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Semi-auto for dove loads #5240342 08/07/14 04:36 PM
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ejj005 Offline OP
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I am looking to buy a new shotgun this year. Want to stay under 800 and want it to be reliable shooting 7/8 ounce dove loads. Is that possible? Everything I read says 1 ounce loads or more. I have been thinking the A300 or affinity. Anything else I am not thinking of. Wanting synthetic stock and would be also used as a duck gun but mostly dove for now. Thanks

Re: Semi-auto for dove loads [Re: ejj005] #5240358 08/07/14 04:46 PM
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Either the A300 or the Affinity will be good choices. Go hold them both and see which one feels better.

Re: Semi-auto for dove loads [Re: ejj005] #5240380 08/07/14 04:59 PM
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depends on what you get....a 7/8 load is pretty standard for a 20ga most auto loaders should cycle them just fine. in 12ga standard loading is 1 1/8 oz.

you can get some cheap shotshells though like Winchester superspeed or others where they will load the 12ga with only 7/8oz...these will not cycle reliably in an auto. shoot a standard shot charge for yoru gauge and you'll be fine with most anything.


Outdoorsman
Re: Semi-auto for dove loads [Re: ejj005] #5240784 08/07/14 08:48 PM
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I just got an Affinity 20 gauge a couple weeks ago. I shot a few boxes of various loads through it so far. It feels and operates just like a Benelli. It patterns nice too.


Originally Posted by KRoyal
Haha yea I polished that thing for hours.
Re: Semi-auto for dove loads [Re: ejj005] #5240818 08/07/14 08:57 PM
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There's a guy on facebook that posted a Remington 1187 with a synthetic stock for $500 yesterday. I don't think you could do better than that for the price. Send me a PM if you want me to get his contact info. He's in the DFW area.

Re: Semi-auto for dove loads [Re: ejj005] #5243998 08/09/14 06:47 PM
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1 oz for 20 ga and 1 1/8 for 12 ga works the best in most all auto loaders.

Re: Semi-auto for dove loads [Re: ejj005] #5244124 08/09/14 08:41 PM
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ejj005 Offline OP
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As long as the gun fits I am pretty much set on the Beretta A300. Everything i have read says it is a wonderful gun. The synthetic model is cheaper than the camo. Does anybody have experience with their camo models as far as how it is holding up or should i Just get the synthetic model?

Re: Semi-auto for dove loads [Re: ejj005] #5244330 08/09/14 11:02 PM
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bought mine a few months back and mines is starting to chip... not that I care, its a duck gun, and goes boom every time I pull the trigger


Arise.Kill.Eat -Acts 10:13
Originally Posted by Nathan Nelson
I have read a bunch of stuff on the internet about Star Wars but that does not mean I can skin a deer with a light saber.
Re: Semi-auto for dove loads [Re: ejj005] #5244404 08/09/14 11:37 PM
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Just got the A300 and have cycled tons of loads through it. Absolutely zero problems so far

Re: Semi-auto for dove loads [Re: ejj005] #5244949 08/10/14 12:13 PM
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ejj005 Offline OP
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Thats what i was worried about is the chipping. I might just get the black. It looks like it is flat black and not glossy where i would have to worry about the eyes in the sky spotting me.

Re: Semi-auto for dove loads [Re: ejj005] #5244950 08/10/14 12:14 PM
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I've been shooting 7/8 oz, 1350 FPS loads at the skeet range with my Vinci and A5. No problems with either gun. For doves, I use 1oz loads with my 12ga autos and keep my shots to 30 yards or less. For $800 or less, I would get the Beretta A300. I saw one at the skeet range a few weeks ago. Very nice shotgun!

Re: Semi-auto for dove loads [Re: ejj005] #5245652 08/10/14 09:18 PM
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I usually don't put anything lighter than 1 1/8oz through my 12 gauge. It's broken in and well maintained, but the 1oz loads still don't cycle reliably.

Re: Semi-auto for dove loads [Re: NTXR] #5245666 08/10/14 09:25 PM
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Originally Posted By: NTX RAIDER
I usually don't put anything lighter than 1 1/8oz through my 12 gauge. It's broken in and well maintained, but the 1oz loads still don't cycle reliably.


What gun are you shooting?


[Linked Image]

Re: Semi-auto for dove loads [Re: Fooshman] #5245723 08/10/14 09:59 PM
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Originally Posted By: Fooshman
Originally Posted By: NTX RAIDER
I usually don't put anything lighter than 1 1/8oz through my 12 gauge. It's broken in and well maintained, but the 1oz loads still don't cycle reliably.


What gun are you shooting?


Probably a Benelli SB1 or 2, some are not great with 1 oz loads, seen too many fail shooting light loads.

To the original OP, I bought the Franchi Affinity last year and shot a flat of light 1 oz dove loads thru it and about 2 1/2 flats of 1 1/8 ounce duck loads and it operated flawlessly and I only cleaned it once during the split. It is camo and the finish has held up well for over 50 hunts. I am pleased with it, I have a Beretta auto as well and went to buy the A300 but liked the feel of the Affinity better and the fact that it is inertia and not gas.

Re: Semi-auto for dove loads [Re: Fooshman] #5245938 08/11/14 12:09 AM
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Originally Posted By: Fooshman
Originally Posted By: NTX RAIDER
I usually don't put anything lighter than 1 1/8oz through my 12 gauge. It's broken in and well maintained, but the 1oz loads still don't cycle reliably.


What gun are you shooting?

I have a Beretta AL 391 Urika. I haven't tried putting a 1oz load through it in several years because it gave me fits early on with them. It cycles 1 1/8oz loads flawlessly, so I've stuck with them. I've put a lot of heavier dove, duck, and goose loads through it over the years, so it may be time to give it another go on lighter shells.

Re: Semi-auto for dove loads [Re: ejj005] #5246635 08/11/14 12:09 PM
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Thanks for all of the feedback guys. Going to try out the Franchi and the A300. See which one fits me better. We will see what happens. Might still end up with the camo. It looks like the A300 comes in Max 4 and Max 5. Not sure which i like better both would work in areas I hunt

Re: Semi-auto for dove loads [Re: ejj005] #5256067 08/16/14 03:20 AM
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ejj005 Offline OP
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Well...went and held an A300 today and for some reason not impressed with the way it feels. So need to check out the Franchi now and does anyone have any other ideas for nice guns under 800?

Re: Semi-auto for dove loads [Re: NTXR] #5256204 08/16/14 05:24 AM
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Originally Posted By: NTX RAIDER
Originally Posted By: Fooshman
Originally Posted By: NTX RAIDER
I usually don't put anything lighter than 1 1/8oz through my 12 gauge. It's broken in and well maintained, but the 1oz loads still don't cycle reliably.


What gun are you shooting?

I have a Beretta AL 391 Urika. I haven't tried putting a 1oz load through it in several years because it gave me fits early on with them. It cycles 1 1/8oz loads flawlessly, so I've stuck with them. I've put a lot of heavier dove, duck, and goose loads through it over the years, so it may be time to give it another go on lighter shells.


That's really unusual for an Al391. Normally they can cycle everything from a light clay target load to a 3 incher no problem. When was the last time you completely broke it down and cleaned it including the action? an honest question and not intended as a smart aleck reply.


To be determined
Re: Semi-auto for dove loads [Re: ejj005] #5256228 08/16/14 06:05 AM
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I like my A300, but personal fit matters. Check the Browning Silver Hunter. Browning has a rebate going on that will give you $75 back (go to their website). A bit above your budget, but worth taking a look.

http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/browning...3179+4294967058
http://www.browning.com/products/promotions/detail.asp?Id=53

Re: Semi-auto for dove loads [Re: ejj005] #5256241 08/16/14 06:44 AM
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To tell you the truth I picked up one of those tonight and it felt amazing to me...beautiful gun also. They didn't have one in synthetic at the store. Do they make them in synthetic, I will fill to bad about using that gun the way it could possibly be used. But it is beautiful!!!

Re: Semi-auto for dove loads [Re: ejj005] #5256251 08/16/14 08:18 AM
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any new beretta 12ga will cycle 7/8 oz loads no problem


If it bleeds I can KILL IT
Re: Semi-auto for dove loads [Re: TurkeyHunter] #5256427 08/16/14 02:32 PM
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No offense taken. I do a full break down and cleaning before dove season, and after duck season. I do a basic quick clean after each shoot. The only time I've put 1oz loads through it was while the gun was brand new. I switched to 1 1/8 oz loads and never had an issue. At that point I just kept buying them figuring "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". I'm going to the gun range tomorrow, and I'm planning on trying a box of 1 oz loads. I'll even try 7/8 oz loads if I can find any. I'll report my findings Sunday night.

Re: Semi-auto for dove loads [Re: ejj005] #5258022 08/17/14 05:55 PM
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I got an A300 last year and didn't have any problems cycling the 1 oz rios

Re: Semi-auto for dove loads [Re: ejj005] #5258045 08/17/14 06:11 PM
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Good to hear. I actually just bought the A300 about 30 min ago. Gonna shoot some clay pigeons tomorrow morning.

Re: Semi-auto for dove loads [Re: ejj005] #5258802 08/18/14 02:05 AM
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Dicks Sporting Goods ran a sale in todays add for the Franchi Affinity for $499 for the black synthetic model, sweet deal, had to pick up another one for that price, I bought a camo one last year and love it.
Could not pass that deal up.

Also got a youth model 20 gauge Weatherby SA-08 for the daughter.
Getting ready for teal season.

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