As an instructor, I often have couples show up intending to share a solemn shotgun. While this seems like an economical solution, the savings on that second gun is quickly eclipsed by the thousands of shells and clays spent in frustration trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. Since your body is primarily responsible for centering a pattern on a clay target, it only makes sense that guns come in all shapes and sizes. This is the premise behind the CZ Bobwhite G2 Intermediate and G2 Southpaw shotguns. I had the opportunity to shoot both alongside my wife, Barbara, at the 2022 Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous in Victor, Idaho, and they made it plain to see the importance of a properly fitted scattergun.
CZ Bobwhite G2 Bobwhite Intermediate & Southpaw Shotguns
Product specialist David Miller went over both shotguns on the firing line before showing us how their intricacies best served our unique body styles. Before we get into what makes these guns different, let’s look at how they are alike. The Bobwhite series comprises CZ’s quintessential straight-grip, double-trigger side-by-side shotgun built to fill that market gap without creating one in your wallet where your cash used to be. They come in barrel lengths that range from 26 to 28 inches and are available in 12, 20, or 28 gauge to best serve your needs. Every gun features a solid, one-piece extractor that keeps the range clean and helps reloaders hold onto their revered shotgun hulls. Attractive laser-cut engraving can be found throughout the buttstock and the streamlined splinter forend. This adds a nice aesthetic touch and provides better purchase in cold or wet conditions.
CZ Bobwhite G2 Southpaw Details
As I shouldered the Southpaw, Dave showed me that the cast of this model pushed the buttstock slightly away from my face. This puts my eye more in line with the bead and ensures the gun truly is pointing where I need it to be. To prove this theory, he threw a series of clay targets from his Champion Wheelybird, and I smashed each one just a few feet into their flight. I was able to get on them so quickly because I no longer had the need to make a secondary adjustment to work around a right-handed cast. Needless to say, I was sold.
CZ Bobwhite G2 Intermediate Details
Barbara then picked up the Intermediate and immediately noticed that she was able to shoulder it rapidly without getting snagged under her armpit. This is attributed to the shorter 13.25-inch length of pull that better complimented the distance from her trigger finger to her shoulder. Again, an excellent hit rate was achieved, all without the discomfort that comes with wielding a shotgun that is a mere 1.25-inch longer in the buttstock.
We thanked Dave for his time and moved on to the other products at the CZ booth, which we found equally impressive this year. On the way out, we circled back to Dave and asked how much these models were. Surprisingly, MSRP is only around $799, likely putting them on the shelf for somewhere between $550 and $699. To that end, it looks like I’m going to need to find a way to cram two more shotguns into our safe. If you ask me, that’s just another sign of a healthy marriage. For more information, visit cz-usa.com.
CZ Bobwhite G2 Intermediate Specs
- Gauge: 20
- Max Shell Length: 3 inch
- Barrel Length: 26 inches
- Chokes 5 Flush Interchangeable
- Stock: Walnut
- Length of Pull: 14 inches
- Receiver Finish: Black Chrome
- Barrel Finish: Gloss Black Chrome
- Ejector Extractor: Extractor
- Rib: 8mm Flat Vent
- Overall Length: 42 inches
- Overall Weight: 6 pounds
- Trigger: Dual Triggers
- Safety: Manual Tang Safety
- MSRP: $799
CZ Bobwhite G2 Southpaw Specs
- Gauge: 12, 20
- Max Shell Length: 3 inch
- Barrel Length: 28 inches
- Stock: Straight, English Style
- Length of Pull: 14 1/2 inches
- Chokes: F, IM, M, IC, C
- Receiver Finish: Bloack Chrome
- Barrel Finish: Gloss Black Chrome
- Ejector Extracor: Extractor
- Rib: 8mm Flat
- Overall Weight: 6.5 to 7.3 pounds
- Comb: 1 1/2 inches
- Heel: 2 1/4 inches
- Trigger: Dual Triggers
- Safety: Manual Tang Safety
- MSRP: $799