As the pheasant shooting season kicks in here is our pick of four of the best game guns in their class. Every one would hold its own on the grandest drive or the most challenging walked-up day.
You need to be thinking in terms of weight, gauge, style and action. Budget is probably a consideration too of course. Here’s our roundup of shotguns for the pheasant season rated by our readers and experts. Click on the name of the gun to read the full review and details of where to purchase.
Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon
This is an incredibly popular gun and has been built to Beretta’s usual proven design with no compromise in the quality to make a cheaper model. Keenly priced at £1,495 (starting). You might also like to look at the Beretta 686 Onyx and the 686E Evo shotgun.
Browning 725 Game Gun
If you’re looking for a good all-round gun then you’ve found it here. With a name like this, it’s designed for game shooting but you would also find it a good choice for shooting clays at club level. Expect to pay around £2000 for the Grade 1 and around £4000 for the Grade 5 version.
Beretta EELL Combo Shotgun
Very popular. More expensive than the 686 with nicer wood. As a combination it works exceptionally well and will appeal to the sportsman who struggles to adapt quickly from one gun to another. Expect to pay around £6,200.
Purdey 20 Bore Sporter
“If you’re going to do it, do it in style,” says Huw Clarke of Game On Game Services when we asked him about his favourite guns for pheasant shooting. He picked out the Purdey which comes in at £37,200. For that you get a superb gun that is a delight to own and use, beautifully finished in Turkish walnut.
Huw Clarke is based in the Cotswolds and can be reached on + 44 (0) 1451 861089 and is a well-established instructor experienced at running shoots.
If you’re looking for a shotgun, you should check out the guns for sale on the Shooting UK Marketplace.