Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Poor Man's Combo Gun?

Can't figure which other board this should be on, and bear with me; there's a question at the end of this...

One of my great gun regrets is not getting one or two of the Savage 24 Camper models in .357 Max/20 ga. (IIRC, they came w reg stock and a pistol grip only) that came out in early to mid '80s. I've read those go for more than $1K when available these days.

I was reminded of this recently when my brother was wondering about a decent combo gun to carry around on his E. Colo. hunting lease in the off season; something to bust a coyote a ways off or topple a bunny or bird up close.

I looked around and there are some European combos that are around $2K mark.

Also became aware in past year or so that a couple companies have started producing short-barreled "Tactical" SxS & O/U shotguns.

At least one American outfit, MCA Sports, is making pistol & rifle-caliber insert barrels, that would work in them.

Thinking a .218 Bee or .30/30 insert in the top barrel of a Maverick HS12 could be the ticket for his plains lease or on my little patch of Middle Tenn. Appalachia.

So the question is: have any of y'all used the MCA inserts and how are they for accuracy inside 150 yards or so?

One final thought: Ruger could capture a niche market if they'd make a combo gun.

Think you might do better prowling the used gun racks for a M24. Apparently the .30-30/20 ga version is worth about $325 in my neighborhood, but of course it had wood instead of plastic and was built sometime before '65. I've seen a number of M24s that did not receive much care, but I never saw one that was worn out.

I've got both the Savage 24 in .22 Mag/20 ga. topped with a 1.5-5 Leupold and a Valmet 412 12 ga./.223. Both are extremely accurate.

Take a look at the Baikal IZH-94...comes in 12 ga./.223-.308-30/06 and are well under a grand... I have one of their single shot rifles in 7.62x39 and it is nicely made gun...

http://www.baikalcanada.com/rifles_combo_94.htm

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=323928548

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=323392535

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=323537933

...and I too really regret not buying one of those 24 Campers in .357/20 ga. I was dealer at the time and a doctor friend of mine had me get him two of the .357 Maximum/20 ga. for he and his father....

Savage centerfire combo guns aren't cheap any more...

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=323335204

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=323437051

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=323390172


Bob

Bob,

I was thinking EAA no longer imported those IZH-94s, but apparently they do and have just changed the designator to MP94.

And I see they have 7.62x39mm option...

Wonder how much POA/POI havoc is wreaked with that low hanging CF barrel?

Looked at the gunbroker ad on the .222/20 and that casecolor looks good.

Thanks for the tips.

Still like to hear from anyone who has used the longer MCA inserts as to accuracy potential.

Dan

Savage is making he 22/.410 again (Model 42). I held on last week. Seemed well made. Price was $420.

BMT

ive got a valmet 412 in 12/308 i'll let go if someone is interested

Sent ya a pm, Phoneman

Rarely see anything but .410/.22 versions of the older ones around here, Digi.

Had fun with one of those in my cousin's fish camp down in Florida in the mid-'70s, but won't cut the mustard for what I wanna kill.

I didnt realise these were this unusual in these calibers. I have one such chambered gun. Keep a look out on Gunbroker, I will probably list mine for sale this week.

Got yet pm, what ya got?