I am looking for an over and under for hunting pheasants any recommendations? I don't want to break the bank on one though. I was thinking of a Franchi instinct. I don't need anything until next season now. I was recently in the states and at a store that has shotguns out on the floor like fishing rods so I could see how some fit. The ones that were good were the Franchi, Browning 725 and Beretta silver pigeon. It will primarily be a hunting gun, I keep threatening to shoot some trap over the summer months but that's as far as I get. I hope to keep around $1500 so used is most likely what I will do. Probably buy in the spring so plenty of time to look. I know there have been some good deals in the EE lately so I just keep looking.
Hunting over/under 12ga.
- Thread starter Cdn-Redneck
- Start date
Beretta687EELL
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- SW Ontario
Beretta 20 gauge is what I use with Federal Pheasants Forever shells # 6. Nice light gun to carry all day.
Light is great for a gun that will be carried all day, but it isn't good for trap ,skeet, or sporting clays where you might shoot 100 rounds or more in one session. Brownings fit me, so my primary upland gun is a 625 Feather three barrel set, and I generally hunt with the 28 gauge barrels. I do have a 725 Feather in 12 gauge, and although it is a great gun, that fits me quite well, it rarely gets used. I definitely would not use it for trap or skeet, because of the light weight.
How are you liking the Franchi, this is kind of high on the list for me mostly for price and weight. I have a Supernova I use for waterfowl. This season my buddy let me use his late father's silver pigeon, it fits like a glove for me and has been great to shoot.
Ahsan Ahmed
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Highly recommend the Beretta SP particularly when the shotgun fits well. A 20ga may be a bit hard to locate quickly given the budget but used 12s are doable. The 20 will be ideal for Upland.
Shooter_01
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Durham Region, Ontario
What can I say he REALLY likes hunting.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
How do you find those multi barrel sets with the small gauges? I would have suspected the frame size would be disproportionately large for the barrels putting a lot of extra weight between the hands and messing with the feel. Or is the frame on the 725 Feather built on a light frame?
The receiver is a very lightweight alloy 20 gauge receiver, and the stock is also very light, so the gun balances quite well. The 20 gauge barrels are a few ounces lighter than the 28 gauge barrels, which are a few ounces lighter than the 410 barrels.
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
SKB in 20 gauge 3 inch magnum and fixed chokes=The Bee's Knees for all day upland carry!
- Location
- Ft. Mac. Alberta
Check all the guns in your price range and hopefully shoot some at your local club if you can, and go from there.
a lightweight gun, quick target aquisition , that swings well for you is what you are looking for .
screw in chokes would be a plus but not mandatory IMO, as well as fancy wood and engraving!
I have owned, hunted and shot quite a few O/U guns over the years and although I love the Oder FN made Brownings I find them heavier than need be for an upland gun.
the modern materials that are used in today's guns makes them light and reliable, yet inexpensive to make.
In the end, looking for the ideal field gun is a very enjoyable experience, have fun with it and don't get hung up on brand names!
Cat
a lightweight gun, quick target aquisition , that swings well for you is what you are looking for .
screw in chokes would be a plus but not mandatory IMO, as well as fancy wood and engraving!
I have owned, hunted and shot quite a few O/U guns over the years and although I love the Oder FN made Brownings I find them heavier than need be for an upland gun.
the modern materials that are used in today's guns makes them light and reliable, yet inexpensive to make.
In the end, looking for the ideal field gun is a very enjoyable experience, have fun with it and don't get hung up on brand names!
Cat
- Location
- Barrie, Ontario
I own and shoot an Instinct L (as well as many other shotguns). I really like it. I am 6'2, tall and lankey, and it fits me better than the more expensive guns. I have had a few guns fitted to me and I don't find they point any better than my Franchi does right off the shelf. I bought it as a mixed use gun mostly sporting clay and some hunting, and it has done that admirably. It does get a little heavy carrying it in the field all day for doves, pigeons, etc. I did feel bad taking it waterfowling. Will go back to my Model 12 for that...
I am actually drooling over the 20g version right now.. Too bad they raised the price from when I got mine in the spring.
I would recommend it as much as a guy that has probably 3000 rounds through it can. I will say that there is some difference in the more expensive guns, but not enough to really make me want to swap. The only thing I really notice, is the feel of the trigger set for the second barrel as they are mechanical. I think that I may go to a 'smith and see what can be done there, but I don't really want to be without it, actually, may go shoot some skeet right now!
C.
I am actually drooling over the 20g version right now.. Too bad they raised the price from when I got mine in the spring.
I would recommend it as much as a guy that has probably 3000 rounds through it can. I will say that there is some difference in the more expensive guns, but not enough to really make me want to swap. The only thing I really notice, is the feel of the trigger set for the second barrel as they are mechanical. I think that I may go to a 'smith and see what can be done there, but I don't really want to be without it, actually, may go shoot some skeet right now!
C.
I really loved this gun from the moment I shouldered it. I love the look, feel, fit..... Its not heavy IMO, and it points very well.... Very happy with it
