Beretta AL391 Urika 2 - good for upland??

[beauso79]

I was just wondering how many of you guys out there use your Beretta AL391 Urika 2 for upland hunting?? I mean the gun is fairly light and reliable. Would it be as good as or comparable to a Winchester SX3 in the upland field if both models were the 3 inch version with a 26 inch barrel?? Do any of you guys have issues with the gun only being able to hold 4 shells at a time?? Sometimes I need all the help I can get Chukar hunting

 

[Horsemany]

4 shells wouldn't bother me. I seldom load more than that anyway. IMO the Beretta is a great gun for upland. It's relatively light and lively. I wouldn't feel like you need something else.

 

[COK]

I have used mine the past few years pheasant hunting and have no issues, works fine.

 

[ArmedBear]

A few things...

Winchester doesn't make anything but 12 Gauge guns at this point. IMO "all the help you can get" doesn't mean using a fancier, more expensive version of bubba's duck gun to hunt chukar in the mountains.

4 shells is plenty; many states. e.g. Oregon, limit you to 3 anyway.

The 20 Gauge 391 is an absolutely wonderful shotgun. The only bummer is that it's walnut-only. I've seen one that's been used for a lot of chukar. The stock has been broken into two pieces, then fixed.

I found a rare 20 Gauge "Walmart 390" at Cabela's, NIB. It's a matte/synthetic 390, more suitable for rough use without cringing. I don't think the 20 Gauge 390 is made any more. I'm looking forward to using it for chukar this year.

The 3901 is ostensibly available in 20 with a synthetic stock, but I haven't actually been able to find one.

26" is a perfect match for the Beretta 20 Gauge, IMO.

If you do go for the Urika 2, which again I think is a wonderful gun, and you have a Cabela's near you, check out the Ultralight version they have (it's on sale, and I think only Cabela's has it -- the 20 is around 5.9 lbs. like the pricey Teknys, but the price is like the regular Urika).

 

[oneounceload]

Personally, I have never felt the need to load more than two for chukar hunting - if you missed with the first two, odds are that bird is well beyond your third and fourth shot. Besides, those extra shells add weight and can affect the balance of the gun. And who needs 3" shells for upland? Never needed anything besides 2-3/4" shells for chukar, pheasant, sage grouse, wild quail, or grouse

 

[Two Cold Soakers]

Heck yes.

I've shot grouse and woodcock in the thickets with a 30" sporting. I've not had the opportunity to chase wild pheasant with it, but it'd be the first choice out of the stable.

The 391 is a fine gun, a great upland gun with the shorter bbls.
If more than three shots are needed, it's not the gun's problem.