Home Forums Birds & Dogs Shotguns $1500 O/U?

I was/am prepared to drop about $1500 for a NIB SKB 585 Deluxe Field.

What other O/U shotguns are of similar or higher quality for that kind of change?

Thanks.

Clay

Beretta 686

Been reading some here. Why no love for the Red Label?

Browning is similar.. JMHO, but $1500 for a new 585 seems a tad high.. There are NIB 585s around for 1250-1400..

While 'ok', they're not on the same plane as an SKB or Browning..

686 Beretta

The Beretta will probably outlive you, whether you take care of it or not. Know of one individual that put a couple hundred thousand rounds down the barrel with minimal care.

Yes, they're well made.. My only beef with Beretta is the hangup upon loading the bottom barrel - downward pressure is needed on the barrels in order for the shell to clear the receiver.. It's a PITA..

That is not an issue with SKBs or Brownings..

You are correct. I suspect it has to do with the barrels being set so low in a shallow receiver compared to the other two. The advantage is supposed to be more straight back-and therefore less perceived-recoil. If the stock fits I doubt if most can tell the difference. I'm shooting a DT-10 now and the same applies until you get used to it.

I think the 680 series Beretta will outlive a DT-10 any day. Hell for stout and cost less. The other thing to watch out for in the early 680s was the point of impact difference between the two barrels could be off as much as 6in in some of the early ones. Pretty much corrected in those of later manufacture.

Here is a great gun for the $$
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=132103767
and another http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=132248921


I have been shooting a Zizzini for years, shot K guns before and these are a bit light for my taste reall hold up and keep there value. There worth a look.

What's a 'Zizzini'?

(Yeah, I know, I'm just being a smartazz...)

Nothin' wrong with those, but I'm always considering the availability of replacement parts, should they become necessary.. Two of the best, as far as availability (O/Us) is Browning and SKB..

A 2-geezer shotgun, with a broken $10 part that may not be available, is worth $10.. (from 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance"

I have the Beretta 686 in 20 GA and 28 GA, Remington 3200 in 12 GA, Ruger Red Label 20 GA and Winchester Supreme Sporting Clay in 12 GA. I like them all but if had to keep just one it would be my Beretta.

RIZZINI.............. my bad.

I hear you on the parts thing but I gotta say I shot mine for about 3 years shooting serious sporting clays, 30k rounds per year easy and never broke anything. Gun is still tight and runs perfect, cant say that about my buddys Brownings, never seen to many SKB's at tournments

I am happy with my red label but I did not pay $1500 for it either. I bought mine here for $850.

I just prefer a plain working shotgun. Parts are available.

A well-cared for Citori or similar should last 25,000 rounds+ before a locking block may need replacement. My only beef about the Brownings is their tendency to rust easily - especially the chambers.. I always advise anyone who has one to clean and oil the bores/chambers immediately upon returning home and finish with a wipedown on the exterior metal with a slightly oiled patch or rag..

passport, you say you shoot 30,000 rounds/year?? That's 1,200 boxes!! You ever take time out to eat? If your Rizzini can stand up to that (and I know they're well made) then you got a gem...

Yep - parts are available but most are restricted, meaning you have to send it to Ruger for repair.. BTW, pay attention to your monoblock and ensure you don't see the beginning of a barrel separation.. Just FYI...

The Beretta is a little flashy, but I'm sure they're nice. I'm going to go handle a few today to see how they feel. I'm starting to think that, for what I want, $1500 is too much to spend on a shotgun.

This looks like something my speed. Same quality without the "fancy"?

http://v4.beta.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=132189465

The next O&U i purchase will be a Caesar Guerini Maxum . They aren't cheap but nothing worth having is.

http://www.gueriniusa.com/gun_models/maxum/Maxum.shtml

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned "find the one that fits you best." Once in that quality range they're all pretty darn good, but unless you are one of those rare souls that can shoot anything that comes to your shoulder, they all don't fit and feel the same. For me there is a big difference between the Browning and the SKB. I can't seem to hit much with a Citori, yet an SKB just flys to the target.

I'll say it. If it fits, buy it. For me the SKBs I've handled are just big in the wrong places and tend to be clumsy in my hands. The Superposed is the right field gun for me. 682s on the trap range for now, but someday soon I'd like to start looking for a Perazzi that fits.