Lighter Over-Unders for Upland Bird Hunting

For much of the season, a bird hunter is merely a transport system for a shotgun; that is, he or she carries it.

And carries it a lot.

Thankfully, there are new over-under shotguns out there that make this transport less of a challenge and more of a joy.

Lightweight, wonderfully balanced, quick to ready and, more often than not, a thing of beauty.

These are today’s stacked-barrel upland guns.

BENELLI 828U

The 828U is Benelli’s first stacked barrel, and she’s a dandy. Featuring everything you’d expect from the company that brought waterfowlers the legendary Super Black Eagle, including adjustable drop/cast, an ergonomic breech lever, and an easy-to-remove trigger group, the 828U is first in its field. $4,399

MOSSBERG International Silver Reserve II 12/20 Combo

The best of both worlds. That describes Mossberg’s Silver Reserve II Field Combo to the proverbial ‘T’. This package includes both a 12-gauge and 20-gauge stacked barrel set, complete with five chokes and 28-inch/26-inch barrels, respectively. Same great look, with the silver receiver and fine black walnut stock/forearm. $1,162

BROWNING Citori 725 Feather Superlight

I shot a Citori 725 for a season in Iowa, and I can honestly say it was as close to upland perfection as they come. Weighing just 5.7 pounds, the 20-gauge I had sported 26-inch barrels, beautiful wood, and an appetite for roosters, bobwhites, and doves. For hunters who want classic pheasant firepower, the Citori also comes as a 6.2-pound 12 gauge. $2,669

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