Browning Citori Superlight Feather 12 Ga.

[brownie0486]

A co-worker and I went shopping today at the local Sportsman's Warehouse to get more 12Ga 1300 fps shells for our weekly trips on Tuesdays to the sporting clays and skeet range.

While there, I picked up this Browning O/U 12 Ga. so I don't have to be handicapped with the 1957 Savage Stevens 12 Ga SxS I've been banging on this year. I didn't know if I'd really get into this sport, it had never interested me before though I could whack the clays and birds well enough since 81 and learning Quick Kill. Now that I know I like this sport, and see how it's tuning me back up again, I decided I should get a gun that doesn't fight me as much as the SxS does.

It's light in the hands, and points just right for snap shooting with Quick Kill on the birds.

Model: Citori Superlight Feather
Item Number: 013055405
12 Ga

Barrel Length 26"
Nominal Overall Length 43"
Nominal Length of Pull 14 1/4"
Nominal Drop at Comb 1 5/8"
Nominal Drop at Heel 2 1/2"
Nominal Weight 6 lbs. 4 oz.
Chokes Included Full, Modified, Improved Cylinder,
Chamber Size 2 3/4"
Rib Width 1/4"
Wood Finish Gloss Finish
Stock / Grip Walnut
U.S. Suggested Retail $2,098.00

I didn't pay the suggested retail, it was on sale for considerably less. Notice the English style straight stock instead of the customary pistol gripped stocks on most of these.

 

[Dave McCracken]

People either love or hate Citoris. They ARE good, reliable shotguns.

The Featherweights are more for hunting the uplands, as light as they are there's going to be plenty of kick with 1300 FPS loads. I suggest throttling down to 7/8 oz, 1150 FPS loads, especially at the start.

Note: it's been my experience that listed weights often vary from the real weight, and usually real weight is a bit heavier.

Good luck.

 

[gunut]

Like Dave said ...a sweet gun for hunting upland game but will more than likely beat the crxp out of you for clays....

 

[HeavyDuty]

Brownie, how are you liking the new gun? I ran across one of these yesterday at Gander and am considering looking for one myself.

 

[brownie0486]

Dave McCracken,

I've fired 125 rds in an hour of shooting with only a t shirt on, and took a little bruising for the effort with the hotter loadings. It's not unbearable, but gets unpleasant toward the end of the session.

gunut,

see above

HeavyDuty,

I hit 111 out of 125 the first time out with the gun on the skeet range. Missed some at the start getting used to the difference between it and my SxS, but at one point near the end of that string I hit 38 in a row. I like it.

My shooting partner suggested the Browning jacket here:

http://www.blueridgeoutdoorsports.com/product269.html

with the accompanying reactor pad here:

http://www.cabelas.com/prod-1/0028600942590a.shtml

The Browning jacket came with the pad in it, and of course Browning is the only one making left handed jackets that are readily available to the buying public as well.

Since getting the jacket and using the REACTAR (REcoil ACTion ARrestor) Pad, I've shot the same 125 loading at the skeet range in the same time frame and had no discomfort at the end of the session at all.

Yup, I like this gun, and the second identical range session on the skeet range produced 98 of 100 birds. It only gets better from here.

Brownie

 

[HeavyDuty]

Thanks, Brownie - I keep hearing how these Superlight Feathers beat the crap out of you. Nice to see you're finding otherwise!

I just wish I could determine if they've ever made them with double triggers... I doubt it.

 

[brownie0486]

Without the recoil pad on the butt stock, they are going to not be as pleasant as ones with the pads, but the jacket and reactor pad is the answer to that.

Brownie

 

[Dave McCracken]

Thanks,Brownie, I'm glad it's working out for you.

 

[mswestfall]

brownie,

Nice choice. It is a great gun.

I also suggest a 1 oz. or 7/8 oz. load for Skeet and Trap. I don't see any advantage to faster loads and the extra shot in a 1 1/8 oz. load doesn't really contribute much to the pattern, especially at the short distance on a Skeet range.

Enjoy the gun. Keep us updated on your progress.