Best O/U for the money

[FishSticks]

So I went back to Gander set to buy a Citori last week, shouldered it and it did not feel right. I ended up finding a used 30" Franchi for 50% off and went that route, cannot wait to shoot it. Obviously the crooks at Gander had it at brand new msrp before the 50% discount but oh well

 

[Account Deleted]

Nice. Good to see the good guys win sometimes.

 

[Account Deleted]

I bought a 12ga O/U at the Reeds gun show earlier this year. It is a Stevens 555. Pretty nice little gun and for 350$ it was definitely coming home with me. There is hardly any kick with light target loads, but it kicks considerably more with 3" high velocity loads.
I feel the same way about guns being tools, so I didn't even consider anything over 1000$. I also got a great deal on an A300 outlander at the same time so I should be set for a long time as far as shotguns go.

I shouldered a 555 E 12 gauge at Scheels today and I must say I was impressed. Doesn't come in a 16 (sad face) but I will be looking at a 20.

 

[eyexer]

I hunt a 20 for pheasants until I just can't reach em anymore then pull out the 12. Usually december. The more people I talk to with 16's the more I want one. It's probably the ultimate pheasant gun. A Browning sweet 16' is on my short list. I'm just not a fan of OU's.

 

[NodakBuckeye]

Buddy has a 20 ga Ruger Red Label that is pretty sweet to shoot.

 

[Account Deleted]

Runnings had/has that Stevens 555 in a 20 on sale for $519.99 this week. That's the cheapest I've been able to find it. For you Bismarck guys, sorry I got the last one. Anyway, initial impressions. It's stupid light. I think I'm going to like that because it's going to be an upland hunting gun 99% of the time. The top lever is pretty stiff, I'm hoping it loosens up a bit with time. It comes with 5 chokes (full, improved modified, 2 I/C and one cylinder. Wood and finish is pretty plane Jane but that's what I wanted. Might take it out Wednesday after ducks but for sure next weekend northern Minnesota on ruffs and woodcocks. I'll let you guys know what I think. Stay tuned.

 

[guywhofishes]

quite a few 555 complaints on the interweb about simultaneous firing of both barrels. That’s gotta kick eh?

 

[Account Deleted]

Probably. Hopefully mine won't.

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A lot of those reports are fairly old. I'm hoping the issue has been fixed.

 

[Captain Ahab]

I shot a O/U Citori all my life. I do like a third shot now and then, but if you are shooting trap it's a no brainer.

 

[guywhofishes]

I shot a O/U Citori all my life. I do like a third shot now and then, but if you are shooting trap it's a no brainer.

I take a third shot on occasion at skeet. My team members are kind enough to gently remind me where I am and the rules of the game. They’re such good boys those kids. Especially Kevin.

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Royce?... here boy!

 

[Account Deleted]

I once hit two clays with one shot while shooting skeet. I was told that was "cheating". I thought it should count.

 

[Bed Wetter]

I take a third shot on occasion at skeet. My team members are kind enough to gently remind me where I am and the rules of the game. They’re such good boys those kids. Especially Kevin.

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Royce?... here boy!

I’ll get the leeches.

 

[SDMF]

1st thing I'd do with the triple nickel would be to pull the stock and clean up the mechanism well. Just a wild guess, but, I suspect double fires are likely the result of factory packing goo getting gummier and gooier after a few shots.

If you shoot both bbl of a 20ga is it a 10ga or a 40ga?

 

[Shockwave]

I won a CZ over/under in a gun raffle a few years back. I shot it a hand full of times and it seemed pretty nice. However, since I've only shot pumps, I could not get used to it and sold it.

 

[Account Deleted]

So final (maybe) review, I took the gun out last Wednesday on its first hunt. Duck hunt over water, not at all what I had in mind when I bought it but wanted some use on it before I took it ruffed grouse hunting. It was actually quite nice. First round ever down the the bore and I killed a nice green wing. Had never done that before. Made a great pass shot on BIG Canada goose at about 40 yards or so. Used 3” 2 shot, chokes were IC/IC. Recoil is what it is. Manageable but not soft shooting like an auto loader (obviously). Wouldn’t be there first gun I reach for waterfowl hunting but wouldn’t hesitate either.

Never got to fire it in MN as the ruffs proved awfully wily and never bumped a woodcock. As I figured the gun was a deLIGHT to carry (see what I did there?) all day.

Gun never went BOOM, just boom as it was supposed to. Would buy again.

 

[BrewCrew]

My wife just bought me a Citori 525 in 16 gauge - they are a special project for Running's - they only had 250 made. Boy is it ever a neat little gun. It carries and shoulders wonderfully - I will have to take it to my gunsmith and have him install the adjustable butt plate - other than that it should be a perfect little upland shooter.

 

[snow]

Great,its always fun getting a new gun....o/u's doubling? happens more than folks think,usually at the gun range tho,however many years ago I bought a sxs 10ga with double triggers (early70's),right outof the box to the duck slough,never thought about target shooting or the pattern board with a 10ga back then,my bad as the 2nd trigger was hair,she doubled on me on the 1st shot,f-me what a bitch that was,then again when I reloaded and slammed her shut shorth while later,bad deal but one hell of a goose gun,twin 32" barrels,full/full once fixed.