Beretta 687 Silver Pigeon III Field £2,245
Shooting Times & Country|September 02, 2020
The go-to gun for many game shooters has had an upgrade; Mark Heath looks at what’s changed, what has stayed the same and how it shoots
Mark Heath
Beretta 687 Silver Pigeon III Field £2,245

OUR VERDICT

The original Beretta 687 was an all-round gun — is there a place for an updated version in-game shooting today? The success of Beretta’s 690 series of guns, both Field and Competition, means you would be forgiven for thinking that the last post would be playing and the flag being slowly lowered as the sun sets on the Silver Pigeon. But such is the popularity of that action, especially among game shooters, that we have a resurrection in the form of the 687 Silver Pigeon III Field.

It was 37°C so I relented and allowed shorts and polo shirts rather than the usual collar and tie for the instructors. Half and three-quarter chokes fitted, we went straight out on to the shooting school loaded with 28g No 8s, some 30g No 5s and a box of 32g No 6s.

Starting at the 40ft tower, the handling, as always with a Silver Pigeon, was predictable on all angles with no vices. Using the 28g No 8s the clays became balls of smoke.

The ejector timing was typical Beretta — efficient and well timed but not so powerful that they would throw the cartridges into the blackthorn 10 yards behind the peg.

Moving on to the 80ft, 90ft and 120ft towers, the gun performed exceptionally well. For targets at 60 yards and more I would prefer a little more weight, but this gun is not intended for extreme birds as a general rule.

Bu hikaye Shooting Times & Country dergisinin September 02, 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Shooting Times & Country dergisinin September 02, 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

SHOOTING TIMES & COUNTRY DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
United we stand
Shooting Times & Country

United we stand

Following United Utilities' decision to end grouse shooting on its land, Lindsay Waddell asks what will happen if we ignore our vital moors

time-read
5 dak  |
August 02, 2023
Serious matters
Shooting Times & Country

Serious matters

An old gamebook prompts a contemplation on punt-gunning

time-read
3 dak  |
August 02, 2023
They're not always as easy as they seem
Shooting Times & Country

They're not always as easy as they seem

While coneys of the furry variety don't pose a problem for Blue Zulu, he's left frustrated once again by bolting bunnies of the clay sort

time-read
5 dak  |
August 02, 2023
Debutant gundogs
Shooting Times & Country

Debutant gundogs

There's lots to think about when it comes to making the decision about when to introduce your dog to shooting

time-read
4 dak  |
August 02, 2023
When the going gets rough
Shooting Times & Country

When the going gets rough

Al Gabriel returns to the West London Shooting School to brush up on his rough shooting technique

time-read
5 dak  |
August 02, 2023
The Field Guide To British Deer - BDS 60th Anniversary Edition
Shooting Times & Country

The Field Guide To British Deer - BDS 60th Anniversary Edition

In this excerpt from the 60th anniversary edition of the BDS's Field Guide To British Deer, Charles Smith-Jones considers the noise they make

time-read
4 dak  |
August 02, 2023
A step too far?
Shooting Times & Country

A step too far?

Simon Garnham wonders whether a new dog, a new gun and two different fields in need of protection might have been asking too much for one afternoon's work

time-read
6 dak  |
August 02, 2023
Two bucks before breakfast
Shooting Times & Country

Two bucks before breakfast

A journey from old South London to rural Hertfordshire to stalk muntjac suggests that the two aren't as far detached as they might seem

time-read
6 dak  |
August 02, 2023
Stalking Diary
Shooting Times & Country

Stalking Diary

Stalkers can be a sentimental bunch, and they often carry a huge attachment to their hill

time-read
2 dak  |
August 02, 2023
Gamekeeper
Shooting Times & Country

Gamekeeper

Alan Edwards believes unique, private experiences can help keepers become more competent and passionate custodians of the countryside

time-read
3 dak  |
August 02, 2023