Home Forums Birds & Dogs Shotguns Help with picking an upland gun

I have a LNIB SKB 505 O/U 12 GA, I might part with if you're interested.

If you buy an auto or pump, watch You tube video's on assembly and disassembly.
I hate cleaning guns so I go for items that strip down easy...

Are you offering it for $999?

This

I am going to break from conventional wisdom and suggest you put a Remington 1100 or 11/87 "Sporting clay" shotgun in your hands. The Light weight barrel is a joy to swing and well balanced and available in 12 and 20 gauge.

Another option is the Beretta a400 or a used 390 or 391.

Doc

Benelli M2.

Monte would be nice as well.

Seeing no rib is good.




Travis

I don't think there is a one size fits all shotgun but I do believe a modern auto is the way to go. 12 gauge if you can carry one all day,20 gauge if the weight reduction is needed or just wanted.

Last day on a 2 week trip to Montana last November. Had to stop at 2 roosters a gun because we were sick of eating them. Bonus sharptails.

I would think that you could drop the stock and get rid of a small fit issue on either Benelli.

I just picked up a fairly old Franchi 48 AL in 20, with an improved and a full barrel. A sweeter toting shotgun I cant imagine.

I'll begin by saying I really like the 16 ga and have 3 of hem. However if the upland is your Grail gun I would have to consider Shrapnels offer as the difference in the 20 and 16 for upland hunting is minimal in the field after all an oz of shot is an oz of shot and neither the birds or your dog will notice the difference in the bore size.

No doubt Shrapnel's gun is a really good deal but I am only looking at brand new guns at this point. It's not often I can spend this type of money on a firearm so I want it to be something I can put my hands on before making my purchase.

If the monte doesn't show you any rib, as long as the A shim isn't in it you can change the shim to another for less drop. I like a little rib too. If the gun shoots to point of aim with no rib showing the shim kit will raise your pattern a small bit. My SBE and my M1 shoot a 60/40 pattern with the A shim in it. Its the shim with the least amount of drop and it fits me like a glove. durring duck season when I'm bundled up and my face is further back on the stock the a shim is a necessity.

If the monte has the A shim in it now there is nothing you can do with it to reduce the drop. And if you are only seeing the bead now, when you wear thick cloths you will probably be stairing at the back of the receiver. The further back your face is on the stock the lower your eye will be behind the rib.

I like the benellis better than all the rest of the guns because the shape and pitch of the stock. The recoil pad is longer and wider than most and the pitch fits my shoulder/chest the best. Very comfortable. The new A5 has the worst stock ever made, I detest that gun.

I ended up going with the Franchi Instinct over and under in 20gauge after looking at a ton of different shotguns over the past couple weeks. Thanks everyone for all of your help and advice.

That's a nice gun congrats

That is a nice gun that should treat you very well.

Thanks guys

the way the franchi points for you is how you want it to point. You want to see some of the rib not just the bead

Oops I see I'm a little late. I own two franchI o/u an old 12 buckskin and a 20 veloce. Love them both biggest decision is what one to take

Thanks MolonLabe, I'm really looking forward to next hunting season now and putting this shotgun to use.

Personally, I lust after a Ruger Red label if I were to buy something else..

I love my Savage/Stevens "Fox" SXS with 30 inch tubes, and the Browning Belgian A-5. The Win 1200 not so much - all in 12 guage. Mostly I use the Stevens 20.....

If they kill, I'm good. The extra money is just for looks and pride of ownership....