When I used to hunt birds I used a Browning Sweet 16.

I'll have a new dog next week and she should be ready for some fallaction.

Looking for recommendations - SXS, O/U, semi, 12 or 20 gauge.

Thanks

What price range/quality level are you thinking about. Any weight preference?

Hell, ya had one of the finest guns ever made, I would go get another. Its not broken..

A 20 or 16ga. under 6lbs. if intend to carry it all day. The Ithica/SKB 200E SXS is a light weight bargain. Shrapnel had a nice piece up for sale in the last week or so. Scratch that Shrap's Is gone. This was it.
https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth..._Francotte_12_Gauge_SXS_Abe#Post10825695

Franchi 48AL

If I was you I would find myself another Sweet 16 and go kill some Pheasants. If you have to have an O&U then my choice would be a Beretta 686 in 12 or 20










7

Franchi Instinct L in 20ga or a Franchi 48al in 20ga.

In my opinion,you will buy a lot nicer semi for the money,than you can in either a SXS or O/U? A decent SXS or O/U starts about 2K unless you just find a great deal.

I would go Benelli Montefeltro,of if you need something less expensive, Franchi Affinity. If you are recoil sensitive the Winchester SX3.

I have a Benelli Montefeltro 20 gauge and just picked up a Browning Superlight Citori 20 gauge. Can't wait to give the Citori a work out this fall. I walked with the Montefeltro a lot last fall and never really noticed it at all. Even stuffed with 5 shells, it was a pleasure to carry all day.

My next is going to be a SxS 16 ga on a "correct frame".

Many great options out there. Just remember a O/U or SxS will be shorter OAL than an auto or pump. I prefer the 20 gauge with 7.5s on grouse choked Imp cylinder.

People who can shoot Browning humpbacks often have a hard time learning to shoot anything else, and vice versa. And the Browning makes a great field gun if you can shoot it, because it encourages a heads-up style that makes it easy to see the birds. I'd get another Browning auto if I were you. Although, the suggestion above that you get a Franchi 48AL isn't a bad one - same pattern, lighter weight.

I'd get a 12 ga if I bought a 48AL. The 20 ga weighs only about 5.5 pounds, and I can't shoot a gun that light worth a darn. YMMV

An Ithaca 16 or 20 pump would be sweet , especially an older one.

12 ga.. 870 or 37.. Buy used you can trade or sell later if you find something you like better.... My 870 has been killing ringnecks for 40+ years.. Shells are cheap and easily purchased..

Thanks, probably something light, this is a good starting point.

Thank you!,

Well, since we have not heard back from Abbydog with his budget for this shotgun and since he mentioned S/S and O/Us I'm assuming that his budget allows for a decent one.

My preference has been for O/Us cause I like doubles, for their handling characteristics and their reliability, but also prefer a narrow sighting plane rather then the wide SXS. While I learned to shoot clays with an 1100 and hunted with both a Model 12 and a 870, I transitioned to an O/U when I tired of chasing spent shells around a skeet field and liked their handling so much more. A number of years ago I went to a gun store looking for an O/U that was light enough to comfortably carry for long periods and which, more importantly, fit me and had a nice balance. I told the salesman I was interested in a light 12 ga. O/Us and to just start handing some to me. Brand or price were of lesser importance to me. The one that pointed to where I was looking and which had nice handling characteristics was a Franchi Alcione. I wanted a 12 gauge as I also hunted ducks and geese.

I would suggest that everyone do similarly, do not decide on a make or model without getting your hands on a number of shotguns and seeing what fits and feels right. O/Us from Browning, Beretta, Franchi the new Benelli, Weatherby etc should all be of sufficient quality.

"I would suggest that everyone do similarly, do not decide on a make or model without getting your hands on a number of shotguns and seeing what fits and feels right. O/Us from Browning, Beretta, Franchi the new Benelli, Weatherby etc should all be of sufficient quality."




I agree except to say,I'm not so sure about some of the newer offerings by Franchi which are outsourced to a third party and are not Italian made.

Handle whatever you buy but do your research too. Shotgunworld is a good source of information.

My shotgunning skills make my 28 ga useful only early in the season when there are dumb juvenile birds. My 20 weighs almost as much as my lightweight 12 so doesn't get used much for hiking. I have a 7# 12 ga semiauto that works for most of the season. An old full-choked Ithaca 37 handles late season birds that flush wildly.
So, how are your shooting skills, and how much are you willing to carry for miles?

For fun, nothing beats a good Side by Side,and of course the best of those are hammer guns...

I trust my eye and experience to determine quality more than most printed reviews. From what I see I would stay away from the Stoeger Condor. A fellow I shoot skeet with has to slam that thing (like he's bitch slapping Hillary) several times to get it to close and lock-up. He hits targets with it, but man it's rough. I have no experience with the current Franchis but the one I own and others have I have seen/handled were of good quality.

Where are you seeing that they are no longer being made in Italy? Since when? All the info I found from a quick search shows the Instinct L and SL being Italian made.

Abbydog: IMO its critical to handle a shotgun and check its fit prior to purchase. Go to a gun show and at least throw a bunch up to your shoulder to see what fits. Then make the deal. I got lucky with an off the shelf SKB 500 12 GA. Not the lightest, but points real good for me.
Good luck with your pup.

The SKB 500 is a great shotgun, but much better in a 20 ga

Been working on getting a SKB 20!

Good point, Shrapnel. I have an LC Smith 12 ga that weighs 6.5 lbs that I shoot as well as I shoot anything. Not near as pretty as your guns tho.

I am very fond of my Remington Model 31 Pump in 16 gage. I don't miss that extra 1/8 oz of number 6 shot, and it is a dream to carrry at 7 lbs.

I killed hordes of grouse with my Sweet 16, and in the end I went through a good number of shotguns until I found one I liked.

Benelli M2 with the A shim in the stock... Then go kill stuff.

I carried a Winchester Super X model 1 as my primary upland gun in the Pheasant fields of eastern Nebraska so I can't comment on light weight upland guns. The Winchester is close to an 8 lb shotgun. My back up shotgun was a Parker Brothers #2 frame 12 gauge....again a much heavier than std upland gun.


Doc

When hunting in VT where the bear season opens in early fall and stays open thru the bird season my 16 ga drilling is optimum.

In CT where they stock pheasants the rifled barrel is not allowed hunting pheasants.

I use one of my 20 ga side by sides. I have had the Bernadelli the longest and an Ugartechea is newer to me.

Both are very handy and fast with double triggers and tang safeties. The Bernadelli Gamecock to the left has 27.5" barrels and weighs 5#14oz. The Ugartechea #221 24.5" barrels at 5#9oz.