Need Rec's - Lightweight 12ga o/u

[spur60]

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

I hated the 12 gauge 555 I won. Just couldn't get it to pattern the way I like.
Now the 20 gauge 555 I picked up for $275 last summer? Threw a carlsons creamator in each barrel, slapped a hi viz front pipe on the rib, and had that gun bouncing around in the truck with me all last fall for road ditch roosters, jump shooting ducks, and even pass shot some snows with it. Daughter carried it a few times pheasant hunting last fall too. It's the perfect beater gun if you like stack barrels.

 

[yfarm]

Browning made a Citori Upland with straight grip stock a d 24” and 26” barrels.
The 12 ga 24” weighed 6 lbs 11oz. These are seen regularly on GB. Be forewarned, users report significant recoil compared with the pistol grip stocks which come in a few ounces more. I have a 20ga version and don’t notice recoil but the short barrels shift the balance point after and tend to shoot high compared with a 26” Lightning.

 

[WRO]

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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The weatherby is a direct clone of a 686.

Careful on the red labels, parts can be really hard to come by.

Buying a used beretta or browning as stated above is the best choice. Handle them both because they both fit differently.


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[mlchase]

Big fan of Beretta Silver Pigeon 686s. I have had several. They used to sell for $1250-$1500 20-25 years ago and countless ones out there - find one used - it will treat you right and be so much better than a discount knockoff.

 

[Patrickjr]

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.

^^^ you can get one helluva semi for sub $2k, benelli all the way in my eyes

Big fan of Beretta Silver Pigeon 686s. I have had several. They used to sell for $1250-$1500 20-25 years ago and countless ones out there - find one used - it will treat you right and be so much better than a discount knockoff.

Absolutely, my silver pigeon has been my go-to clays gun for most of my life. Last year i hunted doves with it for the first time and my goodness, have i been missing out!

 

[Hunter26]

I might just be in the market for a different shotgun. Curious if anybody has any specific places they look to find a good deal on a used shotguns?

 

[yfarm]

^^^ you can get one helluva semi for sub $2k, benelli all the way in my eyes

Absolutely, my silver pigeon has been my go-to clays gun for most of my life. Last year i hunted doves with it for the first time and my goodness, have i been missing out!

Same thing happened to me, had used an 1100 for years, used my Citori lightning after frustration with my shooting and started shooting limits with a box of shells.

 

[yfarm]

I am running a test this year, will alternate my Citori with Beretta 1301 comp for dove hunting, see which kills more doves. Installed the shims for a left hand shooter and patterned it with my dove loads for the first time in my life. Patterned uniformly to my poa at 25 yds. Weighs the same as my Remington 1100 Special Field.

 

[yfarm]

I might just be in the market for a different shotgun. Curious if anybody has any specific places they look to find a good deal on a used shotguns?

Prices are cheaper on Armslist, just be careful. I watch GB, every once in a while will see Citoris sell sub $900. No rhyme or reason, next day bottom dollar Citoris are at 12-1300. I shop for choke tube Citori lightnings, for me the 26” 20s and 12s are the perfect field gun while my son who outshoots me feels the 28” guns handle better.

 

[Blockcaver]

I had a Beretta 686 Ultralight (aluminum receiver, straight grip stock and 26" barrels) I bought new around 1999 and kept for a few years. It was light but felt short and chubby next to my 686 20 gauge with 28" barrels and a steel receiver. Weight of each was comparable but I found the 20 ga much trimmer and nicer handling shotgun. Hunted a lot of upland with both for a few years and the 20 ga is still in the gun safe and 12 ga is long gone.

My favorite pheasant gun for the past 23 seasons is an AYA #2 round body sidelock side by side in 16 ga with 28" barrels (fixed IC & Mod chokes), straight grip stock and twin triggers. It carries great, is trim in the hand and for me the ideal pheasant gun. It's typically out of your suggested price range and only available used as AYA is bankrupt.

 

[roosterdown]

I have an older Cynergy Feather that weights 6.8 pounds. Bought it used on GB about a decade ago for a grand, and it has been a great field gun.

 

[kcm2]

You want lightweight? What are you hunting? I have a 28 ga Franchi O/U that kills pheasants, doves and chukars reliably out to 60 yards.

I am not making this up. 5 1/4 lbs. Ammo weighs less, too.

 

[WRO]

I might just be in the market for a different shotgun. Curious if anybody has any specific places they look to find a good deal on a used shotguns?

Guns international, Shotgun forum, Gun Broker, Zidaho

 

[loganwayne]

All mine are 20ga. But I've got stevens 555, weatherby orion, cz drake and bobwhite, franchi instinct sl.

The one I grab first everytime is the franchi instinct sl. The others are loaner or backup guns.
I like the instinct so much im looking for one in 28ga for me and 410 for my son.