The proposition was put to me recently that the ideal gun for walked-up shooting is a lightweight 20-bore side-by-side shotgun. It got me thinking, in these days where 20-bore mania is still gripping the nation, what is the enduring appeal of the Victorian ladies’ gun to the strapping six-footers who…
Lightweight guns
From top: Beretta AL391 Light, ATA Arms Lightweight Field, Bettinsoli Crypto Lite
If you’re out on a day’s roughshooting, then the weight of the gun you carry is going to be a consideration.
You don’t want a day’s shooting spoiled by having to lug around a heavy shotgun that makes your arm and shoulder ache.
This is when lightweight guns come into their own and there are several to consider.
Over time the ideal gun weight has changed, with guns becoming heavier. The recommended weight for a side-by-side game gun used to be around 6½-6¾lb. Now it’s nearer to 7¼lbs.
One issue with lighter guns is recoil – with less mass in the gun it will ‘kick’ more. You also have to have a more deliberate swing.
Our gun experts have reviewed several options for lightweight guns, both new and second-hand, which you can read about here.
Sako Finnlight 2
The new Sako Finnlight 2 — based on the hugely popular Sako 85 action — is a leap towards stalking rifle perfection. There is still the well-proportioned synthetic stock, stainless steel construction and fluted barrel to reduce weight but with the addition of a tough Cerakote external finish. Appealing features…
Remington Model 700 Mountain SS reviewed by Shooting Times
There is a perception with shooters that bigger is better but I’m not so sure about that — after 40 years of stalking and shooting, I like to be as efficient as I can. That means packing as little as I can get into hand luggage on an overseas trip,…
So why would you want a lightweight gun?
I find my 12-bore is getting a bit too heavy to carry game shooting all day, so I’ve changed to a lighter 20-bore.
Should I use a 20-bore just because I’m female?
My husband has got me hooked on clay shooting and now wants to buy me a 20-bore because it’s lighter than the 12-bore I’ve been using.
Chapuis C40 12 bore reviewed by Shooting Gazette
Prior to picking up the Chapuis C40 for this month’s review the only other French shotgun I had shot before was a Darne made in the same region of France as the Chapuis but with a unique sliding breech action. So on opening the travel case I was quite relieved…
Three secondhand lightweight 12-bores
“I have turned 70 and, although I can still walk fair distances, the 8lb Sporter I use for all of my shooting has become rather too heavy. I am therefore looking for a lightweight 12-bore – either O/U or semi-auto. Recoil doesn’t bother me too much as nowadays as I…
Beretta Ultralight Gold reviewed by Shooting Gazette
Long-term experts in using alloy metals in constructing their guns, Beretta build the Ultralight Gold largely from a tough, lightweight aluminium alloy with the main wearing parts of the gun being made from tougher stuff. This is most clearly seen in the action face where a titanium insert will take…
Sako 85 Carbonlight
There are plenty of centrefire rifles available to British shooters in the sub-£1,000 range but those wanting a more prestigious yet value-for-money rifle have the Sako 85 model as their option. The Tikka T3 range caters for most needs but the Sako 85 Carbonlight extends the choice and boosts the…
Gun reviews: Sako Finnlight rifle
Gun reviews: Sako Finnlight rifle: This Sako Finnlight is a tough yet lightweight stalking rifle, that allows for the worst of the weather, but still gives accurate results.
Bettinsoli Crypto Lite
One of the smaller Italian manufacturers, Bettinsoli is nevertheless a name many British sportsmen and women will be familiar with, thanks to its importer RUAG, which is also responsible for bringing Perazzi’s guns into the UK. The Crypto line is a relatively new addition to Bettinsoli’s portfolio, marketed as being ideal for game and clay shooters alike. At first glance this 12 bore…
ATA Arms Lightweight Field Over-and-Under
We appear to be going through a kind of renaissance in the British shooting trade, with a variety of new guns emerging on to the market – many of these coming from Turkey. Turkish ATA Arms are being distributed in the UK by Wildhunter, a company that has been making inroads with a range of sporting accessories and are now branching into…
Bettinsoli Crypto Lite review
Both game- and clayshooters alike will find plenty to admire in the Bettinsoli Crypto Lite, a stylish and lightweight crossover gun from Italy
Westley Richards 16-bore shotgun review
Westley Richards 16-bore shotgun: Sweet and fast to shoot, this lightweight side-by-side droplock is exceptionally well finished.
Beretta Ultralight Gold 12-Bore shotgun review
Beretta Ultralight Gold 12-Bore shotgun: With clever construction and intelligent use of metals on this lightweight 12-bore, the Italians have got it right once again.
Beretta A1391 Lightweight shotgun review
Beretta A1391 Lightweight shotgun: The Beretta AL 391 semi-auto shotgun has won plenty of friends and fans since it arrived on British shores - and I can see this new lightweight version following suit too.