686 E Sporting vs 686 White Onyx Field

[Ahsan Ahmed]

Seeking insight from folks who have had adequate exposure to the 686E....

Is there much difference between the two - handling and performance perspective?

Presently, I shoot Sporting Clays/Trap occasionally (twice a month average) and utilise a 12ga 686 WO field model as a "dedicated" range gun.

Wondering if acquiring a 12ga 686E would be justified (not that the idea of additional firearms acquisition require such for most folks )? Given my brief scrutiny of that model it failed (in my eyes at least) to reveal any significant difference though.

Or would it be more prudent (long term view) to perhaps invest in a 682 E Gold Sporting should I start to become more interested in shooting clays. Have not inspected one so far.

FWIW, I've never considered any Brownings due to long years of sxs use which has left me shy of owning shotguns that has a "bulky" feel.

Thanks,

 

[Beretta687EELL]

The internals on all Beretta 680 series O/Us are the same. Almost all barrels and wood are interchangeable, some fitting may be required. The newer guns have the Optima bore barrels, which are over-bored and have longer choke tubes. Generally, field guns are lighter and have shorter barrels than target guns. Longer barrels have a longer sighting plane and balance differently than the shorter barrels. One of the main variables is rib heights and corresponding differences in comb height on the stock.

Personally, I prefer a trap configuration because the stock is parallel. However trap barrels may have a different POI between the top and bottom barrels.

The best thing to do, IMHO, is to try different guns and buy the one that feels and fits the best.

 

[Claybuster]

Does your WO have Mobile or Optima chokes? What barrel length is is?

The 686E is Optima bored which tends to make the barrels a little lighter. Mechanically all the Berettas are the same but in higher grades fit and finish is a little nicer.

A couple of friends shoot 686E and they seem like good solid guns but if the WO is working for you and your happy with it the targets won't know the difference.

 

[Ahsan Ahmed]

The WO has mobile chokes and 28in bbls. So do my other couple of 686 SP field models (sub-gauges) that I also use just for clay shoots.

I am leaning towards a 12ga Sporting model as I would prefer to use that shotgun for everything i.e. SC/Skeet + Trap but with low participation in comparison to the former.

Fit/feel appeared the same. I did notice the slightly broader rib on the 686E. I should also handle one with 30in bbls and see how that feels.

Thanks again folks.

 

[Win/64]

The WO has mobile chokes and 28in bbls. So do my other couple of 686 SP field models (sub-gauges) that I also use just for clay shoots.

I am leaning towards a 12ga Sporting model as I would prefer to use that shotgun for everything i.e. SC/Skeet + Trap but with low participation in comparison to the former.

Fit/feel appeared the same. I did notice the slightly broader rib on the 686E. I should also handle one with 30in bbls and see how that feels.

Thanks again folks.

32" barrels might be an option too. Love the way they swing.

 

[Fivestandman]

682 E Gold

one of the best O/U I have ever owned

I own one of the first ever imported into canada and would never sell it

 

[Covey Ridge]

If you have eliminated Browning and Beretta is your thing go for the 682 E Gold.
Sporting + investment = at least a 682 E Gold

 

[beretta boy]

I think you'll find the 30" 686E to be more in line with the handling & balance many feel to be more in keeping with a target gun ... and that's what I believe it is ... a "no frills" target O/U.

IIRC (and unless introduced just recently) I believe all the 686 E's are Mobil choked, and the O/u's are offered only in 28 and 30 inch versions ... no 32's. ( 32 & 34 inch Trap Single [in the combo set] or Single Barrel Trap versions only).

If you're dead-set on having external-type chokes, Beretta offers their Victory colour-coded series of Mobil chokes as aftermarket accessories, and of course, other companies like Briley do the same. Having done more than my share of patterning, both with the Mobil chokes and Optima chokes, I don't believe one to distinctly advantageous
over the other in terms of performance.

I've owned. shot & handled most of the Beretta's. The 686E is much like one of the older
686 SuperSports or 682 target guns. Very solid & smooth. The 682 Gold E is to me, a fair bit lighter and handles and balances quite differently, as does my DT10.

The 686E is not "decorated" as garishly ( "checkering" ... ugh ! ) as the 682 Gold E's and generally, does not have as highly figured wood ... but is, none the less, a very dependable and functional target gun at a fraction of the price ( +/- half) of a new 682Gold E.

By all means go and handle one ... and if possible, take your WO with you so you can compare them side by each, apples to apples.