ORIGINAL: GSPsnFORDs
I have a Browning Citori Feather, 20 ga., 26in barrels, weighs 6lbs 3oz. It's great upland gun and shoots 3" shells as well.
A light weight Browning that I know of is the Citori Feather Upland, 12ga., 2.75" shells only, and weighs about the same as my 20 ga. I believe this model has the straight English grip, Schnabel forarm and 24" barrels though.
Keep in mind that you will pay a good price for a Browning. If you go that route and don't want to spend much money, try to find a used one.
Also, keep in mind, the barrel length. I love the 26" for hunting, but my competition gun has 28" barrels and the 28" barrels swing nicely but will add a few more ounces!!! Try some out before you make a purchase!
you are right on..12 ga are getting LIGHTER.BERETTA uricka i have is 6.5 pds.20 ga is 6 pds..i really liked the 20 ga but just 5 oz.s more, i got the 12 ga..
the smaller barrel size is real nice on 20 ga also.
the 12 ga swings better than the 20 ga,in my opinion..
28 inch barrels ARE better than 26 inch on swing balance..most use 26 inch for hunting because they feel they swing faster..thats true but they dont BALANCE as nice as 28 inch barrel..think about it, 28 is only 2 inchs longer and you will not notice weight of 2 inchs on barrel..
in the thickest brush i can still swing that 28 inch barrel at fast grouse..
if you are small in arms or height, 26 inch MAY be better but from what i see,the 28 inch is way to go..
also 12 ga. shells are CHEAPER..3 inch 20 ga are not..i use winchester aa low brass 7 and 1/2 shot on grouse..you can get remington shells 12 ga for under 3 dollars a box..the SHOT is harder on the AA shells..so, you pay over 4 dollars a box..
i was on our shotgun world site and most hunters liked the 26 inch barrels over the 28 inch..i was one that disagreed with that..no bird is that fast that 2 inchs on barrel will matter, in my opinion..grouse here in pa are fastest bird in heavy cover that i have ever hunted..
secret is to be READY..barrel up in air at eyes length.
go into you gun shop ,i like dicks and gander mtn..
pull up the gun you like and SWING it at stuffed birds on wall..you will see that the 26 inch barrel is light and quickBUT notice you will swing right thru bird..then try 28 inch barrel in the same gun and you will notice nice smooth swing thru bird..thats barrel you want..
most of the 26 inch or 24 inch on semi-guns is for POINTING..if you are in brush, they point faster but how fast??
i have yet to see a bird that needs a barrel length that fast..i love semi as you dont get recoil you do with other guns..i can shoot my berettta uricka field with t shirt on and no sore shoulder..
yes, browning are nice, faranchi, benelli, but in my opinion, the best i had is the BERETTA URICKA FIELD..again, here is our site, you can read all about any shotgun and tests etc..eneter your shotgun name under search..
www.shotgunworld.com