Browning or Beretta.
Well worth the cost.
Well worth the cost.
Which upland bird gun?
- Thread starter yaktamer
- Start date
Personally I would go with 12ga, possibly 20ga but never a 28. There is no advantage to a 28, and the shells cost more. Also, if you want to sell the gun, you are limited to a smaller group of buyers.
A shotgun will be your most personal firearm, so I suggest you make a careful decision on selection and if at all possible not be too dollar driven.
I had a Weatherby Athena years ago. It was OK. Nothing special beyond being flashy. The Orion was a lower grade offering. Both were SKB Japanese made.
As for the Browning Citori, I never liked them. They have what I consider to be a less than acceptable trigger group. I shot one once, and the point of impact was off by a foot.
To stay within a reasonable cost, I would look to Beretta. They make a good boxlock gun, with good triggers. I would go with 28" barrels, and no choke tubes if possible ( just my preference ).
Without going nuts on the English guns that few can afford, IMO the Italians and Germans make the best shotguns. Beretta also makes many competition guns using the same action as the hunting guns. They are meant to take a lot of use.
A shotgun will be your most personal firearm, so I suggest you make a careful decision on selection and if at all possible not be too dollar driven.
I had a Weatherby Athena years ago. It was OK. Nothing special beyond being flashy. The Orion was a lower grade offering. Both were SKB Japanese made.
As for the Browning Citori, I never liked them. They have what I consider to be a less than acceptable trigger group. I shot one once, and the point of impact was off by a foot.
To stay within a reasonable cost, I would look to Beretta. They make a good boxlock gun, with good triggers. I would go with 28" barrels, and no choke tubes if possible ( just my preference ).
Without going nuts on the English guns that few can afford, IMO the Italians and Germans make the best shotguns. Beretta also makes many competition guns using the same action as the hunting guns. They are meant to take a lot of use.
Sistema1927
US Veteran
Since you are talking upland game shooting, my take is a little different.
This type of shooting is going to be more taxing on the cosmetics than the internals. Sure, my suggestion wouldn't hold up to a steady diet of any type of clay bird shooting, but it will do for that type of hunting, and you won't cry when you drag it through the brush or scratch it on a fence.
I have had a Stoeger Condor 20 ga for this role for a number of years. I think that I paid ~$300 for it on the used gun rack. It is tight but smooth, and more importantly it fits me, which is strange for an off the rack gun. Not the prettiest girl at the dance, but she can dance.
This type of shooting is going to be more taxing on the cosmetics than the internals. Sure, my suggestion wouldn't hold up to a steady diet of any type of clay bird shooting, but it will do for that type of hunting, and you won't cry when you drag it through the brush or scratch it on a fence.
I have had a Stoeger Condor 20 ga for this role for a number of years. I think that I paid ~$300 for it on the used gun rack. It is tight but smooth, and more importantly it fits me, which is strange for an off the rack gun. Not the prettiest girl at the dance, but she can dance.
You need two guns.A heavier longer gun for the days where you get a lot of shots and a lighter one for those long treks through the fields with just a few rounds fired. Browning and Beretta would be my choices . 20 gauge is a good compromise
I hear that CZ is making some nice shotguns. My experience is limited to their rifles which have proven to be "great" guns... fit, finish and accuracy
Don't overlook Stoeger's Condor O/U shotguns! They are very well made shotguns (made mostly in Brazil; owned by Benelli/Beretta) with quite a few different models and grades. The prices are very reasonable for the quality that you get, and if it gets scratched up in the field you won't care much. You can find field and compact models in .410, 28, 20, and 12 ga. 28 ga or .410 shotguns are outstanding for dove/quail, but you might need more punch for pheasant. I've owned a .410 Condor for years and have been extremely happy with it. However, with a $2K budget you could buy 4 Condors! Good luck with your search!
OutAtTheEdge
Member
Between the two, I would go with the Browning. However, I would highly recommend looking at the Franchi Instinct before you make a final decision.
Unlike their rifles, many of the CZ shotguns aren't actually built by CZ. They're built by Turkish companies for CZ
OutAtTheEdge
Member
Unless things have changed in the last year since I retired, the CZ-USA O/U and SxS shotguns were all produced in Turkey by Huglu. I sold a whole bunch of them over the years, and they always served their owners well. I liked that they fell into a price/quality point above entry level guns like Stoeger, yet below Franchi/Browning/Beretta. At somewhat under $1000, the Redhead Premier is a great value.
A shotgun is a shotgun is a shotgun. People buy them for what they look like. I used my brother's 20ga Savage/Steven over and under on the skeet range and it was hard to miss. I now use my fathers Citori and the same ability to shoot well is the same but, about $1000 more. I ended up getting another Savage/Stevens O/U in 12ga for about $700.
If you want a good looking shotgun you will spend about $2k. If you want a functional inexpensive shotgun buy something like a Savage/Stevens and spend much less. The gauge you want will depend on what you hunt. Can't go wrong with a 12 but, if you want less kick then a 20 is good. Towards then end my dad was using a 28ga. For me it is either a 12 or 20.
If you want a good looking shotgun you will spend about $2k. If you want a functional inexpensive shotgun buy something like a Savage/Stevens and spend much less. The gauge you want will depend on what you hunt. Can't go wrong with a 12 but, if you want less kick then a 20 is good. Towards then end my dad was using a 28ga. For me it is either a 12 or 20.
I have shot a lot of quail with the Citori 20 but the Beretta 626 Onyx (SxS) is my favorite. I don't think they make them any more.
YeshuaIsa53
Member
I think shotguns, when bought new, should be a personal decision. I realize you are asking for which ones to look at. Go to the clays on base, and most people have proud shotguns, over and unders. Finest shotgun I ever bought new for around 2K was a 12 gauge semi-auto Super Black Eagle II. Use it shooting clays, too. Have a strap on it for keeping the barrel pointed straight up while shooting clays. I can even kill a bird if it is strapped on my shoulder.
Used to shoot quail, on the wild, and three shots were great when I used a Light Twelve Browning my Father gave me that he used. I'd shoot a lot of triples. After all that walking, it would come down to ready position low post when the dogs froze and when chasing singles. That is what I was brought up with and still hunt the semi-auto 12 gauge. Like to carry laminate stock and forearm and just one barrel.
Sorry for being outside the box. Good luck with your hunting. You didn't mention ducks, so a 20 might work if behind dogs. Enjoy it while you can. There will be one gun that makes you smile.
Used to shoot quail, on the wild, and three shots were great when I used a Light Twelve Browning my Father gave me that he used. I'd shoot a lot of triples. After all that walking, it would come down to ready position low post when the dogs froze and when chasing singles. That is what I was brought up with and still hunt the semi-auto 12 gauge. Like to carry laminate stock and forearm and just one barrel.
Sorry for being outside the box. Good luck with your hunting. You didn't mention ducks, so a 20 might work if behind dogs. Enjoy it while you can. There will be one gun that makes you smile.
Birdhunter6
Member
Citori all the way for me, but I know guys who shoot the Beretta O/Us and are perfectly happy. IMHO Benelli semiautos are the only upgrade possible from quality O/Us. That gives you an additional shot, but costs you the advantages of 2 different chokes and the simplicity/strength/balance of the break action.
Fit is most important. Quick dirty gun fit test you can do in the gun shop: With the stock in your armpit, muzzle down, close your eyes and mount the gun. Let the butt slide straight up the crease between your shoulder and chest into the "pocket", bring the comb tight to your cheek, don't drop your head to meet the gun. Open your eyes. Are you looking straight down the rib? You shouldn't have to move your head.
When I was 18, a coworker let me shoot a round of trap with his Belgian Superposed. It was an "I gotta get me one of these" moment. I couldn't afford an O/U Browning until I was 40, and it was a Citori. Now I have 4 and still shoot them all.
For doves, pheasants and clays I shoot a 26" 12 ga 80s Lightning and a field grade 28" early 90s 3" 20. They swing and point very similarly. In retirement I shoot Sporting or Skeet weekly with one or the other. My Citoris get shot far more than most field guns. They have never given me a problem. I've been running the Lightning hard for 24 years, the 20 ga for 15. Doves and pheasants at home, quail and grouse on trips.
As stated by someone earlier, the finish on both wood and metal may suffer under hard use but I didn't buy them to look at. Used field grade guns don't hold their value as well as Trap, Skeet or Clays guns. I was able to buy my 3" duck gun reasonably from a gentleman who said "It's such a beautiful gun I can't bring myself to take it to the blind." I managed to keep a straight face. He'd been trying to sell it for 5 years. It had 100 rounds of trap loads through it. I bought my 3.5" goose gun on line. It had been shot very little but finish on the frame showed cold blue touch up in the form of a hand in the "trail carry".
I hunt with the 12 ga these days, because my knees are shot and my dog is 12. All day upland hunts are long past for both of us. I want to put birds down close to maximize a short hunt for him. A 3" 20 is a great choice though.
Good luck and good hunting.
Fit is most important. Quick dirty gun fit test you can do in the gun shop: With the stock in your armpit, muzzle down, close your eyes and mount the gun. Let the butt slide straight up the crease between your shoulder and chest into the "pocket", bring the comb tight to your cheek, don't drop your head to meet the gun. Open your eyes. Are you looking straight down the rib? You shouldn't have to move your head.
When I was 18, a coworker let me shoot a round of trap with his Belgian Superposed. It was an "I gotta get me one of these" moment. I couldn't afford an O/U Browning until I was 40, and it was a Citori. Now I have 4 and still shoot them all.
For doves, pheasants and clays I shoot a 26" 12 ga 80s Lightning and a field grade 28" early 90s 3" 20. They swing and point very similarly. In retirement I shoot Sporting or Skeet weekly with one or the other. My Citoris get shot far more than most field guns. They have never given me a problem. I've been running the Lightning hard for 24 years, the 20 ga for 15. Doves and pheasants at home, quail and grouse on trips.
As stated by someone earlier, the finish on both wood and metal may suffer under hard use but I didn't buy them to look at. Used field grade guns don't hold their value as well as Trap, Skeet or Clays guns. I was able to buy my 3" duck gun reasonably from a gentleman who said "It's such a beautiful gun I can't bring myself to take it to the blind." I managed to keep a straight face. He'd been trying to sell it for 5 years. It had 100 rounds of trap loads through it. I bought my 3.5" goose gun on line. It had been shot very little but finish on the frame showed cold blue touch up in the form of a hand in the "trail carry".
I hunt with the 12 ga these days, because my knees are shot and my dog is 12. All day upland hunts are long past for both of us. I want to put birds down close to maximize a short hunt for him. A 3" 20 is a great choice though.
Good luck and good hunting.
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jrm53
Member
I like the old Beretta silver snipes the first one I ever shot was in 1966 a 20 ga. that fit a glove I have a 12 S Snipe with exhibition wood and a 20 ga SS they are fine but have out of production for many years. They are light and fast. The golden snipes have a vent rib. Jeff
Buick
Member
I'm still shooting my dad's old fixed choke Citori he bought in 1981 or 82. It's still tight. They are worth more than their asking price.
I see this question quite often PN the various shooting forums. The answer is always the same. No one can give you the answer, you must find it yourself. Go to a sporting clays range that rents guns or is having a range day where you can shoot various shotguns. Get to know the people around and what guns they shoot. Try them all out and buy the gun that fits you the best and you shoot the best.
Try out Beretta, Browning, Franchi, Fabarm, Benelli 828, CZ, Blazer, Ceaser Guerini, Weatherbug, SKB, etc. I would avoid the Stoeger as I personally know of manufacturing problems that resulted in injury to a shooter.
Sometimes you have a difficult fit and may need some stock work to shoot the best. Do not be afraid of a used quality gun.
Try out Beretta, Browning, Franchi, Fabarm, Benelli 828, CZ, Blazer, Ceaser Guerini, Weatherbug, SKB, etc. I would avoid the Stoeger as I personally know of manufacturing problems that resulted in injury to a shooter.
Sometimes you have a difficult fit and may need some stock work to shoot the best. Do not be afraid of a used quality gun.
I would get a Browning or Beretta O/U but I love my Beretta A-400 20 gauge auto.
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