Need Rec's - Lightweight 12ga o/u

[ChickenSalad210]

I am looking to purchase a lightweight (7 or less lbs.) over under 12 gauge shotgun for field hunting that requires a lot of miles. Please recommend options. I have a budget of $2k or less so Citori and Beretta models are likely out of the question. If you have something you want to sell that fits the mold of what I'm looking for, feel free to DM

 

[JFK]

Franchi Instinct SL

 

[BRTreedogs]

I don’t personally have one
But when I was looking for a 20 ga grouse gun I thought these looked like a good option

https://www.sportsmans.com/shooting-gear-gun-supplies/shotguns/cz-woodcock-g2-walnutcase-hardened-12-gauge-2-34in3in-over-under-shotgun-28in/p/1440860

 

[ResearchinStuff]

at that budget and weight, i'd be looking for a semiauto, otherwise you're going to end up with a turkish gun, which is not my cup of tea.

 

[spur60]

Browning Citori Composite is 7 lb 4 oz in the 26" version. $1,999 at scheels and there's a $75 rebate. Otherwise as mentioned, the Franchi Instinct SL is a solid choice. I shot the SL for a limit of roosters last fall and liked it. more felt recoil vs. my citori, but no big deal.

 

[Macintosh]

used beretta or Browning is BY FAR a better value than the turkish options, and much more likely to be available around 7lb. I would also prefer a FAIR rizzini or a franchi over any of the turkish options, and again it'll almost certainly be lighter. In many cases to get under 7lb in a 12ga you may have to go with one with an aluminum receiver, which I personally dont like--it puts much of the weight out at the ends of the gun and they feel sluggish to me compared to a same-weight gun with a steel receiver. Personally I'd prefer a 20ga though, unless you are shooting steel there's nothing a 20 cant do perfectly well out to 40 yards, and it's way easier to get a lightweight one that balances and handles well.

 

[dtrkyman]

I’d go 20ga unless looking to shoot steel, but in 12ga for an inexpensive option I think CZ makes a nice gun for the price.


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[dreadi]

Weatherby Orion

 

[ChickenSalad210]

I appreciate all the recommendations for looking to 20ga, however i own a great 20ga already. I am looking for a 12 or 16ga to get that knockdown power when shooting big wild roosters.

That being said, i have honed in on Franchi Instinct SL and SLX. Anyone have negative things to say about these?

 

[dtrkyman]

Cz ultralight 12ga, 6.3lbs. I think it is olive drab or some ugly finish?

 

[Macintosh]

I appreciate all the recommendations for looking to 20ga, however i own a great 20ga already. I am looking for a 12 or 16ga to get that knockdown power when shooting big wild roosters.

That being said, i have honed in on Franchi Instinct SL and SLX. Anyone have negative things to say about these?

I havent handled a franchi o/u in a few years, but last I checked its a standard italian action on the same design as rizzini’s and a bunch of the other italian brands, that is generally proven to be reliable. The only feedback I have is on your choice of an aluminum action vs steel. You’ll save 1/2lb, maybe 3/4 of a pound, but the actual handling of the gun really doesnt change at all—because the weight is removed only from the action where it hardly makes a difference. The weight in the barrels is where you really feel it because it’s at the end of a long lever. Ditto to a lesser degree the weigjt of the stock. A couple ounces out there makes a really noticeable difference. But the weight in the action is between your hands where there is no leverage, so its not amplified by that leverage at all. If you frequently carry the gun in one hand in thick brush it probably makes a difference, but if you are hunting lower-heaight cover like cattails and lower and carry in the crook of your arm or at port arms, I dont notice the small increase in carry weight nearly as much. The result is the gun is a little lighter where it makes the least difference, but at the cost of shootability and recoil. My advice is to handle both if at all possible and consider the steel reciever even if on paper its a little heavier. You may still choose the lighter gun, but imo its highly worth considering. Imo 6 3/4-7lb is a great lightweight 12 weight for more open country hunting and some casual clays, with much lighter being less than optimum and probably better in a steel framed 20.

 

[ChickenSalad210]

I havent handled a franchi o/u in a few years, but last I checked its a standard italian action on the same design as rizzini’s and a bunch of the other italian brands, that is generally proven to be reliable. The only feedback I have is on your choice of an aluminum action vs steel. You’ll save 1/2lb, maybe 3/4 of a pound, but the actual handling of the gun really doesnt change at all—because the weight is removed only from the action where it hardly makes a difference. The weight in the barrels is where you really feel it because it’s at the end of a long lever. Ditto to a lesser degree the weigjt of the stock. A couple ounces out there makes a really noticeable difference. But the weight in the action is between your hands where there is no leverage, so its not amplified by that leverage at all. If you frequently carry the gun in one hand in thick brush it probably makes a difference, but if you are hunting lower-heaight cover like cattails and lower and carry in the crook of your arm or at port arms, I dont notice the small increase in carry weight nearly as much. The result is the gun is a little lighter where it makes the least difference, but at the cost of shootability and recoil. My advice is to handle both if at all possible and consider the steel reciever even if on paper its a little heavier. You may still choose the lighter gun, but imo its highly worth considering. Imo 6 3/4-7lb is a great lightweight 12 weight for more open country hunting and some casual clays, with much lighter being less than optimum and probably better in a steel framed 20.

I really appreciate you taking the time to write this out. This is great information that i will dully note when i go handle some guns. Thanks!!

 

[Raghornklr]

I might just be cheap but I really like my Stevens 555

 

[PredatorSlayer]

used beretta or Browning is BY FAR a better value than the turkish options, and much more likely to be available around 7lb. I would also prefer a FAIR rizzini or a franchi over any of the turkish options, and again it'll almost certainly be lighter. In many cases to get under 7lb in a 12ga you may have to go with one with an aluminum receiver, which I personally dont like--it puts much of the weight out at the ends of the gun and they feel sluggish to me compared to a same-weight gun with a steel receiver. Personally I'd prefer a 20ga though, unless you are shooting steel there's nothing a 20 cant do perfectly well out to 40 yards, and it's way easier to get a lightweight one that balances and handles well.

Second this. A few years ago I found a browning cynergy feather used like new for $1200. I freaking love that gun and it weighs like 6.5 lbs.

 

[Hnthrdr]

I appreciate all the recommendations for looking to 20ga, however i own a great 20ga already. I am looking for a 12 or 16ga to get that knockdown power when shooting big wild roosters.

That being said, i have honed in on Franchi Instinct SL and SLX. Anyone have negative things to say about these?

Franchi’s make fantastic shotguns, browning citori lightening are super light and a pleasure to carry but I think I would take the franchi

 

[Isildur]

I have a Browning Cynergy CX Composite. It can take a beating, is light but not too light, has the ability to add spacers at the buttstock for fit of length, has the ability to raise the cheek pad for proper head alignment, has several barrel length options, smooth and crisp trigger. Plus it's a sharp looking gun.

 

[WRO]

Nemo is just a rebranded bettinsoli which is a really nice gun for the money, you can buy used 686s all day long for 12-1600 in 12 ga and they’ll last forever.

I’d buy a 20 over a 12.


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[vermeire]

Went down this rabbit hole a few years ago; my budget was about half what you want. I was only looking at used guns though. I ended up with an almost new SKB from the 80s or 90s for a steal @ $500. There are a bunch of good options: SKB, Ithaca, Ruger, Remington, Weatherby, as well as some 'house' brands. Older guns still need their manufacturer vetted but they are out there.

Or go the easy way and find a used 'B' gun that fits your budget and start shooting.

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[Clovis]

I have a Franchi Instinct SL in 16 gauge and the 12 is about the same weight. I have hunted (and carried) it a lot over the past few years bird hunting and it has been perfectly reliable and easy to carry. I put a slip-on pad on it to get some additional length of pull and with that it shoots well for me. I will count myself lucky to have been able to hunt so much if I ever manage to wear out the aluminum receiver. I bought it in a gun store where they had a bunch of them on the rack and spent some time weighing and handling them and got one on the light side, which is what I wanted. I tend to carry one-handed, straight up in thick cover for dog safety and getting through the bushes efficiently and it is good for that for me.

 

[06 SB]

My Yildiz 12 and 20 have never given me one issue. Academy Sports sells the brand. Lightweight, reliable and not too expensive. They are made in Turkey.