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Outdoor Life published a selection of classic and modern shotguns it favors for upland bird hunting, with picks for over-under, semi-automatic and side-by-side designs. The report emphasizes carry weight, balance, fit and value, but its choices are editorial recommendations, not a definitive ranking supported by comparative testing across every shotgun.
Outdoor Life published a guide on Oct. 23 naming its preferred classic and modern shotguns for upland bird hunting, including the Browning Citori 825 Field as its top over-under, the Benelli Montefeltro as its top semi-automatic and the Upland Gun Company Zeus as its top side-by-side. The selections are the magazine’s editorial judgments about guns suited to carrying and shooting in the uplands, not a claim that one shotgun is best for every hunter.
The report says a bird-hunting shotgun should be light and well balanced, mount naturally to the shooter and swing smoothly. It also weighs appearance and value in its selections. The article’s author worked with longtime shotgun columnist Phil Bourjaily to assemble a list of current and older models, describing them as attainable options rather than inexpensive ones.
The featured modern over-under is the 20-gauge Browning Citori 825 Field. The report lists a break-action design, 28-inch barrels, a weight of 6 pounds, 6 ounces and a price of $3,389. The author says the gun felt balanced during handling and notes its low-profile receiver and lower-bore axis. Browning’s stated design feature of a tapered locking bolt is described as intended to tighten with use and help prevent action wear.
The Benelli Montefeltro is the semi-automatic pick. The listed 20-gauge configuration weighs 6 pounds, 2 ounces, has a 28-inch barrel and costs $1,699. The article describes its inertia-operated action and says the model was updated in 2023. The Zeus, a made-to-order Italian-made side-by-side imported by Upland Gun Company, starts at $3,499; buyers can specify stock dimensions, chokes, barrel length and wood, according to the report.
How the Picks Differ in the Field
The guide gives bird hunters a shortlist across three action types, with differences that affect weight, handling, capacity and price. A lighter gun can be easier to carry over long walks, while fit and balance can shape how naturally a shotgun mounts and tracks a moving bird. Those considerations help explain why the article offers separate category winners rather than one overall choice.
The prices also show the range of the recommendations: the Montefeltro is listed at $1,699, the Citori 825 at $3,389 and the Zeus from $3,499 before optional upgrades. These are substantial purchases, so the guide’s criteria may help readers frame a comparison. They do not replace trying a shotgun in person, checking that it fits, and considering local hunting rules and the intended gauge and load.
Browning Citori 825 Field 20 gauge over under shotgun
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From Production Guns to Classics
The report distinguishes its modern upland picks from a separate list of classic bird guns: the Browning Superposed, Ruger Gold Label and Browning Auto 5 Sweet 16. It also names additional models to consider, including the Beretta Ultra Leggero, Ruger Red Label III, Dickinson Plantation and Beretta A400 Upland. The article’s framing is that a hunter may use many kinds of shotgun successfully; its selections are examples the writers consider especially suited to upland use.
The Citori’s lineage is part of that history. Outdoor Life says Browning introduced the Citori in the early 1970s as a more affordable Japanese-manufactured alternative to the Belgian-made Browning Superposed. The Montefeltro first appeared in 1983 and received the listed update in 2023. These details place the recommendations across several generations of shotgun design rather than presenting the guide as a list of newly released products.
“A good bird hunting gun should be pleasant to carry, it should mount naturally, and it should swing through targets with ease.”
— Outdoor Life report
Limits of the Editorial Rankings
The article presents editorial favorites, but the supplied report does not describe a controlled, head-to-head test of every model or provide a scoring system that would establish an objective all-time ranking. Experiences with fit, recoil and handling can vary by shooter, configuration and ammunition. The listed prices and specifications reflect the report and may change; the Zeus price, in particular, is a starting price, with optional upgrades available.
The report’s headline uses “of all time,” but the recommendations span a selected group, not every shotgun ever made. The excerpt also does not provide full specifications or detailed testing for every additional and classic model named. Readers should verify current availability, configuration and price with manufacturers or dealers before buying.
Compare Fit Before Buying
The report does not announce a future product release or a follow-up test. For readers considering one of the picks, the practical next step is to handle and, where possible, try the shotgun with an experienced instructor or knowledgeable dealer. A gun’s stock dimensions and balance matter to how it fits an individual shooter, particularly when selecting a made-to-order model such as the Zeus.
Buyers can also check current manufacturer specifications, local hunting regulations and ammunition compatibility. The article’s recommendations can serve as a starting point for comparison, but the source does not identify a single model as the right choice for every bird hunter.
Key Questions
Which shotgun did Outdoor Life pick as its best over-under?
The report names the 20-gauge Browning Citori 825 Field as its best over-under. It lists a 28-inch barrel, a weight of 6 pounds, 6 ounces and a price of $3,389.
What is the report’s top semi-automatic bird gun?
Outdoor Life selects the Benelli Montefeltro. The report lists the 20-gauge version at 6 pounds, 2 ounces with a 28-inch barrel and a price of $1,699.
Which side-by-side does the guide recommend?
The guide names the Upland Gun Company Zeus, a made-to-order 20-gauge side-by-side. Its listed starting price is $3,499, with options for dimensions, chokes, barrel length and wood.
Does the article prove these are the best shotguns of all time?
No. It presents the writers’ editorial favorites and category picks. The supplied report does not describe a comprehensive, controlled comparison of every shotgun or establish a universal winner.
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