I have a gun dilemma shotgun or rifle

[NebraskaStickHunter]

My wife and I are going to be celebrating our 10 year anniversary this year and decided to spend a little more money on each other. I bought her a ring for around $2k and she said I could pick out a gun for the same amount. I am looking at buying a 280ai for elk hunting but think a o/u or sxs would be more of an heirloom and I would use it a ton more (dove, pheasant, prairie chicken) but I already own a browning a5, cheap Remington 12 ga sxs, mossberg o/u 20 ga. I really like the Christensen Ridgeline or savage ultralight and shotguns beretta sp1 or franchi side plate . I have a first world problem and looking for help. Thanks

 

[Bones]

Do you have an elk rifle currently?

 

[NebraskaStickHunter]

I do not really have an elk rifle. A 12 # 308 and a tikka 25-06.

 

[kpk]

The Beretta 686 was my first thought. You didn't clarify if you have a rifle though....and you could certainly get a nice rifle and optic at that price. Like you said though, the o/u would get more use and you could pass it down. I'd love to buy a Beretta or Browning o/u but we just don't have enough birds around anymore to justify it.

 

[Centralcoastca]

.280ai would be a very useful and versatile caliber. You didn’t mention what rifle calibers you already own so that might be a factor. If you already have a 30-06 or whatever that you like and shoots good and plan on maybe hunting elk once in awhile I’d personally skip spending money on an fancy ultralight rifle and use what you have. Sounds like you get after the birds a lot so a fancy sxs would get used all the time and make more sense to me.

 

[Rich M]

Get a Citori 12 ga O/U if youll use it more.

Ruger had/has a nice all weather red label. Light and well balanced. This is one i regretted trading.

Yeah, id take birds over big game.

 

[JBradley500]

Just becuase it's a gift I'd choose an over under. They're classy and last forever.

 

[ShortMountain91]

Elk rifle. If you didn't have either I would say shotgun as they are used for more but you already got a great shotgun.

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[2ski]

You mentioned the franchi side plate. I originally wanted the franchi instinct slx in 16ga but I don't know that there are any for sale. I did get my hands on a sideplate and I liked it though it didn't cut an impressive look with that darker metal. I handled a Beretta silver pigeon and I almost went with that one. So if $2k is your limit my suggestion is the silver pigeon.

 

[Couescrazy33]

Shotgun hands down(o/u)! Something that can be passed down and like others have said will last forver. Will be used much more as tags get harder and harder to draw.

 

[Kylerjay05]

I own a savage ultralite in 28 nosler. A real pleasure to carry...Thing drives tacks but it's impossible to find ammo right now.

 

[LightFoot]

Browning or Beretta O/U.

My most treasured firearm is the Citori 12ga my dad gave me before he passed.

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[jimh406]

Sounds like you pursue upland birds a lot considering how you mentioned them. I’d buy a nice Beretta OU assuming they fit you. They are definitely very nice guns that are ornate and would burn that 2000 up easily.

 

[Bones]

My vote would typically be for a shotgun of some sort, if I had all gaps already filled. They are my go to for adding to my collection. I typically go after older European o/u or s/s. I also tend to go with modern synthetic stocked rifles and older wood stocked shotguns. I feel that an heirloom gun should be wood and blued in my opinion.

Since you don’t have an elk rifle, I would go that direction, unless you have plenty of time to get another gun prior to needing an elk rifle. I would have to go with something wood stocked, though.

 

[Macintosh]

308 is an elk rifle just as much as your existing shotguns are bird-hunting guns. Follow your gut and get a nice o/u from whichever B-brand fits you best. And dont skimp on it, it’s your anniversary!

 

[Bones]

308 is an elk rifle just as much as your existing shotguns are bird-hunting guns. Follow your gut and get a nice o/u from whichever B-brand fits you best. And dont skimp on it, it’s your anniversary!

I agree that a .308 is an elk rifle, but not at 12 pounds.

 

[NebraskaStickHunter]

Well thanks for the input and opinions. I decided to go with a citori 725 field in a 20. I look forward to testing it out.

 

[LightFoot]

Well thanks for the input and opinions. I decided to go with a citori 725 field in a 20. I look forward to testing it out.

Great choice!

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