I'm considering getting an O/U shotgun which would be dedicated to dove, quail and maybe pheasant. Leaning toward 20 gauge (or maybe 28?) with price under $2k. I've read good reviews of the Weatherby Orion and Browning Hunter (grade I) Citori. If it comes down to a choice between these two, is the Browning worth it at double the price of the Weatherby? Other suggestions welcome.
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Which upland bird gun?
- Thread starter yaktamer
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cruiserdan
Member
Maybe a Browning Superposed?
Looking for current production, not used.
cruiserdan
Member
Miroku makes some nice stuff. I have a couple BSS Brownings and the new-manufacture 1873 Winchesters.
SGT ROCK 11B
Member
I always liked the Brownings but that is based on my experiences shooting them in the 1970s.
I had a Weatherby in 12 gauge that I got in the 1980s in a trade and I later traded it. Not as nice as the Browning JMHO.
Today I am using a Remington 870 for birds, ducks and pheasants. Good luck
I had a Weatherby in 12 gauge that I got in the 1980s in a trade and I later traded it. Not as nice as the Browning JMHO.
Today I am using a Remington 870 for birds, ducks and pheasants. Good luck
I use a Beretta 686 Onyx field grade in 12 Guage for the birds mentioned in the question. I am not sure what they run now but I like the matte finish wood and metal. I can take it out and hunt with it then a good rub down with very light gun oil and she looks brand new. The action is still tight as a drum after a lot of use, meaning I still have to give it a push to break it open. I got mine with 26" barrels not optimal for pass shooting doves but works well on rising pheasants.
I have a Citori and the few times I have used it the highly finished stock and light bluing just started to really show carry wear quickly, so now I only shoot clays with it.
No experience with the Weatherby.
I have a Citori and the few times I have used it the highly finished stock and light bluing just started to really show carry wear quickly, so now I only shoot clays with it.
No experience with the Weatherby.
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The Browning O/Us have always been my favorites, particularly the Belgian Superposed but the Citoris I've had are fine guns too. The Brownings were the best fitting from a being "on" when pulled to the shoulder and just naturally pointed to the target. I'd be looking based on the fit and comfort and balance rather than any other factors. Lots of very nice used O/Us out there, some barely used. That said, these days I shoot most everything with my Benelli 20 gauge auto. Good luck.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
Jeff
SWCA #1457
Ivan the Butcher
Member
I have 9 Browning O/U's, and I would recommend a 20 gauge with correct shot size for the game you are after that day. I have a Citori 425 28", a Citori Upland Special 26", and a 1966 Superpose Lightning 28". Of the 3, I would take the Superpose every time! But to stay in your budget I would go with one of the hunting models at 28" barrels. Current trends are for changeable choke tubes, however fixed chokes will serve you fine if you find a much old gun.
I believe a Citori Lightning model will have the best response to swinging through the birds. (If you are a stab and point shooter, you may be better served with a semi-auto 22 RF rifle.) The Lightnings are a few ounces heavier and the balance is "Forward" of the hinge pin, this yields a much better flow to your swing.
I was looking a shotguns this week, You also might consider a Beretta A300 in 20 gauge. My wife's shotgun is a 391 Sporting 20 gauge (that's about 2 generations back). These guns come with spacers to change the up/down and left/right and thicker/thinner shoulder pads for length adjustment. My wife is left-handed and I made the gun fit her perfectly! I shot (adjusted to her) and set a new personal best in a 10 week league a few years ago, I came in 3rd highest shooter but was the only 20 gauge in the league.
Ivan
I believe a Citori Lightning model will have the best response to swinging through the birds. (If you are a stab and point shooter, you may be better served with a semi-auto 22 RF rifle.) The Lightnings are a few ounces heavier and the balance is "Forward" of the hinge pin, this yields a much better flow to your swing.
I was looking a shotguns this week, You also might consider a Beretta A300 in 20 gauge. My wife's shotgun is a 391 Sporting 20 gauge (that's about 2 generations back). These guns come with spacers to change the up/down and left/right and thicker/thinner shoulder pads for length adjustment. My wife is left-handed and I made the gun fit her perfectly! I shot (adjusted to her) and set a new personal best in a 10 week league a few years ago, I came in 3rd highest shooter but was the only 20 gauge in the league.
Ivan
mike4sigs
Member
I prefer 20 gauge. and my gun of choice for Pheasant is a Browning Special skeet, That was a Hand me down from my uncle.(thank you uncle Roy) I shoot it ithe best so that is the one i choose.
May i suggest if it is feasible to go hang out with friends @ the Clays range and hope they leave you try their guns.
May i suggest if it is feasible to go hang out with friends @ the Clays range and hope they leave you try their guns.
A browning or Beretta 20 gauge with short barrels should work just fine.
Bill Bates
Member
I think sticking with one of the "B" guns (Browning or Beretta) is great advice. Both make a quality gun and will out last most of us if well maintained.
Okay, here is the real answer...BUY WHAT FITS.
As to gauge. I love my 28 gauge but boy it is getting outrageous to feed. 20 gauge shells run one third to half the price of 28 gauge loads. If nontoxic becomes mediatory a 28 gauge payload makes very little sense and again the 20 gauge wins out.
And just because a photo makes a post more interesting. Here is my old early 1970s Beretta BL-3 20 gauge I bought new a very long time ago. I have now handed it down to my son. It is still going strong after thousands of rounds through it.
(BTW...These old Beretta BL series shotguns are one of the best buys on the used market)
Okay, here is the real answer...BUY WHAT FITS.
As to gauge. I love my 28 gauge but boy it is getting outrageous to feed. 20 gauge shells run one third to half the price of 28 gauge loads. If nontoxic becomes mediatory a 28 gauge payload makes very little sense and again the 20 gauge wins out.
And just because a photo makes a post more interesting. Here is my old early 1970s Beretta BL-3 20 gauge I bought new a very long time ago. I have now handed it down to my son. It is still going strong after thousands of rounds through it.
(BTW...These old Beretta BL series shotguns are one of the best buys on the used market)
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I have a Citori hunter Gr1 in 20 ga....been using it since 1985 when I bought it new...still love it. only thing I did was had browning add a recoil pad and new beads on the rib
The current production Weatherby over-unders are not really in the same class with a Citori, though they may be serviceable. If money is tight, I’d suggest you look for a used Citori, preferably a Lightning model with the Prince of Wales stock, and in 20 gauge.
Choke tubes are nice to have, but I wouldn’t pass a good deal on a fixed-chokes gun. Likewise, the older Invector tubes are perfectly fine. Invector Plus models are great, but I doubt you would ever see any difference. I’d definitely want a 20 gauge with 28- or 30-inch barrels for pheasants. 26-inch barrels are no great handicap, so if a 26 comes along at a nice price, and I was happy with the gun otherwise, I wouldn’t be too upset. A 28 gauge might do - again, if the price is right, especially if you handload, and if you can hunt with lead shot.
I’m six-feet tall, average build, and wear a 35-inch sleeve. The Beretta 686/687s are beautiful guns, but don’t fit me as well as the Brownings. They generally are a bit lighter, seem to have more felt recoil, and can be a bit more pricey.
Choke tubes are nice to have, but I wouldn’t pass a good deal on a fixed-chokes gun. Likewise, the older Invector tubes are perfectly fine. Invector Plus models are great, but I doubt you would ever see any difference. I’d definitely want a 20 gauge with 28- or 30-inch barrels for pheasants. 26-inch barrels are no great handicap, so if a 26 comes along at a nice price, and I was happy with the gun otherwise, I wouldn’t be too upset. A 28 gauge might do - again, if the price is right, especially if you handload, and if you can hunt with lead shot.
I’m six-feet tall, average build, and wear a 35-inch sleeve. The Beretta 686/687s are beautiful guns, but don’t fit me as well as the Brownings. They generally are a bit lighter, seem to have more felt recoil, and can be a bit more pricey.
If you have shooting club near you, some of them rent guns. Try them out on a round of clays. I really like my CZ bobwhite SxS in 28ga but feeding cost is higher and for me it's a little light for pheasant. Happy shooting!
HOUSTON RICK
Member
Rpg
Member
I’ve never done very well with O/U guns. My Remington 3200 is pretty much a dedicated trap gun. It’s too heavy and bulky for chasing pheasant.I’ve tried it. It isn’t very quick.
The Winchester 101 in 20ga was delightful to carry but I couldn’t hit anything with it. Those 26” barrels taught me I needed longer barrels.
The Winchester 101 in 20ga was delightful to carry but I couldn’t hit anything with it. Those 26” barrels taught me I needed longer barrels.
A little more advice - I prefer a field gun that weighs between 6.5-7 lb. You'll be carrying it all day and it can get heavy. My field gun is usually one of my 12 ga Beretta 685s, which were economy guns only made a few years. My 26" Imp Cyl/Mod gun only weighs 6lb 12oz and fits me very well. I also have a 28" Mof/Full gun that weighs just under 7 lb.
Brownings tend to be heavier than Berettas, great for shooting, but not for carrying. The Superposed Lightning is an exception, but I don't think they are in current production.
Brownings tend to be heavier than Berettas, great for shooting, but not for carrying. The Superposed Lightning is an exception, but I don't think they are in current production.
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