my 20 lt 1100special Field 6 lbs 20" barrel shes light and fast..Rem 1100 shoot high so I come up under the swing. also got one in a pump. older model with briley chocks. but to be honest the o/u will make you a better shot, and with 2 different chocks in the bores for the situations just more manageable easyer to clean. and user friendly. swing one gun and be done.

I love how OUs look, and it's what I hunt with the most. But I am a far better shot with an auto or pump.

pick up everything and get what feels best. you will shoot better with something that is comfortable to you.

Shot an O/U for 30 years but resently the weight has become important to me, so bought a 28ga. auto load and love it. 5lbs and like shooting a 22.

So chet you have ceased to be a gentlemen!!!!!

I perfer as light as possible. I mainly use a 20ga browning feather light citori with a 24 in barrel, but I'm about to order a new maxus. I would try to find a gun under 7 pounds.

I like the citori

Tigger, that happened years ago................but still try to be gentlemenly now and then. I shoot a Beretta 686onyx only because the Brownings I tried seemed a little barrel heavy. Next time we hunt I break it out and show you how bad a gentlemen can shoot with a gentlemens gun.

Just Jabbing

Don't even own an auto, been shooting O/U's and SxS's all my life, my favorite's are a Winchester 101 featherweight and an SKB Ithaca featherwight SxS, both in 20ga.

Tigger say's his favorite Whisky is Brown.

2 shot automatic (O/U)

thanks now i'm just trying to find a decent one i can afford right now or wait to get one i know i like. the ones i can afford right now i've read bad reviews about online

look at the yildz. at academy I have a friend that has one in 20 and my dad has one in 12 ga. Very impressed for the price

I bought a CZ Canvasback and I've dropped birds with it like crazy. I think it cost around $650.

Only thing I can say is do not buy a Mossberg Silver Reserve. That was the worst O/U shotgun I ever owned. Plus side is that I learned how to replace firing pins.

Another thing with budget O/Us is triggers, you will get an 8lb shotgun with a 12lb trigger. The next ou I own will be a ruger, they are worth the extra money IMO.

6' OF REBAR, 10' OF CHICKEN WAR, 1 WIELDER, 4' OF STAY WIRE, 50LBS. OF MILO.

ALSO KNOW AS A QUAIL TRAP.

That's against the law. Why would you want to break the law and tell about it on this forum. Stop by any NSTRA trial and we'll give you all the dead quail you want. I'll even help you clean a few.

http://www.texashuntingforum.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/1047848/Fried_quail#Post1047848

Thanks Bill, I need someone to show me how. I have never caught any so I do not know how to clean them and how to get rid on nasty little BB's. If you used steel shot could you remove the bb with a magnet and recycle it.

I figured you were putting us on about the quail trap, but this sucker is really slow. No one ever replied to my fried quail thread.

Have a great one Bill !!!!!!!!

Never had someone show me how to breast them out like that! Thanks!

Autoloader for me.
When you're hunting pheasant and you need that third shot, it's there.
I've got a Benelli and it has cycled every shell I have ever put through it. From light dove loads to steel shot. Has never let me down.

I would have to agree with you on this one. I couldn't tell you how many time I have dropped three birds one right after the other. If I had been shooting an o/u it wouldn't have been an option. It also helps when you miss on the first two.

Man thats along ways to drive for such a short hunt : )

I love my Yildiz o/u but I use the 1100 most of the time.

I am from Kansas, and yes it is a long damn drive from SA. I have been pheasant hunting for 25 years and have had my limit before 9AM many times. Atwood KS has some of the best pheasant country in the world. Anyone interested in hunting Atwood shoot me a line.
-Brad

20ga Red Lable O/U, until I can save up and get me a nice SxS. For me, upland birds deserve to be shot with fine double barrel shot guns. I'm kinda old school though.

CZ Woodcock 28ga

I've been seeing and offered a lot of bargain priced guns, under $400 but for some reason I'm really nervous about those especially after you guys were saying about the trigger pulls and such. Work is finally picking up and might be able to get more than part time hours so I might just save and get a used citori... are they worth the money? I like how my dad's browning shoots (he has a skeet double) and I really like the look of the citori but is it worth the $1k used price?

its hard to beat a citori... just depends if you can part with that much money. My dad just sold his Browning Citiori sporting clays 30in and bought a Yildiz. He wanted something lighter that pointed just like his citori... he is very pleased with his Yildiz, fit and finish is it a Citori no... but its very functional for the price.

That being said I'll never sell my Featherlight 20ga..

Browning Gold Hunter with out the plug for Pheasant 12g

hercules hercules

I've seen the gold hunter and really like the feel of them, nice comfortable fit. Thats the gun i am saving for right now so good to hear that it is liked! I really like the notched receiver. What about the browning silver?

I just got a Browing Maxus Sunday 6.11 lbs

i started off with pump, then went to auto, then O/U, now back to auto.

if someone is new to shooting/upland hunting i would not recom. auto, just b/c i think you are more inclined to just squeeze off 3 shots or more for quail. with o/u i found myself taking more time on my shots (and marking downed birds since i don't have a dog). last year hunted with my 20ga cynergy.....but my birthday last summer i got a Vinci and i love it!

my .02 cents.

I appreciate it, I'm torn between the two but I think I'm leaning towards a good o/u if i can find one, I think I'll be doing more trap/sporting clays for a while since hunts get expensive till I find some decent public land

Something to think about.
I hunt upland birds, and waterfowl. Just got back from blasting the big birds (Geese) up around Dumas, TX.
I can take my Benelli on any hunt and be satisfied, and I can't say that for an O/U.
Not knocking an O/U because I have a Lanber and it's a great shooting gun. Just like the all around performance of my Benelli.

I probably wont be hunting duck or geese, at least not right away. O/U will work well for pheasant though wont it?

Yes, and there a lot of people that use them for ducks also

benelli with a 24 or 26 inch barrel and open choke is very effective.

I think it depends on how many birds you plan to shoot. I have always used an automatic because I needed more than two shots. If you flush a covey with an o/u then you only have two shots.

Just guess which one I prefer....