Cheap side by side recommendations

Hibrion

I'm thinking of changing the semi auto for a side by side. The shotgun sees little use compared to the rifle so I don't need anything amazing. Something that will do for rough shooting and the odd few clay shoots.

Does anyone have any recommendations? Are there brands to look out for or stay well away from. I don't want to spend much given th amount of use it will get and the fact that I would rather not worry about scratching the walnut on a berreta or something of that caliber.

OR! Should I just forget about the side by side and look at an O/U?

Thanks for any info you might have.

bunny shooter

I had a Baikal S/S and it was a brilliant, cheap gun .............. regret selling it sometimes

Tackleberrywho

bunny shooter wrote: »

I had a Baikal S/S and it was a brilliant, cheap gun .............. regret selling it sometimes

Me too, Brother has it 6 years now and it does all he wants

Hibrion

That sounds like what I'm looking for alright. Any particular model?

bunny shooter

Hibrion wrote: »

That sounds like what I'm looking for alright. Any particular model?

Newer, more expensive model has multi chokes, older model I had didn't. Think they only do one model as such..............indestructable;)?

Hibrion

I like the sound of 'indestructible'. I will keep my eye out for one.

It wasn't me!

Look for a second-hand AyA no.4. Infinitely nicer gun than the Baikals, and I bought one for €300. Handles beautifully and fit and finish is lightyears ahead of the Russian gun. One of my summer projects is to refinish the stock and metalwork, have it nice and pretty for the next season.

Tackleberrywho

It wasn't me! wrote: »

Look for a second-hand AyA no.4. Infinitely nicer gun than the Baikals, and I bought one for €300. Handles beautifully and fit and finish is lightyears ahead of the Russian gun. One of my summer projects is to refinish the stock and metalwork, have it nice and pretty for the next season.

Are they Multi choke and can they take 3" mag Shells?

It wasn't me!

No and no, but the OP didn't request either. You want to fire full house 3" magnum shells from a 6 1/4 pound side by side, be my guest, but you won't have much of a queue waiting for a go.

bunny shooter

3" Magnums.......................why :rolleyes:

johngalway

Only shot a Baikal SBS once, kicked like a cranky mule. Look for the AYA

It wasn't me!

Fired a Baikal single barrel a while back and with 65mm 1oz loads, it kicked like a standard 70mm cartridge in a more typical gun. With heavy loads? It'd be brutal.

ormondprop

lots of side by sides in dealers as they're not as popular anymore, some nice guns to be gotten cheap, go check out a few dealers and handle as many as you can then come back to us with makes and models that you like and the guys here can tell you whether they are reliable and keenly priced

Tackleberrywho

bunny shooter wrote: »

3" Magnums.......................why :rolleyes:

Does Rough shooting not including using the use of the below?

http://www.eleyhawkltd.com/gamecarts-magnum.html


Rough shooting I'd think the option of shooting a Fox or a long range Duck should always be considered.

Even my Old Baikal could fire 3" shells (it had fixed chokes)

The Lumar could fire 3" and had multichokes and I bought it for €450 second hand if I remember correctly.

The OP looked for advice, if you are advising anyone, always let them know the limitations of the Gun.

Nobody likes to be restricted
Or on the restricted list :eek:

If the OP never wants to shoot a duck, Goose, Fox then the Aya is fine

Baikal for the money are good value, even Yildiz.
Dev110 has a lovely Yildiz semi and many have remarked on how nice it looks

Hibrion

Thanks for all the help lads. I'm not all that concerned about heavy, 3" shells to be honest. I do however appreciate the advise.
My mossberg semi prefers heavier loads but I find little need for their use. That's just one of the reasons for this possible change.

bunny shooter

Tackleberrywho wrote: »

Does Rough shooting not including using the use of the below?..........

All you need and only 70mm case

http://www.eleyhawkltd.com/gamecarts-alphamax.html

Shot LOTS of foxes with these :cool:

Tackleberrywho

Hibrion wrote: »

Thanks for all the help lads. I'm not all that concerned about heavy, 3" shells to be honest. I do however appreciate the advise.
My mossberg semi prefers heavier loads but I find little need for their use. That's just one of the reasons for this possible change.

€200 would get you a Fixed choke Baikal sxs
http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/uploads/monthly_05_2010/post-17242-1274794591.jpg

I shot an awful lot of birds with my old one

It wasn't me!

You saying you can't shoot duck, foxes or geese with ordinary 2 3/4" cartridges? I reckon you'll have to tell an awful lot of people they've not actually been killing all those animals for years and that it was an illusion.

Tackleberrywho

It wasn't me! wrote: »

You saying you can't shoot duck, foxes or geese with ordinary 2 3/4" cartridges? I reckon you'll have to tell an awful lot of people they've not actually been killing all those animals for years and that it was an illusion.

Gosún, I shot Duck with trap shells off the drain in front of my house @ 10-20 yards

However, since I also shoot the Shannon Callows Duck tend to be further away or flying high

I shot plenty with 2 3/4's, just like to keep options open.

Goose shooting in Fermanagh etc

and I like to be able to change chokes around if the needs be.

Lumar offer all that for small money and are a very aesthetic gun

bunny shooter

Tackleberrywho wrote: »

Gosún, I shot Duck with trap shells off the drain in front of my house @ 10-20 yards

However, since I also shoot the Shannon Callows Duck tend to be further away or flying high

I shot plenty with 2 3/4's, just like to keep options open.

Goose shooting in Fermanagh etc

and I like to be able to change chokes around if the needs be.

Lumar offer all that for small money and are a very aesthetic gun

The only sensible thing in the whole of that post is the reference to Lumars.

My brother had one and it was a fine gun

Tackleberrywho

bunny shooter wrote: »

The only sensible thing in the whole of that post is the reference to Lumars.

My brother had one and it was a fine gun

We almost agree, that is good enough for me!

bunny shooter

Tackleberrywho wrote: »

We almost agree, that is good enough for me!

You don't write ****e all the time................just most of it :P

Tackleberrywho

bunny shooter wrote: »

You don't write ****e all the time................just most of it :P

I'm not always right, But I'm never wrong

rowa

I had a baikal too years ago and found it great , the stock is too short on them but if you extend it a bit they're fine, a lot of dealers don't stock side by sides anymore as they are out of fashion , but they are the best gun for rough shooting as you do a lot more carrying then shooting.
If you root around dealers shelves you might get something really nice for less then you'd think.

meathstevie

As far as I know there's still a thight enough little non-ejector merkel standing for sale in the Gun Gallery in Drogheda.

nice1franko

It wasn't me! wrote: »

Look for a second-hand AyA no.4. Infinitely nicer gun than the Baikals, and I bought one for €300. Handles beautifully and fit and finish is lightyears ahead of the Russian gun. One of my summer projects is to refinish the stock and metalwork, have it nice and pretty for the next season.

I have one of these about 15 years. Smashing gun. I'll always keep it.

Hibrion

Going to look at a couple of Baikals in the morning to see how they feel. Local RFD has a few for the 300 quid mark.

Vizzy

Hibrion wrote: »

Going to look at a couple of Baikals in the morning to see how they feel. Local RFD has a few for the 300 quid mark.

Just to add my tuppence

If you are goin to the RFD anyway,enquire about a Sabel(.A cheaper cousin of the AYA)
A lovely gun to shoot and nice and light to carry.
I had both about 20years ago and there was nothing wrong with either but just found that the Sabel was a nicer gun.
Best of luck
I'd imagine that they would be in the same price bracket as the Baikal

bunny shooter

+1 for the Sable :cool:

A friend of mine has one for years and it is a lovely gun.

Never seen one for sale anywhere though

Hibrion

Just back from the rfd. He had an AYA and a couple of Baikals but I ended up going with a Zabala. Done a straight swap for my mossberg.
It was a nice gun. 26 inch barrels, multi choke, 3 inch chambers, single trigger, straight stock. Felt the best of the whole lot.

Its a bit late now, but does anyone have any opinions on them?

rowa

Opinions seems to be split , some say they are rubbish and others say they are ok, you might have been better off ponying up the bit extra for the aya.

Hibrion

The aya was cheaper but this one just seemed to be sturdier and in better condition. Was a nice looking gun too.

Tackleberrywho

Hibrion wrote: »

Just back from the rfd. He had an AYA and a couple of Baikals but I ended up going with a Zabala. Done a straight swap for my mossberg.
It was a nice gun. 26 inch barrels, multi choke, 3 inch chambers, single trigger, straight stock. Felt the best of the whole lot.

Its a bit late now, but does anyone have any opinions on them?

Well you may wear.
3" means you can water fowl

Multichoke means you can shoot clays or just play around with chokes

They have been around a long time.
I remember looking at a Kesterel many years ago, I just went with the Baikal as it was cheaper at the time and I was only a student.

rowa

Sure you don't put many cartridges through a game gun anyway so it will do you years no matter what. So long as you are happy with the fit etc.

Hibrion

Thanks lads. I have to say it was quick to mount and easy to swing. That combined with the looks and solid build swung the deal for me.

Just got back from the local station there now and I have to say it was the easiest visit I've had yet. The new seargant looking after things there new exactly what she was talking about and said I'll have the substitution back in less than a fortnight.
She also said there will be no problem licensing a 30/30 as a second deer rifle.

Tackleberrywho

Hibrion wrote: »

Thanks lads. I have to say it was quick to mount and easy to swing. That combined with the looks and solid build swung the deal for me.

Just got back from the local station there now and I have to say it was the easiest visit I've had yet. The new seargant looking after things there new exactly what she was talking about and said I'll have the substitution back in less than a fortnight.
She also said there will be no problem licensing a 30/30 as a second deer rifle.

Well fair play to her!

the Only Difficulty I ever had with FO's were from male Gards.

The Females were always much easier to deal with and very efficient!

I lost my FO to retirement.
I miss her terribly as she was 9-5 Mon to Friday and always would call me back.
I'm still awaiting a callback from my FO about an enquiry I made after christmas.......