I have a budget of $1,500, can I get a quality over under for this? What are recommendations from the board? This will be mostly dove hunting with a rare chance for use on a duck hunt.

Thanks

A little strong for dove, IMO.

I have a 12 ga Ruger Red Label O/U and it beats me up when dove are flying. That being said, I love it for pheasant hunting.

Second the red label, excellent shotgun. I don't use mine for hunting, only clays but if you are set on an O/U it will serve you well.

Do people really get beat up shooting a box of 12 gauge shells? Or even 50? I understand if you are in Argentina but killing 15 dove in a day?

I'm not trying to be a jerk, but unless you are really small I guess I just don't see this as a real issue.

quote:

---

Do people really get beat up shooting a box of 12 gauge shells? Or even 50? I understand if you are in Argentina but killing 15 dove in a day?

I'm not trying to be a jerk, but unless you are really small I guess I just don't see this as a real issue.

---

Most "dove hunters" I have been around barely make half a limit with 50 shells. I had a client we took on a dove hunt that shoot 7 boxes for 7 dove. I think he actually lost two but you get the point.

So in other words, yes. I think if you don't shoot well and don't plan on practicing to get better, a 12 o/u is probably a little hard on the shoulder.

For normally shooters I don't think it's an issue.

quote:

---

Most "dove hunters" I have been around barely make half a limit with 50 shells. I had a client we took on a dove hunt that shoot 7 boxes for 7 dove. I think he actually lost two but you get the point.

So in other words, yes. I think if you don't shoot well and don't plan on practicing to get better, a 12 o/u is probably a little hard on the shoulder.

For normally shooters I don't think it's an issue.

---

Fair enough. If you can only hit 1 dove per box then you don't need an expensive gun. You might be better off throwing hammers at them.

Jesus that is embarrassing.

I post this every time, but SKB.

I have an older model and it isn't unusual for people with more expensive guns to be interested in it while I'm shooting sporting clays. You can sometimes find some with two barrels (12 & 20).

I don't think I would take an over/under duck hunting.

From what I've gathered, you're kind of in no mans land at that price tag (assuming that you're buying new). If you can bump up to about $2k then you open up the option of a 725 Citori(Cynergy as well) and maybe even a Silver Pigeon 686. Both great guns.

Go handle any prospective purchases and shoulder, shoulder, shoulder. Buy the one that fits you best.

If you absolutely can't go any higher then I'd recommend taking a look at Yildiz and CZ. Both can be had for south of $1k. A buddy of mine has a Yildiz and it's a damn fine gun for the money. I think he gave $600 for it. Has an engraved receiver. Good looking walnut. It's light as ****...which is great in the field. But it does kick like a mule.

The Benelli 828 is interesting as well. It's their first OU. Don't know much about it though.

You can get some good guns for that price or less. I like CZ. I have a Stoeger. Both are low end compared to the other big brands. I was given the Stoeger so it was a sweet deal.

I haven't priced OUs lately. I seem to remember a Ruger Red label being a good price and quality. Some of the more expensive brands should have we some guns under 1500.

But I don't shoot much so I don't need a better gun. It shoots fine.

My shoulder gets pretty sore after about 3 boxes so the last 25 shells for a hundred clays can be tiring. I like shooting it but will probably do longer clay shoots with an auto. I can shoot those all day.

I got a great, barely used Citori off of Gunbroker for $800.

I was planning to buy new and as the poster above said it felt like I was in no mans land. It appeared benelli, browning and beretta were all starting around $2k. I saw Franchi makes one around $1400 and it appears Ruger is not making the red label anymore. It appears I will need to save some more or consider going down.

I think O/Us are some of the best guns to buy used, so don't be scared of a little wear on a gun.

There is a Citori Lightning with a gracoil for sale on shotgunworld.com for $1400. The lightning is a lighter gun but the gracoil will help.

Do NOT buy a Ruger Red Label, especially one of the new ones that are still hanging around in a few places. Ruger had so much trouble with this gun that they have discontinued them AGAIN and forever. They have quit servicing shotguns, even the older ones. The 12 gauge guns were the worst, 20 gauge guns not too bad but there were still quite a few lemons. If you luck onto a 28 gauge RRL in good shape, they are nice guns, but if something goes wrong, it's tough to get them repaired. There are just no parts available. I talked to Briley the other day about my 28 gauge, and even they won't work on it.

For a sub-$1500 budget and new, I would recommend, in this order: SKB590, Weatherby Orion I, or any of the CZs or Yildiz.

http://www.skbshotguns.com/Shotguns/590.php

The new SKB shotguns, made by Akus in Turkey, are every bit the quality of the older Japanese made SKBs. I have two of their SxS guns and they have quickly become my favorite pheasant and quail guns. x

Also made by Akus, the Weatherby Orion I.

http://www.weatherby.com/products/shotguns/over-under.html

If I was in the market for a new O/U in your price range, the SKB and Weatherby would be at the top of my list.

CZs and Yildiz are a step down, but still good guns for the money. I have a CZ Canvasback 12 gauge that has been flawless for sporting clays, and I have a friend who has one with over 30,000 rounds through it without a hiccup. CZ warranty is 5 years and their customer service is perhaps the best in the business. I don't own a Y-gun, but I have handled one - nice gun if a bit light for my taste. Serviced by Briley I believe.

http://cz-usa.com/product-category/shotguns/over-under/

If you don't mind going used, then there are tons of possibilities in used Brownings, Berettas, SKBs and others.

I always recommend handling as many different shotguns as you can and get one that fits you the best and feels the best to you.

https://www.skbshotguns.com/Shotguns/590.php

Browning makes 2 citoris in that price range. Lightening and just plain Citori field. But I personally would buy the browning 725 or Beretta 686 used.

You might consider a used O/U to stretch your budget. I bought used 20 gauge Charles Daily O/U with the first commission check I earned in sales and it was quite a bit less than a new shotgun. It is still deadly on dove and quail 40 years later. Lots of good used shotguns available. You might even be able to score a 12 & a 20 with your budget.

All of y'all need to bring those guns and "practice" at the TexAgs Big Shot clay shoot on May 7.

See the top of the page for info
Big Shot

I would buy this new Winchester 101 , and start practicing for dove season!

WINCHESTER 101 NEW LIMITED FIELD 12 GAUGE 26 INCH---$1300

Action: Over/Under Finish: High Gloss Blued with Deep Relief Engraving Barrel Length: 26" Lightweight Vent Rib with 3" Chamber Sight: Ivory Bead Stock: Beautiful Hi-Gloss Grade II/III Turkish Walnut with Pachmayr Decelerator Recoil Pad Weight: 6 lbs. 12 oz. Overall Length: 43.25"

Also consider getting 20 ga drop in tubes from Briley's. I shoot them out of my silver pigeon, and shooting 20 ga out of a 12 ga shotgun is about as smooth as it gets. You also end up having "2" nice O/U shotguns in 20 & 12 for and extra $500. I believe they are cheaper if you buy them in the store as well.

As far as picking a shotgun, it's honestly as easy as choosing what feels right (assuming that fits in your budget). If you are looking for something utilitarian more than an heirloom piece, I would definitely buy used.

http://www.briley.com/p-52190-companion-drop-in-20-gauge-tube-set-standard-weight.aspx

I would love a carrier barrel and full tube set for my shotgun.

Bought an Italian knockoff of a Red Label about 10 years ago, for $375. For the most part it works great.

I've had good luck with Cabela's used guns.

This might be one to consider.

I have one like it. Fairly light. 24" barrel. With dove loads, it wouldn't beat you up. You could use it duck hunting. Not ideal, but good enough. $1199. They will ship to another cabelas if its not at yours.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/browning-citori-12-ga/2288480.uts?Ntk=GunLibrary&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch_within.cmd%3Fform_state%3Ddefault_state%26searchWithin%3Dtrue%26N%3D0%26Ntk%3DGunLibrary%26Ntt%3Dcitori%26search%3Dcitori%26nttWithin%3D12%26x%3D0%26y%3D0&Ntt=citori

Lots of good info and guidance on this thread! Thanks for the replies

I've gone through several and have been the most pleased with the Browning Citoris. Definitely try to borrow or rent some various brands to shoot first before you drop a bunch of money on something that doesn't fit you.

Also, regarding the used Citori for sale in that link, I don't think you would be satisfied with a 24" barrel because it presents some limitations based on what you said you wanted to do. I suggest a 28 or 30 inch barrel.

416 has a good point about trying different guns, where are you located maybe someone can help put a few in your hands.

Franchi Instinct SL

Re the 24" Citori...I much prefer the 24-26" barrels, for their easy handling. Load performance doesn't change, so it's all in what you like for a field gun.

However, that Citori is an Upland model with the English stock. The straight stocks don't point for me at all...others may luv them.

quote:

---

Re the 24" Citori...I much prefer the 24-26" barrels, for their easy handling. Load performance doesn't change, so it's all in what you like for a field gun.

However, that Citori is an Upland model with the English stock. The straight stocks don't point for me at all...others may luv them.

---

True, and I love the straight stock. For looks and handling.

quote:

---

quote:

---

Re the 24" Citori...I much prefer the 24-26" barrels, for their easy handling. Load performance doesn't change, so it's all in what you like for a field gun.

However, that Citori is an Upland model with the English stock. The straight stocks don't point for me at all...others may luv them.

---

True, and I love the straight stock. For looks and handling.

---

My favorite pheasant gun is a Spanish made SxS with straight stock, double triggers, and 25" barrels. I wish my other SxS had shorter barrels - 28" is just too much on a double - for me.

That makes sense on the barrel length and the use of the shooter. Height, weight, arm length etc. all play into how it fits and how it shoots.