This gun will get used in the field - it won't be a safe queen. I love the 20 gauge - 3/4oz out of a 20 is the same as 3/4oz out of a 12, and the 20 should be much lighter, thinner and easier to carry. I won't spend over $1000. I'm looking for ideas from Quail, Chukkar and Grouse hunters - thanks.
I want a light weight 20 gauge upland gun - suggestions?
- Thread starter totaldla
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oneounceload
Moderator
pump, semi, SxS or O/U? For under 1,000 there are some light 20's out there, from Franchi al-48's to Ugartechea's and in between - all running somewhere around 6 to 6-1/4 pounds. What action style do you want?
Under $1,000 I would probably recommend a Browning BPS pump gun, Hunter model, with a 28" barrel .....good light gun...
We've discussed this before / but I don't like a gun under 7 1/2 lbs ....even in the field - but I do have a Benelli Super Sport 20ga, semi-auto, that is 6.2 lbs so it would meet your criteria / but not your budget. Benelli has other offerings in 20ga - but under $1,000 will be a problem ...
You might find a Ruger O/U 20ga for under $1,000 - or maybe a used Browning Lightning series O/U in 20ga - but they're probably up around 7 1/2 lbs so too heavy ... A used Rem 1100 or 11-87 might meet your needs in the semi-auto category ...
We've discussed this before / but I don't like a gun under 7 1/2 lbs ....even in the field - but I do have a Benelli Super Sport 20ga, semi-auto, that is 6.2 lbs so it would meet your criteria / but not your budget. Benelli has other offerings in 20ga - but under $1,000 will be a problem ...
You might find a Ruger O/U 20ga for under $1,000 - or maybe a used Browning Lightning series O/U in 20ga - but they're probably up around 7 1/2 lbs so too heavy ... A used Rem 1100 or 11-87 might meet your needs in the semi-auto category ...
If you're planning on delivering 3/4-oz on your upland targets, how about considering a 28-ga? 3/4-oz is the "standard" load for the 28-ga, the "standard" for a 20-ga is 7/8-oz. Typically, a 28-ga will give you better 3/4-oz patterns than a 20-ga. With a 28-ga you'll have a sweet shooting, light weight rig that you can carry all day.totaldla said:
Waterengineer
New member
You have already been told some fabulous ideas. I will through out another.
Ithaca M 37 lightweight in 20 or 28 bore. Something different - and classic. Your friends would probably have one and it meets the budget requirement.
Ithaca M 37 lightweight in 20 or 28 bore. Something different - and classic. Your friends would probably have one and it meets the budget requirement.
oneounceload
Moderator
7-1/2 pound guns are fine for flat land quail hunting with carts. For chukar hunting in the mountains, where everything seems to go only uphill all day, it's rocky, and you're walking for 6-8 hours, along with food, water, etc., give me something light for the dozen shots or so.
I love 20s tooo!!!!
I personally love 20s also even though I don't have a problem handling 12s. I like the size and effectiveness of a 20 for bird hunting and have no complaints for quail and dove. I agree a 20 makes a great mountain hunting shotgun where weight is such a concern. I even love 3" 20 for pheasant hunting where 12 still has a slight edge. I also love 20 for skeet!
I have a youth BPS and because it's all steel it's still heavy with the 22" barrel and doesn't balance and swing that well. I bought a CZ 720 (made in Turkey) with a 26" barrel and after cutting the stock and installing a better pad to fit me right, the gun handles and swings great but lacks some smooth handling in terms of the safety and feel of the trigger. It does function well and you can buy nearly identical Turkish made guns with other brand names on them for around $300 or sometimes less. Mine has been very reliable once it was broken in. However, it's no lighter than a friends Beretta Ureka automatic in 12 guage. Another good lightweight gun is the 20 guage mossberg 500 with 26" barrel if you like pumps. There are a lot of autos in 20 that would be great hunting shotguns from Remington 1100s to Franchis, Brownings and more. Ultimately, what you do with your gun will determine which model would be best.
I personally love 20s also even though I don't have a problem handling 12s. I like the size and effectiveness of a 20 for bird hunting and have no complaints for quail and dove. I agree a 20 makes a great mountain hunting shotgun where weight is such a concern. I even love 3" 20 for pheasant hunting where 12 still has a slight edge. I also love 20 for skeet!
I have a youth BPS and because it's all steel it's still heavy with the 22" barrel and doesn't balance and swing that well. I bought a CZ 720 (made in Turkey) with a 26" barrel and after cutting the stock and installing a better pad to fit me right, the gun handles and swings great but lacks some smooth handling in terms of the safety and feel of the trigger. It does function well and you can buy nearly identical Turkish made guns with other brand names on them for around $300 or sometimes less. Mine has been very reliable once it was broken in. However, it's no lighter than a friends Beretta Ureka automatic in 12 guage. Another good lightweight gun is the 20 guage mossberg 500 with 26" barrel if you like pumps. There are a lot of autos in 20 that would be great hunting shotguns from Remington 1100s to Franchis, Brownings and more. Ultimately, what you do with your gun will determine which model would be best.
jaguarxk120
New member
I would take a real hard look at the Franchi AL48, very light fast swinging, a lot of gun for the money.
The Benelli is inertia operated and felt recoil is less. The Franchi is recoil operated (just like the Browning A5) and you will feel the recoil a bit more from the long recoil operation.
The Benelli is inertia operated and felt recoil is less. The Franchi is recoil operated (just like the Browning A5) and you will feel the recoil a bit more from the long recoil operation.
[I see the Benelli Montefeltro is $1100 and the Franchi AL 48 is $800. Both are light weight. Both recoil operated. Why is the Benelli Montefeltro worth the additional $300?]
You're also paying for the engineering in the Benelli.
As posted above, the Franchi is the same barrel-shuffling design (albeit with modern materials) as John Browning's A5 design of 100 years ago.
The Montefeltro has what Benelli engineers call Inertia Drive, wherein a spring-loaded bolt interior absorbs the recoil during cycling - first introduced in the Benelli M1, IIRC.
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You're also paying for the engineering in the Benelli.
As posted above, the Franchi is the same barrel-shuffling design (albeit with modern materials) as John Browning's A5 design of 100 years ago.
The Montefeltro has what Benelli engineers call Inertia Drive, wherein a spring-loaded bolt interior absorbs the recoil during cycling - first introduced in the Benelli M1, IIRC.
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jaguarxk120
New member
You will find that the Mossberg may suit your needs now but later you will find that the Franchi is better made. Where Mossberg use's plactic parts in certian locations, the Franchi use's metal. Also the Franchi has wood stocks and the Mosberg has plastic.
I'm not sure wood is an advantage. I live in a wet climate and a lot of my upland hunting is going through briars that would scratch up a nice wood stock. I don't feel nearly as bad about nerfing up a synthetic stock. As I said in the OP, this isn't going to be a safe queen.
But you bring up a good point about construction quality. I'm pretty sure the Franchi AL 48 will out live me. I'm not so sure about this Turkish-made Mossberg SA20. My American made Mossberg "rattle-master" 500 will live forever, but this imported auto is new - not much history.
But you bring up a good point about construction quality. I'm pretty sure the Franchi AL 48 will out live me. I'm not so sure about this Turkish-made Mossberg SA20. My American made Mossberg "rattle-master" 500 will live forever, but this imported auto is new - not much history.
oneounceload
Moderator
The Franchi has been around for 61 years - a proven design (even older) and company.
I would suggest trying one to see if you like the recoil - both the amount and the type that is typical from a gun like this.
I would suggest trying one to see if you like the recoil - both the amount and the type that is typical from a gun like this.
If you'd be OK toting a double - take a look at DeHaan's SXS offerings. I have seen, handled and shot several examples - they've all been great.
I will second (third?) the AL-48. It's a total joy to shoot. In my hands it points well and recoil was not a problem.
I would also look at an 870 in 28ga. If this was going to be volume-shot I'd suggest you stay with 20, due to the cost (!) of 28ga cartridges. However... for bagging birds ammo is seldom a big part of the expense. If you think you might hunt gobblers with it stay with 20ga, IMO for the additional payload.
I will second (third?) the AL-48. It's a total joy to shoot. In my hands it points well and recoil was not a problem.
I would also look at an 870 in 28ga. If this was going to be volume-shot I'd suggest you stay with 20, due to the cost (!) of 28ga cartridges. However... for bagging birds ammo is seldom a big part of the expense. If you think you might hunt gobblers with it stay with 20ga, IMO for the additional payload.
javven said:
I don't mind a light weight double - I currently use a 1936 LeFever "Nitro Special" 20ga which tips the scale at 6lbs. I don't see how a Franchi is going to recoil much more than my SxS. But my SxS is getting a little tired and I think it's time to turn it into a wall hanger.
I know that there are lots of 870 fans out there, and I don't mean to start a war, but the 870 is a pretty mediocre shotgun. Heavier than it needs to be and a rust-master. I'd rather get a Mossberg 500 over an 870 just because there is less to rust and the safety is on the tang.
If 28ga was more popular, or if I reloaded, then I would seriously consider a 28ga. But I recently checked on 28ga ammo and the prices are nuts. The 20ga is really the smallest practical bore in use today in the US. I can get non-toxic shells for a 20ga, and there are more and more managed wildlife areas requiring non-toxic shot.