Best over/under around $2000

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digitalldj

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Looking for recommendations on a over/under 12 gauge around $2000

I will be shooting skeet and sporting clays occasionally (have recent tried it for the first time in 10+ years and loved it and would like to do more) and also use for a bird gun

I’ve been looking at the citori white lighting but it may be pushing my budget. I would definitely like somthing with “fancier” engravings on the action, even if it means losing a bit in overall performance as I really want a good looking gun I’m going to keep forever and be completely satisfied with.

I’ve shot a few nicer Browning’s lately and i think I prefer a gun with a bit more weight than being super light. I held a Berreta today at Bass Pro with a very slim grip and i found it to be far too light.

Any help would be appreciated, thanks
 
You might want to look into a used sporting gun instead of a new field gun ,they are made to shoot more rounds through. A little heavier some are ported for muzzle jump, it puts you on the second bird quicker. I picked up a used 425 sporting for my son and I shoot a 525 sporting both brownings they are great guns.Fit is the most important thing when choosing a shotgun if it doesn't fit you won't be comfortable shooting and you will miss or the gun will beat you up. If you can try some different guns and see what you like.
 
I recently picked up a Browning CXS in a trade. Lot of gun for the money and much better suited for skeet and Sporting opposed to the Lightning. Do yourself a favour if your buying new and spending 2K, have a look at a more dedicated Sporting gun.

Mine has the adjustable comb but you should be able to get into a standard one around $2200.00 ish

View attachment 229133

Citori CXS
Crossover design with lightweight profile barrels, flat point of impact, vented rib and side ribs, Vector Pro forcing cones and more

Crossover perfection. The CXS specializes in great handling, target acquisition and consistency for the sporting/skeet shooter who also wants to take his shotgun hunting. Dimensioned for consistent shooting on the range, its 50/50 POI lets you move to upland hunting perfectly. It has all the best sporting features like Invector-Plus Midas grade tubes, the triple trigger system, and a mid bead. The flat, floating rib is made to keep you on target, even under the heat of heavy shooting. It is true that gunwriters consider the CXS a great value -- and they do it for all the right reasons. This is an over and under that can cross over and compete in both the hunting and target worlds.
 
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If this is to be a gun you intend to keep long term and use a lot, don't sacrifice quality for some fancy engraving. A clays gun would be ideal, but some of the Citori field models are fairly heavy, the White Lightning being one of them. Look into used shotguns, you can find some like new guns at a good discount. Below is a used White Lightning, in your price range, and if you make an offer, you might get a slightly better price. https://store.prophetriver.com/cons...ite-lightning-invector-plus-c-w-extra-chokes/

And from the EE

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1759972-Browning-Citori-WL?highlight=citori
 
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I purchased two Citori White lightnings on the EE, a 12g and a 20g. Both guns were like new and have beautiful walnut. Either gun would certainly outlive me and best of all, both guns were well under $2000. Im really happy with my purchases as the guns fit me really well and I easily saved about 40% then if I had purchased them new. Excellent guns to keep on your watch list when surfing the EE
 
Another Browning Citori Fan here and they appear to be readily available.
There was a Remington Peerless either in the EE or that gun dealer back East, I dont recall exactly.
You may stumble on a Beretta 686, but you might need to pony up another 5 brown ones??
Fit and choice of sport for a dedicated gun will be another consideration to ponder.
Rob
 
I found a used Citori 525 on the EE for around that price and in immaculate shape. I'm very happy with it, everything is tight, the fit and finish is excellent, and it handles well. The one I bought had 30 inch tubes, so I've been working at getting used to a slower swing than with the shorter barrels I was used to.

I'd say to keep your eyes on the EE and snap up something that catches your eye.
 
What type of bird? For long walks and few shots i like a nice light fast shotgun. For waterfowl i like a heavier gun. For clays if shooting alot a heavier gun is a benefit. You can find some really nice used guns by shopping various dealers sites. As long as it fits you should be happy woth anything in the 2g range
 
Falconflyer said:
He said skeet, sporting clay's and birds in the op.
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Brybenn brings up a very valid point to ask for clarification on what type of birds. A recommendation will be vastly different if the OP specifies waterfowl vs grouse. Just saying birds isnt specific enough. I doubt the OP will enjoy carring a 9lb gun with 30” barrels if his intended target is woodcock for example.
 
The “birds” are going to be almost exclusively grouse.

I’d say MAYBE ducks but I haven’t been in ages so that isn’t really in the plans.

One thing I kinda forgot to mention is if possible I’d like to buy from Cabela’s/Bass Pro as I have about $600 in gift cards there. I realize there is a lot of value to be had in the used market but I’d prefer to use those as I’m pretty well set for ammo, accessories, etc otherwise
 
REM3200 said:
I recently picked up a Browning CXS in a trade. Lot of gun for the money and much better suited for skeet and Sporting opposed to the Lightning. Do yourself a favour if your buying new and spending 2K, have a look at a more dedicated Sporting gun.

Mine has the adjustable comb but you should be able to get into a standard one around $2200.00 ish

View attachment 229133

Citori CXS
Crossover design with lightweight profile barrels, flat point of impact, vented rib and side ribs, Vector Pro forcing cones and more

Crossover perfection. The CXS specializes in great handling, target acquisition and consistency for the sporting/skeet shooter who also wants to take his shotgun hunting. Dimensioned for consistent shooting on the range, its 50/50 POI lets you move to upland hunting perfectly. It has all the best sporting features like Invector-Plus Midas grade tubes, the triple trigger system, and a mid bead. The flat, floating rib is made to keep you on target, even under the heat of heavy shooting. It is true that gunwriters consider the CXS a great value -- and they do it for all the right reasons. This is an over and under that can cross over and compete in both the hunting and target worlds.
Click to expand...

is this the Synergy? or that is a different model. I shot the synergy when we shot skeet and it was enjoyable however i dont really like that modern/sleak looking action

Excuse my ignorance but if someone could give me a honest/abbreviated run down of a sporting VS hunting? also is ported an important detail to consider in purchase?

I will read up more on both however it's nice to have someone give an informed opinion
 
1963beretta said:
Brybenn brings up a very valid point to ask for clarification on what type of birds. A recommendation will be vastly different if the OP specifies waterfowl vs grouse. Just saying birds isnt specific enough. I doubt the OP will enjoy carring a 9lb gun with 30” barrels if his intended target is woodcock for example.
Click to expand...

True, and I don't think the op would enjoy shooting a gun suited for woodcock on the skeet or sporting range for very long either.
 
digitalldj said:
The “birds” are going to be almost exclusively grouse.

I’d say MAYBE ducks but I haven’t been in ages so that isn’t really in the plans.

One thing I kinda forgot to mention is if possible I’d like to buy from Cabela’s/Bass Pro as I have about $600 in gift cards there. I realize there is a lot of value to be had in the used market but I’d prefer to use those as I’m pretty well set for ammo, accessories, etc otherwise
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The problem with buying new to use that $600, is that you could likely get at least tat much off of the price buying used, so you really wouldn't save anything. Buy used, and then purchase a clays vest, and some hunting clothes with the gift cards.
 
digitalldj said:
is this the Synergy? or that is a different model. I shot the synergy when we shot skeet and it was enjoyable however i dont really like that modern/sleak looking action

Excuse my ignorance but if someone could give me a honest/abbreviated run down of a sporting VS hunting? also is ported an important detail to consider in purchase?

I will read up more on both however it's nice to have someone give an informed opinion
Click to expand...



Talking strictly about 12 gauge guns, a gun designed for hunting upland game birds is relatively light in weight for carrying a lot and shooting a little with moderate loads, usually around 6 to 7 lbs give or take a bit. A gun designed for shooting ducks and geese would be a bit heavier and chambered for at least 3 inch shells and possible 3.5 inch shells. Waterfowl guns don't generally get carried a lot so weight is your friend when it comes to 3.5 inch shells. A skeet gun and sporting clay's gun will be relatively heavy (7.5 to 8.5 lbs) to mitigate recoil over hundreds of rounds shot per day with target loads. These two models are very similar but sporting guns often have slightly longer barrels to smoothen the swing on long crossing targets. Again, trap guns are heavy to mitigate recoil over hundreds of rounds per day and are often set up to be pre-mounted to your shoulder before shooting. Often, these guns are single shot for singles trap although many people shoot double guns for single trap as well.
Probably the most universal of all the different models is the sporting clay's gun. It can be used for all of the target disciplines as well as an upland bird gun if you don't mind carrying the weight, and a goose gun if it has 3 inch chambers.
 
I recommend checking a used Beretta 686 Sporting. Fantastic gun. I personally used it with 30" barrels for sporting, clays, geese, ducks, grouse, turkey and pheasants. 3" chamber is more than enough for geese. As others already mentioned, shotguns for sport are pretty simple in regards to engraving that is usually a part of hunting shotgun. But barrel life and other features will benefit you at both, shooting range and field. A tip: buy yourself a camo shotgun sock. Cut a part of it for the stock and another one for the forend. It will help to protect the wood as well as to camouflage the gun.
 
1963beretta said:
I purchased two Citori White lightnings on the EE, a 12g and a 20g. Both guns were like new and have beautiful walnut. Either gun would certainly outlive me and best of all, both guns were well under $2000. Im really happy with my purchases as the guns fit me really well and I easily saved about 40% then if I had purchased them new. Excellent guns to keep on your watch list when surfing the EE
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^^ This ^^ ....... I bought a used 30" Citori a couple yrs ago local for $1100. Factory tubes, VG condition. It would be a bit heavy for a bird gun but it's perfect for informal 5 stand.
 
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