O/U 20 gauge for upland game

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irishlad

irishlad

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My grandson has taken over my Beretta 686 20 gauge field model. I paid $1200 for it many years ago. Are there any lower cost O/U 20 gauges that you folks recommend. I was looking at the Stoeger condor, reviews weren't very good. The shotgun will be used for upland game hunting. Thanks
 
My all time favorite bird gun was a Breda o/u in 20 ga with 28" barrels bored i.c. bottom and full top. For wild pheasant I carried a standard 7/8 oz #6 in the bottom and a 1 1/4oz copper plated 6 in the top for that second or really long shot. Dual triggers made switching easy. I remember needing that top barrel seldom but when I did it was great to have.
 
I have a Stoeger Condor 20 ga O/U that I purchased for that very use. I gave $200 off of the used gun rack. I wouldn't expect it to hold up for heavy duty skeet or clays use, but for a few shells shot at upland birds it appears to be completely adequate.
 
Avoid Stoeger like the plague. I have a 20 ga SxS that I bought to use in CAS. Mine and every other that I have come across in CAS are poorly regulated, poorly built, and prone to various breakages.

For a low volume field gun, the Huglu-made CZ guns are probably your best bet new. Browning Citoris, Miroku copies thereof, SKB, and Franchi O/U (albeit frequently 26" barrels and fixed chokes) will be available for $1400 and under with some patient looking.

Here are some good examples:

SKB 600 26" IC/M
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/896540000

SKB 500 26" IC/M
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/896407915

Franchi Instinct 28" screw in chokes
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/893754236

Browning Citori Featherweight 28" screw in chokes
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/896471854
 
A little bit pricey but well worth a look is the Franchi Instinct L. If you liked the dimensions and handling qualities of your Beretta you're going to be right at home with the Franchi. I had a Beretta O/U that I had to sell to pay for school. Eventually I got around to go shopping for another shotgun when I came across a great deal on a Franchi Renaissance. First time I picked it up and shouldered it, it reminded me of my Beretta.
 
If you fancy a SxS the Dickinson from Cabela's (which originally was the S&W Elite Gold) is made by AKUS in Turkey and is very well made
 
I think that may be the Canvasback's replacement? Btw, the CB had auto extractors but not auto ejectors...much nicer in the nicer to me. I like the auto ejectors when busting clays with my Mallard though. Love both CZ's (Huglu's) for the money.
 
My Huglu (CZ) 20 ga O/U has been my favorite Grouse gun for over 10 years. Solid value, durable ( about 2500 rounds thru it and it locks up tight).
Is it a Silver Pigeon? No, but for the money a great field gun.
 
bannockburn said:
A little bit pricey but well worth a look is the Franchi Instinct L. If you liked the dimensions and handling qualities of your Beretta you're going to be right at home with the Franchi. I had a Beretta O/U that I had to sell to pay for school. Eventually I got around to go shopping for another shotgun when I came across a great deal on a Franchi Renaissance. First time I picked it up and shouldered it, it reminded me of my Beretta.
Click to expand...

Do you know where the Franchi shotguns are made? The company is owned by Beretta. I wonder if they are made in the same location.
 
As far as I know all of their shotguns are made in Brescia, Italy, near where Beretta is located.
 
Personally, I’d look at what folks are using competing in the various clay games. Field versions of the competition versions would be good bird hunting guns.

The Beretta 686 or Browning Citori are good entry level competition guns. If new is too rich for you, find a used one. There may be others but see what the competitors are using. Competitors shoot lots of ammunition through their shotguns so reliability shows up fairly quickly.

The gun I use for competition skeet I bought used in 1990, albeit gently used. It is a Browning Citori. I added a fitted sub gage tube set. It is still going strong as I participate in fun skeet leagues at the range I belong to. It has a relatively low round count at around 20,000 rounds or do shot through it.

The better guns will hold their value better over time if you decide to sell it down the road.
 
bannockburn said:
A little bit pricey but well worth a look is the Franchi Instinct L. If you liked the dimensions and handling qualities of your Beretta you're going to be right at home with the Franchi. I had a Beretta O/U that I had to sell to pay for school. Eventually I got around to go shopping for another shotgun when I came across a great deal on a Franchi Renaissance. First time I picked it up and shouldered it, it reminded me of my Beretta.
Click to expand...

I second this one. Have one and simply love it. In 20ga it's a wonderful clay gun and I can't think of a thing I'd add or improve. They were in the $900 range when I got mine, the case hardened/colored version. Other than bling factor, this gun would be hard to beat for double the money.
 
txbonds

That was about the price range when I picked up my Renaissance. It was on sale, plus another discount (rebate I think), and I had over $360 in gift cards! So I made myself an offer I just had to accept and bought it!
 
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