Recommendations for best all around O/U for Trap, Skeet, and Clays, under $2k

I'm not yet certain which direction I'm headed in... more towards another O/U, but the $600 guns don't interest me... not much available at the $1500 price point, and right now, the $3000 price point is beyond my means. No K or P or B guns in my immediate future, unless I hit the lotto. *humbled* but I enjoy shooting with the Redneck Deluxe and Ithaca 51 that I do have... I can miss a bird or pair with an inexpensive gun just as easily as i can miss with a $15k gun...

 

FamilyGuy, your opinion is most welcome. Please forgive the ignorance or repetitiveness.

 

Any comments on the Franchi Instinct L?

 

Heat guy,

FYI

You can't post much after 7:30 PM on this site. Most of the members are old and have taken their nightly meds and are headed to bed!

Also I wouldn't ask to many questions at once. If you don't agree with the opinion you get back you'll be be branded as an idiot or stupid or a koolaid drinker.

 

If you want an all-around gun for under $2k take a look at the Browning Crossover.

 

Crossover has a field or sporting clays type stock. You can shoot sporting and trap with a trap stock. Not the other way. jmho

 

Tri-Star 12 ga. Unsingle combo list price $1750 available at Zanders and Tri-Star Trap guns.

GB......................................DLS

 

Thank you to all who replied. It is appreciated. All good comments and food for thought.

 

Depending on your build, the Browning may or may not fit you. If you have a thin build with thin face, the Beretta may fit better. Wider shoulders and face? Look at the Browning. The Silver Pigeon I Sporter is available for under $2K.

I say this because the Browning fit me all my life UNTIL I developed Cancer, lost 30% of my body weight, and had facial reconstructive surgery. Now, the Browning O/U is a 100% high gun, and the Beretta, which never fit me, prints a textbook 60/40 and has little felt recoil.

If you have a chance, shoot both guns at your club. I am sure there are friendlies around who will let you try their gun with factory ammo. I would put 2 shots on paper at 13 yards to check POI before I put it on a target.

 

Shooting Coach is right about stock thickness, also after I had Lasik eye surgery all my guns were stocked too high. I shot better 16's and doubles when I was 10 to 15 lbs heavier, and better caps when I was a little skinnier. Brad

 

Well, that doesn't bode well for my caps since "a little skinnier" seems to always be in the past!

 

Am looking at Browning 425 Sporting. Seems like a good all around gun.

 

Go to a bigger shoot, try a bunch of guns, see what feels and works for you, then buy it, then learn to shoot it ... Don't waste your time with that Ithaca Model 51 LW, its junk and they break faster than you can fix them ... Trust me you will save a bunch in the long run ... If I knew you, I would give you the one I got just to get rid of it and open a spot in the safe ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

WPT, I think we already had this convo in PM. No worries. I already own and use the 51 Featherlight for sporting clays and enjoy shooting it. My son used it to break 18/25 in his first trap round ever. First time he ever shouldered the gun. Yes, 51s have problems with the action slides. Les Hovencamp of Diamond Gunsmithing in Ithaca NY repairs vintage Ithacas, including 51s, all day long and twice on Sundays. As I told you in PM, for $200-275, he can put that gun right. If I lived near you, I would drive over and buy it. But I don't. Gift it to someone who can benefit from it. Someone can have a nice gun repaired for less than $300, and used properly, gain many years of shooting enjoyment from it. Enough said. I shoot the Redhead Deluxe and the Ithaca 51 now. I am looking to add the Browning 425 or a Crossover. If the guns fit me, trust me, I can hit birds with it. As I said, i can miss with an inexpensive gun just as easily as I can miss with a $15K gun. Precisely why there are no K or P or B guns in my immature future. My sons and I will will use a $1K gun, and spend $9K on practice. Thanks for your time, input, and support!

 

Immature = immediate. Thank you, spellchecker.

 

An immature future would require a $15K gun LOL

As was said, shoot several guns to see what fits. As one who used to do Ithaca warranty service and repair (for the old Ithaca Gun), I have to agree on retiring the 51. Spending $300 to get a $300 gun running does not add up on the calculator.

 

I will concede the point. Its still fun to shoot. Safe shooting!