5 Reasons I shoot O/Us and Doubles in the Uplands

[yellow dog]

I had looked at a Chiappa o/u but chose the Condor Supreme . I think I may try a few more out to see if I can find a better fit.

[Waftrudnir]

I tried to like the semi but just couldn't. Used a Benelli Ultralight one season and found it just worried me with a dog around me, sold it after 1 season. Now when the dog is around I just break the double and all I have to think about is the dog and or bird he is carrying. Heavy sporting O/U are not the best tool for upland nor is a light double best tool for sporting games. You can play 18 holes of golf with an 8 iron only but there are better options.

very true.
"upland" makes no difference IMHO, but handling a dog and what comes with it does (taking the birds, arranging other shooters with respect to the dog, shooting yourself etc)

[terrym]

very true.
"upland" makes no difference IMHO, but handling a dog and what comes with it does (taking the birds, arranging other shooters with respect to the dog, shooting yourself etc)

I equate upland with walking all day and shooting very little. Often in very thick cover as opposed to waterfowling where you sit mostly and shoot quite a bit mostly in wide open spaces. But an excited gun dog is what it is regardless of the game.

[welsh]

the O/U has proven itself as the one to stay.

The O/U owns the target shooting world. But if you look at folks like Bob Brister, they have all suggested that what works best on the range doesn't necessarily work best in all shooting situations. I keep an open mind on that one.

[TPM]

This thread is just begging for pictures.

[fishhawk]

Another advantage for the double barrel shotgun is overall length. A hinge action with lets say 28" barrels will be shorter then the comparable repeater (pump semi) with 28" barrels because of the absence of a receiver. Making the double barrel gun a little nicer to carry in the thick brush and the shorter 4 to 5" might be the deference swinging on a grouse or woodcock and not getting the end of your barrels snagged on branch and bagging the bird.

[Waftrudnir]

Another advantage for the double barrel shotgun is overall length. A hinge action with lets say 28" barrels will be shorter then the comparable repeater (pump semi) with 28" barrels because of the absence of a receiver. Making the double barrel gun a little nicer to carry in the thick brush and the shorter 4 to 5" might be the deference swinging on a grouse or woodcock and not getting the end of your barrels snagged on branch and bagging the bird.

Actually, that argument goes two ways. Yes, you are certainly right that you will have a shorter gun, and there might be a slight advantage fighting through the thickets with a stubby gun. However, two barrels weigh more and if you want them longer, which tends to be better for wing shooting, the receiver of a light semi will give you extra length and not necessarily the full weight of two barrels.
The two barrels give you two (different) chokes. I hate having two triggers! I think I can count on one hand how often I switched to the tight choke first while hunting with an O/U.
Pump actions are certainly not anything I would consider. I understand that many grow up with them and they are cheap, but I cannot see any convincing technical reason to choose them over a semi or a break action.
If the stock fits and one is able to safely operates the gun under all circumstances, it comes down to personal preference. And in my case, even that has changed over the years since semis got lighter.

[TPM]

I'm not really familiar with modern semi's, what does a typical "lite" semi weigh?

[fishhawk]

Actually, that argument goes two ways. Yes, you are certainly right that you will have a shorter gun, and there might be a slight advantage fighting through the thickets with a stubby gun. However, two barrels weigh more and if you want them longer, which tends to be better for wing shooting, the receiver of a light semi will give you extra length and not necessarily the full weight of two barrels.
The two barrels give you two (different) chokes. I hate having two triggers! I think I can count on one hand how often I switched to the tight choke first while hunting with an O/U.
Pump actions are certainly not anything I would consider. I understand that many grow up with them and they are cheap, but I cannot see any convincing technical reason to choose them over a semi or a break action.
If the stock fits and one is able to safely operates the gun under all circumstances, it comes down to personal preference. And in my case, even that has changed over the years since semis got lighter.

Well made doubles barrels are not heaver compared to repeaters, most double barrel shotguns will weight less then a repeater.
My 12ga comes in at just under 7lbs and my 20ga just under 6lbs, both with 28" barrels, that is one of the reasons why i like them, lighter. As for the double triggers, I don't have one with them. All mine are single selective triggers. Just not use to double triggers as I grew up shooting repeaters. I just always select to fire the barrel with the most open choke first and then if I miss with that shot now I have the tighter choked barrel to fire at the bird that will now be at a further distance. Works out well. As for being cheaper, mine all cost me over $2000.

[Waftrudnir]

I'm not really familiar with modern semi's, what does a typical "lite" semi weigh?

We talking about 12 3.5" here...
Maxus Stalker 3-1/2 in., 28 inch barrel: 6 lbs. 15 oz.
Vinci, MAX-4 Camo, 26 inch: 7 lbs., 1 oz.
A400, non-KO, 28 inch: 6 lbs. 13 oz.

The old 12ga 2 3/4" were around the 9lbs.