Gun Dog Forum

I was looking at O/Us at "bleep" today and they have the Diamond O/U by Berretta/ Franchi for 799 and the store I was in also had a Verona LX500 Silver O/U for 599.00.

After handling both of them with 28" barrels and in both 12 and 20ga. I cant decide which I want. Both look nice... the Franchi comes with a case if thats worth anything... not 200 bucks I am sure.

When I handle the guns the Verona seems to feel better... its lighter and just "feels" right. But why is it 200 bucks cheaper? Is it an inferior gun? I want to hunt Quail, Rabbits and shoot a few clays. Which gun would you guys prefer and in which gauge?

Help out a confused guy here...

Thanks,
Greg

If one feels better than the other, then that is the one for you.

The Verona does not have the reputation yet of the Beretta or Franchi, the ones I have handled appear to be fine pieces. The Cabelas here sells lots of them and according to the gun guys there they do not have very many problems with them at all. Some of the fit issues where the wood meets metal could be better but that seems to be just cosmetic to me. I own several Berettas and Browning O/U if the Verona fit me better I would own one.SDGORD

I have a Verona 503. . .I got it in June and have put several hundred rounds through it without any firing problems. They are very stiff to begin with, but after a couple hundred rounds, they loosen up along with some lubrication.

Verona o/u's are made by F.A.I.R in Italy, which is one of the Rizzini family. . .same family that makes Beretta, B. Rizzini, etc. They are fairly new in NA, but if you look, they have some guns that are over $3000. . .the 500 series is their entry field gun series. I paid $729.00 for my 503 from Gander. The insides are the same as any other 500, mine has a silver receiver with gold inlays of pheasant. My fit and finish were great, but I have seen some that were not as well fit.

Oh yeah, and you didn't say if you are right or left handed. . .if you are left-handed, Beretta o/us will not fit you at all, too much right hand cast. . .Verona has a pretty neutral cast, which even if you are a right handed shooter and used to neutral, may fit you better. Hope this helps. The only thing with Veronas is that the importer may change, but not much goes wrong with o/us besides firing pins, which any gunsmith can do.

What gauge do you guys use for Quail, Rabbit and such?

I have always used a 20 but some people tell me to get a 12...

What do the masses say?

Greg

G_Boyd wrote:What gauge do you guys use for Quail, Rabbit and such?

I have always used a 20 but some people tell me to get a 12...

What do the masses say?

Greg

For quail, rabbits and other small game, I'd go with a 28 and shoot the new 1 oz load Winchester has out.

If you didn't like a 28, I'd go with the 20. I shoot a 1oz load of 8's through a skeet bore and turn the birds inside out.

Now if you plan to hunt full sized ducks or turkey, I'd go with the 12.

The 12, especially with choke tubes and 3" chambers, is an incredibly versatile tool.

Regards,

G_Boyd wrote:What gauge do you guys use for Quail, Rabbit and such?

I have always used a 20 but some people tell me to get a 12...

What do the masses say?

Greg

The 12 is the most versatile of the guns for sure. If you want to use it for rabbit, quail, etc. . .you just go with a wide choke (cylinder or skeet) and use light loads. If you decide to go duck/goose hunting you can throw in some 3" mag loads of steel or hevishot and you are good to go. Do not use more than a modified choke for steel. . .I find that normally the IC choke is best for waterfowl. . . IC is MOD for steel. . .chokes down for steel.

Also, I have the 12 and it handles great and at 7 lbs. is pretty light for a 12 double. . .the 20 is 6.5 lbs and I hear is kicks a lot more than the 12.

Can't say that I agree with folks who say you need a 12 for turkey. Ducks or geese maybe (I have very little experience hunting them) but definitely not turkey. I have hunted turkey for my entire life and have NEVER killed less than 3 in any year. At least 95% of them were killed with a 20. Just my two cents.

As for the guns in question, go with the Verona if it feels better to you. You will shoot it better.

I think the 20 is just as versatile as the 12 for most purposes. Turkey can be and are killed with a 20 as well.

I do have a 12 but for the weight and kick I use my 20 more often. The 12 is reserved for dove hunts (which, a 20 would do there as well) and clay shooting. If I ever go after ducks or geese, I'd use the 12 as well.

Upland birds, rabbit, squirrel, etc. a 20 can do just as well as a 12.

It's all opinion though, so go with what your gut tells you rather than what your buddies tell you (unless, of course, it's the same thing ).

Looked at some more Veronas today, still dont fit me right, but very nice couple of guns I looked at. I shoot the 28 for prarie grouse and pheasants use the bismuth load with 3/4 oz. Seems to do a good job. 7 and half for quail. The 20 ga handles most every thing else. Also have a couple of 12s that have not carried for several years. I prefer the 12 ga in the duck boat.SDGORD