JHZR2
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Simple as that. If no, what's your favorite 12Ga O/U?
Any Benelli 828U owners?
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I like the SxS more than the O/U, but for vertically stacked doubles, the Browning Superposed is my fav. Not the most modern, but for those of us that like anything associated with John Moses Browning, it has a special place in our hearts.
For Trap I have 2 Browning Citori's. Both are Trap guns I use for doubles. One in a standard grade, and the other is a Grade VI with all the embellishments. For singles and Handicap I use a Browning BT-99 Plus. For Sporting Clay's I shoot a Beretta 686 Onyx. I run Briley Extended Chokes in everything. I also have an original production Ruger Red Label I bought back in the early 90's. Of them all the Browning's are my favorite.
The only side by side I have is a Churchill Windsor 10 Gauge 3-1/2", that I bought for Goose hunting in southern Illinois. This was the year before they passed the steel shot laws in the 70's. I killed several Geese with it. But it's only been fired a few times since. They passed the steel shot laws a year later. I've never fired steel through it. It has 32" barrels that are bored full and full. I've never had or seen a shotgun that patterned as dense as that one at 40 yards.
The only side by side I have is a Churchill Windsor 10 Gauge 3-1/2", that I bought for Goose hunting in southern Illinois. This was the year before they passed the steel shot laws in the 70's. I killed several Geese with it. But it's only been fired a few times since. They passed the steel shot laws a year later. I've never fired steel through it. It has 32" barrels that are bored full and full. I've never had or seen a shotgun that patterned as dense as that one at 40 yards.
Originally Posted By: billt460
For Trap I have 2 Browning Citori's. Both are Trap guns I use for doubles. One in a standard grade, and the other is a Grade VI with all the embellishments. For singles and Handicap I use a Browning BT-99 Plus. For Sporting Clay's I shoot a Beretta 686 Onyx. I run Briley Extended Chokes in everything. I also have an original production Ruger Red Label I bought back in the early 90's. Of them all the Browning's are my favorite.
The only side by side I have is a Churchill Windsor 10 Gauge 3-1/2", that I bought for Goose hunting in southern Illinois. This was the year before they passed the steel shot laws in the 70's. I killed several Geese with it. But it's only been fired a few times since. They passed the steel shot laws a year later. I've never fired steel through it. It has 32" barrels that are bored full and full. I've never had or seen a shotgun that patterned as dense as that one at 40 yards.
I have a Greener that is much like that, it patterns insanely tight. I use it to really hone my skills with clays in preparation for pheasant season. It isn't a side by side though, it is built on a Martini action.
For Trap I have 2 Browning Citori's. Both are Trap guns I use for doubles. One in a standard grade, and the other is a Grade VI with all the embellishments. For singles and Handicap I use a Browning BT-99 Plus. For Sporting Clay's I shoot a Beretta 686 Onyx. I run Briley Extended Chokes in everything. I also have an original production Ruger Red Label I bought back in the early 90's. Of them all the Browning's are my favorite.
The only side by side I have is a Churchill Windsor 10 Gauge 3-1/2", that I bought for Goose hunting in southern Illinois. This was the year before they passed the steel shot laws in the 70's. I killed several Geese with it. But it's only been fired a few times since. They passed the steel shot laws a year later. I've never fired steel through it. It has 32" barrels that are bored full and full. I've never had or seen a shotgun that patterned as dense as that one at 40 yards.
I have a Greener that is much like that, it patterns insanely tight. I use it to really hone my skills with clays in preparation for pheasant season. It isn't a side by side though, it is built on a Martini action.
JHZR2
Staff member
Originally Posted By: wwillson
Krieghoff K-80 - hands down the most well balanced trap shotgun I've ever used. I wish I had one
Yeah me too... I handled one at cabelas the other day, but couldn't get past the feeling that it retailed for more than my car.
Krieghoff K-80 - hands down the most well balanced trap shotgun I've ever used. I wish I had one
Yeah me too... I handled one at cabelas the other day, but couldn't get past the feeling that it retailed for more than my car.
I have two Browning Citori's that have served me well. One is an 32" XT trap model that I only use for trap. I have added an adjustable comb and recoil pad to that gun. The other is a 28" Lighting model I use for skeet, 5-stand, and sporting clays.
I picked up an 828U at the gun store and it felt good. Liked the balance and weight. I wouldn't mind a lighter OU for hunting but prefer a heavier gun for target use (soaks up recoil). TFB recently reviewed the 828U: http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2017/04/07/review-benelli-828u/
I picked up an 828U at the gun store and it felt good. Liked the balance and weight. I wouldn't mind a lighter OU for hunting but prefer a heavier gun for target use (soaks up recoil). TFB recently reviewed the 828U: http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2017/04/07/review-benelli-828u/
JHZR2
Staff member
Yeah, the mass concerned me a bit.
I really want true charcoal color case hardened, and some engraving that's not a picture, but that's nice and decorative. I know, none of those things improve how you shoot, but its just kind of what Im looking for.
Im thinking right now Ill wait for the right deal on a Merkel to come through. Unless I go to Connecticut there's really not much Ive seen that is new US made, lots of Japanese, Turkish, etc. or a ton of money.
If I can shoot it and try it out, and the color and bluing and wood is better than 95%, I'd buy a classic 200E or a 2000E... maybe.
I have my eyes on a shop in NJ that carries a lot of high end shotguns, where I think I can do just that.
I really want true charcoal color case hardened, and some engraving that's not a picture, but that's nice and decorative. I know, none of those things improve how you shoot, but its just kind of what Im looking for.
Im thinking right now Ill wait for the right deal on a Merkel to come through. Unless I go to Connecticut there's really not much Ive seen that is new US made, lots of Japanese, Turkish, etc. or a ton of money.
If I can shoot it and try it out, and the color and bluing and wood is better than 95%, I'd buy a classic 200E or a 2000E... maybe.
I have my eyes on a shop in NJ that carries a lot of high end shotguns, where I think I can do just that.
Beretta 686E & Citori White Hunter 3 1/2 "
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I really want true charcoal color case hardened, and some engraving that's not a picture, but that's nice and decorative. I know, none of those things improve how you shoot, but its just kind of what Im looking for.
I have one of these in 28 gauge. I love it.
http://www.beretta.com/en-us/687-silver-pigeon-v/
Ed
I really want true charcoal color case hardened, and some engraving that's not a picture, but that's nice and decorative. I know, none of those things improve how you shoot, but its just kind of what Im looking for.
I have one of these in 28 gauge. I love it.
http://www.beretta.com/en-us/687-silver-pigeon-v/
Ed
JHZR2
Staff member
Done with charcoal and bone or hot cyanide?
My brother has a lower model 686. I really like it.
My brother has a lower model 686. I really like it.
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Done with charcoal and bone or hot cyanide?
My brother has a lower model 686. I really like it.
It's likely cyanide or similar, as there's no chance of distorting finely machined parts. They coat it to maintain the color, which wouldn't be a bad idea for a bone charcoal finish as they seem to fade with age too.
I have two Berettas, a 682 sporting clays gun and the 687 field gun. I like their more traditional, timeless styling vs the new angular modern things. I also like the slim receiver. A 12 ga. Beretta is only as tall as other makes 20 ga. offerings. IMHO Beretta offers the most value for the money in an over and under.
Ed
Done with charcoal and bone or hot cyanide?
My brother has a lower model 686. I really like it.
It's likely cyanide or similar, as there's no chance of distorting finely machined parts. They coat it to maintain the color, which wouldn't be a bad idea for a bone charcoal finish as they seem to fade with age too.
I have two Berettas, a 682 sporting clays gun and the 687 field gun. I like their more traditional, timeless styling vs the new angular modern things. I also like the slim receiver. A 12 ga. Beretta is only as tall as other makes 20 ga. offerings. IMHO Beretta offers the most value for the money in an over and under.
Ed
I have a Citori Silver Hunter 3.5". Its special run. I love that shotgun.
I thinking of picking up another Citori for unofficial sporting clays fun.
I picked up a Champion Wheelybird. So much fun. I wish I bought one years ago. In the last 2 weeks Ive gone through 1500 shells.
I thinking of picking up another Citori for unofficial sporting clays fun.
I picked up a Champion Wheelybird. So much fun. I wish I bought one years ago. In the last 2 weeks Ive gone through 1500 shells.
I'm not into the "modern look" O/U's the 828U Benelli and the Browning Cynergy fit into. Matte finished metal, along with all the sleek, space age lines, accompanied with aluminum and plastic don't go well with most O/U's classic looks. I have a Beretta 686 Onyx Sporting I purchased some years back. It's a nice gun, but it has nowhere near the value Browning builds into their Citori line. I think most of the Beretta O/U's are overpriced for what you get these days. If you stay away from all the fancy embellishments, Browning still represents the best bang for your buck in the O/U market. And they have for years.
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