Shotgunning on a budget?

[kevthebassman]

I've been looking over gunbroker and around the web for a while now, and by the looks of it, a fella has to lay down a pretty good chunk of change if he plans on getting into the smooth bore business without putting a second mortgage on his home.

Is there any way a guy could get into a 10 or 12 gauge smooth bore for $300-$400? Less?

 

[rabjr]

That doesn't even cover parts. :shocked2:

 

[kevthebassman]

You're telling me! I have a bad dilemma; an addiction to smokepoles and bills to pay!

 

[Dave K]

If you are talking single barrels, yes it takes more money. If you are talking old SxS's or newer reprodutions, they can be found in that price range.These would be be good guns, but quality of the gun is usually reflected in the price. Ml'er shotguns are to me, Ml'ing best kept secret.

 

[kevthebassman]

A new repro single or double would float my boat just fine. But I never see them on gunbroker used or for any sort of reasonable price.

 

[Hanz]

I decided that there simply isn't a real inexpensive way to get into muzzleloading shotguns. So I looked around and bought a used Pedersoli 12 gauge SXS to cut my teeth with.
This is the Pedersoli 12 gauge SXS
I figure it will teach me what I really want in a Shotgun. It looks pretty nice in the photos and I paid $539.00 for it. I'm sure it will teach me plenty.

 

[roundball]

Well, for what its worth I think it's importanmt to mention that physical body size might enter into this a little too...I bought a Navy Arms SxS several years ago for $500-600 and it was so small, short, and light for me that it didn't fit and I never did like it...I was beginning to switch to Flintlocks then and stopped using it, eventually sold it.

A lower cost alternative to at least get started:
I put .54/.28ga and .62/.20ga GM drop-in Flint barrels into some used TC Hawken stocks that I refinished which allowed me to get into smoothbores and use them for skeet targets, deer, turkey, squirrels, crows, doves, etc...so its at least one alternative way to start playing with BP smoothbores in the price range you mentioned.

But if you get a double and are a bigger than average person, you really, really need to ensure it's big enough for a good fit...

 

Kev,
I have a custom single barrel 12 ga listed in the classifieds, page one. Let me know if you want pictures. [email protected].
Mark

 

[sundog]

Back around 1974 or 5 there were single barrel Brazilian made 20 guage shot guns sold for around thirty bucks or so.
Nice light little gun, mystery wood looked like XXXX but for the price it was just fine. I had one back then and it certainly earned its keep putting food on the table.
I think they were made to sell to the Brazilian Indians. I wonder if they are still manufactured, if so someone could probably sell a load of them here to us.
I know if I ever see another one and the price is good I will snap it up.

 

[THBailey]

They are getting harder to find, and hardly qualify as authentic, but the TC New Englander may fit your wallet. The 12 ga barrel swaps in for the rifle barrel. I have one and have enjoyed taking everything from doves to turkeys with it. It is a light gun so you want to be sure your fillings are glued in real good before you drop the hammer on a stout turkey load. And also be advised that legal waterfowl hunting requires bismuth shot and costs more per shot than standard 12 ga steel loads.

 

[Stumpkiller]

Flint or percussion? I spent $180 for my New Englander kit in 12 ga. percussion and they pop up on the Internet occasionally in that range to a bit more for used. Makes a fine bunny and grouse scarer.

I like the .50 rifle barrel on it, too. Handy rifle that I use during regular deer season hereabouts.

 

[wvbuckbuster]

I was somewhat like roundball. I bought a navy arms turkey and trap. Shot well but being 6'4" it never quite fit me. Not enough drop in the stock. Nice gun though. Leatherbark has been shooting with us and let me shoot his .62 smooth. Kinda getting the itch for one of those maybe.

 

[kevthebassman]

I'm only about 5'9" tall, so hopefully fit won't be an issue. I've had my eye on gunbroker for weeks looking for a TC or Pendersoli, etc, but they always get bid out of my price range.

Papa, the gun sounds nice and I wouldn't mind pics, but the price is a bit out of my range unless I save up a while longer.

 

[THBailey]

Mine is percussion. I don't think I have seen a New Englander flinter. I think TC did make a flinter version of the black mountain magnum in an effort to offer "modern muzzleloader" performance to hunters in an eastern state (Pennsylvania?) where anything percussion was not legal in primitive season. My rifle barrel is a .54 and like you I have enjoyed deer hunting with it.

 

[10 gauge]

This last week I just missed out by 2 hours on a nice condition Navy Arms double 12ga for $150.00 on an AZ local shooting forum. I go to the local gun shows and see them from time to time used for $300-$350 in very nice condition.

 

[THBailey]

I may have an inch on you in height, and I will make you a blind bet my beer gut is the bigger between us two, but the TC fits me just fine.

 

[44-henry]

If you keep looking you'll run across a used pedersoli, Navy Arms, or CVA side by side in that price range. If you are a bit lucky you could also find a shootable original for the same kind of money. If you are just starting out I would advise looking for a modern made reproduction rather than an original. I have had both the 10 and 12 ga. Pedersoli's with interchangeable chokes and also an older Navy Arms 12 ga with fixed chokes, all shot fine and worked good on waterfowl. Since the powers that be have forced us to give up lead you would be advised to look for one of the Pedersoli's with the interchangable chokes if you plan on hunting waterfowl, you can at least use economical steel shot in these guns. If you have a Cabala's close by check their bargain caves often, sometimes they have these guns at greatly reduced prices. I purchased my 12 ga a couple years back for less than $300. Also keep an eye out at TOW, they occasionally have some good deals on shotguns.

 

Kev,
Send me your eMail and I'll forward some pictures. Give it some thought, it's less than a Pedersoli or CVA and it will throw round ball as well as shot.I'm 5'10" and the gun fits well (14" LOP), not like using a rifle stock with a shotgun barrel. The gun is in like new condition.
Mark

 

[kevthebassman]

I'd be tickled pink to find a Pendersoli double for $300, even a used one. Cabela's lists their Pendersoli 10g double for $934. Waaaaaay out of my range.

 

[cecil]

Kev try auctionarms I seen a double for $399.00 if you like doubles. But be patient, they pop-up from time to time cheap. I have gotten lucky in Frienship, Indiana and bought a couple and my father got real lucky this year and bought a very nice 20 gauge flinter for less than $300.00. But I'm always at the wrong place and at the wrong time. Hang in there one will come your way soon.

Willisburg