20ga Over/Under Input

[Barnfixer]

I’m in the market for a 20ga O/U for bird hunting. Really like the Browning CSX in 20ga but not sure if I want to put down $2000 for one. I would like to hear some feedback on others in the $1000 range. Anyone deal with the Weatherby’s, CZ’s or others? I did come across a couple used fixed guns in skeet/skeet and mod/imp cyl. that could possibly work. I’d appreciate some feedback on your likings in fixed choke also. Thanks for your time!

 

[Bill M.]

I have a fixed choke 20 gauge O/U and a Citori with screw in chokes. My advise is to just go ahead and get the CX you want in the barrel length you want. Or look until you find a used Citori with screw in chokes. Yes, I think a CZ would be fine for hunting but I would prefer the reliability and reputation of the Browning enough to pay the difference. Yes, a fixed choke will work but a screw in will work better for some conditions. And if you have to shoot no-tox shot anywhere you need the screw in chokes

 

[The Happy Kaboomer]

I've been shooting 3 Yildiz(Turkish O/U from Academy Sports ) for 6 years at skeet/doves and quail. All perform flawlessly(12-20-410). All are under $650 and are great guns for the money. All come with 5 choke tubes
.

 

[SwampWolf]

I'm of the opinion that the only way to get an o/u shotgun "in the $1,000.00 range" that is reliable mechanically over the long haul and has deeper than looks quality in terms of material, design and workmanship is to buy a used "establishment" brand. To be sure, we are fortunate and blessed to have many more nice, "value-priced" o/u shotguns to choose from than ever before but they simply aren't, say, a Beretta or a Browning.

In terms of screw-in chokes, though most of my shotguns have them I almost never use them-which isn't to say they're not probably a good thing to have for many hunters and shooters.

 

[Weflyfast]

Sportsman's wearhouse has 20 gauge CZ Woodcocks on sale right now for $705 out the door- Damn solid shotgun for the money- if they let you pick through the inventory you can even find some nice wood-

Tuff to beat for the money - for a field gun-

I have several Brownings and Berettas and they are lifetime guns - but you are going to pay more than double for even a used gun- prices are up

 

[Weflyfast]

 

[sfc_mark]

I've been shooting 3 Yildiz(Turkish O/U from Academy Sports ) for 6 years at skeet/doves and quail. All perform flawlessly(12-20-410). All are under $650 and are great guns for the money. All come with 5 choke tubes
.

I was about to make this recommendation. My personal 12 ga O/U is a Beretta 687 Silver Pigeon II, but I can't justify another nearly $3k for a matching 20 ga. My son has a Yildiz 12 ga, and to me it balances and swings better than a Citori. When I finally add a 20 ga O/U to the stable, it's almost certainly going to be a Yildiz

 

[SwampWolf]

Sportsman's wearhouse has 20 gauge CZ Woodcocks on sale right now for $705 out the door- Damn solid shotgun for the money- if they let you pick through the inventory you can even find some nice wood-

Tuff to beat for the money - for a field gun-

Nice looking shotgun; especially the stock and what appears to be case-hardening on the receiver. Well worth the money it would seem.

 

[cfullgraf]

I have a 12 ga Browning CSX that I bought in 2019 and shoot mostly skeet with it. I've been pleased with it except I wish I got a 30" or 28" barrel instead of the 32" barrel.

I shot competitive skeet in the 1990's with a tubed 28" Browning Citori Skeet Model. I mostly shot 20 ga in the 12 gauge events because my 20 gauge average was higher than my 12 ga average. My Browning just did not swing the same without tubes in it. Note, this was before the time of carrier barrels.

I bought the 32" barrel on the CSX to see if would swing more similarly as my tubed skeet Browning. At least for me, the experiment is not working out as well as I hoped.

 

[Barnfixer]

I have a 12 ga Browning CSX that I bought in 2019 and shoot mostly skeet with it. I've been pleased with it except I wish I got a 30" or 28" barrel instead of the 32" barrel.

I shot competitive skeet in the 1990's with a tubed 28" Browning Citori Skeet Model. I mostly shot 20 ga in the 12 gauge events because my 20 gauge average was higher than my 12 ga average. My Browning just did not swing the same without tubes in it. Note, this was before the time of carrier barrels.

I bought the 32" barrel on the CSX to see if would swing more similarly as my tubed skeet Browning. At least for me, the experiment is not working out as well as I hoped.

I hear ya. My CSX also has 32” barrels and I wonder if I should’ve held out for 28” or 30”. In my area it’s slim pickings for nice over/unders and this one was on the rack. Don’t get wrong, I love the gun but it’s a long beast.

 

[Mn Fats]

20 ga ammo has been getting super high in price around me. Dont even mention 410.

I haven't noticed much recoil difference between a well fitted 12 ga and 20 ga. Fitment is key.

Maybe you have 20 ga shells to burn up?

 

[cfullgraf]

I hear ya. My CSX also has 32” barrels and I wonder if I should’ve held out for 28” or 30”. In my area it’s slim pickings for nice over/unders and this one was on the rack. Don’t get wrong, I love the gun but it’s a long beast.

Yes, the 32” barrel just does not quit.

 

[cfullgraf]

20 ga ammo has been getting super high in price around me. Dont even mention 410.

I haven't noticed much recoil difference between a well fitted 12 ga and 20 ga. Fitment is key.

Maybe you have 20 ga shells to burn up?

With the shortage of reloading supplies, it is difficult these days reloading 20 ga to save money.

Ditto with 1 oz and 7/8 oz 12 ga loads.

With the limited supplies I have, I’ve been able to load some light loads but I cannot shoot too much.

Powder and primers seem to be the limit these days.

 

[entropy]

With the shortage of reloading supplies, it is difficult these days reloading 20 ga to save money.

Ditto with 1 oz and 7/8 oz 12 ga loads.

With the lited supplies I have, I’ve been able to load some light loads but I cannot shoot too much.

Powder and primers seem to be the limit these days.

I've been finding Ramshot Competition and 1oz or 7/8 oz. wads a lot easier than Green Dot and 1 1/8 oz. wads. I've also found that 1 oz. will break birds just fine back past the 27, even the 7/8 oz. loads will back to 40 yards

 

[Roverguy]

What’s it for? Target games, phezzies, grouse, quail?

Field guns get shot a lot less. CZ guns, made by Huglu, are about the cheapest decent guns there are. A decent gun with properly regulated barrels that isn’t going to start shedding a rib or having the forearm fall off after a few thousand rounds cannot be made and sold for much under $1000. You buy something for less and you’ll end up paying more.

For a target gun, if you can’t find a used B gun in good condition in the $1200 - $1500 range, the CSX is the way to go. Target guns get shot a lot. I shot 300 rounds last weekend and have probably done 5K this year. That’s not a lot, but it’s enough that you need a decent gun or two. They need to be robust and made by someone with decent customer service in the event something does break.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I'd rather have a used CXS or several of the other models of Citoris over a new CZ. A Citori is a gun for the long run. They can take a very high round count with not much more than springs and firing pins every now and then, which are easy to get and inexpensive. Well past 100k rounds, you might have to look into getting a new locking bolt fitted.

 

[cfullgraf]

I've been finding Ramshot Competition and 1oz or 7/8 oz. wads a lot easier than Green Dot and 1 1/8 oz. wads. I've also found that 1 oz. will break birds just fine back past the 27, even the 7/8 oz. loads will back to 40 yards

I won”t disagree. I just have not been motivated to scour the internet for primers and powders.

For skeet, 1 oz or 7/8 oz 12 ga loads are as effective as 7/8’oz 20 ga loads.

Anyway, until the current fullderall sudsides, my interestests are directed to other activities.

 

[slickshot223]

A gun you will use for how long each year?? What did we do before choke tubes??? Mod/ Imp Mod std chokes would work well for either lead or steel!!! Long barrels not a good idea for hunting gun!!! There are several modest priced lighter models that should serve you well!! Carry a 7- or 8-pound long barreled gun in the field and see how that works!! If you are going to use it for sporting clays and also hunting study diet shooting, then spend the money for the upscale models!! But don't be fooled by the name brands, they have issues also!! Ask me how I know??

 

[Barnfixer]

A gun you will use for how long each year?? What did we do before choke tubes??? Mod/ Imp Mod std chokes would work well for either lead or steel!!! Long barrels not a good idea for hunting gun!!! There are several modest priced lighter models that should serve you well!! Carry a 7- or 8-pound long barreled gun in the field and see how that works!! If you are going to use it for sporting clays and also hunting study diet shooting, then spend the money for the upscale models!! But don't be fooled by the name brands, they have issues also!! Ask me how I know??

You hit it on the head. For hunting I don’t want to carry a 8 pound gun all day, I’m not getting any younger. I might use it for a few rounds of sporting clays but mainly for pheasant or quail. It’s not going to see real heavy use.

 

[Roverguy]

You hit it on the head. For hunting I don’t want to carry a 8 pound gun all day, I’m not getting any younger. I might use it for a few rounds of sporting clays but mainly for pheasant or quail. It’s not going to see real heavy use.

CZ Bobwhite. Yes, SxS, but a good looking gun, 6.5 lbs, good customer service, and a great gun for quail or planted pheasants. @$700. I don’t like screw in chokes in a field gun but it does give you greater flexibility. Fine for the occasional round of sporting clays.

 

[SwampWolf]

Ask me how I know??

How do you know? !!!

 

[cfullgraf]

I’m in the market for a 20ga O/U for bird hunting. Really like the Browning CSX in 20ga but not sure if I want to put down $2000 for one. I would like to hear some feedback on others in the $1000 range. Anyone deal with the Weatherby’s, CZ’s or others? I did come across a couple used fixed guns in skeet/skeet and mod/imp cyl. that could possibly work. I’d appreciate some feedback on your likings in fixed choke also. Thanks for your time!

Those that shoot the various clay target games competitively shoot ammunition by the pallet load. The Browning Citoris or the Beretta 686 shotguns are considered the minimum level over/under shotguns that will stand up to that kind of usage.

If you are only shooting a few boxes of ammunition a year, a budget priced over/under might serve you well but if you get interested in some of the clay target games, it might be a disappointment.

A side comment, most, if not all current production shotguns come with screw in chokes. It is a nice feature as you can change your chokes for then task at hand.

I've gone to using chokes that extend the barrel at least a little bit. If you bump the end of the barrel for some reason, only the choke gets damaged and the "repair" is simple by just replacing the damaged choke.

Unfortunately, I learned this by experience. Replacing a choke is a hell of lot cheaper than having a barrel repaired.

 

[Pete D.]

Some years ago, I picked up a lightly used Weatherby Orion, 20 gauge, nice wood, no engraving. I have hunted Grouse and pheasant with it, shot sporting clays, skeet, and many rounds of Trap. No problems - except for the most dangerous situation for a gunowner….lending your gun. I did. The lendee somehow managed to disconnect one of the extractors, which then popped off the gun. It was nowhere to be found after a lot of looking. When I got the gun back, by chance I looked down the barrels……there was the lost extractor. It is now safely back in the gun. The gun continues to work as well as it always has.
Weatherby Orion by SKB. Used, they run from about $800 to just under a grand.

 

[bassjam]

I'd have a hard time picking up a shotgun with a fixed choke regardless of the deal, unless maybe there's enough material to have a gunsmith cut threads to use choke tubes.

Something to consider that will fall somewhere between the price of a turkish double and a Browning is a used Ruger Red Label (if you can find one). I picked up mine in 20 ga a little over 15 years ago after shooting my neighbor's and loving the way it handled. I was using it the day I had my best day of dove hunting, 15 birds with 18 shells. Not that I could reproduce that these days now that I'm out of practice, I went through almost 75 shells last year to get the same amount of birds with a 12 ga!!

 

[Electrod47]

My fav 20 gauge is my Ruger Red Label O/U. Has counted for many South Dakota Pheasant and Arizona Gambels Quail. Purchased in 2005 at Academy for 999.00 bucks. It always draws interest from other hunters. A few years ago they went a less labor intense manner of production and gave up due to lack of interest because??