I have an early 60's Browning Light 12 that was given to me years ago. When I go out shooting clays I take it. It's the only 12 ga I have. Lately I've been getting failures to eject so it's at the gunsmith awaiting parts. I sort of figure it's time to prob keep the oldie goldie in the gun case though and looking to do an Over Under for casual clay shooting with friends. Last weekend I borrowed a Browning 525 Sporting from a buddy. Even with it's shorter LOP (for him) (I'm 6'2) I felt like a god shooting that thing. Probably a 20-30% better break rate versus my ole Light 12. I couldn't believe it.
Looking for super practical advice. Talk me off the ledge.
1. My guess is I'll never shoot competitively (if I do I'll invest in a better gun).
2. I do want a good reliable competent well made O/U.
3. I don't care about pretty at all. I'm not hung up on wood grain or fancy etching. I do want the wood to be strong enough though to take some dings.
4. I dont want barrel porting. (in case I want to use it to hunt)
5. I'd like to go with a 30" or 32" barrel.
6. Used is just as OK as new to me.
7. I'll probably run around 2000 rounds a year through it and want it to be able to handle that and be configured to not kill my shoulder.
8. Looking for a 50/50 POI setup.
9. Legitimate top end of the current budget is around $3,000. Although $1,500 sounds better to me.
10. Adjustable comb. Do I really need that?
What I've looked at
1. Brownings, mostly the 725 Sporting and Citori CXS
2. Beretta 686 SP
3. Winchester 101
4. CZ Redhead (although I'm leaning more toward the top 3)
Honestly, For what I'm doing my guess is, I could probably close my eyes and point at anything I've mentioned I've looked at and be super happy. Any of those, I perceive, are a HUGE upgrade over my Light 12. Do I need a $3,000 O/U? The Browning 725 sorta caught my eye due to the new trigger system but I've never shot it so I dont know what I'm missing.
I'm going over to mount a few of them today to see how they feel. I'm just a little stuck between all the marketing and practicality. I appreciate your thoughts in advance.