20ga Beretta 686 vs Browning Citori or superposed grouse gun

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Aabradsh

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Hey guys.

I'm looking to get into a quality 20ga double. It'd be mainly a grouse gun, and I'll have to sell a couple guns for funds and room in the safe. All that said, I'm looking for a good quality, well designed upland gun, am willing to shell out some cash but don't want to spend a fortune. I've, more or less, narrowed it down to the guns mentioned in the title, along with possibly a 20ga Browning BSS, if a decent one is available when I'm ready to shop.

Any insight into notable differences in the above-mentioned guns (SxS aside) would be appreciated. Maybe some pros and cons, etc. I am also willing to consider other makes/models of similar quality. 3" chambers is a must, fixed chokes are alright as long as they're not skeet, and I tend to stay away from shorter barrels so 26-28" is ideal.

Let me know what you think
 
You picked the two most recommended over/unders, the Beretta 686 and the Browning Citori, that’s a good start because they are both great guns, lifetimers for many. You can’t go wrong with either but because each has a different configuration and different handling characteristics one will feel better and handle better for you than the other. Superposeds are beautifully made guns, fixed choke only and handle better than the Citori as a 20 gauge. Superposeds are all used guns with varying amounts of wear and tear, use and abuse, and the nice 20’s tend to be expensive. Expensive to fix but they seldom break. Comparable to your preferences there are some fine choices also made by Rizzini, FAIR, Fausti and a few others, good guns at similar prices and all of these are built on the same basic action, all handle much the same. Handle any that appeal to you, shoot any you can, buy the one that feels the most natural to you, you can’t really go wrong with any of them.
 
What Ashcroft said!
I’m very partial to the 28 inch beretta 686 20g and consider them one of the best handling guns you can buy but there’s lots of other great choices.
You mentioned a bss, that’s another great choice but quite a departure from the others you mentioned since it’s a side by side. If your into them then it’s also a great choice but a sxs gun is not for everyone.
Fixed ic and mod or mod and full are good choices for grouse chokes but I’d stay away from skeet chokes.
 
Yeah I do like SxS guns (have an old spanish one, I inherited, but the action isn't very tight anymore, so I don't use it much), which is why I'd consider a BSS.

I had a Winchester 101 12ga a few years ago but sold it because it was too heavy for long days hiking after grouse. I very much liked the Winchester, besides the weight, so that's my reason for looking into an O/U 20ga.
 
I prefer the shallower reciever of the Beretta more than the deeper browning action. That's just me. Both are great guns. Better chance the browning will have nicer wood
 
Count me as a fan of the 20 gauge Superposed. Quality build and pleasant to carry all day. I can put up with the single trigger, but I prefer double triggers on a double. As it does not have external hammers I consider it very modern, but some might consider the Superposed a dated design.

From two weeks ago:
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If weight is a concern, you might consider an aluminum receiver, which could put you back in 12 g territory. I dont believe the 20 g Superposed ever came with a 3 in chamber (12 did) Why do you want 3 inch capability?
 
I prefer the shallower action and fit of a Beretta 686 over a Citori, both in 20 ga. The 686 fits in hand as well as a good SxS in my opinion, which I also like. No Brownings O/U in my safe anymore although I've owned a couple 12's and 20's plus one 16. Still have a 20 yr old 686 28" barrel 20 ga (has a set of 26.5" 28 ga barrels as well, but don't like the shorter barrels)
 
I think most people like myself that love and use side by sides prefer the shallower receiver of the Beretta 686 over the Citori. The difference in handling isn’t as noticeable with the 20 vs 12 gauge but it’s there. The Superposed Lighting 20 with 28” barrels may be the best combination of balance, stock design, build quality and reliability in my mind but really good examples are hard to find, the owners seldom part with them if they use them. I’ve had several and except for one that Joe the plumber had opened the chokes on with a pipe reamer all were marvellous guns. Having said that, my current 20 gauge over/under is a European spec Beretta 687 Silver Pigeon C with 28” barrels which points like my finger. The previously mentioned lightweight 12 gauge guns are 20 gauge weight to carry but the balance is different, more weight concentrated at the extremities like a dumbbell rather than between the hands. Nice to carry, clumsy to shoot for me.
 
Most people I know who have tried both shoot one better than the other better, not too many shoot both equally well, because of the stock design.
I have owned Superposed guns and a 686's, and really don't have a preference between the two.
I have never owned a Citori but have shot a few and am not a fan .
Cat
 
The Citori and the Beretta fit very differently, so likely one will fit you much better than the other. I would go with the one that fit's better, so it points where you are looking, and you shoot it well. The Superposed shotguns that I tried, fit closer to the Citori, but slightly less drop at comb.
 
Which ever feels the best to you as mentioned shotguns are reflex type of shooting so they have to shoot where you look .
A must would be interchangeable chokes you will need to match choking to each hunting situation. I shoot a 20 ga superposed fixed chokes I prefer vintage guns .
 
struff55 said:
Which ever feels the best to you as mentioned shotguns are reflex type of shooting so they have to shoot where you look .
A must would be interchangeable chokes you will need to match choking to each hunting situation. I shoot a 20 ga superposed fixed chokes I prefer vintage guns .
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Bah, interchangeable chokes are nice, but in my experience, I typically just keep a modified choke in my gun and leave it at that.
 
iron cat said:
Most people I know who have tried both shoot one better than the other better, not too many shoot both equally well, because of the stock design.
I have owned Superposed guns and a 686's, and really don't have a preference between the two.
I have never owned a Citori but have shot a few and am not a fan .
Cat
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Iron Cat, I'm one of those guys who switch guns like I do socks. I shoot a lot of skeet and targets in the off season, so familiarity is never an issue by the time hunting season comes around. I agree fit can make a difference, but I've, more than once, just adapted my shooting to fit a gun. Due to my budget, I'll be buying used, so I'll likely try to handle both in a shop before I buy, to see what I like. I likely won't get a chance to shoot either before I buy one.
 
You have to count me in the Browning camp. I have 16 ga Citori, 20 ga solid rib Superposed and 12 ga Double Auto Twentyweight.

That said, pick the one that fits you best. If Browning, I would lean towards the Superposed, even with the limitation of the fixed choke, over the Citori.
 
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canvasback said:
You have to could me in the Browning camp. I have 16 ga Citori, 20 ga solid rib Superposed and 12 ga Double Auto Twentyweight.

That said, pick the one that fits you best. If Browning, I would lean towards the Superposed, even with the limitation of the fixed choke, over the Citori.
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Most certainly, I really enjoy the older Superposed guns!
Cat
 
Aabradsh said:
Iron Cat, I'm one of those guys who switch guns like I do socks. I shoot a lot of skeet and targets in the off season, so familiarity is never an issue by the time hunting season comes around. I agree fit can make a difference, but I've, more than once, just adapted my shooting to fit a gun. Due to my budget, I'll be buying used, so I'll likely try to handle both in a shop before I buy, to see what I like. I likely won't get a chance to shoot either before I buy one.
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I know several people that shoot shotguns that don't fit them, and some do okay, but all of the best shooters that I know, shoot better with shotguns that fit them. If you want to shoot to your potential, fit definitely matters.
 
used Browning Citoris for years in 16 and 20, great handling and shooting guns in the sub gauges. However the last few years I've sold them all off and only use a Rizzini Artemis 20g, and absolute joy of a gun to shoot and carry all day with its light weight and slimness. Had some entry level BR110's as well and you can't go wrong with any of the Rizzinis, all great guns.
 
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