Nicest stock wood for my budget?

[DanBettin]

I'm a sucker for quality wood on a gun, for my budget of around  £2000, what brand of 12 gauge is going to give me the closest thing to the more upmarket guns that use the walnut woods etc.?

 

Thanks!

[Wb123]

Would a cheaper gun and a pile of money at a stock finisher be acceptable? There is a local chap to who seems to perform whichcraft on any bit of wood for £150-500 depending what you want. 

Edited November 12, 2017 by Wb123

[sishyplops]

CG would probably offer the best wood on a new gun in that budget

 

or buy a second hand 325 grade 5 or 6, or 425 

Edited November 12, 2017 by sishyplops
Thought of xtra things

[archi]

2nd hand miroku or browning grade 5 or 6 will be hard to beat.

possibly an old browning b2g

really depends what make and model you want then you can search guntrader and find the best grade in your budget.

[Mr.C]

18 minutes ago, sishyplops said:

CG would probably offer the best wood on a new gun in that budget

 

or buy a second hand 325 grade 5 or 6, or 425 

+1 although a new gun for 2k won't get nearly as nice timber as the grade 5/6 3/425. Is there any better wood on the 6 or do you just get some gold inlay on the action? I almost bought one anyway for the glorious woodwork. 

[Red-dot]

A B2g @ £2,000 will usually be requiring a similal amount to restore it.

[sishyplops]

You are blessed with some lovely guns red dot

[wymberley]

If something like this takes your fancy, not everyone's cup of tea but have a look at the Chapuis range

[Red-dot]

3 hours ago, sishyplops said:

You are blessed with some lovely guns red dot

Thankyou Sishy.... the joys of having no children!

[button]

You might find a s/h silver pigeon classic within budget, although quality of wood can vary greatly. Some I have seen have stunning wood, others well....

https://www.gunstar.co.uk/beretta-silver-pigeon-classic-12g/Shotguns/903036

[figgy]

For 2k the browning or miroku in the higher grades will be the best value. 

Or you could look out for a used high grade set of wood for your gun. 

[Guest stevo]

I personally think your going about this the wrong way. If it was me I would be looking for the right gun , something that i can shoot , something that puts a smile on my face when I open the cabinet , something that’s makes me want to go upstairs open the cabinet just to get it out and put it in my shoulder . Then and only when I have found a gun that ticks those boxes , I would save and have a nice stock made for it. , 

but that’s just me. 

[ips]

9 minutes ago, stevo said:

I personally think your going about this the wrong way. If it was me I would be looking for the right gun , something that i can shoot , something that puts a smile on my face when I open the cabinet , something that’s makes me want to go upstairs open the cabinet just to get it out and put it in my shoulder . Then and only when I have found a gun that ticks those boxes , I would save and have a nice stock made for it. , 

but that’s just me. 

I am with stevo on this. Personally I would buy a gun that fits and you can shoot well and refinish the stock, its amazing how you can improve what looks pretty bland with some work

[Westley]

I did have a Browning 525 Prestige game gun that had an absolute 'Exhibition Stock'. It was too long for me as the standard 14 7/8", but I could not bring myself to get it cut so sold it to a friend who needed a further 1/2" adding to it. I did get 'visitation rights' though  !

[DanBettin]

Some nice suggestions here! Thanks for the replies. Lovely pics too, all great from what i can see.

Edited November 12, 2017 by DanBettin

[figgy]

You could just buy a gun you like or already have and get a stock and for end for it. 

Just remember the more fancy and figured the wood is the weaker and more prone to cracks it is. 

Ive seen some that look like the flames of a fire they’re that well figured and coloured. 

Some of the earlier models of the Caesar Guerini guns had very good wood, later ones seem very light with less figuring.  

[Guest stevo]

1 hour ago, ips said:

I am with stevo on this. Personally I would buy a gun that fits and you can shoot well and refinish the stock, its amazing how you can improve what looks pretty bland with some work

 

 

On 11/11/2017 at 18:06, mudpatten said:

 

 

1 hour ago, ips said:

I am with stevo on this. Personally I would buy a gun that fits and you can shoot well and refinish the stock, its amazing how you can improve what looks pretty bland with some work

That’s because we’re both trap shooter , and that just how it’s done ?

Edited November 12, 2017 by stevo

[figgy]

Trap shooters don’t need a perfect fit as they pre mount and mold themselves to the gun adjusting it until it’s just the right fit and sight picture. 

They even have little stands for carts and mats for your muzzles to sit on as you fall asleep during the round 

A FITASC sporting shooter or OSK shooter doesn’t have that option and must mount and pull the trigger after clay is thrown so gun fit is paramount.

i do agree gun fit is important but any stock you buy can be made to fit you. 

[MR. BROWN]

13 minutes ago, figgy said:

 

Some of the earlier models of the Caesar Guerini guns had very good wood, later ones seem very light with less figuring.  

 

Agree ....

 

Although, some of the newest offerings getting about have very decent timber.

[figgy]

Mr Brown some new ones do and they carry a hefty price tag too. 

Edited November 12, 2017 by figgy

[DanBettin]

1 hour ago, stevo said:

I personally think your going about this the wrong way. If it was me I would be looking for the right gun , something that i can shoot , something that puts a smile on my face when I open the cabinet , something that’s makes me want to go upstairs open the cabinet just to get it out and put it in my shoulder . Then and only when I have found a gun that ticks those boxes , I would save and have a nice stock made for it. , 

but that’s just me. 

Interesting points, to be fair. I'm not sure I'd entirely agree though, that it's safe to dismiss the stock when I'm choosing what to spend my money on. It's a large part of the gun's character. That, along with the action detail,  put a smile on my face and have me taking it out the cabinet to spend time admiring it. The stock's also going to play a massive role in the fit of it (initially at least).

Although, if what you're saying is that it's relatively cheap to get a stock make for it, then I concede (I have no experience with custom stocks etc. I thought the stock was a large part of what you pay for). Not sure what else there'd be to consider though? Interested to hear if other PW members would take this approach to choosing their next gun or whether it'd be a good starting place to look at the models already suggested for that nicer finish.

Just to be clear, I don't think anyone (regardless of the shooting discipline) would prioritise the look alone over all of the other factors. As you say, it has to tick boxes.

 

EDIT: Thanks for the reply by the way, mate. If I end up looking into getting a custom stock and shopping differently for my next gun it's been very helpful.

Edited November 12, 2017 by DanBettin

[figgy]

Seen a gun with what I thought was exhibition grade woodwork but was told the fella had had it dipped and it was graphics. Looked fantastic too from a few yards as I waited to shoot. 

[MR. BROWN]

I've just taken delivery of a Miroku MK 70 Grade 5 with outstanding wood ( that was the main reason I bought it )

It cost $3200 Aus Dollars  ( 1800 pounds )

 

Outstanding value .... except, it only comes in a bl^^dy cardboard box ! 

 

[DanBettin]

4 hours ago, Red-dot said:

Thankyou Sishy.... the joys of having no children!

 

What is that? Lovely gun. 

[Red-dot]

It is a Browning A1 totally stripped and restocked and sideplated in D5g grade in Belgium and engraved by the best craftsman in Belgium. I can sell you a matched numbered pair if you like?

Better than new in 20g/32" barrels.