Orion Upland weight in 20/26" (CDNN gun)?

[ArmedBear]

Does anyone know what the 20 Gauge Weatherby SKB Orions weigh?

I'm tempted by the CDNN price, especially since I have an ancient SKB that I really like, and these will no longer be available.

 

[ImARugerFan]

What is the price?

edit: $879

 

[ImARugerFan]

According to this link, it's 6.5-7.25 lbs.

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/69043

 

[ArmedBear]

Yeah, that's about the range Weatherby claimed when the gun was cataloged by them.

However, that range is from "perfect" to "pig" for a PoW quail gun...

I wouldn't spend the money to get a 7 1/4 lb. 20 Gauge bird gun, but 6.5 lbs. would be great.

 

[oneounceload]

If they are the same weight as my 20 gauge SKB, they'll be around 7-7.25# depending on barrel length and wood density. Great for stationary dove shooting, but a tad heavy chasing chukar up hill all day long

 

[ArmedBear]

I wonder what happened between the 6 lb. 7 oz. Ithaca 500 I have, and the last SKBs.

Steel shot? Choke tubes? It's just easier to make a heavy gun?

Thanks, oneounceload. Saved me some money, for something I'd like better in the future. For stationary dove shooting, I think I'd prefer a 28" or even a 30" anyway.

 

[oneounceload]

Chokes not only add a little weight (a few ounces), but the main thing they can do is change moment of inertia by having that weight at the very end of the barrel. Wood density, recoil pad or butt plate also add into the equation. I have found the better balanced guns to have fixed chokes with slender barrels. Choke tubes necessitate a thicker barrel so it can be reamed at the end and threaded. Some do it by flaring the barrel ends -(IMO it gives them an unsightly bulge as you look down them), others by using a slightly thicker steel. It doesn't take much to make a 6.5# gun weight 7# in that scenario.

 

[ArmedBear]

IMO it gives them an unsightly bulge as you look down them

Yeah, I've seen some right blunderbussy guns.

OTOH a swamped octagon Kentucky rifle is a beautiful sight, and balances incredibly, as well.

but the main thing they can do is change moment of inertia by having that weight at the very end of the barrel

Whether that's good or bad depends on the gun, I supppose. Some Benellis could use a little more muzzle weight. Depends on how much weight, too.

I have found the better balanced guns to have fixed chokes with slender barrels.

Higher-end guns and chokes can do quite well, now, but I think it takes a lot more to get it right. That old fixed-barrel SKB wasn't expensive when new, but feels better than it should for the money. No free lunch, I guess.

 

[oneounceload]

Yeah, I've seen some right blunderbussy guns.

The vaunted K-80 is one such animal....

If you get a chance to fondle something like an AYA #2 or #1 in something like 28 or 410, you'll see what I mean about lithe in the hands. At those price points, it is very much a subjective "feel" that varies from person to person

 

[ArmedBear]

Whenever I see AyA, I think of the vocals in the opening theme of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, which was mostly filmed in Spain, I think.

I have not gotten my hands on a nice AyA to try. That's probably better for my savings account, anyway...