I’ve shouldered dozens of upland shotguns over the years. From break-action side-by-sides to over/under models to autoloaders, I’ve filled many game bags when the right shotgun is in my hands.

So, there’s no mistaking, “right” is the keyword in the paragraph above. Selecting the right shotgun can significantly impact your success and enjoyment in the field. Upland birds, especially pheasants, are known for their unpredictable flight patterns and quick bursts of speed. Shoulder a too-long shotgun or one that doesn’t come to the shoulder cleanly and allow you to swing effortlessly, and you’re more likely to miss. Firearm choice is a crucial factor in ensuring upland wing shooting success. A great pheasant shotgun combines several essential features to ensure quick handling, accuracy, and reliability.

Gauge selection takes a back seat to an upland shotgun’s overall fit, feel, and performance. Many upland goers prefer a 12-gauge, especially late in the season when roosters are flushing ahead of pointing and flushing dogs. However, a light, clean-handling, smooth-swinging 20-gauge is ideal when the weather is right, and birds are holding tight.

An effective upland gun will also feature a choke system that allows hunters to tailor their shot pattern to the in-the-field conditions. If snow covers the ground and birds are holding tight, an improved-modified or standard-modified choke will do the job. If the weather is warm and hunting pressure has been intense, pheasant hunters may want to consider a full choke to ensure tighter patterns downrange.

The good news is that when you choose Browning, you have many top-end upland models in various gauges, styles, and barrel lengths to choose from.

Here are five shotguns to shoulder when the “rooster” call comes.

Last August, I took Browning's Citori 825 Field to the Alaskan tundra. The mission was to see how the 725 replacement would handle inclement weather and boat rides across the Bering Sea, and whether it would allow hunters to fill willow ptarmigan limits. The Citori 825 Field checked all the boxes, making it an ideal upland partner.

The engraved low-profile receiver, with updated styling and engraving, provides a sleek, can’t-be-ignored look while making the shotgun easy to swing and point. A traverse-mounted, full-width hinge pin boosts strength and longevity, and the all-chrome chambers increase durability while thwarting corrosion.

Available only in 12-gauge, with 26- and 28-inch barrel options, the sub-7.7-pound Citori 825 Field features an Inflex II Recoil Pad and Browning’s Fire Lite 2 Mechanical Trigger. Other notable features include a 50/50 POI, ventilated top rib and solid side rib, and the shotgun comes with a trio of Invector-DS Chokes.

Browning focuses heavily on adding shotgun models to successful shotgun lines. Enter the Maxus II Upland. When most hear the Maxus II name, they instantly visualize a waterfowl shotgun. While Browning does make Maxus II models geared more toward waterfowl, this shotgun maker strives to create a Maxus for every pursuit. If you spend your fall chasing upland birds, the Maxus II is an excellent shotgun choice.

Available in 12-gauge, the Maxus II Upland features a beautiful walnut stock with a classic oil finish that adds a touch of nostalgia. The nickel-plated receiver with contrasting brushed sides is stunning and helps the blued barrel stand out. Powered by the tried-and-true Power Drive Gas System, this autoloader spits hulls far and quickly grabs another, shoving it flawlessly into the Black Nitride treated chamber. The Speed Load Plus system ensures quick, easy loading, and the Lightening Trigger is smooth and crisp with lock times averaging 5.20 milliseconds.

The fiber-optic front sight and ivory mid-bead along the raised ventilated rib ensure positive points of aim, and with comfortable ergonomics and trim dimensions, this autoloader swings with an elegant grace you must feel to appreciate fully.

The Browning Cynergy Field is an exceptional choice for upland hunting, offering a blend of precision, reliability, and sophisticated design. One of its standout features is the innovative MonoLock Hinge, which enhances durability and strength while providing a slim profile for improved handling in the field. The shotgun’s 26- or 28-inch barrels are designed for superior shot-to-shot consistency while promoting a fluid side-to-side or up-and-down swing. The 60/40 POI places 60 percent of the shot pattern above the target and 40 percent below it, and the Lightning Trigger system promises a smooth, crisp pull.

Adding a touch of class is the silver nitride finish with stylish game scene engraving. Plus, your upland hunting amigos won’t be able to stop staring at the Grade I/II walnut stock with satin finish. The Cynergy Field comes with three Invector-Plus Chokes and one 1/4-inch stock spacer if an LOP adjustment is necessary.

The Cynergy Field features Impact Ejectors, which ensure quick clearance of fired hulls, and the Vector Pro Forcing Cones create a gradual taper between the chamber and the bore, reducing stress on the shot column as it passes into the bore for more consistent shot patterns.

When you opt for our A5 Upland, you get all the features that have made this legend withstand the test of time. Those features include the iconic humpback receiver, ventilated rib barrel, and 100,000-round/five-year guarantee. Plus, you get a nickel-plated receiver with brushed sides and an oil-finished walnut stock with a close radius grip. Unlike the Maxus II, Browning’s A5 shotguns use a Kinematic Drive System, which converts the shotgun’s recoil energy into the mechanical motion needed to operate the laser-fast action.

The humpback design provides excellent sighting and quick aim, making it ideal for fast-flushing pheasants and other upland birds. The A5 Upland features a versatile 26- or 28-inch barrel, improving accuracy. Additionally, its durable, weather-resistant finish ensures longevity in a range of conditions.

The A5 Upland is available in 12 and 16-Gauge versions, plus a 5-pound, 11-ounce 20-gauge model with a 26-inch barrel. Browning offers a 28-inch barrel option in 20-gauge as well, but if you want a lightweight, easy-to-swing autoloader that you can tote from dawn to dusk, you can’t beat the 26-inch barrel 20-gauge A5 Upland.

You’ve been under a rock for the past 50 years if you’ve never heard of the legendary Browning Citori. As heir to the Superposed, the first successful over and under shotgun in history, the Citori has carved out its own legacy of performance and durability. 

Available in 12, 20, and 28 gauges plus 410 bore, the Citori Hunter Grade I is a field ready stackbarrel void of frills. Still, there’s plenty of beauty to be found in the Grade I with satin finished wood, gloss blued metalwork, and a hand fit mechanism that promises multi-generational reliability. 

Like every Citori, the Hunter Grade I also is fitted with the ultradurable full-width hinge pin and tapered locking bolt that keeps the action locked up tight even after thousands of shells. Chrome chambers further protect against corrosion.

If this Hunter is too mundane for your tastes, have a peek at the Hunter Grade II, complete with Grade II/III American walnut and a durable silver nitride finish on the receiver.

No matter the pursuit or the conditions, Browning makes shotguns that meet and exceed expectations. If you’re in the market for a new upland shotgun or looking for a gift for that special someone in your life, nothing says “I Love You” like a Browning.