over-under reccomedations?

[SR1 5]

I am looking to buy a nice over-under shotgun under $2000. One thought is an old Winchester 101 or Belgium Browning and the other is a new Beretta or Browning. Any thoughts?

[baltz526]

i think you should buy my lanber

[Wing'n It]

All the guns you listed are great. I think the Berettas are a little lighter for carrying in the field. An older field grade Winny 101 is a sweet one too. For that price you could also check out the Ruger Red Labels. The biggest concern is making sure the gun fits you and your needs. Good luck.

[gottafish]

cz

[Hookset]

You sound like you have a good idea of guns in your price range. I'm sure the Ruger Red Label is a good gun, personally speaking though, I never considered it a serious O/U when compared to how long the other companies have been making O/U's. But I'm not really comparing guns, just a name. They certainly have increased the price, Ruger's used to cost apx. $500 and now sell for like $1300.

So I suppose I'm a little image conscious when it comes to O/U's, since the O/U I really wanted was a Beretta and for not other reason then it was a BERETTA. After my good friend purchased a Beretta, I just had to have one so off we went to the gun store. Then after checking them all out over and over, I discovered factory new Bernetta's didn't fit me and neither did the Brownings. I was seriously frustrated to say the least. But I did find a O/U that fit me like a glove, it was a perfect fit; where ever I looked the gun pointed there effortlessly, simply magical and something I never had with any pump or autoloader. A couple trips to the skeet range confirmed the difference between the Beretta and this gun.

So what did I buy? A Weatherby Orion II, a gun I didn't even consider before. The difference between my friend and I was reach, he stood 5' 10" with long arms and I stood 5' 8" with short arms. Of course you could buy any gun and have it custom fitted, I was hoping to avoid that if possible.

The only reason I posted this long story was to emphasis buying a gun that fits. When you posted the guns/brands you're thinking about, I wondered if you had a chance to see if they fit you. Once you do that, it'll help you narrow down your choices.

Best of luck with your new gun,

Gregg

[johndeeregreen]

Originally Posted by SR1 5

I am looking to buy a nice over-under shotgun under $2000. One thought is an old Winchester 101 or Belgium Browning and the other is a new Beretta or Browning. Any thoughts?

You are right on the $$$$$$. All those you listed are great guns and they're value will never go down. Stay away from the Eastern Block makers. If you stay commited to looking and don't get in a hurry you can find a Superposed feather or a nice 20ga Superposed well within your price range. GOOD LUCK

[Hookset]

And for less then $500, you could buy a Mossberg Silver Reserve! :grin: Actually, I was impressed with this gun for the money.

[woolybuggerboy]

I haven't shot many over/unders but of the one's i've shot my favorite by far was a 20g browning citori. check one out, its a sweet gun, light too.

[FeatherDuster]

Careful with the Mossberg! They have a notorious issue with broken firing pins with heavy use (sporting clays,skeet,trap) and I have heard reports of difficulties in finding replacement parts for this.

[BanannaMan]

I use a Berreta 20 ga silver pidgon. Light gun, better yet, light ammo for those long chuckar hunts. For me it was the best when I shouldered it because all I saw was the front sight. On my 12 ga citori I would see quite a bit of rib and dont shoot it near as well as the light and quick 20 ga. Find one that does the same for you. I've also discovered that all I need to shoot is high brass 8's for everything, chuckar, quail, pheasent.

p.s.
Did I mention the difference in weight between carrying three boxes of 20 ga vs three boxes of 12 ga. shells on an all day 15 mile chuckar hunt.

[Silverback]

If your wanting it as an all around gun the Browning Cynergy 3.5 inch MOBU would be my choice. I'm sure if you wheel and deal a bit you could get it for under 2K. It's tops on my shotgun wish list !!!!

[CombinationLicense]

I shoot an SKB 585 and believe it to be one of the best values on the market today. For under $2K you can get all the bells and whistles found on shotguns costing a lot more. PM me if you want the local distributors name and contact info.

"CL"





"The Field Model is designed to provide the hunter with a well balanced, fast shouldering shotgun. The guns are dimensioned for consistent point and swing control, and are available in 12, 20, 28, and 410 gauges. Just because one might not shoot a field gun as much as a competition gun, doesn't mean that it shouldn't perform like one. Even our field guns are packed with serious competition performance features. They include: lengthened forcing cones that reduce felt recoil and pellet deformation, oversized (backbored) 12 gauge bores on all "85" series over/unders and Briley choke tubes. All of these components work together to create a very soft shooting shotgun that produces extremely uniform and dense patterns."

[steelheadslayer]

Take a look at the new Browning Citori Waterfowler in Duck Blind camo. 30" barrels and 3.5" chamber. This gun should be virtually indestructible and right at teh end of your price range.

[rimrock]

If you’re going to do much chukar hunting you will need to accept many, many dings in your gun. You need to be O.K with that when you hunt in the rimrock no matter what shotgun you use for chukar. It’s simply a personal comfort level for ones gun and it varies for everyone…there’s no right or wrong. I also use my O/U as a walking stick sometimes to help get up them step slopes especially when it’s snowy. Just something to keep in mind…good luck with your purchase either way a new shotgun is always fun!

[fishinpoor]

SKB 585,easier on the wallet and a fine gun,i have had my 20 for 1 1/2 years and i shoot 4-8 rounds of skeet each week,no issues,install a sims pad and let 'er rip

[scottishsetter]

I like what rimrock says; an avid chukar hunter once told the story of a hunter in his party, while traversing lava/basalt slipped and caught himself by using his new fancy shotgun, someone in the crowd just said "Chukar Grade". Says it all.

[James in Idaho]

You're on the right track, but try to shoot the models you're looking at. I've got a Beretta and a Nikko (that's who made the 101's). Brownings are all pretty nice too, I looked at a 28 Citori the other night, that was nice. Not too light and beautifully balanced. Like I "need" another shotgun.

[billc_sbio]

Browning Citoris have just been the most reliable "go to" O/Us since the early 1970s that I think they're often overlooked in many of these discussions.

They're in the right price range, and so popular that I think you could find a real "deal" on a good used one if you shopped around a bit.

I personally like the Berettas also, but their standard "Field Guns" just don't fit me at all. If I got one of their heavier competition guns that are very adjustable, all the way around, I'm sure I'd be really pleased with it. But then the price goes up a bunch.

I have/shoot a 16 ga. Citori "Lightning" (patterned on the Belgium made Superposed's styling) and, for me, that's an almost "can't miss" shotgun.

I've got a Citori in 12 ga. and the 16 ga.'s smaller frame and lighter weight make it a really great upland gun IMHO.

Miss Lil has a Citori Lightning in 20 ga. and it's a super little gun also, just lighter all the way around.

Well, guess you know what I like?:grin:

[Crayfin]

Originally Posted by CombinationLicense

I shoot an SKB 585 and believe it to be one of the best values on the market today. For under $2K you can get all the bells and whistles found on shotguns costing a lot more. PM me if you want the local distributors name and contact info.

"CL"





"The Field Model is designed to provide the hunter with a well balanced, fast shouldering shotgun. The guns are dimensioned for consistent point and swing control, and are available in 12, 20, 28, and 410 gauges. Just because one might not shoot a field gun as much as a competition gun, doesn't mean that it shouldn't perform like one. Even our field guns are packed with serious competition performance features. They include: lengthened forcing cones that reduce felt recoil and pellet deformation, oversized (backbored) 12 gauge bores on all "85" series over/unders and Briley choke tubes. All of these components work together to create a very soft shooting shotgun that produces extremely uniform and dense patterns."

Originally Posted by fishinpoor

SKB 585,easier on the wallet and a fine gun,i have had my 20 for 1 1/2 years and i shoot 4-8 rounds of skeet each week,no issues,install a sims pad and let 'er rip

Yeah...now I have one...which I love BTW in a 28

[scottishsetter]

I will stay somewhat quiet on this one since I have a Browning XS 20ga. for sale in the classifieds..
But the Browning I have is difficult to open. Someone could use that as a key, two handed opening when new.
There is a NICE Beretta 28ga. in Crescent, Oregon gunshop.
I should head back over there on my way hunting...hmmmm.
Good Luck

[beretta686]

I have to say you should look at the beretta 686 silver pigeon (huh rings a bell). I have one and love it. I think that you need to try and shoot the ones you are interested in though if at all possible. Brownings are very nice also. It is all about what is the most comfortable to you.

[LuckyStrike]

I have owned a ruger red label for 10+ years and really enjoy. Done the "star wars" out at Ruggs Ranch with it and performed just fine. use it for everything from quail to geese.



LS