O/U Shotgun Help

Looking at purchasing a new O/U shotgun this year. They two that I am looking at are the Franchi Instict SL or the Benelli 828U. There is quite a difference in price with the benelli being almost double the price of the Franchi. If went with the Benelli I would be going way over my initial budget. Is the Benelli that much better then the Franchi?

Looking for feedback from guys who have purchased either of these two guns. I am also open to other O/U manufactures.

I haven’t shot either of the choices you mention, but I have had my Benelli Nova for 10 years plus with zero issues.

I also have a Browning Citori O/U that has been bullet proof since I got it in 1983. Absolutely love that gun!!

sticker wrote:

I haven’t shot either of the choices you mention, but I have had my Benelli Nova for 10 years plus with zero issues.

I also have a Browning Citori O/U that has been bullet proof since I got it in 1983. Absolutely love that gun!!

Thanks for the feedback

What is your intended use for it?

My Browning Citori has close to 100k rounds through it. Minus a couple scratches, not a single hiccup.

I love my browning Citori, but if I was buying a new one, I would seriously look at the Browning Cynergy Feather. For a few more dollars it is worth the weight reduction when going on long hunts.

basseyes wrote:

What is your intended use for it?

Primarily pheasant

I have a Huglu O/U that is awesome and also a Stoeger Condor. Both have been awesome O/U. The Stoeger I have a 20 ga and 12 ga barrel but it seems to operate best as the 20 gauge. Mainly shoot Ducks w Huglu and Grouse with Stoeger

Fit and feel are so important, so at the end of the day it really only matters what YOU like.

A few years back I intended to buy a Beretta. Just on a whim, when in the gunshop, I tried a Browning. I ended up walking out with the Browning 725 (in 20 gauge). The fit was just so much more natural to me, slightly shorter stock and more drop.

I can only offer opinions on the two models you’ve mentioned, but my initial reaction to the SRP of the Benelli was along the lines of, “You must be joking.” Either the Benelli is really, really, really good, or they’re trying to parlay their autoloader reputation into doubles.

So to directly answer your question, I think the Benelli’s price puts it into the midst of other very, very good doubles you can get for similar money. Only you can decided if it’s worth it, but at that price point there are some very good shotguns that should be looked at. Franchi, Browning, Beretta, and others.

Grouse

I have the Remmington OU. Not a bad gun.
However –
If I was to do it all over again, I would go with a side by side. Especially if it were a pheasant gun. More of a traditional old school style.
Perhaps A Purdey

I’m a Beretta O/U guy. The fit and finish is second to none in my opinion. (Besides the real high end guns) And the wood is beautiful as well.

For me, when it came down to fit and form, I was torn between a Beretta 686 Pigeon and a Ruger Red Label. The Beretta was way more than I wanted to spend and the Ruger was so plain and ugly that I didn’t want to pay it’s price either. To this day, these two still work best for me over the counter but I’ve always gone to something else more economical. I have a Mossberg Silver Reserve and it’s been flawless and I do pretty darn good with it. However, I’ve had to spend time with it to get there. I also picked up a Stoeger Uplander SxS .410 and while the triggers aren’t great, that gun patterns out perfectly on the business end! I can’t say that for all my shotguns, which now include models from Winchester, Remington, Browning, and Beretta. The Winchester 1200 pumps, the Remington 870, and Stoeger Uplander are my best patterning, best feel, best producing shotguns. Having said all that, fit and feel are great but it’s still going to come down to how it patterns the shot. How good do you hit with it? Given my own experiences, I’m now skeptical of the upper grade brand of guns. I know a lot of people swear by them but so far, more money hasn’t meant anything better outside of looks or resale. I’m disappointed most by my Brownings, a 12ga BPS and a 410 BPS Medallion. Both pattern high/left of the flat planed bead on a gun rest. The Beretta throws low so you have to cover the target to hit it. No Bueno…. I know this is a tangent from what you’re looking for but to me, it shows that you never really know until you bring it home and get some time behind the trigger. I’d stay within your budget until a time comes when you can try shooting an upgrade and see what you really think of it then.

Benelli just got into the O/U market a couple of years ago.
Franchi has been making O/U’s a bit longer.
I do believe Benelli owns Franchi anyway.
Personally for the price difference I would go with the Franchi, but I’m a true Beretta fan all the way, however I am familiar with all the above mentioned.
Good luck in your search

bullcans wrote:

I do believe Benelli owns Franchi anyway.

Benelli and Franchi are both brands owned by Beretta.

Grouse

I got to try out a browning citori at the game fair a few years back and it fit me like a glove. Too bad the price tag is a little too high for me right now but some day! fit is the most important part of it though. Either find one that fits or make one fit with an adjustable comb and cheek rest.

I have a Franchi Instinct SL in 20 gauge. I really like it. It is very light and a pleasure to carry in the field. The kick isn’t too bad for such a light gun.

I have an old Ruger red label in 12ga that I have killed an absolute pile of pheasants and ducks with, but at 8lbs or whatever the heck it weighs, it spends all of its time in the safe these days. It fits me well, I shoot it well, and I have no complaints other than its weight. For long walks in pheasant or grouse country, I prefer a lighter gun.

These days, for grouse, I shoot a browning citori superlight feather in 20 ga. Weighing in around the 5lb mark, it is a joy to carry and I hit well with it.

For pheasant hunting, I usually carry my Benelli ultra-lite in 20ga. I would prefer a 12, but I can not really justify the purchase of a $1400 gun for a couple of weekends a yr. Stepping up to 3″ heavy loads, I can remain somewhat effective at killing roosters. At the end of a long day of hiking, the light weapon is very much appreciated over a heavy one.

My $.02

T

Thanks for the feedback guys, really helpful.