Forums46
Topics537,970
Posts9,731,198
Members87,051
|
Most Online25,604 Feb 12th, 2024
|
|
|
1st Semi - Final Contenders
#7699054
12/26/19 06:20 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 459
HVILLE HNTR
OP
Bird Dog
|
OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 459 |
Decided lm ready to switch over to the dark side and get my 1st semi 12 Ga. This gun will be primarily used for Waterfowl with most hunting occurring down at the Coast but with some hunting occurring over freshwater farm ponds. l have been doing a lot of research online and narrowed it down to a final list of 6 options. My budget is $900 but would be willing to spend an extra $100 over this if there is another one not listed that worth the extra money. Any help narrowing this list down further regarding your own personal experience with any of the guns would be greatly appreciated
1) CZ 1012 2) Stoeger M3500 Waterfowler Special 3) Weatherby SA-08 Deluxe 4) Franchi Affinity 3 5) Beretta A300 Outlander 6) TriStar Viper G2 Bronze
|
|
|
Re: 1st Semi - Final Contenders
[Re: HVILLE HNTR]
#7699065
12/26/19 06:37 PM
|
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,090
2flyfish4
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,090 |
Which ever gun fits you the best is the one I recommend.
Also, you can shop gunbroker and pick up some used higher end huns like benelli, beretta, brownings for under your price point if that interest you. I've had good luck doing that.
Instagram - 2flyfish4
|
|
|
Re: 1st Semi - Final Contenders
[Re: HVILLE HNTR]
#7699121
12/26/19 08:04 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 513
kman2017
Tracker
|
Tracker
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 513 |
Get a used Beretta a400. Can do that for 1k. Can shoot anything from 7/8oz dove load to 3.5" shell dor cranes and geese.
|
|
|
Re: 1st Semi - Final Contenders
[Re: HVILLE HNTR]
#7699194
12/26/19 09:46 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,281
BradyBuck
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,281 |
Out of those the Outlander 100%
HRCH Washita's Kimber Locked N Loaded GRHRCH Firefly's Rally The Troops MH
|
|
|
Re: 1st Semi - Final Contenders
[Re: BradyBuck]
#7699240
12/26/19 10:33 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 392
js4242
Bird Dog
|
Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 392 |
Out of those the Outlander 100% This. No need for 3.5 shells and it’s always a good choice sticking with one of the three Bs.
|
|
|
Re: 1st Semi - Final Contenders
[Re: 2flyfish4]
#7699301
12/26/19 11:42 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,010
68A
Extreme Tracker
|
Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,010 |
Out of those the Outlander 100% This. Which ever gun fits you the best is the one I recommend. If this.
|
|
|
Re: 1st Semi - Final Contenders
[Re: HVILLE HNTR]
#7699355
12/27/19 12:46 AM
|
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 11,534
rickym
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 11,534 |
Whichever fits you best, and you need to include the Winchester sx3 and sx4.
Don’t count out the ATA venza from academy either. I’ve shot one the last two years and know a few people that have shot them longer. They hold up well and I haven’t had a single complaint with mine.
|
|
|
Re: 1st Semi - Final Contenders
[Re: HVILLE HNTR]
#7699391
12/27/19 01:23 AM
|
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,510
tophorsecop
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,510 |
My middle son loves his Outlander...i'm an over under guy...3 Tristar Hunters....all 3 are twelves, just have 20 ga sub-tubes in the teal gun and 28 ga tubes in the dove gun...and less than a grand in all 3
"Guns don't kill people, Guns kill dinner!"
|
|
|
Re: 1st Semi - Final Contenders
[Re: HVILLE HNTR]
#7699539
12/27/19 11:38 AM
|
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 3,460
redhaze
Veteran Tracker
|
Veteran Tracker
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 3,460 |
The Beretta a350 is right at $900 at Academy
|
|
|
Re: 1st Semi - Final Contenders
[Re: HVILLE HNTR]
#7699543
12/27/19 12:04 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 6,695
Cochise
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 6,695 |
Decided lm ready to switch over to the dark side and get my 1st semi 12 Ga. This gun will be primarily used for Waterfowl with most hunting occurring down at the Coast but with some hunting occurring over freshwater farm ponds. l have been doing a lot of research online and narrowed it down to a final list of 6 options. My budget is $900 but would be willing to spend an extra $100 over this if there is another one not listed that worth the extra money. Any help narrowing this list down further regarding your own personal experience with any of the guns would be greatly appreciated
1) CZ 1012 2) Stoeger M3500 Waterfowler Special 3) Weatherby SA-08 Deluxe 4) Franchi Affinity 3 5) Beretta A300 Outlander 6) TriStar Viper G2 Bronze
I've shot 2-4 and own 2,3, and 4. 2 - heavy, reliable for the most part, use it as a back-up gun now or a loaner to friends 3 - got one when they first came out - not sure if they still use interchangeable valves (heavy and light) - but my heavy valve failed after about a year. Weatherby sent a new one, but since then I've retired it to lighter loads - definitely like the way it fits, shoulders, and swings the best and is my go-to dove gun if I'm shooting a semi. Plus mine has nice wood that I don't want to mess up. It's a light comfortable gun, but I'd pass unless they upgraded the valves for heavier loads to be more reliable 4 - putting my first season on this one now. I have been pleased. Has been flawless so far. Much lighter than the Stoeger and I personally like the fit better.
|
|
|
Re: 1st Semi - Final Contenders
[Re: HVILLE HNTR]
#7699726
12/27/19 04:29 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 391
Pintail711
Bird Dog
|
Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 391 |
I heard that new Franchi is bad to the bone.
|
|
|
Re: 1st Semi - Final Contenders
[Re: HVILLE HNTR]
#7699772
12/27/19 05:04 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 191
cleboje
Woodsman
|
Woodsman
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 191 |
The Beretta A300 Outlander is hard to beat...proven and reliable 391 action packed into an affordable gun...shim adjustable too...!
|
|
|
Re: 1st Semi - Final Contenders
[Re: HVILLE HNTR]
#7699821
12/27/19 05:58 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 459
HVILLE HNTR
OP
Bird Dog
|
OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 459 |
I really appreciate everyone’s opinions on this one. Based on responses between this forum and another l posted on, it seems the overwhelming majority is recommending the Beretta. So yesterday l went down to Academy and checked out the Stoeger and A300. Below are a few things l noticed about both along with some things the guy behind the counter mentioned:
Stoeger - Felt ok when shouldered but slight imbalance in the weight. I was told this is because they have a hollow stock. I slid the bolt back and it was smooth as butter. Guy at Academy said they sell a lot of them but more than likely due to price point. His friend owns one and it’s never had a failure. Also they are super easy to clean and take apart being that it’s inertia instead of gas. The sight is an oversized fiber optic
A300 - Felt good when shouldered and weight is light and perfectly balanced. The bolt was stiff and required a fair amount of effort to slide back (possibly just needs to be broken in and then will loosen up?) It’s got a bead site instead of fiber optic which l actually prefer. Apparently more complicated to dissemble and will probably be a bit of challenge for me up front, but lm sure there is an ample amount of information online to walk me through it. The guy at Academy said this is the gun he would recommend getting...Even though there was just as many pluses in the column for the Stoeger (including price)
In conclusion l think lm going to go with the Beretta. I don’t want any regrets with this purchase and feel that there is a reason that most people are saying Beretta without hesitation. I only shoot 3’s for ducks so see no reason to upgrade to A400. I was only considering the Stoeger 3500 because at that price point and with several good reviews online it seemed like it might be a steal of a deal. Thanks again for everyone’s comments and help
|
|
|
Re: 1st Semi - Final Contenders
[Re: HVILLE HNTR]
#7699869
12/27/19 06:50 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,010
68A
Extreme Tracker
|
Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,010 |
You’ll be glad you went with the Beretta. Disassembly can be done in ~1 min, 2 if you wanna pull trigger. Nothing hard about it. Bolt will loosen, brand new recoil spring needs to be broken in. Put a drop or two of 10w-30 on the bolt races and go shoot a case or 5.
|
|
|
Re: 1st Semi - Final Contenders
[Re: 68A]
#7699882
12/27/19 07:16 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 464
N.Tx
Bird Dog
|
Bird Dog
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 464 |
You’ll be glad you went with the Beretta. Disassembly can be done in ~1 min, 2 if you wanna pull trigger. Nothing hard about it. Bolt will loosen, brand new recoil spring needs to be broken in. Put a drop or two of 10w-30 on the bolt races and go shoot a case or 5. This ^ Easy enough to take apart and reassemble after you've done it once or twice. I have an A300 and it was recommended to shoot at least a box of high brass magnum shells first to break in the recoil spring. I did this and have yet to have a fail to fire/feed in hundreds of rounds so far, even with the lightest dove loads.
|
|
|
Moderated by bigbob_ftw, CCBIRDDOGMAN, Chickenman, Derek, DeRico, Duck_Hunter, hetman, jeh7mmmag, JustWingem, kmon11, kry226, kwrhuntinglab, Payne, pertnear, rifleman, sig226fan (Rguns.com), Superduty, TreeBass, txcornhusker
|