I'm looking for a nice field grade 28ga in a O/U or double. What would be your choice and why?

You cannot beat the Italians for cost/performance in 28 Gauge. Here are some 28 Gauge recommendations.


Make: Beretta
Model: Beretta 686 White Oryx
MSRP: $2,075


Also from Beretta but a little bit more money...

Make: Beretta
Model: Beretta 687 EELL Diamond Pigeon King Ranch
MSRP: $7,650


Fausti - They are a small family owned company and the quality is just a tad lower than Beretta but very nice cost/performance. Cabelas can order them for you in 28 Gauge.

Make: Fausti
Model: Caledon
MSRP: $2,569



Here is a nice Side by Side from Fausti in 28 Gauge

Make: Fausti
Model: Dea (One Italian word...this is not D.E.A. )
MSRP: $3,890



I can give you 28 gauge recommendation for German and British makers as well but they will be quite a bit more money.


Another not too expensive option is the Browning. Good news is that they are not made in China (yet) and the Japanese made are quite good.

Make: Browning
Model: Cynergy
MSRP: $2,460


Couple of months ago we had a fun discussion on 28 gauge...here is the link.
http://forums.accuratereloadin...391002741#8391002741



Caesar Guerini - Another good field gun and good service provided right in Maryland for this Italian Make.

Make: Caesar Guerini
Model: Woodlander
MSRP: $2,995

Go look at Yildiz (O/U) shotguns at your local Academy Sports. I think they are a good buy at 400-500 bucks as I recollect.
Peter.

What's your budget???

Browning Citori is the most gun for the $. I have the 625 Sporting, 30" bbls, and I love it.

I love my Ruger Red Label in .28 gauge. A bit less than some of these mentioned and a pleasure to shoot.

Beretta!

I'll second the vote for the Red Label in the lower tier......but I also love my Citori.

If you can find a Beretta Silver Pigeon 28 gauge O/U you should grab it.

My wife has one and I have lost count of the number of doves she has killed with it.

I love the way it handles, although the stock is too short for me.

Terrific little shotgun.

Those little Berettas are what H&H uses in Argentina for their "rent" guns...Zillions of rounds fired through them and they just keep going!!!

I have had my Beretta O/U for 30years and it too has fired zillions of rounds and I have not needed to replace ANY parts at all. In fact Gerard Schultz tightened it up a tad 5 years ago after I noticed a tiny bit of play in the action. Not enough to warrant a trip to the 'smith but it freaked me out so I had it done. Lets just say I LOVE my Beretta. I am going to buy another very soon.

Jeff,
After a couple of days, I made both of H&H's 28ga Berettas give up the ghost. Yep, they probably had zillions of rounds through them but I had 2 break on me, one a firing pin and the other got something wrong with the lock up and wouldn't close properly. My bird boy had them back up and running the next day but . . . anything with wheels or with tits is subject to men having trouble with it.

In SxSs, if your budget permits, an AyA #2 sidelock or a 4/53 boxlock are pretty close to the feel of a nice English game gun.

With English stock, splinter forend and double triggers they are beautiful, light and responsive guns and are noted for reliability.

I am currently shooting a CZ woodcock, which is a nice little double for around $1000 new. The only thing I don't like on it is the safety - it tends to bind up between barrel selection, and then can not be disengaged. I shoot it well, though, and it is reasonably priced. I also own a 1970's vintage 870 wingmaster that I inherited from my father, and I still shoot some doves with it from time to time. If money was not so much of an issue, I would get one of the berettas - probably the silver pigeon. I just like the way they feel and swing!
E Dawg

The best 28's are built on 28 ga. size frame, that is what makes them so handy. Beretta makes small frame 28's, and I think most of the other Italians do as well. The Brownings are on a 20 ga. frame. There are quite a few of the Parker repro's around right now in 28 and they are super.
C.G.B.

Franchi also makes a very light and lively 28 O/U for a bit over $1,000 street.

I shoot a Beretta Silver Pigeon with screw in chokes and a schnabel foreend, very nice and fast handling shot gun. Most of the time I have improved and modified screwed in, unless I am at the skeet range. I shoot nothing but 3/4 oz loads in my 28's, and also love this shotgun for hunting quail.

Jerry