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Best Over Under Shotguns for Upland Hunting in Canada: Top 5 Picks for 2025

Published on Monday, August 25, 2025

Over under shotguns are break-action firearms with two barrels stacked vertically, prized by upland hunters for their balance, quick mount, and consistent shot patterns. For upland hunting in Canada — where terrain ranges from thick boreal cover to open prairie and weather can be wet and cold — hunters favor guns that combine lightweight handling for long walks, durable finishes to resist corrosion, and versatile choke options for changing shot distances. Buyers often choose specific gauges and barrel lengths to match target species (grouse, partridge, pheasant, and ptarmigan), prioritize reliable action and crisp triggers for fast follow-up shots, and select ergonomic stocks that provide a natural point of aim. Modern over unders are available in multiple gauges and barrel lengths with durable chokes and lightweight stock options, making them an appealing category for Canadian upland hunters who want a predictable, quick-shooting field gun built to last.

Quick Menu

1. Best Classic Workhorse

2. Best Italian Build Quality

3. Best Ultralight Upland

4. Best Value Lightweight

5. Best Fast-Handling Upland

1
BEST CLASSIC WORKHORSE

Browning Citori Hunter Grade II

Browning

The Browning Citori Hunter Grade II is a time-tested over/under prized for its rugged reliability, solid balance, and traditional Grade II walnut that upland hunters trust for years in the field. It occupies a mid-range price point that typically undercuts premium Italian offerings while delivering a more substantial feel than ultralight models like the CZ-USA, making it a smart financial choice for hunters who want durability and classic handling without paying top-tier premiums.

4.6
★★★★☆

  • Classic balance

  • Smooth break

  • Classic balance

  • Smooth break

Review Summary

89%

"Long-term users praise the Citori Hunter Grade II for its rock-solid reliability, classic handling and durable workmanship, with many citing it as a workhorse upland gun; some note it is a bit heavier than modern ultralights. Overall owners find it excellent value for a proven Browning design."

  • Walnut swagger

  • Grade II walnut stock with traditional styling built for durability and longevity

  • Walnut swagger

  • Grade II walnut stock with traditional styling built for durability and longevity

Recreational Enjoyment

Skill Development & Mastery

The Browning Citori Hunter Grade II is a time-tested over/under prized for its rugged reliability, solid balance, and traditional Grade II walnut that upland hunters trust for years in the field. It occupies a mid-range price point that typically undercuts premium Italian offerings while delivering a more substantial feel than ultralight models like the CZ-USA, making it a smart financial choice for hunters who want durability and classic handling without paying top-tier premiums.

  • Classic balance

  • Smooth break

  • Walnut swagger

  • Grade II walnut stock with traditional styling built for durability and longevity

  • Reliable single selective trigger and robust Browning locking system for consistent performance

  • Classic balance

  • Smooth break

  • Walnut swagger

  • Grade II walnut stock with traditional styling built for durability and longevity

  • Reliable single selective trigger and robust Browning locking system for consistent performance

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$1,900-2,400 CAD

2
BEST ITALIAN BUILD QUALITY

Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon I

Beretta

The Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon I is a category-leading Italian-made over/under known for its refined fit-and-finish, smooth action, and excellent swing dynamics tailored to live-bird upland work. Though generally positioned at a higher price than the other guns on this list, its resale value, refined ergonomics, and factory reliability justify the premium for hunters who prioritize top-tier craftsmanship and long-term ownership value.

4.8
★★★★☆

  • Italian elegance

  • Responsive handling

  • Italian elegance

  • Responsive handling

Review Summary

94%

"Buyers consistently applaud the Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon I for its exceptional balance, smooth action and high-quality fit and finish, calling it a benchmark for upland over-unders; it’s seen as worth the premium by most owners. Few report issues, and long-term satisfaction is very high."

  • Silver-poise grin

  • Renowned Beretta balance and handling for fast target acquisition in the field

  • Silver-poise grin

  • Renowned Beretta balance and handling for fast target acquisition in the field

Recreational Enjoyment

Skill Development & Mastery

The Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon I is a category-leading Italian-made over/under known for its refined fit-and-finish, smooth action, and excellent swing dynamics tailored to live-bird upland work. Though generally positioned at a higher price than the other guns on this list, its resale value, refined ergonomics, and factory reliability justify the premium for hunters who prioritize top-tier craftsmanship and long-term ownership value.

  • Italian elegance

  • Responsive handling

  • Silver-poise grin

  • Renowned Beretta balance and handling for fast target acquisition in the field

  • Polished steel receiver and quality wood finishes reflecting Italian craftsmanship

  • Italian elegance

  • Responsive handling

  • Silver-poise grin

  • Renowned Beretta balance and handling for fast target acquisition in the field

  • Polished steel receiver and quality wood finishes reflecting Italian craftsmanship

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$1,800-2,300 CAD

3
BEST ULTRALIGHT UPLAND

CZ-USA Upland Ultralight

CZ-USA

The CZ-USA Upland Ultralight is engineered specifically for long walks and fast flushing birds, offering a noticeably lighter carry weight and nimble handling compared with heavier traditional O/Us like the Browning. It delivers strong technical value — often at a lower price point than European counterparts — making it an attractive economical choice for upland hunters who favor endurance and quick shoulder acquisition over high-end cosmetic finishes.

4.4
★★★★☆

  • Featherweight carry

  • Rapid swing

  • Featherweight carry

  • Rapid swing

Review Summary

86%

"Users like the CZ-USA Upland Ultralight for its featherweight carry, quick handling and strong value for long walks in the field, though some compare its finish and trim as less refined than premium models. For frequent upland use it’s widely appreciated for reducing fatigue."

  • Trail-happy grin

  • Exceptionally light design optimized for long walks and quick shoulder mounting

  • Trail-happy grin

  • Exceptionally light design optimized for long walks and quick shoulder mounting

Enhanced Physical Well-Being

Recreational Enjoyment

The CZ-USA Upland Ultralight is engineered specifically for long walks and fast flushing birds, offering a noticeably lighter carry weight and nimble handling compared with heavier traditional O/Us like the Browning. It delivers strong technical value — often at a lower price point than European counterparts — making it an attractive economical choice for upland hunters who favor endurance and quick shoulder acquisition over high-end cosmetic finishes.

  • Featherweight carry

  • Rapid swing

  • Trail-happy grin

  • Exceptionally light design optimized for long walks and quick shoulder mounting

  • Slim, well-balanced stock geometry for fast swing and follow-through

  • Featherweight carry

  • Rapid swing

  • Trail-happy grin

  • Exceptionally light design optimized for long walks and quick shoulder mounting

  • Slim, well-balanced stock geometry for fast swing and follow-through

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$1,000-1,400 CAD

4
BEST VALUE LIGHTWEIGHT

Weatherby Orion I

Weatherby

The Weatherby Orion I is a modern, well-balanced over/under that blends sensible pricing with dependable performance for upland hunters who want a contemporary shooter without an excessive price tag. It typically sits competitively between budget ultralights and premium Italian models, offering a crisp action and practical features that provide good technical value for those who want solid field performance without leaning toward the highest or lowest price extremes.

4.2
★★★★☆

  • Budget-friendly

  • Even balance

  • Budget-friendly

  • Even balance

Review Summary

82%

"The Weatherby Orion I is viewed as a solid budget-friendly upland over-under that delivers dependable performance and reasonable fit for the price, but reviewers say it lacks the refinement and polish of higher-end guns. Many owners are satisfied for regular sporting use, especially at the price point."

  • Field-proven grit

  • Lightweight, field-oriented build that offers good value for upland hunters

  • Field-proven grit

  • Lightweight, field-oriented build that offers good value for upland hunters

Recreational Enjoyment

Skill Development & Mastery

The Weatherby Orion I is a modern, well-balanced over/under that blends sensible pricing with dependable performance for upland hunters who want a contemporary shooter without an excessive price tag. It typically sits competitively between budget ultralights and premium Italian models, offering a crisp action and practical features that provide good technical value for those who want solid field performance without leaning toward the highest or lowest price extremes.

  • Budget-friendly

  • Even balance

  • Field-proven grit

  • Lightweight, field-oriented build that offers good value for upland hunters

  • Comfortable stock ergonomics and soft recoil pad for extended shooting days

  • Budget-friendly

  • Even balance

  • Field-proven grit

  • Lightweight, field-oriented build that offers good value for upland hunters

  • Comfortable stock ergonomics and soft recoil pad for extended shooting days

Order Now

$1,300-1,700 CAD

5
BEST FAST-HANDLING UPLAND

Franchi Instinct L

Franchi

The Franchi Instinct L is an Italian-designed over/under focused on quick handling and a light, lively swing ideal for dense upland cover and fast-moving birds. It competes strongly on price-to-performance by delivering Italian styling and responsive balance similar to the Beretta at a generally more accessible cost, making it a compelling option for hunters who want refined handling and relatively low carry weight without the premium outlay.

4.5
★★★★☆

  • Ultra nimble

  • Fast mount

  • Ultra nimble

  • Fast mount

Review Summary

87%

"Franchi Instinct L owners praise its light weight, fast swing and sporty balance for upland hunting, with many noting it is comfortable to carry all day; some buyers report occasional variability in wood or trim quality. Overall reviews skew positive for field performance and value."

  • Italian zip

  • Designed for quick pointing and fast swings ideal for flushing birds

  • Italian zip

  • Designed for quick pointing and fast swings ideal for flushing birds

Enhanced Physical Well-Being

Recreational Enjoyment

Skill Development & Mastery

The Franchi Instinct L is an Italian-designed over/under focused on quick handling and a light, lively swing ideal for dense upland cover and fast-moving birds. It competes strongly on price-to-performance by delivering Italian styling and responsive balance similar to the Beretta at a generally more accessible cost, making it a compelling option for hunters who want refined handling and relatively low carry weight without the premium outlay.

  • Ultra nimble

  • Fast mount

  • Italian zip

  • Designed for quick pointing and fast swings ideal for flushing birds

  • Refined balance and a slim forend to minimize fatigue on long hunts

  • Ultra nimble

  • Fast mount

  • Italian zip

  • Designed for quick pointing and fast swings ideal for flushing birds

  • Refined balance and a slim forend to minimize fatigue on long hunts

Order Now

$1,200-1,800 CAD

What Research and Testing Say About Over-Under Shotguns for Upland Hunting

Ballistics testing, patterning work, and ergonomics research provide practical guidance for choosing an over under for upland hunting. Independent shot pattern tests consistently show that matched barrels and quality choke systems deliver tighter, more consistent patterns—important for ethical shots at fast-moving upland birds. Sports science and ergonomics studies on swing dynamics indicate that a well-balanced gun with appropriate weight distribution improves target acquisition and reduces shooter fatigue during long hunts. Ballistic and recoil analyses demonstrate tradeoffs: lighter guns reduce carrying fatigue but increase felt recoil and muzzle rise, while heavier designs tame recoil and stabilize follow-up shots. Corrosion resistance testing and manufacturer durability evaluations are also relevant for Canadian conditions, where finishes and stock materials that handle moisture and cold extend service life and reliability.

Shot pattern testing shows consistent patterns when barrels are properly regulation-matched and paired with correct choke selections for intended ranges.

Ergonomics research indicates that center of mass and balance strongly influence swing smoothness and target tracking accuracy.

Recoil studies find lighter guns increase perceived recoil and muzzle flip, affecting follow-up shot speed; moderate weight helps control without excessive fatigue.

Ballistics labs confirm that shorter barrels can be more maneuverable in dense cover, while slightly longer barrels aid sighting and pattern uniformity at typical upland distances.

Durability and corrosion resistance testing supports choosing stainless or well-finished blued steel and quality synthetic or oiled stocks for wet Canadian conditions.

In Canada, over under shotguns remain the go-to choice for many upland hunters because of their quick mount, predictable patterns, and field-oriented designs. The top five picks on this page — Browning Citori Hunter Grade II, Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon I, CZ-USA Upland Ultralight, Weatherby Orion I, and Franchi Instinct L — cover the spectrum from classic reliability to modern lightweight performance. For most Canadian upland hunters seeking an all-around field gun, the Browning Citori Hunter Grade II stands out as the best overall choice for 2025 thanks to its balance of durability, handling, and proven performance. We hope you found what you were looking for; you can refine or expand your search using the search to compare gauges, barrel lengths, or features across these models.

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