26-Aug-2026
A game gun is a different animal from a clay gun. It is carried far more than it is fired, swung at birds that appear without warning, and expected to look right in a line of guns as well as shoot straight. Weight, balance and handling matter more here than they do on a trap layout, and the priorities that make a superb sporting gun can make an indifferent game gun.
This guide runs through the British game-gun market by budget rather than by brand, because the price bracket you are shopping in shapes what is realistically available to you. Whether you are buying a first gun for a syndicate day or looking seriously at a best English sidelock, the aim is to help you spend sensibly.
What makes a good game gun
Before the models, a word on what you are actually looking for.
Weight and balance come first. A game gun that feels wonderful in the gun shop can feel like a fence post by the fourth drive. Most experienced game shots gravitate towards something lighter than their clay gun, balanced between the hands rather than muzzle-heavy.
Barrel length is a matter of fashion as much as physics, but longer barrels generally give a smoother swing and steadier pointing, while shorter barrels come alive in thick cover and on walked-up days.
Bore matters too. The 12-bore remains the default, but 20-bores have taken a serious share of the game market for their lighter carry weight, and smaller bores have devoted followings.
Fit is the thing most often ignored and most worth paying for. A modestly priced gun that fits you will outshoot an expensive gun that does not. Our guide to shotgun fit explains what to look for and when a visit to a fitter is worth the money.
If this is your first shotgun, start with our guide to buying your first shotgun in the UK.
Entry level: A first game gun that will not let you down
At the affordable end, you should be looking for reliability, sensible weight and a gun from a make with dealer support behind it. Cosmetics are the first thing to sacrifice.
The used market dominates this bracket, and that is entirely healthy. A well-looked-after older gun from an established maker is a far better buy than a new gun from a name nobody recognises. Look hard at older Miroku over-and-unders; Miroku built guns for Browning for decades, and the quality shows. The Miroku MK38 and MK60 turn up regularly and are genuinely durable, and our Miroku shotguns buyer’s guide covers the range in detail.
Older Beretta 686 and Browning B325 guns also fall into this territory once they have a few decades behind them, and both were built to last. Check barrel wall thickness, chamber condition, and how tight the gun is on the face before you commit.
For side-by-side traditionalists, AYA boxlocks such as the Yeoman and No. 4 offer genuine Spanish craftsmanship at accessible money; see our AYA shotguns guide.
Mid-range: Where most game shots land
This is the heart of the British game-gun market, and it is dominated by two names.
The Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon is probably the most widely used game gun in the country. It is light, well balanced, mechanically sound, and available in both 12 and 20-bore. Its low-profile action makes it easy to shoot and easy to carry, and parts and gunsmithing support are everywhere. Our Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon buyer’s guide goes into the variants in depth.
The Browning B525 is its perennial rival, and the choice between them is largely one of feel. The Browning generally sits a little heavier with a deeper action, which some shooters find steadier; the Beretta is slimmer and quicker to the shoulder. We have compared the B525 and B725 and looked at Browning and Beretta over-and-unders side by side.
Also worth a look in this bracket: the Beretta 687 for more decorative variants of the same platform, and the Browning B725 with its lower-profile action and improved trigger.
If you shoot a lot of walked-up or want something genuinely light to carry, a 20-bore version of any of the above is worth trying before you dismiss it.
Upper mid-range: Lighter, finer, better finished
Above the mainstream, you start paying for weight reduction, finish quality and hand work rather than mechanical improvement.
The Beretta 486 Parallelo brings a modern side-by-side into this territory with genuine game-shooting credentials. The Beretta Ultraleggero attacks the weight problem directly, and its lightness is immediately obvious in the hand on a long day.
Higher-grade Browning models and better Miroku grades also sit here, offering nicer wood and more engraving on proven actions, often the smartest way to buy something that looks special without the running costs of a truly bespoke gun.
Best guns: London sidelocks and beyond
At the top of the market you are buying craftsmanship, provenance and, frequently, an appreciating asset rather than simply a shooting tool.
British best guns from the great London houses represent the pinnacle here, and we have covered both Holland & Holland shotguns and the wider best-gun market in dedicated guides. Beretta’s own sidelocks, the SO5, SO9 and SL3, offer Italian best-gun making with a slightly different flavour, and our Beretta SO5 review is a good starting point.
Two practical notes at this level. First, condition and originality drive value enormously; a rebarrelled or heavily refinished gun is worth substantially less than an honest original. Second, get any serious purchase independently assessed. The money involved makes a proper inspection cheap insurance.
Cartridges, lead and the practical side
Whatever you buy, check the gun is proofed and suitable for the cartridges you intend to shoot. The move away from lead in game shooting has real implications for older guns in particular; steel and other alternatives place different demands on barrels and chokes. Our guides to alternatives to lead ammunition and cartridge selection cover the essentials.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best game shotgun for a beginner in the UK? A used Beretta 686 or Browning B525 in good condition is hard to beat. Both are widely supported, easy to shoot, and hold their value if you decide to change.
Should I buy a 12-bore or a 20-bore game gun? A 12-bore is the more versatile all-rounder. A 20-bore is noticeably lighter to carry and increasingly popular for driven gam;, try both before deciding.
Is a second-hand game gun a good buy? Very often, yes. Shotguns from established makers last generations, and the used market lets you buy a better-quality gun than the same money would buy new. Check barrel wall thickness, the gun’s condition on the face, and proof marks.
Do I need a different gun for game and clays? Not necessarily, but the ideal specifications differ. Clay guns tend to be heavier with longer barrels; game guns favour lighter weight and quicker handling.
Find your next game gun
The right gun is the one that comes up cleanly and feels alive in your hands, and you will only learn that by looking at what is out there. Browse new and used shotgun listings on Rightgun.uk, compare popular game guns like the Beretta 686, Browning B525 and Miroku MK38, and see how prices compare across the brackets in this guide.
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