Upland Shotgun Recommendations

[Elkeater]

Hey all. I am not well versed in shotguns. I’m looking at getting an upland gun. To be honest I’ve shot a bunch of birds with my good old Remington 870. It has been my go to waterfowl gun since i was like 18. I shoot it well but im 35 now and want something a little lighter and perhaps a bit more refined to carry around here in the desert for quail and dove. I was hoping to not break the bank (got taxidermy bills to pay!) so I’ve been looking at the Weatherby Orion in 20ga with 26” barrels. Does anyone have any experience with the Weatherby Orion or should I really be looking elsewhere?

 

[BRICKBURN]

Go to a decent gun store and pick some different shotguns up and mount them.
See how they feel.
If they don't fit you well, you will not shoot them well.

(Moving from an 870 to a short barrel 20 gauge would be a shift in mindset.)

 

[Red Leg]

Go to a decent gun store and pick some different shotguns up and mount them.
See how they feel.
If they don't fit you well, you will not shoot them well.

(Moving from an 870 to a short barrel 20 gauge would be a shift in mindset.)

I am with @BRICKBURN on this. The Orion with 26" barrels will feel like shooting a fly rod compared to your 870. I have used OU and SxS shotguns almost exclusively for fifty years (used a Model 12 guiding duck hunters before that). I despise 26" barrels. It isn't a sighting plane issue (we don't aim a shotgun) as much as clean mount and smooth swing. Regardless of gauge, that begins around 28". Even my favorite quail guns, a .410 sidelock SxS and 20 OU have 30" barrels. An Orion with 30" barrels and choke tubes would be a fine choice for the hunting you describe.

 

[BeeMaa]

To not break the bank and still get a generational O/U shotgun, my recommendations would be the Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon One 20 bore or the Browning 725 Field or Citori Hunter.

If you were looking to more closely mimic the feel of the R870 but in a newer semi-auto, the Benelli SBE3 20 bore (inertia drive) or the Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus with Kickoff (gas operated) would top the list.

Taking a page from @BRICKBURN - Quality shops will have all of the above models for you to handle and see what fits you best. That being said, all of these are in the same ballpark when it comes to price. Right around $2K, give or take. For that price you will have a top quality firearm that (with regular care) is likely to be handed down to not only your children, but grandchildren.

I also agree with @Red Leg said, stick with 28" barrels as a minimum. If not for performance, then for resale. Then next buyer is likely to be looking for 28" barrels or longer. The trend is for longer barrels currently, with no end in sight.

 

[WAB]

Shotguns are a very personal thing, much more so than rifles. Your style of shooting will have a lot to do with what works well for you. The fact that you are shooting an 870 well leads me to believe that the 26” Orion is a very bad idea. I would think that a 6 1/2 to 7 pound 28 ga with 30” tubes and a stock that fits you would be a much better solution. Many who go after sub bores select guns so light that they are almost impossible to shoot well. You need some weight in your forward hand to shoot smoothly.

You are Relatively close to William, Larkin Moore and Sons. You should stop by and handle a bunch of guns to get some ideas.

 

[sureshot375]

To not break the bank and still get a generational O/U shotgun, my recommendations would be the Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon One 20 bore or the Browning 725 Field or Citori Hunter.

If you were looking to more closely mimic the feel of the R870 but in a newer semi-auto, the Benelli SBE3 20 bore (inertia drive) or the Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus with Kickoff (gas operated) would top the list.

Taking a page from @BRICKBURN - Quality shops will have all of the above models for you to handle and see what fits you best. That being said, all of these are in the same ballpark when it comes to price. Right around $2K, give or take. For that price you will have a top quality firearm that (with regular care) is likely to be handed down to not only your children, but grandchildren.

I also agree with @Red Leg said, stick with 28" barrels as a minimum. If not for performance, then for resale. Then next buyer is likely to be looking for 28" barrels or longer. The trend is for longer barrels currently, with no end in sight.

Solid advice. I’ve said it many times, but in my opinion the silver pigeon is the best value over/under. It will shoot much better than the weatherby.

 

[Markis]

CZs are great for the money. I went with a Ruger Red Label because I like the look, but it is super heavy compared to a Browning Citori or something.

 

[WAB]

Solid advice. I’ve said it many times, but in my opinion the silver pigeon is the best value over/under. It will shoot much better than the weatherby.

Some shoot a shallow body (beretta) better, others shoot the deep body (browning) better. You really should try both before making a decision. As an engineer, I appreciate the design of the shallow body o/u, as a shooter, I appreciate the handling of the deep body o/u. As a hunter, I love the carrying and handling dynamics of a classic British SxS game gun.

I hesitate to recommend it, but the ultimate gun for the dove/quail application you indicate is a 2 1/2” British SxS with 30” tubes. It is the most dynamic and shootable shotgun you will ever pick up.

 

[Elkeater]

So many of you guys are suggesting 28” plus tubes. I can get behind that.

Many of you also have mentioned SxS as an option as well. I have no experience with SxS shotguns. Do the O/U guns or SxS guns seem to work bette for you all. I’m not against bumping up to other guns either. I’ll pay for something of quality if it’s a good value.

 

[Mekaniks]

If you want to talk shotguns, give these guys a call....

Home | Joel Etchen Guns, Ligonier Pennsylvania | Shotguns Online

Joel Etchen Guns has grown to be Beretta’s largest independent target gun dealer. We stock many brands of Shotguns including Beretta, Krieghoff, Browning, Caesar Guerini, Fabarm, Syren, Benelli, Ljutic, and Fausti.

www.joeletchenguns.com

 

[BeeMaa]

So many of you guys are suggesting 28” plus tubes. I can get behind that.

Many of you also have mentioned SxS as an option as well. I have no experience with SxS shotguns. Do the O/U guns or SxS guns seem to work bette for you all. I’m not against bumping up to other guns either. I’ll pay for something of quality if it’s a good value.

SxS vs O/U is a can of worms that has the potential ignite a fire as bright as push-feed vs CRF.

As @WAB said earlier, shotgunning is a very personal endeavor. The shotgun needs to fit you properly and some of that feel comes from the forend. Most shooters are more accustomed to a narrow forend feel because they had only used a semiautomatic or pump action. This will make the feel of an O/U more familiar and possibly more comfortable than a SxS.

It may sound strange, but you will know if it FEELS right. And you should definitely try several SxS’s to give yourself a shot (pun intended) at it feeling good to you.

There is no “just one shotgun” that can do it all. The designs are purpose built for a specific task and although a sporting clays gun can be pressed into service on walking up game…it will become obvious very quickly that it’s way too heavy for this task.

Just understand that this is the reason some people will have an entire vault full of shotguns. Each with its own purpose.

 

[Beaufort]

Unfortunately, I think you’re trying to do two totally different things with the same gun. I have hunted quail and dove in South Georgia and the SC Lowcountry for 50 years. Most people here use a 28 or 20 gauge for quail. Anything larger is considered “un-gentlemanly” and will earn you the scorn of your fellow hunters. It simply doesn’t take a lot to knock down a quail, provided you are a respectable shot. A small frame 20 or 28 gauge, shot well, will earn you the respect of your fellow hunters. I have shot Rizzini’s for years. They make a nice little starter gun - the BR 110 - https://www.rizziniusa.com/br110-light-luxe/. Get it in either a 20 or 28 gauge with 28 or 29 inch barrels and you’re set. If you later decide to go up in price, the Artemis Deluxe is a great gun with beautiful wood, a great feel and even better handling. But as others have said, you need to try them out for yourself and see which one suits you.


Dove, on the other hand, are a totally different animal (bird). They fly much higher, oftentimes faster, and display airborne acrobatics that make them difficult to hit. Most folks I know use a 16 gauge or a 12 gauge for dove, oftentimes a semiauto. Beretta makes the A400 which is a good starter gun.

If your budget can only handle one gun, I’d opt for a 20 gauge. With changes in loads you can shoot both quail and dove, although when the dove start flying really high you’ll have an excuse to turn on a college football game and take a break!

 

[KJE81]

From Upland Gun Company you can order a shotgun to your exact measurements quite cheap if you dont opt for any extras, the custom stock measurements seems to be included in the base line price. They use an italian manufactorer by the name of RFM Armi. Unfortunately it seems that the prices have risen a bit since I last checked, base price beeing about 2500 USD for the cheapest side-by-side/over-under.

Upland Gun Company - Curated and Custom Shotguns

Upland Gun Company is committed to curating niche shotgun manufactures into the US market and expanding the knowledge of double guns.

uplandguncompany.com

I ordered one myself, the Venus-model in 2023 but directly from RFM Armi since I live in Sweden and the quality seems to be very good.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Fabarm has an excellent range of upland shotguns (esp. their ELOS D2 over & unders).

Upland shotguns Archives - FABARM USA

My personal upland hunting shotgun of choice has always been a 12 gauge 3” Magnum Beretta Model 626E boxlock ejector side by side, ever since I bought it brand new back in 1990.

 

[Doug Hamilton]

Hey all. I am not well versed in shotguns. I’m looking at getting an upland gun. To be honest I’ve shot a bunch of birds with my good old Remington 870. It has been my go to waterfowl gun since i was like 18. I shoot it well but im 35 now and want something a little lighter and perhaps a bit more refined to carry around here in the desert for quail and dove. I was hoping to not break the bank (got taxidermy bills to pay!) so I’ve been looking at the Weatherby Orion in 20ga with 26” barrels. Does anyone have any experience with the Weatherby Orion or should I really be looking elsewhere?

Like you, I've shot a lot of waterfowl with my 870. I have to say though, that for upland birds, nothing suits me like a sxs. I have an old SKB that has worked well on quail (valley and mountain), pheasants and a couple of grouse. I really don't need a new shotgun, but lately the CZ Bobwhite seems to be calling my name..

 

[Challer]

Rizzini and Fausti are great guns for the money. The deluxe models will get spectacular engraving for this price point. True frame sizes, mechanical triggers, no auto safety. Fausti is in VA with a gun try room. Rizzini importer is not the best but the guns are worth the hassle. If not in your budget see @BeeMaa above - they are all excellent options

 

[HankBuck]

Hey all. I am not well versed in shotguns. I’m looking at getting an upland gun. To be honest I’ve shot a bunch of birds with my good old Remington 870. It has been my go to waterfowl gun since i was like 18. I shoot it well but im 35 now and want something a little lighter and perhaps a bit more refined to carry around here in the desert for quail and dove. I was hoping to not break the bank (got taxidermy bills to pay!) so I’ve been looking at the Weatherby Orion in 20ga with 26” barrels. Does anyone have any experience with the Weatherby Orion or should I really be looking elsewhere?

@elkhunter: You already own and shoot well with a classic pump - well made and well regarded the Remington 870 is a very good pump…is yours a “Wingmaster” and if so - was it made before 1990?
Regarding lighter O/Us barrel length has little to do with weight so get the barrel length you like (28” or even 30”) unless you really want a short barrel and think that will help you get on birds in tight cover faster (a common belief that I never found to be true). Weatherby is more known for their Rifles but I’ve never heard anything “bad” about them, you just very rarely see them on a skeet or Sporting Clays course.. You might want to look into a Browning Citori or Beretta 686. Both of these O/Us will last 50,000- 100,000 rounds and Browning makes several light weigh models including an “alloy receiver” that will weigh about 6 lbs (note: the alloy receiver will not last as long as a heavier steel receiver but unless you are shooting high volume skeet - should last a lifetime of hunting & practice). Any of these guns should have models that weigh 7 lbs or less — New $2100 - $3000 or in very good used condition $1200-$1600. AND, if you buy “used” and find you don’t like it or don’t shoot it as well as your Rem 870 - you can sell it for about what you paid for it.

 

[BeeMaa]

@elkhunter: You already own and shoot well with a classic pump - well made and well regarded the Remington 870 is a very good pump…is yours a “Wingmaster” and if so - was it made before 1990?
Regarding lighter O/Us barrel length has little to do with weight so get the barrel length you like (28” or even 30”) unless you really want a short barrel and think that will help you get on birds in tight cover faster (a common belief that I never found to be true). Weatherby is more known for their Rifles but I’ve never heard anything “bad” about them, you just very rarely see them on a skeet or Sporting Clays course.. You might want to look into a Browning Citori or Beretta 686. Both of these O/Us will last 50,000- 100,000 rounds and Browning makes several light weigh models including an “alloy receiver” that will weigh about 6 lbs (note: the alloy receiver will not last as long as a heavier steel receiver but unless you are shooting high volume skeet - should last a lifetime of hunting & practice). Any of these guns should have models that weigh 7 lbs or less — New $2100 - $3000 or in very good used condition $1200-$1600. AND, if you buy “used” and find you don’t like it or don’t shoot it as well as your Rem 870 - you can sell it for about what you paid for it.

I bought two Beretta 686's and shot them for five years. Sold them for what I paid after several thousand rounds.

 

[Rare Breed]

My newest acquisition is a Beretta 12 gauge 28 inch SXS Silver Hawk which feels like it has such a low recoil as to be almost non existent to me. lol…must be my shooting my 470 every month so that the 12 gauge feels like nothing. Shot 100 shells at skeet range yesterday getting ready for some quail and dove hunting

 

[Longwalker]

like you, I started out shooting waterfowl with a 12 ga. pump gun. LOTS of waterfowl. Developed definite habits and expectations. Then I wanted to shoot a more refined style of gun for upland birds. You have received good advice in previous posts - don't choose barrels that are too short ( under 28") and try the gun out in the store at minimum, and much better if you can try it out on the skeet or sporting clays field. I think Side by sides are "better" than over/unders only if they fit you exactly. Most shooters can detect the poor fit of an O/U gun and compensate with their mount/hold but few can do so with a SxS gun. I've paid a lot trying multiple examples of each, and on average it's easier to get a O/U that fits you or that you can adapt to. But SxS guns are more stylish, traditional, and seem "just right" when everything clicks for you. Nothing wrong with the Weatherby Orion. IF it fits you. I'd suggest a 20 ga. for your upland gun. A 28 ga is nice, but more of a niche gauge and not necessary to result in a nice lively gun in your hands. And a 20 ga. is cheaper to feed.