Been years since I’ve been out of the trap game and yesterday I shot a local sporting clay course with my newly acquired A400 Xcel sporting (2022 grey receiver) in 12ga. First station with report doubles I stepped into the station and as soon as I mounted that beretta I knew for the clothes I had on, the LOP was too long and I would be handicapped shooting this thing for the next 100 rounds. I shot that first station of 8 and couldn’t get to my truck quick enough to exchange that beretta for my browning Maxus 2 wicked wing to finish the course with and I’m glad I brought the extra gun with me. I was the only auto shooter on the 7man squad and picking up spent hulls is an inconvenience and not that it’s a big deal, but still, it’s nice to open up the breech grab your empty bulls and into the garbage can in front of you. 2 of the guys in the squad were shooting 28ga with reloads and I was blown away how hard those guns hit !!! The one fella with his 28, let me shoot it, we all know either a gun fits us or they don’t and this little browning 725 sporting not only fit me but I hit well with it also. The Mec 9000HN loader I’ve had for years is set up for 12 and as much (because of factory ammo availability) I’d love a 20, after thinking overnight I feel I should stick with a 12 because I still have a bunch of reloading supplies if need be but now what do it get. I have this A400 Xcel to sell and maybe a new Tikka T3X in 22-250 to help fund the new sporting smoothbore but I’d like to keep it under 5k and knowing getting a good used gun is the way to go. I’ve looked at the Franchi Sporting 3, guerinis I’d love but out of my budget, blasers are in my price range but then when it comes to service….. I feel I want an adjustable comb so I can adjust my POI if need be… gimme your thoughts fellas. Thanks in advance
Help me decide my next O/U Sporting model
- Thread starter Livtohunt
- Start date
bdft
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
If you insist on new then you limit your possibilities. If you are willing to by a used gun then a Browning 725, CG and many other higher end guns are in your price range. They are not all worn out junk. Many have hardly been shot. If the Browning 725 fit well then go with a Browning product. In my experience, Browning fit a little different than the Italian guns.
Because of the convenience it’s easier to have a few trade items walking into a store and leave with what you want, but I’d prefer getting a used gun and you’re right many, especially newer models have seen very little use of any. The many different Citoris I’ve wanted to love while in the trap game I seem to prefer Perazzis Guerinis better and yet fast forward a decade my smooth bore hunting guns, the Brownings feel like home as did that little 725 sporting in 28 yesterday.
Are you shooting factory ammo or reloads ?? I wasn’t sure how the 32” tubes would swing but I suppose playing the sporting game isn’t nearly as fast as say Skeet and having that longer sight plane is nice too. Only thing keeping me from getting a sporting in 20 is the availability of factory ammo being 12 is everywhere but after buying my first 20 autoloader last fall and using it for ducks, it sure impressed me how hard they hit vs the 12.
Shooting factory Challenger ammo in the 20 gauge and factory and reloads in my 12 gauges. No shortage of 20 gauge ammo here. My 12 gauge CG Ellipse Evo Sporting has 32 “ barrels as well and no hinderance for me shooting skeet. I shoot gun down as skeet is just practice for sporting, for me.
We have some sporting targets that make skeet look slow.
We have some sporting targets that make skeet look slow.
the spank
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Planet Earth Wearing My Tinfoil Hat
There is a bunch of really good options in your budget range such as a Browning 725 Sporting, Beretta 686 etc, etc. Buy the one that fits you best as you already know. The gun dealer in NB has Rizzini sporting two barrel sets 20/28 ga for $5699 brand new and Browning CXS 20/28 two bbl sets for $5059.
Last edited:
