Best 20 for the money

[filmjunkie4ever]

Looking to pick up a cheap but reliable 20 gauge SxS or O/U for less than $500.

This will see use as a loaner as well as personal use for upland and occasion for clays. Changeable chokes would be nice but not necessary. Minimum 26” barrels.

Have been looking at used guns as well as new. Liking the looks (and price) of the Stoeger Uplander. Any advice is welcome.

 

[salmonchaser]

Well, most reviews are favorable, functions reliably kind of reviews on shotgun forums. Handling leaves something to be desired, but that comes down to personal preference. One of the things I’ve noticed in less expensive doubles is barrel regulation. I’ve had a couple that would almost completely miss the patterning board one barrel to the next. Doubling can theoretically occur with any double barrel shotgun, mechanical or inertia triggers, generally boils down to engineering and craftsman ship in building the working components. I’ve owned thee Turkish guns in my life and all doubled. Never had that happen with skb, browning or Beretta.
I have looked at the CZ sharp tail quite a bit. By many accounts it is a very good budget priced SxS. At $900 It’s high of your mark but you may want to consider it.

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

I like that the Stoeger comes with interchangeable choke tubes. That way I could use it with steel, shoot rifled or brenneke slugs, etc. I would likely spend the few extra $$ to get the dual triggers model.

The price point is the most attractive thing however. I see a used Remington/Baikal on the rack at LGS.

Anyone here have a Stoeger Uplander?

 

[gerry]

I like that the Stoeger comes with interchangeable choke tubes. That way I could use it with steel, shoot rifled or brenneke slugs, etc. I would likely spend the few extra $$ to get the dual triggers model.

The price point is the most attractive thing however. I see a used Remington/Baikal on the rack at LGS.

Anyone here have a Stoeger Uplander?

I have a regular pistol grip 20 Stoeger Condor O/U. Works fine so far and it does have interchangeable choke tubes. Not the highest quality but functional.

Baikal made some pretty durable guns so I would take a good look at the one at the LGS. The Stoeger is a good value especially if you can get a good sale.

 

[wvbuckbuster]

Little more than your target price but look at the Stevens 555 over/under. Choke tubes, mechanical triggers. Turkey made I believe. My son has one and it seems to do well for him.
Dan.

 

[FOTIS]

See if you can find a Baikal! AKA (IZH) Believe me they are tanks!

 

[salmonchaser]

Dale if you’re a left handed gun hack take the single trigger option, guys with big farm fingers, or logger fingers tend to pick up that left, rear trigger with the meat of the finger. Devastating on Huns and Chukars but kinda hard on the cheek and shoulder. Just saying!

 

[FOTIS]

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1077163249

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

Dale if you’re a left handed gun hack take the single trigger option, guys with big farm fingers, or logger fingers tend to pick up that left, rear trigger with the meat of the finger. Devastating on Huns and Chukars but kinda hard on the cheek and shoulder. Just saying!

I’m no southpaw but I do have the farm fingers. Thanks for the tip!!

 

[salmonchaser]

I’m no southpaw but I do have the farm fingers. Thanks for the tip!!

Me too, I’m 509 185 and need xxl gloves and size 12 boots.

 

[salmonchaser]

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1066114937

Some where in your area is the Lost Blue Pot Gold strike. In the 1850s a lost wagon train stumbled upon surface gold in a creek. They were near death so it didn’t attract the attention it otherwise may have. The next spring several of the men tried to retrace their steps by never found the gold. It’s still out there by all accounts.
If you happen on it you may find the Holland & Holland more to your liking.

 

[Guy Miner]

Two young fellows were hunting near me this morning with a young pup. One of them got a pheasant, and he was using a Stoeger over & under, a 20 gauge I believe. He said that he really liked the gun. It looked nice, nearly new I'd think. His buddy had a Mossberg over & under.

I'm really fond of the CZ doubles - but they're a bit above your $500 target. Still, they're downright nice!

Dad gave me a 20 gauge double, SKB/Ithaca in 1969 when I was just a kid. It's still in excellent condition and my goodness it's done some hunting through the years. Was the only shotgun I had for a long time. I still think a good 20 gauge double is just about perfect for the type of hunting I do.

Guy

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1066114937

Some where in your area is the Lost Blue Pot Gold strike. In the 1850s a lost wagon train stumbled upon surface gold in a creek. They were near death so it didn’t attract the attention it otherwise may have. The next spring several of the men tried to retrace their steps by never found the gold. It’s still out there by all accounts.
If you happen on it you may find the Holland & Holland more to your liking.

That’s about the kind of budget I need with the kind of “gun-lust” I suffer from while being married with two kids!!

I also wear XXL gloves and usually somewhere between size 11-12 for boots depending on the manufacturer. I’ve always been a big fella, I’m 6’2” and weigh 250#. I guess I would look normal sized if I was standing next to James Arness.

 

[Ridge_Runner]

a bit more than your budget, but I'm impressed with american tactical. has everything you want in an O/U and looks good also

 

[salmonchaser]

Two young fellows were hunting near me this morning with a young pup. One of them got a pheasant, and he was using a Stoeger over & under, a 20 gauge I believe. He said that he really liked the gun. It looked nice, nearly new I'd think. His buddy had a Mossberg over & under.

I'm really fond of the CZ doubles - but they're a bit above your $500 target. Still, they're downright nice!

Dad gave me a 20 gauge double, SKB/Ithaca in 1969 when I was just a kid. It's still in excellent condition and my goodness it's done some hunting through the years. Was the only shotgun I had for a long time. I still think a good 20 gauge double is just about perfect for the type of hunting I do.

Guy

Guy I have the same skb 20 ga. I’ve bought and traded upwards of 25 side by sides over the last 50 years. The skb in my opinion is the best value out there. I sold several of them to clients when I was guiding, 4 or 5 as I recall. They wanted to try a side by side before they spent good money on one. They would end up leaving the ranch with my gun, leaving me with a little more cash to buy another.

 

[Bruce Mc]

I have a Yildiz over under imported by Academy Sports. It's a Turkish made shotgun with screw in chokes and very nice walnut stock and a 28" barrel. It patterns well too. I've only used it for dove hunting with skeet choke tubes. I think it's a dang good buy for less than five bills.

 

[1100 Remington Man]

My advice you get what you pay for and for $500 I would look for a 870 Remington. If you are sold on O/U save your money then look at GunBroker.com and search Ducks Unlimited or Pheasant Forever and you will find New Old Stock Guns at a Great Price. People win guns and have nothing in them and they sit in a closet for years till someone decides there not using it and sell them. Just don't be in a hurry a Great Deal will come along.