So, considering the venerable Beretta 686 for trap (maybe skeet someday). ~I will not be hunting with this shotgun, just shooting trap for sure and maybe skeet someday. Please discuss the differences in a 26, 28, 30" barrel, diffferent models, weights, etc. As a novice am I going to notice a difference in subtle changes in weight or barrel length with the different models?
Beretta 686 barrel length, models, opinions...
- Thread starter chadio
- Start date
My White Onyx Sporter came with 32" barrels, Optima chokes.
With aftermarket extended chokes, it's as ponderous as I'd want it to be. With the flush mount chokes, it's a little more lively.
For trap, consider either these or the 30" pipes.
If you can, try out some 686 versions first. I did, and I'm quite happy with my choice.
A good rule here is to get the longest barrels you can handle....
With aftermarket extended chokes, it's as ponderous as I'd want it to be. With the flush mount chokes, it's a little more lively.
For trap, consider either these or the 30" pipes.
If you can, try out some 686 versions first. I did, and I'm quite happy with my choice.
A good rule here is to get the longest barrels you can handle....
If you get the longer barrels, the gun will favor trap. With the shorter barrels it will favor Skeet. IMHO, 26s are way too short.
Will a novice notice the difference?… perhaps not, but you don't want to be a novice for ever. As Dave suggested, try them out before you make your selection.
Another rule of thumb: it's easier to make shorter Skeet barrels work for trap singles than it is to make long trap barrels work for Skeet.
Will a novice notice the difference?… perhaps not, but you don't want to be a novice for ever. As Dave suggested, try them out before you make your selection.
Another rule of thumb: it's easier to make shorter Skeet barrels work for trap singles than it is to make long trap barrels work for Skeet.
26" ...30" ....the difference is in the swing characteristics...
as my buddy says ..." at what point does it feel like you're swinging a big ole sewer pipe" ...vs a more nimble gun..
Part of the choice is personal .../ but I wouldn't go shorter than a 28" ...or over a 30" for a general purpose gun ( for skeet, sporting clays or bird hunting ) .../ but for a dedicated Trap gun I wouldn't go shorter than a 32".
In general there is less left to right barrel movement in Trap -- than Skeet or sporting or bird hunting...so the longer and heavier barrels make better Trap guns...
For a good versatile gun - I'd suggest the 30" ...and it may not be optimum for Trap ...but it'll be good for skeet and sporting - and ok for Trap.
as my buddy says ..." at what point does it feel like you're swinging a big ole sewer pipe" ...vs a more nimble gun..
Part of the choice is personal .../ but I wouldn't go shorter than a 28" ...or over a 30" for a general purpose gun ( for skeet, sporting clays or bird hunting ) .../ but for a dedicated Trap gun I wouldn't go shorter than a 32".
In general there is less left to right barrel movement in Trap -- than Skeet or sporting or bird hunting...so the longer and heavier barrels make better Trap guns...
For a good versatile gun - I'd suggest the 30" ...and it may not be optimum for Trap ...but it'll be good for skeet and sporting - and ok for Trap.
SauerGrapes
New member
Obviously if your looking to shoot clays, you don't want to buy some featherlite shotgun. I like my guns to be in the 8lb range, give or take a few ounces. {7 1\2lbs minimum}
Use to be all you saw on the skeet fields were 26'' and some 28'' barrels. Now, 30'' seems to be the norm. If your primary game is trap, and your not buying a trap specific gun, you can still get 32's. More times than not, if you look for 32's, it's going to be a sporting model and will have ported barrels.
Fit of the gun is the most important thing. The sporting model tend to have longer length of pull than something in a field model.
Beretta has a ''newer" model out, the Silver Pigeon I, it is available with 28 or 30'' barrels. {non ported}It's basically the same as the rest of the 686 breed.
Use to be all you saw on the skeet fields were 26'' and some 28'' barrels. Now, 30'' seems to be the norm. If your primary game is trap, and your not buying a trap specific gun, you can still get 32's. More times than not, if you look for 32's, it's going to be a sporting model and will have ported barrels.
Fit of the gun is the most important thing. The sporting model tend to have longer length of pull than something in a field model.
Beretta has a ''newer" model out, the Silver Pigeon I, it is available with 28 or 30'' barrels. {non ported}It's basically the same as the rest of the 686 breed.
My sporter came in at just under 8 lbs when I got it. Now, a little lead weight added and extended chokes bring it to maybe 8 lbs, 5 oz. That. IMO, is about optimum for me. YMMV.
With an aftermarket Limbsaver pad, it comes to 15" or so LOP. It fits well.
Triggers are still a hair heavier than I like, but there's no one local I'd trust it to anymore.
With an aftermarket Limbsaver pad, it comes to 15" or so LOP. It fits well.
Triggers are still a hair heavier than I like, but there's no one local I'd trust it to anymore.
.300 Weatherby Mag
New member
I bought one of these so I would have a field gun that comes close to the feel of my 682 Beretta target gun... It works well for skeet and trap.. Based on how it fits and shoots it will tear up birds.. It has a 28" barrel...
oneounceload
Moderator
FIT is the key, and the Beretta's competition in that range - Browning - are also good guns. I say this only because if one fits you well, the odds are the other will not - and if the Beretta does not, look at the Browning.
Otherwise, the longest barrels will have the smoothest swing dynamics - important in clay games, especially trap and skeet where the target trajectory is a constant. You'll really want a gun in the 8+ pound range
My all-around O/U has 32" tubes and weighs about 8.25# - with 3/4 or 7/8oz target loads, it is fun to shoot all day - and my shoulder prefers it that way!..
Otherwise, the longest barrels will have the smoothest swing dynamics - important in clay games, especially trap and skeet where the target trajectory is a constant. You'll really want a gun in the 8+ pound range
My all-around O/U has 32" tubes and weighs about 8.25# - with 3/4 or 7/8oz target loads, it is fun to shoot all day - and my shoulder prefers it that way!..
TheKlawMan
Moderator
Damn, Weatherby. Where you been boy, cause it looks like they will let anyone shoot where that pic was taken. As familiar as the dude seems, I just can't place the ugly cuss. Be careful around those suspicious looking guys with guns.
.300 Weatherby Mag
New member
LOL
