Skip to content
Wild10
686 Silver Pigeon I

Top 10 · Gear

The 10 Best Upland Shotguns

Over-unders, side-by-sides, and light autos built to be carried all day and swung fast.

All lists

Upland hunting is a walking sport. The gun that kills the most birds is the one that is still comfortable in your hands at mile eight, and that comes up to your cheek the same way every time a rooster flushes behind you.

Best of the Best · Head to Head

686 Silver Pigeon I vs Citori 725 Field

#1 vs #2 — side-by-side specs, pros & cons, and the final verdict.

Topic summary

Over-unders, side-by-sides, and light autos built to be carried all day and swung fast.

Key takeaways

  • #1 686 Silver Pigeon I — Beretta
  • #2 Citori 725 Field — Browning
  • #3 Ultra Light — Benelli
  • #4 Instinct SL — Franchi
  • #5 Bobwhite G2 — CZ-USA
  • #6 A400 Upland — Beretta

Intended uses

Gear

Verification notes

Editorial ranked list, 10 entries. Evidence mix — 10 research only. Buy links open the maker or a retailer search.

Rank this list

Loading community ratings… Ratings re-order the picks — they never change which products make the list.

Sign in to add your own ratings — it's free.

  1. 1
    686 Silver Pigeon I by Beretta

    686 Silver Pigeon I

    — Beretta

    The default answer in upland over-unders. Low-profile action, superb balance, and parts support everywhere.

    Research onlyRead the full profile
    Buy at beretta.com Full review
    No ratings yet
  2. 2
    Citori 725 Field by Browning

    Citori 725 Field

    — Browning

    A lower receiver and the Fire Lite trigger make it point faster than the older Citoris. Built to outlast you.

    Research onlyRead the full profile
    Buy at browning.com Full review
    No ratings yet
  3. 3
    Ultra Light by Benelli

    Ultra Light

    — Benelli

    Under six pounds in 12 gauge. The gun for hunters who cover ground rather than sit on field edges.

    Research onlyRead the full profile
    Buy at benelliusa.com Full review
    No ratings yet
  4. 4
    Instinct SL by Franchi

    Instinct SL

    — Franchi

    Aluminum receiver, real walnut, and a price well under the Italian competition. Around six pounds in 20.

    Research onlyRead the full profile
    Buy at franchiusa.com Full review
    No ratings yet
  5. 5
    Bobwhite G2 by CZ-USA

    Bobwhite G2

    — CZ-USA

    Straight grip, double triggers, honest side-by-side handling at an entry-level price. Quail and grouse gun.

    Research onlyRead the full profile
    Buy at cz-usa.com Full review
    No ratings yet
  6. 6
    A400 Upland by Beretta

    A400 Upland

    — Beretta

    Gas system soaks up recoil for high-volume days. Fastest-cycling upland auto made.

    Research onlyRead the full profile
    Buy at beretta.com Full review
    No ratings yet
  7. 7
    A5 Sweet Sixteen by Browning

    A5 Sweet Sixteen

    — Browning

    The 16 gauge sweet spot: 20 gauge weight, 12 gauge patterns, and Browning's Inflex recoil pad.

    Research onlyRead the full profile
    Buy at browning.com Full review
    No ratings yet
  8. 8
    Tempio by Syren

    Tempio

    — Syren

    Built on female stock dimensions rather than a shortened mens gun. The fit difference is immediate.

    Research onlyRead the full profile
    Buy at syrenusa.com Full review
    No ratings yet
  9. 9
    Orion I by Weatherby

    Orion I

    — Weatherby

    Straightforward field over-under with good wood and chrome-lined barrels. Best value in the category.

    Research onlyRead the full profile
    Buy at weatherby.com Full review
    No ratings yet
  10. 10
    Autumn by Fabarm

    Autumn

    — Fabarm

    A true 20-gauge-scaled action at 5.5 pounds. Purpose-built grouse and woodcock gun.

    Research onlyRead the full profile
    Buy at fabarm.com Full review
    No ratings yet
Bottom line

Weight and fit beat everything else in upland guns. Handle several, shoot the one that mounts naturally, and let the birds sort out the rest.

Next list
Best Waterfowl Shotguns
Read next

Learn the craft: hunting guides

All hunting guides →
Break-action shotgun laid out for inspection

Shotgun Hunting

Gauges, chokes, shot size, and lead for birds and slug country.

White-tailed deer buck standing at a field edge

Types of Game

Big game, small game, upland birds, and waterfowl — habitat and season.

Rocky Mountain elk herd in a high meadow

Hunting Hub

Where every hunting guide on The Wild10 starts.