Author Topic: shotgun choice (Read 741 times)

pastorp · « **on:** January 05, 2005, 12:47:40 PM »

Hi fellas, I have been wanting a new double 20ga. shotgun, either O/U or side by side. Actually it dosen't need to be brand new. My budget is about $3000.oo max. I found a winchester M23 I really liked and a new Beretta 686 also just can't decide. Thanks for your help, Byron

Fullchoke · « **Reply #1 on:** January 05, 2005, 02:25:10 PM »

I'd go with the Beretta 686. I've had a 686 Siver Pigeon for about four years. IIRC cost was about $1500 back then at the local Bass Pro Shop. I've never had a problem with it and for me it points better and swings easier than my Citori.

I'm not familiar with the Winchester model you mention. But I'm a big fan of Beretta doubles. :-D

Graybeard · « **Reply #2 on:** January 05, 2005, 05:49:39 PM »

Ah if only the selection of a new shotgun were really so simple. It isn't.

What are you planning to use it for? Sporting Clays? Trap? Skeet? Hunting? If so, what kinda hunting? All of these things play into the decision. Also you need to actually at least go hold the guns and put them to your shoulder to see if they fit there. Better still to go to a skeet/clays range and ask someone to let you shoot theirs. Most shooters will gladly do this to let you see if that's really the model you want.

I have a 12 ga. Beretta 686 White Onyx Sporting Clays gun with 32" barrels. It's a lot different gun than my Browning Ultra XS 20 ga. Sporting Clays gun with 28" barrels. Both fit me well enough but serve quite different places in my shotgunning.

While I could take the Beretta out for dove, quail, pheasant or waterfowl I'm not likely to. The Browning on the other hand will go out for quail, pheasant and dove. Likely not waterfowl. For that a semiauto really is better I think.

So tell us a bit about your intended use and perhaps we can help you. Also how much experience do you have with SxS double vs. O/U? Will you be comfortable with either?

pastorp · « **Reply #3 on:** January 05, 2005, 10:01:22 PM »

Thanks for your advise. I am a hunter not a clays,trap,or skeet shooter. For years I hunted with a pair of Charles Dailys side by side with double triggers. One was a 26" 20ga, the other a 30"12ga. I used the 20 for everything for years, but sold it one year when I was finically embaresed. I then cut the 12 to 24" and used that for a few years until in a fit of stupidy I sold it also. I am a real fan of the sxs doubles.

I have owned a few O/U shotguns but never really used one enought to get to liking it very well. I had an older sauer,and a weatherby but never really bonded to either. Of all the O/U I have handled the Berettas feel the best to me. Of course then there is the issue of my preference for double triggers.

The Winchester model 23 feels good but has a single trigger. I think If I could find a Miruko made sxs 20 with any brand name on it, 26",ic&mod chokes, that would be my first choice. They are hard to come by. What would come close to meeting these needs.

I do have a benelli for waterfowel. Thanks, Byron

RBishop · « **Reply #4 on:** January 06, 2005, 09:22:32 AM »

I have owned both the Winchester Model 23s and the model 101s (O/U). They are great guns. Winchester made alot of different configurations of both those guns. The later 101s had choke tubes, not sure about the 23s but I think they did too? You seem to be a SXS person who has no plans for clay shooting so if I were you I would opt for the 23. I prefer O/U on the clays course.

Graybeard · « **Reply #5 on:** January 06, 2005, 06:58:52 PM »

Will you be looking for another 20 ga or a 12 this time?

Ruger has just come out with a pretty nice 12 ga SxS but to be honest I'm not sure if single or double triggers. There is a really nice looking 20 ga SxS I believe made in Italy or Spain in my local gunshop. It's a double trigger gun I'm pretty sure and is about $1000 as I recall. There are a number of really nice Spanish made SxS guns coming in under different names these days. Same for Italian guns. Many have double triggers.

Take a look at the Weatherby offerings. Pretty sure some are DT guns.

For a cheap gun the Stoegers aren't bad and are double trigger. I have one in 20 ga. with 26" barrels and it's a lot of gun for a little money. Not in the same league with the over $1000 guns but certainly not bad.

Omaha-BeenGlockin · « **Reply #6 on:** January 07, 2005, 05:14:21 AM »

What ever you get --make sure it fits.

Had a beautiful 20ga 687 SPII---that I eventually traded off because the stock wasn't right for me. There was just something about that gun that I could never warm up ---Nothing wrong with the gun---just wasn't right for me.

I've now settled into using Browning Citori's----they're a bit on the heavy side----but they fit me just right---and that's what really counts in a shotgun.

commanche · « **Reply #7 on:** January 12, 2005, 03:41:30 PM »

i see people buying a new shotgun sxs made by VERONA.it has 1 trigger.they really like it.i think it sells for 300 dollars or so, not sure but it is cheap and they say well fitting shotgun.in expensive ones i like the beretta pigeon as graybeard said, good gun. dicks had it real cheap to .i bought the beretta al391 optima 12 ga,28 inch for 745

pastorp · « **Reply #8 on:** January 15, 2005, 08:13:18 PM »

Graybeard, I want a 20ga this time. I have 12,16,&410 already. Thanks to everyone for your advise. Regards, Byron

Greybeard · « **Reply #9 on:** January 16, 2005, 07:46:17 AM »

Quote

Graybeard, I want a 20ga this time. I have 12,16,&410 already. Thanks to everyone for your advise. Regards, Byron

You really should try to take a look at the new Weatherby then. I can't find it on their website or didn't last time I looked. But I've seen photos of it in a magazine on new gun introductions. Absolutely beautiful and in your price range.

BTW I finally figured out who makes that lovely SxS double 20 ga. I've been drooling over. It's a BSA import from Spain. As you likely know the Spaniards make some really nice double guns. This one is very nice and is priced at $1000. It's a straight grip double trigger gun.