Dogs and Doubles

Tag Archive for 'woodcock hunting'

Good gun alert: 20g Beretta 686 Onyx, straight grip …

by Gregg

 

Beretta ~ 686 Onyx ~ 20 Ga. ~ OU ~ Double Barrel Shotgun
Beretta ~ 686 Onyx ~ 20 Ga. ~ OU ~ Double Barrel Shotgun

Here’s one of the all-time great doubles – and one of the best bird guns you’ll ever find.

Beretta ~ 686 Onyx ~ 20 Ga. ~ OU ~ Double Barrel Shotgun
Beretta ~ 686 Onyx ~ 20 Ga. ~ OU ~ Double Barrel Shotgun

Beretta introduced the 686 Onyx around ’88 and built them until around ’99 or so. In that time, the gun gained a reputation for being a rugged, reliable OU that handled well and was easy to maintain and repair. I saw my first one in the mid ’90s and couldn’t get it out of my head. Like the one for sale here, it had a straight stock and its matte-black finished looked so ‘friggin cool.

Beretta ~ 686 Onyx ~ 20 Ga. ~ OU ~ Double Barrel Shotgun
Beretta ~ 686 Onyx ~ 20 Ga. ~ OU ~ Double Barrel Shotgun

Beretta ~ 686 Onyx ~ 20 Ga. ~ OU ~ Double Barrel Shotgun: Price: $1,399.99
Manufacturer: Serial # F0314XX
Caliber: 20 Ga.
Chambers: 3″
Metal Condition: Very Good
Wood Condition: Very Good with few handling marks
Barrels: 26″ Blued with vent rib
Triggers: Single gold metal trigger
Stock: Walnut straight grip with checkering
Fore End: Matching walnut with checkering
Butt Pad: Rubber Butt Pad
Weight: 6 lbs
Sights: Silver bead
Chokes: IC and Cyl

Gosh, I miss them. My girls at training camp…

by Gregg
Lexi at Wild Apple Kennels, summer 2018
Lexi at Wild Apple Kennels, summer 2018

I spend a LOT of time with my dogs–most of my time, really. I work from home, and so Lexi and Sky are my constant companions: A run in early am, in the office together all day, a walk in the PM, repeat.

But not this July and August. Both girls went to Wild Apple Kennel at the end of June for summer training, and they’ll be there through this month.

I’m counting down the days.

Sky at Wild Apple Kennels, summer 2018
Sky at Wild Apple Kennels, summer 2018
Sky at Wild Apple Kennels, summer 2018
Sky at Wild Apple Kennels, summer 2018
Sky at Wild Apple Kennels, summer 2018
Sky at Wild Apple Kennels, summer 2018

Field Report — Saturday, 10/27…

by Gregg

October is the greatest month of the year. I’m sorry to see another one go. My last day in the field was full of woodcock – 24 in all. I spent the day with friend & Maine Guide Bob Foshay. We hit a string of his picture-perfect covers in central Maine and we were accompanied by nice weather and decent dog work. In all, I managed to down 2 birds. It’s not bad shooting, it’s what I like to call flush & release. Here are pics and video from the day.