Ruger Red Label?

B

Byrdoglvr

Member
Anyone shoot this gun? 12 or 20 gauge. Almost all my guns are semi-autos. Mostly Benelli's. Thinking about a OU but don't really want to spend a ton for a Browning or such. Suggestions?
 
I bought a 26" 20 gauge about 1978.
Nice gun, heavy....even with the fillets removed.:)
No issues when used as a ruffed grouse scattergun.
Got traded along the way for all the good and bad reasons we trade guns.
I would not run shrieking from another.

Citori is no better or worse, imo.
Beretta is much easier to clean.
SKBs are no slouch in any department.
Basically, all guns at that price point are equal.
Personally, I would consider buying used and base any decisions upon how it fits & feels, the balance and the quality of the individual gun's triggers.
We all overthink scatterguns...and all that side them.
 
I have 3 RLs . . . 12, 20, 28. they are tad heavier than some, but I like them all. I've taken lots of Upland birds with the 20 & 28. The 12 was my ducks over dekes gun. I have no complaints & no buyer's remorse.
 
i have been looking at over unders to i have learned lots i like the label just to heavy lots of choices lots of internet choices if theres one guy who knows guns is jmc really nice guy and will tell you straight up i cant get away from the berettas man they are sweet!!!
 
I use a RL 12 on pheasants and sharptails, and although it's no lightweight, and has some of the poorest wood ever used on firearm, it has torched off every time I've pulled it's trigger over the past ten years. I see quite a few prettier guns, but overall my Red Label has served me well, and I'm guessing it will continue to do so for quite a while.
 
Red Labels are typically "Ruger tough". BUT, they are too heavy and the safety lever going back and forth feels weird if you are used to the normal forward/back safety on most O/U's.
 
i have no affinity for a RL, but some guys like them for their heavier weight, which helps one follow through with the swing......real lightweight O/U's have to be consciously/continuously pushed ahead of the bird in order to accomplish a sustained lead and connect.......just something to think about.
 
Thanks for the info guys. Only reason I ask is I met a serious bird guy a long time ago and said the RL is the only gun he shoots. For some reason that has stuck with me. Which of Beretta models you recommend?
 
12 gauge red label

Bought a used 12 gauge Silver receiver Ruger red label a few years ago. Have used it exclusively for pheasant hunting in South Dakota, Nebraska and Colorado. Love the gun. Im a big guy in my mid fifties. It is not too heavy to pack all day. Beats the Browning pump I used to hunt with.
Would recommend it. Also made right here in the USA.
Ragin Rooster
 
I'd look at the 686 Beretta's. They are a lot nicer then the RL's and a lot less weight. The 686's have a bunch of different models. Onyx, White Onyx, Silver Pigeon grade I, all the way up to the 687 Silver Pigeon V. Mechanically they are all the same, but the higher you go the better wood (can be a relative term with Beretta since they aren't known for the best looking wood) and engraving you get. I'd also HIGHLY suggest you look into a Miroku or a Charles Dailey built Miroku. Miroku built a lot of the guns for browning and iMO a RL doesn't hold a candle to a Miroku. I think you will find 90% of the people who know a lot about guns will probably say the same thing. IMO there is no better O/U for the price then a Miroku. A $800-$1000 Miroku is easily as good mechanical quality as my $2000 686 or my dads $3500 687 Sliver Pigeon grade 5. I can't say that about the RL.
 
I have used a Red Label for pheasant hunting for 20 years or more and have been very happy with it and no problems of any kind.
 
jockey what i dont like about the white onyx is they are discontinued but are a nice gun and pretty i do like the 687 ultra light deluxe but ive heard the kick is bad i really like the browning citori 725 but the deal breaker was had pheasant engraving on one side and freakin ugly ass ducks on the other deal breaker for me
 
I OWN a Red Label (woodside) 12 ga--it is a great gun but I do have to say it is a bit heavy to carry. I've had it for 9 yrs with no problems. I would buy another one if I need another shotgun.:thumbsup:
 
I shoot a RL and love it. It has performed flawlessly and the wood in the gun I chose is quite stunning. From the duck blind to the fields when I pull the trigger the gun goes boom. I enjoy the weight as I think it helps in swing and recoil management. The gun is incredibly pointy and shoots very well. Pick one up and see what you think.
 
Only, when did they discontinue the White Onyx? They are still on Berettas website and I just saw 3 brand new ones sitting on the shelf. I believe they discontinued the SP I but thy brought it back about a year ago.
 
Beretta 680 series are tanks.
Don't get bogged down in unimportant model names.

Further nod to the Miroku...may be the best bet for the cash.
 
I guess we have totally different ideas on what constitutes a "tank". 686 20 gauges typically run 6-6.5 lbs and 12 gauges typically run 7-7.5 lbs, both typically lighter then any of the Miroku built Brownings, Charles Daileys, or the Miroku branded guns. I really like Mirokus, but 686's are lighter, and IMO quicker as well.
 
Not sure if it matters to the OP, but the Red Label has been discontinued from Ruger, has been for a year or so (give or take). Ruger hasn't been able to meet demand of the CCW pistols, their new 1911, and their rifles. They went for a several month period this spring where they weren't taking any new orders to try and catch them up.

Love the 77 Hawkeye rifles.
 
JJ,
I've had numerous Beretta O/Us over the last 30 years or so....dedicated target guns and hunting.....12, 20, 28 gauge and one 4-barrel skeet set.
I've had Cole upgrade a couple hunting scatterguns with DTs, et al.
Tank, as in tough....not in weight, as a given.
I prefer them for many reasons....tho I did have one skeet gun in 12 that pounded my cheek and I never determined why.
I would still trip that way but hope I am wise enough to realize that other makes will certainly fill any bill.

Mirokus are good guns but, most often, are especially solid values in $$$s and use, dependent upon condition of course....as in my comment.

Weight, years ago or now, is largely an unimportant consideration to me unless at an extreme either side of middlin', as noted by the Ruger serving as an appalatchian grouse gun for many years.
It may be so for others, or not, which is why my initial comment on what the OP would be advised to consider shows.
I repeat, scattergun choice and most all that rides along, is waaaay overthought.....pick what feels good, looks good and makes you grin....it will be stuff that works.
Beretta are indeed "stuff that works"....so are almost all other scatterguns.

http://youtu.be/5Ot035kSVt0
 
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