Woodcock hunting with Caesar Guerini Magnus Light in 20 gauge

We had talked about Caesar Guerini's Magnus Light over-under, commenting on the aesthetics, attention to detail and the weight optimization achieved by the Italian manufacturer. We had also promised that we would test it in walked-up hunts, for which it was designed. So here we are to tell you about a hunting day in the forests, searching for a true wild bird such as woodcock in the hard and beautiful environments of the Fiordimonte Valley, in central Italy. The Cesar Guerini Magnus Light over-under meets the needs and the most refined aesthetic tastes of hunters who love walked-up hunting. During the days spent walking with the dogs this shotgun will play a central role, thanks to its light-alloy construction that does not tire the hunter, always being ready for instinctive shooting. The 12-ga gun weighs only 5.9 lb / 2.7 kg without sacrificing robustness: the Ergal receiver is 1.7”/  43 mm wide and 2.6” / 66 mm long, walls are thick and the interchangeable hinge pins are steel. The weight is further scaled to gauge, since the Magnus Light is also available in smaller gauges such as 20, 28 ga and in .410 bore. In our case the gun supplied is in 20 gauge and after just a few moments of walking it feels like it was my own gun for a long time, a pleasure to carry on my shoulder so I don't even feel the need to use a sling. 

Video: Caesar Guerini Magnus Light, hunting test

Caesar Guerini Magnus Light: details and main features

The typical Caesar Guerini aesthetic elegance can be found in the long side plates, finely engraved with wild game in gold inlaid and perfectly inserted in the Prince of Wales wood stock without any screws. The precision and harmony of the design can be easily deduced from this detail. Two woodcocks in flight embellish the left side of the frame, while on the right side the Giovannelli workshop in Brescia depicted two pheasants. The final Invisalloy treatment by Caesar Guerini not only protects the metal parts, but also enhances them and maintains their shine and color contrasts over time. The wood used for the stock and thin Schnabel-type forend are select extra de luxe, oil-finished walnut with fine-pitch hand-checkering. The trigger guard that protects the golden single trigger is wide - a double trigger version is also available upon hunter’s request. The case ejectors are automatic and selective, operated by cams machined from solid steel blocks for a positive and punctual ejection.  

Waiting for confirmation when hunting, the Caesar Guerini Magnus Light barrels suggest an optimal ballistic performance thanks to the " Maxisbore" technology and a new connection cone between chamber and bore called "Duecon" that allows the pellets to reach a higher speed with minimum misshaping, ensuring a precise pattern and a significant reduction in felt recoil. In the 20 gauge gun that will be used in our test we opted for the minimum length of 24”/61 cm, suitable for hunting in the woods, with the first barrel partially rifled to optimize shots at short ranges. For those who wish to use the gun in different environments and types of hunting, Caesar Guerini also provides 26”/66 cm and 28”/71 cm barrels for the Magnus Light. The shotgun always comes with a set of five internal and interchangeable 2.3” / 60 mm long chokes – */ **/ ***/**** and ***** cylinder respectively. 

Caesar Guerini Magnus Light: technical data 

For more information about the Magnus Light over under please visit Caesar Guerini website .