If you love chasing pheasants, grouse, or quail, this one’s for you. A great upland gun carries light, comes up fast, and points naturally when a bird flushes. This list isn’t just the guns we reviewed this year. It pulls from five years of upland reviews, and every shotgun here is one we’ve personally shot and spent real time with.
In this article
- How we picked the best upland over/under shotguns
- Best budget upland shotguns
- CZ Sharptail
- Mossberg Gold Reserve
- Best value upland over/unders
- Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon
- Franchi Instinct
- Browning Citori Hunter
- Best upland over/unders: reasonable tier
- RFM Venus
- Fabarm Elos 2 Elite
- Fabarm Elos D2
- Best upland over/unders: mid tier
- Zoli Expedition EL
- Best upland over/unders: elite tier
- Perazzi MX28
- What to look for in an upland over/under
- Common questions
- Final thoughts
Our 2026 picks are coming soon. Join the TFL email list and we’ll send you the new list as soon as it’s live.
How we picked the best upland over/under shotguns
We sorted the list by what most bird hunters are actually weighing: budget, value, and how far up the ladder they want to go. That gives you three groups:
- Best on a budget: affordable break-actions we’d happily carry into the field.
- Best value: the most gun for the money.
- Best overall: our favorites in three price tiers (reasonable, mid, and elite), because a gun at one tier isn’t a fair fight with a gun that costs five times as much.
Best budget upland shotguns
If you want to stretch your dollar and still bring home a reliable upland gun, two guns rise to the top. Both punch well above their price.
Best on a Budget
CZ Sharptail
- Gauges
- 12 Gauge, 20 Gauge, 28 Gauge, 410 Bore
- Action
- Side-by-Side
Classic lines, excellent handling, and solid reliability at just over a thousand dollars. It’s one of the best ways to get into a break-action without breaking the bank.
The catch: it’s technically a side-by-side, not an over/under. It’s simply too good not to include.
Best on a Budget
Mossberg Gold Reserve
- Gauges
- 20 Gauge
- Action
- Over/Under
If you’re set on an over/under, the Gold Reserve is a proven performer. It’s light and easy to carry all day, it shoulders naturally, and it swings smoothly.
The catch: the aluminum receiver keeps the weight down, but like most guns in this range, it isn’t built for high round counts.
Best value upland over/unders
This group is about balance: the most quality and performance for the money you spend.
Best Value
Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon
- Gauges
- 12 Gauge, 20 Gauge, 28 Gauge, 410 Bore
- Action
- Over/Under
Still the standard for upland over/unders. Beretta’s build quality, smooth operation, and refined styling make it feel at home chasing roosters or breaking clays. This is the upland gun to beat in its class.
Value Runner-Up
Franchi Instinct
- Gauges
- 12 Gauge
- Action
- Over/Under
Beauty, balance, and shootability well beyond its price. The fit and finish are exceptional, and it shoulders naturally for long days in the field.
Value Runner-Up
Browning Citori Hunter
- Gauges
- 12 Gauge, 20 Gauge, 28 Gauge, 410 Bore
- Action
- Over/Under
A timeless design that has earned its place in the upland world. It’s not flashy, but it’s rock solid, reliable, and built to last for generations.
Best upland over/unders: reasonable tier
Toward the top of the reasonable price range, fit, balance, and craftsmanship get much easier to notice in the field.
Best Overall: Reasonable Tier
RFM Venus
- Gauges
- 12 Gauge, 20 Gauge, 28 Gauge, 410 Bore
- Action
- Over/Under, Side-by-Side
Offered through Upland Gun Company, the Venus is truly built for you. From stock dimensions to engraving, this Italian-made gun is tailored to your specs at a remarkably reasonable starting price.
There’s something special about shooting a gun built just for you, and the Venus nails it.
Reasonable Tier Runner-Up
Fabarm Elos 2 Elite
- Gauges
- 12 Gauge, 20 Gauge
- Action
- Over/Under
Refined looks and a slightly heavier build for smooth, deliberate swings. It also transitions well to clays, which is why it’s our favorite all-purpose over/under.
Reasonable Tier Runner-Up
Fabarm Elos D2
- Gauges
- 12 Gauge, 20 Gauge, 28 Gauge
- Action
- Over/Under
The lighter, quicker Fabarm, and a great choice for long days in the uplands. You get the same Fabarm craftsmanship for less money than the Elos 2 Elite.
Best upland over/unders: mid tier
Best Overall: Mid Tier
Zoli Expedition EL
- Gauges
- 12 Gauge, 20 Gauge, 28 Gauge, 410 Bore
- Action
- Over/Under
Italian artistry with exceptional field performance. The Boss-style locking system, balance, and fit make it a dream to carry and shoot.
Elegant but tough, this is the kind of shotgun you hand down to the next generation.
Best upland over/unders: elite tier
Best Overall: Elite Tier
Perazzi MX28
- Gauges
- 28 Gauge
- Action
- Over/Under
The pinnacle of upland shotguns: precise, balanced, and built with craftsmanship only a few makers in the world can deliver. Every detail, from the trigger pull to the walnut, shows it.
It’s not just a shotgun. It’s a piece of art that happens to crush birds. We haven’t reviewed many guns at this level yet. If there’s an elite upland gun you want us to test, tell us in TFL Insider.
What to look for in an upland over/under
- Carry weight: you’ll carry an upland gun for miles and shoot it a few times. A lighter gun makes the end of the day a lot more enjoyable.
- Gauge: 20 and 28 gauge guns carry lighter and are plenty for most upland birds. A 12 gauge gives you more reach on late-season roosters.
- Fit and how it points: birds flush fast. A gun that fits comes up on target without thinking about it. Shoulder a few before you buy.
- Barrel length: 26 and 28 inch barrels are the sweet spot for most upland hunting, quick in tight cover and still smooth on crossing birds.
- Where it fits in the price tiers: each step up buys better wood, finish, and longevity. Decide what you need the gun to do first, then pick the tier.
Common questions
What is the best upland over/under shotgun?
In the reasonable price range, the RFM Venus is our favorite because it’s built to your specs. At the mid and elite levels, our picks are the Zoli Expedition EL and the Perazzi MX28.
What is the best upland over/under for the money?
The Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon. It looks good, feels great, and performs in the field and on the clays course.
What is the best budget upland shotgun?
The CZ Sharptail if you’re open to a side-by-side, and the Mossberg Gold Reserve if you want an over/under. Both are great values for occasional hunters.
Over/under or semi-auto for upland hunting?
Both work. An over/under gives you two chokes and a clean, light break-action, while a semi-auto gives you a third shot and usually costs less. See our best upland semi-autos to compare.
Can an upland over/under also shoot clays?
Yes. Most upland guns are great for casual clays. If you want one gun that handles both equally well, see our best all-purpose over/unders.
Final thoughts
From budget-friendly break-actions to high-end Italian masterpieces, these are the best upland guns we’ve carried. On a budget, the CZ Sharptail and Mossberg Gold Reserve are hard to beat. The Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon is the best bang for the buck. And if you want a gun built just for you, the RFM Venus is our favorite overall in the reasonable tier.
Which upland gun is in your safe, and which one should we review next? Let us know below.
And remember, whether it’s targets in the field or targets in life, you’ll only hit what you’re focused on. Live the #TargetFocusedLife.
