Beretta White Onyx Sporting

[Prepster]

Howdy y'all

I'm looking into getting my first shotgun, and I've always liked O/U guns. I want my first shotty to be a decent quality gun but not too expensive ($2000 or so). So, I'm wondering if anybody has any experience be it positive or negative with the White Onyx. It would be used for clay games of all sorts, and maybe hunting in the future. If there are better choices in the $2K or less category I'd love to hear them. I have a while to mull it over as I don't plan on purchasing until early April (I'm in the working/saving phase at the moment).

Also, is the White Onyx more or less a Silver Pidgeon without the fancy engraving? They seem quite similar, but by no means am I an expert.

Thanks,
Jason

 

[ilmonster]

In my most recent issue of Clay Shooting USA they test a 686 Onyx, and they had nothing but good things to say about it from a clay shooting perspective. The action itself is the same as the more expensive grades of Beretta's, save for the replacable barrel shoulders on say a 682 E. It's cheaper due to less embellishment on the receiver (engraving), and not as nicely figured wood. You will be able to put thousands upon thousands of rounds through it. Maybe the biggest question is whether it fits you. A Onyx that fits will be better than a $10K Krieghoff or Kolar that doesn't fit. Another brand you may with to look at are Browning Citori's. Again, it comes down to which fits you best. Both B guns make wonderful clay and hunting SG's, it all depends on fit.

 

[cat_IT_guy]

I dont think I've ever heard anything bad about a beretta - they swing very nicely and a very nicely finished.....maybe one day I will be able to afford one!

 

[Dave McCracken]

There's a couple threads in the Archives on mine. To reprise....

The WOS differs only cosmetically from the upgrades. The action is identical. The 682 has replaceable shoulders, but few folks shoot enough to make that matter.

It's a great shotgun and well worth the money. Mine has about 8K rounds through it and except for a dove hunt, all were at wittle clay frisbees. A Death Ray when I do my part.

Probs are limited to the inertia trigger sometimes does not reset for the second shot with my ultra light 7/8 oz loads.

I would like a lb or so less on the triggers, but I admit to finickyness.

The gel tec pads are not that good, I replaced mine with a Limbsaver prefit and taped the sides of that to eliminate stickiness. An added F/O bead adorns the rib at the front.

For me, that's an extremely short list of tweaks.

The guns shoots very well for me. If you're close to MD, stop by at PGC some Friday and you can try it out.

 

[ArmedBear]

I have the Field version and have shot the Sporting version. They're great. I'll second Dave.

Dave- Does the Limbsaver add (even more) length to the gun? The Gel-Tek is nothing special, though it's not a buttplate either. It's awfully sticky.

BTW I've found the Slick-Eez works great, and is better looking and less likely to peel off than tape. I just haven't put any on that Beretta yet, since I might replace the pad.

 

[Dave McCracken]

LOP is a hair longer with the Sims, AB. About 15". I need that length.

Slick Eez works, the tape makes it easier to find the right one in the rack. PGC has an awful lot of Beretta O/U users since the rental guns are all Berettas.

Besides, if it was good enough for Brister.....

 

[RUT]

I had one in the past, and the quality was excellent. However, it didn't seem to fit me quite right, so I traded it off. If it fits you, you can't go wrong for the money.

 

[Prepster]

Thanks for the replies guys. I've only shouldered one in a store, I haven't actually fired one (there aren't any rental ranges locally). It felt like a good fit, but half a minute isn't really all that great of an analysis. I did fire a Browning Cynergy of some sort that felt a little clunky for me, but it was very accurate. The Beretta seemed smoother all around, but I suppose that's entirely subjective.

So it sounds like the Beretta is the way to go. Hopefully this spring I'll be a broke but very happy man.

 

[PA4476]

Prepster, check around and look for the NSCA state sporting clays shoot for your state. Lots of times Beretta and or Browning will be there with demo guns for you to try. http://www.mynsca.com/net/assoc_search.aspx click on that link and it will show the State assocation for your state.

 

[Prepster]

PA4476, thanks for the link, I'd never heard of that group before. Sadly there isn't one in VT, but I do have some relatives that live close to the NJ location. Next time I make the trip down I might have to check it out.