Curious what folks think about this as an all around gun (skeet, upland game, the occasional duck and maybe some sporting clays), particularly if you own it or something equivalent. I'm used to an older field grade 686 12/28 which I quite like but I can't borrow it any longer. Can't find much info on the relative difference between the 686 Field vs Sporting other than the different types of chokes and that the Field version has an auto safety. I'm wondering if the Sporting version will be noticeably heavier. A few people have told me that 30" is becoming the new all around length particularly for clays, but I'm wondering if folks find that a little long for some upland game? thanks
Opinions on using a Beretta 686 Sporting 12/30 as an all around gun
- Thread starter gdawg
- Start date
About the only difference your going to find between the 686 Sporting and Field models is the stock design and perhaps some engraving differences. Even chokes would be the same with the Sporting model perhaps having the extended chokes.
As for barrel length that is all personal preference with O/U sporting guns up to 34" and 32" becoming a bit of the norm but the 30" would appear to be the most popular.
Can't say it would be an optimal all around gun. Trap is a different game but you could certainly shoot it with the sporting model. And a 30" barrel for upland is a little long for most to use depending where your walking.
As for barrel length that is all personal preference with O/U sporting guns up to 34" and 32" becoming a bit of the norm but the 30" would appear to be the most popular.
Can't say it would be an optimal all around gun. Trap is a different game but you could certainly shoot it with the sporting model. And a 30" barrel for upland is a little long for most to use depending where your walking.
There are most certainly worst choices . In my opinion the sporting model shotgun is the most adaptable of the clay targets guns especially if it is a gun you shoot a lot . if it where my one and only shotgun I would certainly use it .
Years ago the only o/u I had was a 28" Beretta 682. It did everything. Clays, upland and waterfowl. There would be nothing wrong with using a 686. I wouldn't worry about barrel length. I've used 32" guns to hunt upland and didn't find it was a problem.
My first shotgun was a Beretta 686 Special Sporting 12g 28" multi choke. The only difference, from memory, was a wider rib (sight plane) a perspex blade sight (as opposed to a bead) and the barrels had a teflon type coating on them as opposed to a traditional blued finish. The thought behind the barrel finish was that it wold be shot more often and so a synthetic finish would hold up longer than the traditional blued finish.
I have had this shotgun for about 30 years, and it is as good today as when it was purchased. Very tight tolerances, firm and stiff on the action, even after several thousand rounds it is still stiff. The quality is generally very good and is still my clay pigeon 'go to' gun even though I have other more expensive and fancier guns to choose from.
When I purchased it, I was a student, so it did everything with the one gun. Clays, upland bird hunting, duck and goose together with pigeon / dove hunting. I have even competed at a modest level trap shooting with it. (Yes, 28" barrels can still break a clay at distance with the right shells and chokes.)
I am very biased on these shotguns (686 & 687 models) they are very well built, handle well and so reliable. Highly recommended.
Candocad.
I have had this shotgun for about 30 years, and it is as good today as when it was purchased. Very tight tolerances, firm and stiff on the action, even after several thousand rounds it is still stiff. The quality is generally very good and is still my clay pigeon 'go to' gun even though I have other more expensive and fancier guns to choose from.
When I purchased it, I was a student, so it did everything with the one gun. Clays, upland bird hunting, duck and goose together with pigeon / dove hunting. I have even competed at a modest level trap shooting with it. (Yes, 28" barrels can still break a clay at distance with the right shells and chokes.)
I am very biased on these shotguns (686 & 687 models) they are very well built, handle well and so reliable. Highly recommended.
Candocad.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
I wouldn't feel handicapped by 30" barrels. Then again, I'm 6'5" so I can get away with longer barrels. The only time they would be a detriment is when you are in thicker cover.
1963beretta
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Vaughan, Ontario
If the gun fits you well and you feel confident with your shooting abilities when you shoulder it, nothing wrong with using the 686 for all things. I usually only shoot guns with 30" barrels and never felt at a disadvantage because of it. Actually, its the barrel length i prefer. In fact, I purchased a 2" extended choke my waterfowl gun and one of the reasons was because it had a 28" barrel. The extra length made it feel much more comfortable swinging
Thanks for the input, gents. I will probably end up shooting skeet more than anything so maybe the 12/30 is a good compromise at this point. It would also make it easier for me to justify a nice lightweight 20 or 28 in the future.
I used it for a while for a all around gun 686 sporting 12GA in 30" until i did not get Browning Cynergy for goose and another Beretta 20 GA for bunnies. Now sporting is mostly for sporting only but if had to choose one gun for all around it would be it.
Cant beat Cynergy for waterfowl but for everything else 686 is great gun...son nothing to worry there
Cant beat Cynergy for waterfowl but for everything else 686 is great gun...son nothing to worry there
