Hi Hot Rod:
For your hunting a Franchi O/U would be a great choice!
They sell one that is very nice and is lightweight at about $1200.00 USD.
I do not think that you need a 3" 12 gage for pheasants! A 2-3/4" magnum 12 will be all that you need! Plus, a 3" magnum in a 6 lb. gun would make you wish that you had died in infancy!
I sometimes shoot a Beretta Ultralight and a 2-3/4" magnum is more than I need to kill pheasants over a pointer! Regular "low brass" six shot is fine for pheasants over a pointer.
In 1970, I moved to High River and the fields east of there were full of birds of all kinds!
Look at a Franchi O/U and you will see that it is not worth spending $1000.00 more for a Beretta! I was lucky to find a used Beretta Ultralight and it is a great gun if you insist upon a 12 gage.
Are you planning to hunt with a dog?
Good luck,
Franchi
