the best cheap over and under is a mid-priced semi- auto

 

Doesn't seem to be a choice above...

 

Sounds like you need to decide who is going to shoot the new gun and if they prefer a sxs or o/u. I enjoy sxs's, like o/u's, usually target shoot with a semiauto, and hunt with a pump. Also, I prefer a break action with 28" barrels for a field gun.

 

I would use the new shotgun. I've hunted with this puppy 13 days already, so it would see a fair amount of use. The exception would be if she gets a few days of sporting clays with it and shoots it better than the cynergy.

 

I shoot an Orion Sporting in 12 ga. Had it almost 3 years, with almost 30,000 rounds through it. The only problem I've had was a broken ejector for the lower barrel at around 15,000 rounds,which brings up my only real complaint. There are no parts available to the customer. I had to send the gun to Weatherby for repair. Granted, it has a 5 year warranty, they paid shipping both ways, and I had it back in about 4 weeks. But after the warranty, I guess I'll have to send it on my dime.

From what I've read, the SxS is made by Yildiz, but I don't have any experience with it.

 

The O/U is a rebranded ATA SP and the SxS is a rebranded Yildiz Elegant, so you might look up reviews on those. Both are popular entry level guns in the UK, so they have a fair amount of press coverage over there.

One caveat - the Weatherby SxS is on a steel receiver, unlike the 20 gauge Elegant in other markets, so I'd color any commentary regarding balance accordingly. And the steel ought to last longer, too.

 

I won a raffle at a local banquet fundraiser for a "Weatherby Orion" and learnd that I can use it for either variety.

How can you lose? The price is right. It takes most people no more than a few seconds to decide whether they prefer a SxS or an O/U, single vs. double triggers, pistol grip vs. straight stock. They are so completely different that it shouldn't be a close call for anyone.

 

Have you fiddle with the SxS?

I was leaning that way simply because that would give us one of each type. I've shouldered it and it seems intuitive and aligned. The two triggers would be new to me.

 

Doesn't seem to be a choice above...

Do you believe the Sorix would put class the Affinity we have already?

I don't know. Randy gave it a good review. I suspect the Sorix, Affinity, and Monte are all roughly the same.

The only problem I have with the Franchi's is the wierd recoil pads. Great idea, if ONLY ANYONE ON THE CONTINENT had the different lengths in stock! As it is, I would be taking a saw to the wood, and I am done doing that to new guns.

If stuck between the two guns, I'd get the side-by-side. Shoot it a season. If you like it, great. If not, sell it on Gun Broker.

In 20 gauge, it should be a fine weight for the field. With 1 1/4 ounce 3" shells (very common), you can think of it as an elegant light weight Spanish 12 gauge with so-so triggers. Just with smaller barrels. I imagine it weighs about 6.75 pounds.

An aluminum receiver can be nice for dropping about 3/4 of a pound. If you hike more than 3 miles, you'll feel the difference. If you shoot more than 10 rounds, your shoulder will feel that, too! "There is no free lunch" - Newton's 4th law.

As for wearing out an aluminum frame hunting gun.. yes... after 100 years of heavy hunting use... errr... .it'll still be going strong. Not something for the serious clays shooter.

 

I have been on the hunt for a break action 20ga to hunt upland game over our pudelpointer/gwp puppy (10.5months as I write this). "We" have a 20ga/26" cynergy field and a 20ga/26" Franchi Affinity. I thought my wife would like and shoot the French best, but she loves the browning. I also have my youth 870 20ga (which I am tempted to get a full size stock for out of nostalgia) and a 12ga 870 express.

The desire for another break action is due to the ease of handling and safety I perceive when in the field with the dog handling her.

I won a raffle at a local banquet fundraiser for a "Weatherby Orion" and learnd that I can use it for either variety.

We are in Colorado and I have been hunting dusky grouse here, Sage grouse, and pheasants in a neighboring state. This dog is our ticket to hunting many states and seeing new places, without the expense of a $1k plus big game tag and the many years of application to do so.

So, what is the best designed Orion? I've handled both and they seem to shoulder aligned for me. I am a person that uses their equipment as functional tools, and don't care one about a firearm getting dirty/scratched/babied etc., but I do take meticulous care of my tools in a mechanical sense.

I'd probably go over/under between the two but I'm more interested in the GWP/Pudelpointer. Is this an intentional cross? I bet this is a cool dog.

 

No, not at all. I had been watching for a litter from this dam, the PP. The breeder also had a good line of GWPs. Theu had a female of each breed in heat at the same time and the sire bred the GWP female, then he hopped the fence and tied with the PP dam before they could get around to stop him.

 

I have been on the hunt for a break action 20ga to hunt upland game over our pudelpointer/gwp puppy (10.5months as I write this). "We" have a 20ga/26" cynergy field and a 20ga/26" Franchi Affinity. I thought my wife would like and shoot the French best, but she loves the browning.

Weatherby has apparently dropped the 28 in. Orion O/U in 20 gauge. See: https://weatherby.com/store/orion-i/ . An O/U is easier to get rid of than a SxS, so I'd take the O/U as the freebie-- but try to use it as credit towards another Cynergy.

Old guy, old video with wind noise, but a 2015 vintage Cynergy 20 is a solid gun.

A Cynergy 20 will kill a wild pheasant as well.

 

Weatherby has apparently dropped the 26 in. Orion O/U in 20 gauge. See: https://weatherby.com/store/orion-i/ . An O/U is easier to get rid of than a SxS, so I'd take the O/U as the freebie-- but try to use it as credit towards another Cynergy.

View attachment 124810

Old guy, old video with wind noise, but a 2015 vintage Cynergy 20 is a solid gun.

View attachment 124808

A Cynergy 20 will kill a wild pheasant as well.

They have the matte version in 26"

https://weatherby.com/store/orion-matte-blue/

I like the stock finish a bit better when it's not so glossy.

 

Yes, I corrected it-- the 28 inch in 20 gauge was dropped.

 

It wouldn't let me PM you.

Any thoughts on the Orion o/u compared to the CZ upland/Drake/redhead?

 

I have been shooting a Franchi Highlander 20 gauge in SE Washington State for the past 18 yrs. It is a great shotgun. Ironically, my 25 yr. 12 gauge is a Weatherby Orion. I keep both guns cleans and the only issue I have had is needing to have a gunsmith re-cock the ejectors in the Franchi. I would try to shoot the Orion SxS and see what you think. My Orion was manufactured in Japan and I get compliments on it all the time.