We could earn income from the merchandise accessible on this web page and take part in affiliate packages. Be taught Extra ›
The over/below shotgun is iconic in upland chook searching fields throughout America. In case you shut your eyes and picture your self following a well-trained chook canine by way of an autumn area, there’s a superb probability the shotgun you’re carrying on this daydream is a fine-looking over/below. However you’ll additionally discover O/Us on clays ranges in every single place from the native membership to the Olympics. It’s a confirmed platform that’s used to supply high-end competitors weapons and lovely area weapons alike.
However you’re going to should pay for that mixture of magnificence and efficiency. Regardless that a majority of contemporary O/Us are made by CNC machines, they’re typically costlier than pumps or auto-loaders. The excellent news is there are all kinds of O/Us at a number of worth factors. The very best over/below shotguns are expensive, however there are additionally cheap choices that may get the job finished all the identical, simply with a bit much less fashion.
How I Picked the Finest Over/Below Shotguns
I’ve shot all however one (Beretta’s DT11) of the weapons on this checklist by way of my profession as a hunter and a gun author. I’ve additionally had the chance to interview a few of America’s greatest shooters—specifically Vincent Hancock, Kim Rhode, Zach Kienbaum, and Desi Edmonds—and I utilized a lot of their experience when choosing the high-dollar clay sports activities shotguns. On the searching aspect, I’ve spent a major period of time taking pictures inexpensive O/Us. I’ve discovered that when the value of a break-action shotgun falls beneath $3,000 the pool of firearms deepens however there are only some price shopping for. Go beneath $1,000 and the variety of high quality weapons shrinks much more, although Turkish gunmakers are doing effectively to shut that hole.
Briefly, I’ve shot numerous attainable O/Us, and located Browning and Fausti make the very best. TriStar O/Us are an incredible worth and one of many higher introductory choices in the marketplace. All the over/below shotguns on this checklist are nonetheless in manufacturing. There are a ton of fantastic traditional O/Us which might be not being made, however that’s one other checklist for an additional time.
Finest Over/Below Shotguns: Critiques and Suggestions
Finest Total: Beretta DT11 Black
Finest Total
Beretta DT11 Black
Key Options
- Gauge: 12
- Motion: Cross-bolt break-action
- Capability: Two
- Chamber: 3-inch
- Barrel Kind: Steelium Professional
- Barrel Size: 30 or 32 inches
- Chokes: 5 Optima chokes (C, SK, IC, IM, M)
- Sights: Single white bead
- LOP: 14.37 inches
- Weight: 8.1 kilos
- Price: $11,000
Professionals
- Beretta’s Steelium Professional barrels and Optima choke system ship superior patterns
Cons
- Relying in your desire, the carbon-fiber rib could make the barrels too mild, so you’ll have to make rib weight changes
American skeet shooter Vincent Hancock has received a report three gold medals with Beretta shotguns, the final of which got here whereas taking pictures the DT11 Black. And because it’s the shotgun of alternative for the very best skeet shooter of all time; it will get the nod as the very best over/below shotgun. A carbon-fiber rib permits shooters so as to add size to the barrels with out including weight. Hancock used to shoot 28-inch barrels, however bumped as much as 30s within the DT11. An extended barrel set might help maintain your swing on observe, and for those who like extra weight within the entrance of your over/below then you need to use the included rib weights to search out the right steadiness. Beretta’s Steelium Professional barrels, used within the Italian gunmakers’ high-end double weapons, come commonplace as do 5 Optima chokes.
DT stands for “removable set off.” You may drop the set off out by opening the motion, aligning the lever with the security, pushing the security ahead to show a black dot, and transferring the lever to the correct. Removable triggers have crisper set off pulls—the DT11 breaks at 3½ kilos—and it’s simpler to wash and alter set off weight. The cross-bolt motion of the DT11 is 3 mm wider than its predecessor, the DT10, giving it a stronger lock up so it could maintain up even after tens of 1000’s of shotshell ignitions. Beretta provides quite a lot of totally different shares for the DT11 in order that shooters can expertise a extra {custom} match.
Finest for Lure: Krieghoff Okay-80 Professional Sporter
Finest for Lure
Krieghoff Okay-80 Professional Sporter
Key Options
- Gauge: 12
- Motion: Boxlock
- Capcity: Two
- Chamber: 3-inch
- Barrel Kind: Chrome-lined metal; adjustable floating rib
- Barrel Size: 30 or 32 inches
- Chokes: 5 prolonged titanium (SK, IC, LM, M, IM)
- Sights: White pearl entrance bead
- LOP: Customized
- Weight: 8¾ kilos
- Price: $13,000
Professionals
- Assortment of {custom} suits and finishes (shares, triggers, and so forth.)
Cons
- Shooters who depend on velocity to interrupt targets is not going to discover the Okay-80 as responsive because the Italian-made shotguns
Krieghoff shotguns are inbuilt Germany, however are modeled after an American over/below, Remington’s Mannequin 32 (the break up barrels with no aspect rib are a useless giveaway). The primary Krieghoff was the Okay-32, which was changed by the Okay-80, a heavier gun with extra weight within the barrels. Lure shooters can change their level of impression with the Okay-80 Professional Sporter by adjusting a wheel situated on the rib (12-8mm taper) of the shotgun. The inventory additionally has a heightened cheek piece so shooters can maintain their heads elevated, giving them an improved area of view to see the goal longer. As a result of it’s meant to be shot in all clay-target disciplines, the Professional Sporter is extra versatile than a standard lure gun, which is why I want it, particularly on doubles. This gun strikes to targets extra naturally for me. Previous-school lure shooters could go for the Okay-80 Faucet as a result of it has extra adjustability within the rib and comes out of the field taking pictures a 70/30 sample, however I just like the responsiveness of the Professional Sporter.
The mechanical set off doesn’t require recoil to function, so in case your hand-loaded shotshell is a dud, the hammer will strike the second primer, supplying you with the chance to interrupt the goal. Krieghoff triggers are adjustable for finger size and ship with a set off weight of 3¾ kilos. Further Okay-80 choices embrace titanium chokes, barrel units in 20-gauge, 28-gauge, and .410-bore, barrel weights for steadiness changes, barrel porting, and hand-crafted inventory customization for an improved match.
Finest for Skeet: Perazzi Excessive Tech Skeet
Finest for Skeet
Perazzi Excessive Tech Skeet
Key Options
- Gauge: 12
- Motion: Boxlock
- Capcity: Two
- Chamber: 3-inch
- Barrel Kind: Tough bored metal
- Barrel Size: 26¾, 27 9/16, 28⅜, or 29½
- Chokes: Fastened Cylinder or interchangeable
- Sights: Pink fiber-optic bar
- LOP: 15 inches ({custom})
- Weight: 8 kilos, 11 ounces
- Price: $11,500
Professionals
- Constructed equally to positive English double weapons, however price tens of 1000’s of {dollars} much less
Cons
- As a result of Perazzis shotguns are began on a CNC machine and completed by hand, there might be some variability within the match, really feel, and performance
Perazzi is simply a 50-year-old firm, younger by Italian shotgun requirements (Beretta is in its fifth century of operation), and attracts its gun design from the London taking pictures homes of Boss and Woodward. The MX2000 and MX8 are Perazzi’s most well-known competitors weapons, having received greater than 30 Olympic medals. The Excessive Tech Skeet is modeled after the MX8, the principle variations being that the motion of the Excessive Tech is 3 mm wider and it weighs simply over an oz extra. Regardless that it’s a heavy gun, Perazzi retains a majority of the load between your palms to make the shotgun balanced.
Shooters can go for a set or removable set off (3½-pound pull weight) with the Excessive Tech, which additionally provides the selection of fastened cylinder chokes or screw-in chokes. There are 4 totally different barrel lengths to select from, plus Perazzi will customise the inventory to suit your physique and taking pictures fashion. The shotgun’s rib might be flat, tapered, or reverse tapered, and the aspect ribs might be ventilated or omitted fully.
Finest for Sporting Clays: Beretta 694 Sporting
Finest for Sporting Clays
Beretta 694 Sporting
Key Options
- Gauge: 12
- Motion: Boxlock
- Capcity: Two
- Chamber: 3-inch
- Barrel Kind: Steelium Plus
- Barrel Size: 30 or 32 inches
- Chokes: 5 Optima HP Chokes (CYL, SK, IC, M, IM)
- Sights: White entrance bead
- LOP: 14¾ inches
- Weight: 7 kilos, 13 ounces
- Price: $5,299
Professionals
- You’re basically getting a premium-grade Beretta competitors gun, simply with out a number of the bells and whistles
Cons
- There may be nothing ornate concerning the exterior of this shotgun, so for those who’re a fan of scroll work, this gun solely consists of minor laser engravings
That is Beretta’s “mid-level” sporting clays shotgun—the DT11, DT10, and SO5 are the premium fashions—however for the typical shooter the distinction between the 694 and people weapons received’t be noticeable except for some exterior finishes. Beretta’s workforce of professional shooters had numerous enter on the design of this shotgun, working to make an over/below that has the aptitude and performance of a costlier gun, however with out the additional price. The inventory is just like the DT11’s. It’s beefy, particularly on the pistol grip, so you will get a agency maintain on the shotgun and mount it with precision and velocity. Channel cuts within the inventory enhance your area of view, so you’ll find the clay goal earlier and get on it quicker. A fellow gun author estimated the 694’s goal space to be 10 to 12 clays wider than the typical shotgun.
The entrance of the 694’s fore-end is aluminum to take weight out of the gun. And a metal dowel pin was inserted throughout the fore-end to extend sturdiness. Weights might be clamped to the barrel or inserted below the fore-end for correct steadiness. Computerized ejectors have been additionally redesigned to make sure spent hulls eject from the gun. The earlier iteration of this over/below, the 692, had some minor issues with this, which have been fastened within the 694.
Learn Subsequent: Finest Chokes for Sporting Clays
Finest for Upland: Browning Citori Hunter Grade I
Finest for Upland
Browning Citori Hunter Grade I
Key Options
- Gauge: 12, 20, 28, .410
- Motion: Boxlock
- Capcity: Two
- Chamber: 2¾ – or 3-inch
- Barrel Kind: Chrome-lined metal
- Barrel Size: 26- or 28-inch
- Chokes: IC, M, F
- Sights: Silver bead
- LOP: 14¼ inches
- Weight: 6.9 kilos
- Price: $2,180
Professionals
- Reasonably priced in comparison with the clay-target weapons on this checklist
- Nicely-made over/below you’ll be able to go all the way down to your children
Cons
- Solely comes with three chokes, which implies it’s a must to purchase aftermarket tubes to take full benefit of its sample functionality
Launched in 1973 as a inexpensive alternative to the Belgian-made Superposed, the Citori—made on the Miroku plant in Japan—was not instantly appreciated. It was, in any case, supplanting a very iconic shotgun. However greater than one million of the weapons have been constructed over the past half-century, cementing the Citori’s place in shotgun historical past. It has loved a greater than 50-year run as a result of Browning was in a position to mix high quality with affordability. There are few over/unders that price below $2,500 with the sort of clear match and end the Citori displays. You should buy over/unders for much less, however I doubt they’ll final as lengthy.
Browning’s Citori Hunter Grade I is constructed on a boxlock motion, and it’s one of many extra fundamental fashions in a lineup of numerous variants. There are not any fancy aspect plate designs or scroll work included, however it does have all that you just wish to hunt pheasants and different upland birds. The Hunter weighs 6 to eight kilos relying on the gauge, has a vent rib barrel, checkered fore-end, and pistol-grip inventory. An inertia set off requires that the primary shotshell hearth earlier than the second load might be fired. My solely want is that Browning would supply a 5 choke set in order that we don’t should seek for aftermarket choices. Including a inventory cylinder and lightweight modified choke tube could be superb.
Learn Subsequent: Finest Upland Searching Boots
Finest Sub-gauge: Fausti Caledon
Finest Sub-gauge
Fausti Caledon
Key Options
- Gauge: 12, 20, 28, .410
- Motion: 4 Locks
- Capcity: Two
- Chamber: 2¾- and 3-inch
- Barrel Kind: Chrome-lined metal
- Barrel Size: 26-, 28-, or 30-inch
- Chokes: C, IC, M, IM, F
- Sights: Metallic entrance bead
- LOP: 14½ inches
- Weight: 5.8 to six.2 kilos
- Price: $2,200
Professionals
- Superior motion power
- Fausti makes a number of the greatest shotgun barrels on the planet
Cons
- Fausti shotguns might be laborious to search out within the U.S., however distribution is enhancing
Fausti has two shotgun classes—Core and Boutique. The Caledon falls into the Core class, which implies it’s extra fundamental and meant as an introductory choice. You don’t get fancy aspect plates or engravings, however I’ve dealt with many different break-action shotguns on this worth vary and none come near the Caledon when it comes to high quality. The 28-gauge model is my private favourite. Transitions from the metal receiver to the barrels and walnut inventory and fore-end are flawless. The motion opens easily the primary time—not typically the case for many over/unders at this worth. The four-lock system provides power to the motion so the gun received’t break down over a lifetime of taking pictures. It’s a low-profile shotgun with a vent rib that’s hardly noticeable while you convey the shotgun to your shoulder. The pistol grip inventory suits properly within the hand, and the steadiness of the Caledon is the ultimate on this worth vary.
Finest Wanting: Franchi Intuition Sideplate
Franchi Intuition Sideplate Key Options
- Gauge: 12
- Motion: Break motion, over/below
- Capability: 2
- Chamber: 3 inches
- Weight: 7.47 kilos (measured)
- Set off Weight: 3.01 kilos (measured)
- Barrel Size: 28 inches
- Total Size: 46.25 inches
- LOP: 14.25 inches
- Sight: Pink bar
- Barrel End: Gloss blued
- Inventory End: AA grade satin walnut
- Worth: $2,399
- Consists of: Onerous case and IC, M, F, prolonged chokes
Professionals
- Enticing but sturdy over/below fitted to laborious use within the area
- Handles, factors, and carries effectively with considerate ergonomics
Cons
- Ejectors didn’t all the time work as anticipated on our check pattern
The Franchi Intuition Sideplate was launched final yr, however not in time for our 2023 shotgun check. So we included it this yr and located it to be a pretty Italian over-and-under that represents a strong worth. Its wooden is darkish and wealthy, the colour case-hardening on the motion is effectively executed, interesting gold-inlay searching scenes on both aspect are augmented with engraved scrollwork and borders, and the highest lever is sculpted with positive cuts.
Photograph by Natalie Krebs
It shoots effectively, too. The Sideplate has an automated security that additionally features as a barrel selector that operates easily with no slop or uncertainty. It comes with prolonged choke tubes to tune the diploma of constriction to the shooter’s preferences, and our pattern (chambered in 12 gauge with 3-inch chambers and 28-inch barrels) did a superb job breaking clays.
Outside Life editor-in-chief Alex Robinson has had probably the most hands-on expertise with the shotgun, as he hunted with it final fall whereas chasing upland birds and waterfowl in Nebraska. One of many shotgun’s virtues is how comfy it’s to hold within the area. The shotgun has stood up effectively to the extreme use, displaying an applicable degree of wear and tear. That bodes effectively for its capability to resist many seasons of laborious searching and age gracefully.
The one actual subject we had with the shotgun was inconsistent ejection. At instances it wouldn’t pop empties free from their chamber, which is a little bit of a nuisance if not a deadly flaw. Even so, for a shotgun at this worth, that price it factors within the reliability class.
The shotgun didn’t fall brief in some other respect. The Franchi Intuition Sideplate’s mechanical triggers supply a measure of assurance which you can get a second barrel into play ought to there be a misfire with the primary shot, which is a consolation. —John B. Snow
Finest Worth: Tristar Trinity
Finest Worth
Tristar Trinity
Key Options
- Motion: Boxlock
- Capcity: 2
- Chamber: 2¾- or 3-inch
- Barrel kind: Chrome-lined metal
- Barrel size: 26- or 28-inch
- Chokes: SK, IC, M, IM, F
- Sights: Pink fiber-optic
- LOP: 14½ inches
- Weight: 6.3 to six.9 kilos
- Price: $719
Professionals
- There aren’t many over/below choices at this worth level that shoot and performance in addition to the Trinity
Cons
- I’ve seen some inconsistencies with the purpose of impression of payloads throughout sample work
Tristar’s Trinity is on the market in 12-, 16-, and 20-gauge (plus an LT mannequin with an aluminum receiver to make the gun lighter). It retails for below $750, making it top-of-the-line over/below shotguns for the cash. I’ve patterned the gun, shot rounds of skeet with it, and carried it for pheasants, chukar, and different small sport. I’ve discovered it to be fairly correct. The rounded silver receiver consists of acid-etched floral engravings on three sides with a 24-carat gold inlay and an enamel end. The only set off is mechanical, so it doesn’t want recoil to reset itself in case your first shotshell doesn’t hearth. The underside barrel averaged a 6.8-pound (three-shots) set off pull, whereas the highest barrel set off was considerably lighter at 4.1 kilos in my testing. A tang-mounted security permits the shooter to pick from both barrel.
My 20-gauge had 26-inch chrome-lined barrels however the Trinity can also be accessible with 28-inch tubes. The 12-gauge variant has the identical choices, however the 16 can solely be had in 26-inch barrels. There’s a vented prime rib that measures 7mm, in addition to a mid-vent rib. Chambered for 3-inch shotshells, the gun comes with a set of 5 flush-fitting chokes—SK, IC, M, IM, and F. Every choke might be recognized by the variety of etchings lower into on the highest of the tube. The chokes are saved inside a plastic case. A key wrench is included for set up. The inventory (14.5-inch LOP) is machine-checked across the pistol grip and on both aspect of a Schnabel fore-end. A rubber recoil pad (.62 inches in thickness) screws into the Turkish walnut inventory. It did an satisfactory job of mitigating recoil.
Historical past of the Over/Below Shotgun
In comparison with side-by-sides and pump-actions, the over/below continues to be a younger shotgun platform. There have been some London taking pictures homes that constructed costly {custom} over/unders within the early twentieth century and German gunmaker Merkel produced spendy O/Us throughout that point interval as effectively. However the platform didn’t grow to be a hit till John M. Browning’s Superposed debuted in 1931. The gun actually didn’t acquire recognition till after WWII when the German occupation of Belgium (and the FN manufacturing unit the place the Superposed was made) ended.
However the O/U shortly changed the side-by-side, which had lengthy been the gun of alternative for sportsmen all around the world. It additionally took over the aggressive clay taking pictures sports activities. Given a alternative, as we speak’s greatest shooters—from sporting clays world champions to Olympic skeet gold medalists—will choose an O/U shotgun over some other platform. The rationale for that’s shootability. The very best over/below shotguns are balanced and well-designed—manufacturing an O/U takes unbelievable precision as a result of there are such a lot of machined elements that should match collectively. Their stacked barrels make sure the shooter sees extra of the goal and fewer of the gun, which isn’t the case with a flat-ribbed side-by-side.
Issues to Take into account When Shopping for an Over/Below Shotgun
If you’re going to throw down for one of many greater priced shotguns on this checklist, then you must count on some quantity of non-public consideration. These aren’t {custom} shotguns, however they’re not low cost both, so that you shouldn’t be handled such as you’re shopping for a used 870 off the rack. Guarantee that the salesperson or your gun seller is competent. Many of the high-dollar O/Us should be ordered from a personal vendor (you’ll be able to’t purchase a brand new Krieghoff at Bass Professional), in order that shouldn’t be a difficulty. Ask to be match for the shotgun if potential. That approach the gun might be adjusted to your physique, which is able to assist with accuracy. If a seller received’t try this for you, or received’t advocate a gunsmith, take into account going elsewhere.
In case you’re shopping for on the decrease finish of the dimensions, examine the match and end of the shotgun. The receiver ought to transition into the fore-end and inventory seamlessly. Assemble the gun to verify the barrels sit correctly on the hinge pin and lockup when the motion is closed. Convey the unloaded gun to your shoulder, shut your eyes, after which open them to see in case your eye aligns with the rib. If it doesn’t, you both want a inventory adjustment or a distinct gun.
FAQs
In case you fully disassembled an over/below, pump, and semi-auto and put all of the elements on one desk, you will have your reply to this query. Merely put, it prices extra to construct an over/below as a result of there are such a lot of extra elements, plus you’re shopping for two barrels as an alternative of 1. Most over/unders have a walnut inventory and fore-end too, which is extra expensive than composite supplies typically discovered on repeaters. Add within the scrollwork to the receiver or aspect plates and also you’re speedy shotgun.
In case you can afford a custom-built shotgun, it’s completely price it. Throughout a becoming, each a part of your physique that issues to the match of a shotgun is measured in order that the gun acts like an extension of you, not an 8-pound piece of steel and wooden you’re holding towards your shoulder. The expertise of shopping for a bespoke shotgun is historically finished in Europe. In America you’ll be able to provoke the method by discovering the correct seller. For example, Beretta has its personal gallery with areas in New York Metropolis and Dallas the place you might be match for a bespoke O/U.
Remaining Ideas on the Finest Over/Below Shotguns
What’s nice about as we speak’s greatest over/below shotguns is which you can spend $25,000 or $700 and nonetheless go house with a practical firearm (although it might not be fairly as lovely for those who go for the cheaper gun). That wasn’t all the time the case many years in the past when U.S. gun producers started shopping for Turkish doubles and having them shipped to America. There are nonetheless some lemons popping out of Istanbul (and different locales), however the over/below market is so saturated these days that it has compelled overseas gun makers to construct extra dependable shotguns. In the event that they don’t, shooters have a bevy of choices at their disposal, making it simpler to maneuver on to the subsequent over/below import.