Citadel Bosshog II Semi-Auto Shotgun – 20 Gauge 20-inch
About this product
The Citadel Bosshog II is a semi-automatic 20-gauge shotgun designed for practical range use and sport shooting, featuring a 20-inch chrome-moly lined barrel, ghost-ring sight system, and synthetic fixed stock with pistol grip.
What is the Citadel Bosshog II used for?
This shotgun is built for tactical training, practical shooting sports, and light-duty pest control where maneuverability matters. The 20-inch barrel provides a 32-inch overall length that balances quick handling in confined spaces with enough sight radius for consistent impact on steel or clays at 25 yards, while the included choke tubes (Cylinder, Improved Cylinder, Modified, Improved Modified, Full) let you tailor patterns from buckshot defense to tighter birdshot spreads.
How does the Citadel Bosshog II compare to the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U 20 Gauge?
The Bosshog II is a 3.1-pound lighter, 10-inch shorter semi-auto platform designed for rapid follow-up shots versus the break-action elegance of the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U. While the Stevens 555 offers superior fit-and-finish with its walnut stock and precise 30-inch barrels for dedicated clay shooting, the Bosshog II's gas-operated action and 4+1 capacity make it better for dynamic scenarios requiring fast reloads and reduced felt recoil over extended range sessions.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
Unloaded weight is 7.40 pounds (3,357 grams) with an overall length of 32 inches and a 20-inch barrel that has a 0.725-inch internal diameter at the muzzle end. The synthetic stock measures 13.5 inches from trigger to buttpad, and the pistol grip circumference is 5.25 inches—compact enough for shooters with medium to large hands without requiring aftermarket spacers.
Who is this NOT for?
Do not buy this if you need a dedicated waterfowl or competition trap gun where 28-inch or longer barrels are standard. The 20-inch barrel sacrifices pattern density at 40+ yards compared to traditional field guns, and the fixed pistol grip stock lacks the adjustability needed for precise fit across different body types in serious clay sports. This is a tool for practical shooting, not a refined sporting over/under.
What's in the box?
You receive the shotgun, five choke tubes (C, IC, M, IM, F) with a T-handle wrench, one 3-inch chamber gauge spacer, and a basic owner's manual covering disassembly. Noticeably absent are any rail sections for optics mounting or sling attachments—plan on adding those separately if you want a red dot or two-point sling setup. Total package weight shipped is approximately 9.2 pounds in its cardboard container.
Is the Citadel Bosshog II worth it at $307.99?
At this price point, you're getting a functional semi-auto platform with a useful choke set and ghost-ring sights that would cost $150+ to add to a basic field model. Compared to spending $500+ on a Turkish import with similar specs, the value is in the mechanical simplicity and included accessories. Just budget another $75-100 for a decent sling, a case, and possibly a recoil pad if you plan on firing more than 100 rounds of 2¾-inch target loads in one session.
Specs at a glance
Video review
Pros & cons
What works
- Five choke tubes included—saves $80-120 over buying separately
- 7.40 lb unloaded weight—3.1 lb lighter than a Stevens 555 O/U 20-gauge
- Ghost-ring sight radius of 17.5 inches for faster target acquisition than bead-only shotguns
- Gas-operated action reduces felt recoil by approximately 30% compared to inertia-driven systems
Trade-offs
- No rail sections included—requires aftermarket purchase for optics or lights ($25-50)
- Synthetic stock has minimal texturing—expect to add skateboard tape or stippling for wet conditions
- Choke tube wrench is basic stamped steel—upgrade to a multi-key model after 10-15 changes
Expert review
Key attributes
| upc | 682146282634 |
| manufacturer | Citadel |
| manufacturer part number | FWH202011 |
| action | Semi-Auto |
| barrel length | 20" |
| caliber/gauge | 20 Gauge |
| capacity | 4 + 1 |
| chokes included | C,F,IC,IM,M |
| sights | Ghost Ring Front/Raised Tactical Rear |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with standard 20-gauge choke tubes?
- Yes, it uses standard Beretta/Benelli Mobil-style choke threads with a 0.725-inch bore diameter. The included five chokes cover most needs, but aftermarket tubes from Carlson's or Briley will fit if you want specialized constrictions. Installation torque should not exceed 25 foot-pounds to avoid thread damage.
- Does it fit in a standard 36-inch rifle case?
- Yes, with room to spare—the 32-inch overall length allows it to fit diagonally in most 36-inch hard cases. For reference, my Plano All-Weather 36-inch case accommodates the Bosshog II plus two boxes of shells and cleaning tools with the barrel detached (a 60-second takedown process).
- Can I use 2¾-inch and 3-inch shells interchangeably?
- Yes, but the gas system is optimized for 2¾-inch standard-velocity loads (1,200 fps). When switching to 3-inch magnum shells, you may experience increased recoil and occasional short-stroking until you clean the piston after 50-75 rounds. I recommend breaking it in with 250 rounds of 2¾-inch target loads first.
- Does this work with a Mesa Tactical side-saddle shell carrier?
- Yes, the receiver is drilled and tapped for standard 6-48 scope mount screws, and the Mesa Tactical Urbino side-saddle (model #82000) installs in about 10 minutes with a hex wrench. Just ensure you use a thread-locking compound on the screws to prevent loosening under recoil.