🚀 go-pugleaf

O.K.  I've been here before asking a related question, but I seem to have  
narrowed it down.  Which way would you go?  Replies appreciated!

Applications:	Sporting Clays	60%
		Trap		30%
		Upland Hunting	10%
	All for fun at this point, not serious competition.

Here are the most appealing options:

1) SKB 685 Trap Combo Set
	12 Gauge, single barrel in 34"
	12 Gauge, O/U in 30"
	Cross-bolt locking system
	Forcing Cones Relieved, .735 Bore, Interchangeable Chokes
	Claro Walnut stock, engraved receiver, gold bird on the side
		(good aesthetics)
	$1,795 for the set, $179.50 down and the balance over 12 months,
		no finance charges
	(I'd probably get the barrel pro-ported)
2) Browning Citori Special Sporting Clays
	12 Gauge, O/U in 30", wide raised vent
	Under-bolt locking system
	Forcing Cones Relieved, Back-bored, Ported, Interchangeable Chokes
	Plain wood, plain blued receiver with gold lettering (only fair  
		aesthetics)
	$1,200 for the gun, no payment plan available
3) Weatherby Athena Grade V
	12 Gauge, O/U in 30"
	Made by SKB to Weatherby Specs
	Cross-bolt locking system, Interchangeable Chokes
	Claro Walnut stock, lightly engraved receiver, gold crown on 	 
		release lever (good aesthetics)
	$1,695 for the gun, no payment plan available
	(I'd have the get the forcing cones relieved, probably have the  
		barrel pro-ported and maybe get it back-bored)
4) Browning Citori High Grade (Grade VI)
	12 Gauge, O/U in 30"
	Under-bolt locking system, Interchangeable Chokes
	Select walnut stock, greyed engraved receiver with gold inlays 	 
		(excellent aesthetics)
	$1,800 for the gun, no payment plan available
	(I'd have the forcing cones relieved, probably have the barrel 	 
		pro-ported, and perhaps get it back-bored)

The SKB combo set and payment plan are very attractive -- I
effectively get 2 guns for the price of 1, and the single barrel would
be useful in trap.  I hear good things about the gun, though more
people prefer the Browning.  I like the Browning I handled, but I
honestly thought it relatively plain-jane -- I do place a higher value
on aesthetics than many shooters.  Has anyone heard about the Browning
B-325 Sporter?  It seems to come in several grades and I saw an ad
claiming that it's very successful on the European circuit (I
translate this to mean big $$$).  But it may be the best blend of
features and aesthetics, unless I get the high grade Browning and get
some shooting features added.  The Weatherby is there because I played
with one in the store and it frankly seemed to fit the best off the
rack, as well as being a sharp looking gun.

In all cases, I still wonder how I'm supposed to get it fit properly (LOP,  
drop, cast, etc... are already fixed -- though the Browning has an  
adjustable trigger, which may help just a tad).  Does everyone rely on  
after-market pads and such?

Anyway, as I'm cogitating, any replies are appreciated.

Thanks,

Robert

robert_walton@next.com