? For the Shotgun Buffs?

leveractionjunkie

leveractionjunkie

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I am looking at puschasing another O/U, mostly for grouse, but also Chukar, and the odd pheasant, maybe even quail. I currently have a 12ga Franchi Alcione which I stumbled across a couple years ago. I think this new one will be 20ga, and I am looking for some opinions or options that some of you more refined uplanders could give :) I just handeled a CZ woodcock, and Red head as well as a Silverpigeon ( which was outstanding and well balanced) but would like to look at or hear about others.

What would you guys suggest?
 
I know you're not looking at semi's but I was really impressed with the Montefeltro 20ga. Have handled a Beretta o/u 20ga which was also sweet. Yildiz have some 20ga. SxS which are reasonably priced.

I think no matter what you get you'll find the 20's are really well sized and proportioned, they just feel right. Handle a bunch before you take the plunge.
 
That is a very nice sxs dilly, I've never even shot one of them yet :redface: Maybe thats yet another option I should look at. I would probably say that my price range would cap out between $2500-$3000, depending on how much I fell in love with it. But at the same time would not object to something in the Red Label price range as it will be hunted with.
 
I have been very, very happy with my SKB O/U. From what I can tell they are a very underrated gun, you may wish to give them a look. I believe there is one on the EE in 20ga.
 
:eek: you'll pay $2500-$3000 for a shotgun. LMAO. I use my Winchester defender for grouse....couldnt ask for more. but then again some tastes are different.
 
you'll pay $2500-$3000 for a shotgun. LMAO. I use my Winchester defender for grouse....couldnt ask for more. but then again some tastes are different.
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....aaahh....commoner's.........ruining our fine countryside running around with their pump guns.........so unrefined! Now where's my smoking jacket??:D
 
leveractionjunkie said:
I am looking at puschasing another O/U, mostly for grouse, but also Chukar, and the odd pheasant, maybe even quail. I currently have a 12ga Franchi Alcione which I stumbled across a couple years ago. I think this new one will be 20ga, and I am looking for some opinions or options that some of you more refined uplanders could give :) I just handeled a CZ woodcock, and Red head as well as a Silverpigeon ( which was outstanding and well balanced) but would like to look at or hear about others.

What would you guys suggest?
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You can get a beautiful little FAIR ( rizzini Bros) for under $1,400.
I'll PM you
Cat
 
I have a Franchi O/U that's about 10 years old. It's a little heavy but that makes it more comfortable to shoot. It was a DU model and has some beautiful wood with a high gloss finish. They shoot well and are frequently under priced compared to some of the more popular makers. Build and quality is quite good.

My 2 good hunting companions each have o/u and sxs's. One has a Browning 525 field looks good, cheap price, nice wood and handles reasonably. It lacks the balance I find my franchi has. He also has a CZ sxs. Really cheap, light and easy to carry. The wide barrel and dominant center rib makes it easy to shoot well. Hardened steel look, so it's not really shinny or pretty. The CZ's seem a little light and I wouldn't want to shoot it a lot without a good vest with heavy loads.

My other friend has a Caser Guerini. Beautiful, well balanced, great wood and workmanship. He's a little bit of a suck when it comes to using it for hunting for fear of getting a mark on it. I guess I would be if I spend $4-5000 on a shotgun as well. It doesn't shoot any better then any of the other guns, just looks more expensive.

He usually hunts with his Beretta silver pigeon and this is my favorite gun to shoot out of all of them. Fast, well balanced, reasonably priced. I wouldn't buy one of the onyx or cheaper models. Look for the models with the upgrades to the action, trigger and firing pin for long term durability. For the extra few hundred dollars, they'll remain tight for a decade more without any work.

All of these are in 12ga and they all shoot pheasants just fine at some pretty good distances. 20ga is a little light for the big birds but is certainly adequate if you're willing to let some shots go untaken. If I were to buy a 20ga I would look at the Beretta's. If my wife were to say "buy whatever you want", it would be a silverhawk SxS in 20ga. Of course, she would want to use it too.

I too gave up my pump for a gentleman's gun when it comes to upland hunting. I only keep my pump for fly fishing season and use my semi autos for waterfowl now.
 
catnthehatt said:
You can get a beautiful little FAIR ( rizzini Bros) for under $1,400.
I'll PM you
Cat
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Ditto.

You're into Caesar Guerini territory there, too.

Do yourself a tremendous favour and get measured! Knowing at least your drop at heel and length of pull will help the gun find you.
 
Leveractionjunkie, take a look at some of the Caesar Guerini guns, such as the Woodlander. I think that the machining and finish is better than that of a similar Beretta, and the wood is usually pretty nice as well.

In the end, it will boil down to the gun that fits you best. In my experience the stock of a 20 gauge U/O should be a tad longer than that of a 12 gauge - say an 1/8th of an inch. It seems that the smaller barrels and frame of the 20 ga. require that smidgen of extra stock length to throw to the same spot on your shoulder as the 12. I also believe that 28 inch barrels or longer (versus 26 inch tubes) suit a 20 gauge the best.

Best of luck in finding the right gun. Hunting for a gun is always lots of fun.

Sharptail
 
Wow you gentlemen have been very helpful so far, I truly apreciate it. I must say that I really like my Franchi, it points and shoots very well. I have always wondered how it would feel with a set of 20ga barrels on it, but I haven't been able to find any yet.

I will have to be sure and get myself measured properly, help me narrow down the proper candidates.

I must say that of the limited selection I've tried so far I really like the Silver pigeon. Nice balance and fairly light. One of the reasons I want to add a lightish 20ga to my Franchi, is that some of the hills that hide Blues and Chukars around here are dang steep :)
 
Courtesy of TSE I got the chance to play with a Fabam Axis for a few weeks last year. I was very impressed and think they are definitely good value.

You can't go wrong with a Beretta Silver Pigeon either. The 680 series Berettas are a tried and proven design.
 
jjackman said:
He usually hunts with his Beretta silver pigeon and this is my favorite gun to shoot out of all of them. Fast, well balanced, reasonably priced. I wouldn't buy one of the onyx or cheaper models. Look for the models with the upgrades to the action, trigger and firing pin for long term durability. For the extra few hundred dollars, they'll remain tight for a decade more without any work.
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Just wanted to point out that other than an embellished receiver there is basically no major difference in build quality (or performance) between a 686 SP and a 686 White Onyx. The Onyx is usually priced about $200 less than the SP but offer no less in terms of quality when compared closely.......I looked :)


leveractionjunkie said:
I must say that of the limited selection I've tried so far I really like the Silver pigeon. Nice balance and fairly light. One of the reasons I want to add a lightish 20ga to my Franchi, is that some of the hills that hide Blues and Chukars around here are dang steep :)
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IMHO, in it's price range, the Beretta offers the best value....a 20ga 686 SP (or White Onyx) will both be excellent for the hunting scenario that you've described......so long the shotgun (or any other shotgun for that matter) fits you well. You may also wish to look at the 687 C models (case colored receiver).

As suggested by CB - I would also look at the Fabarm O/U but with the oiled stock and not the fancy one :)

The CG is very nice - end to end :) and priced higher than the Beretta 686 models or 687C models, .......except for the Tempio Light (read discontinued models with the black anodized receiver) that are priced at Epps, ON around the same as 686. Even those discontinued Tempios are nice.....I looked :)
 
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Can't go wrong with the 20 ga. Silver Pigeon with 28" barrels :D

If you really want a "nice" one, have a look at a Silver Pigeon "C" ... At around $ 2500 it falls within you perameters.
 
Ahsan Ahmed said:
Just wanted to point out that other than an embellished receiver there is basically no major difference in build quality (or performance) between a 686 SP and a 686 White Onyx. The Onyx is usually priced about $200 less than the SP but offer no less in terms of quality when compared closely.......I looked :)


:)
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All the 686 models are built on the same design, but you do get better wood on upper models and the ultralight does incorporate titanium components into the action. I would agree that theres not much of a difference besides the engraving on the lower end models.

They'll all shoot the same for a low volume shooter. But you can look better while your at it. I would expect the improved models like the Silver Pigeon V and the Diamond models to have tighter tolerances and better fit and finish. After all, $4-5000 should buy you some attention to detail.
 
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