miroku_fan Posted September 13, 2010 Report Share Posted September 13, 2010 Does anybody have an opinion on the Ultralight Gold? I normally use a Beretta 20 or 28 bore for my shooting. My interest in this particular model lies in its lightness and the fact that it would enable me to choose from a wide range of 12 bore cartridges. Another advantage would be the relative cheapness of using 12 bore cartridges in comparison with 20/28 bore cartridges. My biggest concern is that the Ultralight will not handle as well as my small bores. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apache Posted September 13, 2010 Report Share Posted September 13, 2010 Me girlfriend has one. Light and fast handling. Does kick with heavier loads, but what do you expect? She usually puts 21G through for clays and 25/28g for game. It's not the right gun for 100 clays, but a lot of walking and a few shots it's perfect. Rough shooting it's lighter than my SBS's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitsinhedges Posted September 13, 2010 Report Share Posted September 13, 2010 IMO if you want a light 12g buy an auto. I have a Beretta Urika 391 Light and it bangs out quite heavy loads without a problem even though it only weighs 6 1/2lb. Never really notice the recoil even on pigeon loads. A friend bought the Beretta Ultralight o/u a few months back and I wasn't awfully impressed and he soon sold it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miroku_fan Posted September 13, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2010 Me girlfriend has one. Light and fast handling. Does kick with heavier loads, but what do you expect? She usually puts 21G through for clays and 25/28g for game. It's not the right gun for 100 clays, but a lot of walking and a few shots it's perfect. Rough shooting it's lighter than my SBS's. I would not expect recoil to be too much of an issue because it would be my intention not to exceed an ounce load through it. I can use a 28g load in my 20 bore and 24g in my 28 bore without any discomfort. My real concern is that the new Ultralight Gold felt really muzzle heavy in the gunshop and I wondered if this would significantly affect its handling quality in the field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apache Posted September 13, 2010 Report Share Posted September 13, 2010 My real concern is that the new Ultralight Gold felt really muzzle heavy in the gunshop and I wondered if this would significantly affect its handling quality in the field. I'd say not. Balance point back 1/3rd of forestock. Some weight in the barrels helps keep them moving IMO. I've not used it a lot but I do like the gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miroku_fan Posted September 13, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2010 (edited) How is the alloy action bearing up? Edited September 13, 2010 by miroku_fan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apache Posted September 13, 2010 Report Share Posted September 13, 2010 How is the alloy action bearing up? Seems fine, really quite a beautiful gun if that means much to you. I guess it does if you are looking at the Gold rather than the basic! Do you want to know anything else as I have it out of the cabinet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted September 13, 2010 Report Share Posted September 13, 2010 Does anybody have an opinion on the Ultralight Gold? I normally use a Beretta 20 or 28 bore for my shooting. My interest in this particular model lies in its lightness and the fact that it would enable me to choose from a wide range of 12 bore cartridges. Another advantage would be the relative cheapness of using 12 bore cartridges in comparison with 20/28 bore cartridges. My biggest concern is that the Ultralight will not handle as well as my small bores. Not sure on the weight of the model in question but I've a Beretta 20 bore with 30 M/C barrels. It weights 6.1/2 Lb. It seems to be hard to beat IMHO. I can see the attraction of lighter 12 bore carts but as you will not run too many through in a single session the 20 bore does not really cost much more. I am still amazed by how good the Silver Pigeon 20 bore really is from handling, looks (very nice game scenes) and of course, the shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miroku_fan Posted September 13, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2010 Thank you for the information Apache. It has been very helpful. I have to admit to liking good wood and pretty engraving on a gun. The Deluxe and the Gold versions of this gun look very elegant. The only downside for me is the fact that it comes with 28" barrels and my preference would be for 30". I suppose the longer barrels with the light alloy action would affect the balance of the gun even more. Have you stuck with the original rubber recoil pad or have you fitted a Gel Tek pad to the stock? Again my personal preference would be for a wooden butt pad which I have fitted to all my shotguns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apache Posted September 13, 2010 Report Share Posted September 13, 2010 Thank you for the information Apache. It has been very helpful. I have to admit to liking good wood and pretty engraving on a gun. The Deluxe and the Gold versions of this gun look very elegant. The only downside for me is the fact that it comes with 28" barrels and my preference would be for 30". I suppose the longer barrels with the light alloy action would affect the balance of the gun even more. Have you stuck with the original rubber recoil pad or have you fitted a Gel Tek pad to the stock? Again my personal preference would be for a wooden butt pad which I have fitted to all my shotguns. It comes with a rubber pad and a hard plastic pad. Have the rubber pad fitted, but may upgrade for a Geltek at some point. I do think 30" would be daft and nose heavy. Not noticed much difference to my Silver Pig's 30". I can still hit stuff, and miss stuff! Has a nice bit of wood. Would take you a picture but camera needs charging and not good under artificial light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted September 13, 2010 Report Share Posted September 13, 2010 What kind of shooting do you intend to do with it? A friend of mine has one and I have shot with it on a number of occassions. IMO it is a gun that excels on a walked up day due to it's very light weight and the fact that not too many shots will be fired, and not in quick succession. I have also used it on a driven day and I preferred my own Silver Pigeon - it seemed to handle a bit more definitively (not that it made much difference!) - and for clays, and with 28g loads it was not uncomfortable but the recoil is more noticable than a heavier 12g. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gixer1 Posted September 13, 2010 Report Share Posted September 13, 2010 If you have a search for topics by me (gixer1) you will see pictures of my u/l gold (you can not buy a new deluxe anymore) I love mine and it is a beautiful gun (although I was exceptionally lucky with the wood I got) as there were a couple I saw that were like a plank! They are as light as a 20 (I had a Lincoln 20 before my u/l) and I loved that but I have grown more fond of the ultralight due to the look of it, if you get a choice go for the Matt oiled as apposed to the gloss varnish one! Regards Gixer1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miroku_fan Posted September 13, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2010 If you have a search for topics by me (gixer1) you will see pictures of my u/l gold (you can not buy a new deluxe anymore) I love mine and it is a beautiful gun (although I was exceptionally lucky with the wood I got) as there were a couple I saw that were like a plank! They are as light as a 20 (I had a Lincoln 20 before my u/l) and I loved that but I have grown more fond of the ultralight due to the look of it, if you get a choice go for the Matt oiled as apposed to the gloss varnish one! Regards Gixer1 There are still a few new Deluxe models for sale in the retailers but I am keen to purchase the Gold. I believe that Beretta have worked on the alloy action, applied a new protective finish and reduced the weight of the gun to around five and a half pounds. I intend to use the gun for some walked up days on woodcock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gixer1 Posted September 13, 2010 Report Share Posted September 13, 2010 Yes the golds are about 1/4 of a pound lighter and have a few improvements I have had mine out in some nasty weather and there is not a mark on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miroku_fan Posted September 13, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2010 Yes the golds are about 1/4 of a pound lighter and have a few improvements I have had mine out in some nasty weather and there is not a mark on it. Your comments have helped me make up my mind. Gold it is then! Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gixer1 Posted September 13, 2010 Report Share Posted September 13, 2010 I had a look back and the post I put up with pics of my gold was called "new toy" so feel free to have a look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miroku_fan Posted September 13, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2010 What a cracker! I hope that I am able to source one with such beautiful wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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