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Joined: Dec 2011
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Campfire Greenhorn
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OP
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 56 |
I want to buy an over under shotgun, probably a beretta. I only have enough cash for one. I am thinking either a 12 gauge or a 28 gauge. I will use it to hunt pheasants and shoot skeet, sporting clays, and trap. I know a 12 gauge is much cheaper to shoot. Just wanted some input from you guys on what you think. Thanks!
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Joined: Jun 2008
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 13,356 |
12ga
If you want to be able to compete in sporting clays it is pretty much madatory. I am sure there are a few on here that will disagree. Maybe even say they are competitive with a sub-gauge but that isn't the truth. I once won my class at a small shoot using a 20ga. Had I tried that at a big blast event I would have been out of the money by a lot.
Eat Fish, Wear Grundens, Drink Alaskan.
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Joined: Sep 2006
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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"If what I say offends you, you should hear what I don't say."
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 13,356
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2008
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I would recommend you try a Zoli and Caeser Guerini as well as the Beretta. The Zoli is the best built out of the three in my opinion. Caeser Guerini's feel really good to me. Beretta would be the last in an OU that I would buy. But by no means are they not a good gun. See if you can hit up a few people to try their guns in Caeser, Zoli, and Beretta. Most guys are more then happy to let you shoot their guns.
Eat Fish, Wear Grundens, Drink Alaskan.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,759
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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I will use it to hunt pheasants and shoot skeet, sporting clays, and trap. For all but trap, I prefer my little 28 ga. Sure, I may be at a slight disadvantage in some venues, but I'm willing to make that concession just because I enjoy the 28 ga so much. From the sounds of it, you want to have fun and "just shoot", not be hardcore on a course or range somewhere. For that, the 28 will serve you fine. From a more practical standpoint though, it's hard to argue against the 12 ga for most anything that you'll ever want to do with a shotgun in your hands.
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Joined: Jun 2008
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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Slight would be an understatement. Unless all you shoot for sporting clays is charity events.
Eat Fish, Wear Grundens, Drink Alaskan.
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 149
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
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If you can only have one for all of those sports, it's gotta be a 12. I would hate to think I had to make do with only one though.
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Joined: Oct 2006
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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If you can only have one for all of those sports, it's gotta be a 12. I would hate to think I had to make do with only one though. +1
It�s a magazine not a clip......
Advice is seldom welcome, and those who need it the most, like it the least.� - Lord Chesterfield. 1750
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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Slight would be an understatement. Unless all you shoot for sporting clays is charity events. We've been through this before... I used to shoot rifle competitively. Got to where it was no fun any longer so stopped. Have never shot a registered target with a shotgun, and never will. I have zero desire to be involved in formal competition any more, in any of the shooting sports. I shoot solely for fun with friends, and most days don't even bother to take a score card with us. Read my post again... notice the "fun" theme behind it? That's why I shoot nowadays. Hard to comprehend for some I guess....
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Joined: Oct 2006
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Campfire Outfitter
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Nothin more fun than a 28! For serious shooting its a 12 bore game but for fun I totaly agree with ColdBore, the 28 is king.
It�s a magazine not a clip......
Advice is seldom welcome, and those who need it the most, like it the least.� - Lord Chesterfield. 1750
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Joined: Jun 2008
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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I may be at a slight disadvantage in some venues, but I'm willing to make that concession just because I enjoy the 28 ga so much. Exactly what you wrote. Which makes your statement wrong, slight disadvantage no you are at a major disadvantage lets be honest here.
Eat Fish, Wear Grundens, Drink Alaskan.
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Campfire Outfitter
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I guess it depends on your perspective... slight, major, whatever... By the way, how many is "slight", and what constitutes "major"? I'm willing to give up a few, or a lot, or however many, birds. It really doesn't matter to me how many it might be on any given day. You on the other hand, must feel some sort of intense shame if you miss a single bird, have to admit to failure when the scores go up on the board, and then fret about your average. Shame you can't just relax and shoot for fun, I feel for ya...
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Joined: Mar 2005
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2005
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If you can only have one for all of those sports, it's gotta be a 12. I would hate to think I had to make do with only one though. YES ! Get the 12 ga.
"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much" Teddy Roosevelt
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 32,044 |
For upland hunting i love my 28 ga Beretta O&U, but if Sporting Clay will be you game then the 12 ga would be the best. If i wanted a smaller gauge, then the 20 ga would be my choice , it will do just about anything the 12 ga will if you can shoot.
A Doe walks out of the woods today and says, that is the last time I'm going to do that for Two Bucks.
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 636
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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I got a 28 gauge I use for early season grouse and partridge and maybe even opening weekend of pheasants. After that it just isn't quite enough gun for late season pheasants in MT. Sure is a nice little gun to carry though.
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 85
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 85 |
Just idle thoughts from an idle fella. I have used a 28 ga. beretta O/U on everything from quail to sage grouse. With the right shells it will get the job done if you do your part. I use a 12 ga very little on upland game, my big gun is generally a 20 ga.
I shoot a lot of sporting clays for fun and practice. The bunch I shoot with does not use a score card. But nearly all the time more targats are broken with a 12 ga., as opposed to a 20 or 28.
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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At this time in my life, if I were to have only one shotgun, it would be a 20. I know it�s not the choice you stated, but it is mine. In a previous life, I used nothing but a 12 and let the 20s sit. Now I am back to the 20s and the 12s get no action. I found they (20s) do about everything I want to do with a shotgun, and are just more fun.
I also have a couple of 28s, a Browning and a Berretta. I love the 28s, but if only one, it would be a 20.
My 28ga Beretta is especially nice with the scaled receiver, and it has 26� barrels. I use extended choke tubes as such, it is about perfect for me. Fast, short, light, and handy.
There is no accounting for taste.
Experience is a great thing as long as one survives it.
Generally, there ain't a lot that separates the two however, Barely making it is a whole lot more satisfying than barely not making it.
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