I'm considering a purchase of an O/U for waterfowl hunting(and other birds too), but would like to hear from those who have and/or are using an O/U. <P>I've been looking at the Stoeger Condor. It looks very attractive for less than $450. [img]images/icons/smile.gif" border="0[/img]<P>What's your opinions/experiences?<P>Thank you, Bowhunter57

when it comes to waterfowl, i leave my o/u behind and take my pump. nothing wrong w/ the o/u, but i am a better shot w/ my pump. when it comes to other birds, i take my o/u simply because it is lighter.<P>i guess if i was much into hunting ducks, an o/u would suffice, but i like hunting geese, and do that w/ 3 1/2" shells through my pump.

I don't know anything about the Stoeger gun but I hunt all birds with a 3 inch chambered O/U, specfically a Winchester 101, and believe that the ability to manage chokes is more important than a third shot. No question that 3 1/2 inch STEEL loads are better than 3 inch STEEL loads but if you are serious about goose or duck hunting at maximum ranges, you aren't shooting steel anyway. <P>Some of the foreign made guns are much better than their price would indicate, but I would be concerned with the quality of an O/U costing that little. And frankly, might be more imclined to buy a decent pump instead. Believe me, almost without exception cheap guns break more parts, more often than most more expensive guns, comparing action for action, and the cheap foreign made guns can be a real problem getting parts for.

I use a Weatherby Orion o/u for waterfowl and upland.It has 3 inch chambers. It is not the best for either but not a bad compromise. Many times we do what the Brits refer to as rough shooting and will be after anything from geese to hungarian partridge on the same day.

Murf:<P>I'm driving from Texas to the Swift Current area next week for my annual(early this year, due to another trip scheduled in October) duck/goose/upland hunt. Will probably be staying in Herbert Hotel/Bar at least part of the time. I know it is a couple of hours away, but if you're out and about I'll buy the beer. Email me and I'll give more details if you think you can get over. Regards CAT

ive never shot an overunder for waterfoul, but one of my dads friends shoots his o/u all the time for waterfoul, idont really like using pump either, i like automatic except for an occasional jam, i just dont like to pump i would rather use that time on concentration on my next shot

Drag:

Once you get used to it, there is no time or thinking involved in pumping a shotgun. Actually a good man on a slick pump can work it faster than most semi-autos (the Benelli, which is QUICK, might be an exception). With a pump, you almost never have that "occasional jam". They are quite a bit cheaper and more reliable in most cases than semi-autos. You might consider one for waterfowling in the future.

I live right in the middle of the pacific flyway, so get to hunt a lot of geese and ducks. I have hunted them extensively with pumps and O/U's. Most of the serious waterfowlers I hunt with all prefer our O'U's. Having also shot a lot of sporting clays/skeet it soon becomes apparent that nothing points/handles quicker than an O/U (the reason serious shooters use them). Endless choke selection options, as well as a fast second shot are benefits. 2 good shots are better than 3 fast ones in my opinion. Another virtue that I have come to appreciate when guiding waterfowlers is the safety of an O/U. When a hunter has the action open and the gun is draped over his arm, it obvious that the gun is safe. When I head afield these days, my Beretta 686 gets the nod. I find 3" magnums more than enough for the big geese (even with steel), and if a 3 1/2" magnum is what you desire, look at Browning's selection of O/U's, I know they make at least 1 model with 3 1/2" chambers. Just my 2 cents worth.

ACKLEY

I shoot a Stoger uplander SXS 12 ga. and I love it you can not beat this gun for the price I have shot alot of birds with it. I just bought a Stoger Condor o/u in 20 ga. just the other day and just shot it today and it performs just as well as my SXS I would recommend a Stoger to anyone.