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Need Shotgun Advice - Please help! #7998852 10/05/20 03:21 PM
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kcrump88 Offline OP
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Going on my first (of hopefully many) bird hunt this January, for Goose and Pheasant. I need to buy a shotgun and start getting some reps in with it. Can y'all give me some advice on a high quality semi-auto 12ga? I've hear the Beretta A400 is great, and the Stoeger M3500 is very good. Not much else. Shot a Browning Maxus the other day and it felt pretty good. I need all the help I can get, so thanks in advance.


There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep sea, and music in its roar:
I love not man the less, but Nature more,
Re: Need Shotgun Advice - Please help! [Re: kcrump88] #7998859 10/05/20 03:28 PM
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Beretta and never look back.

Re: Need Shotgun Advice - Please help! [Re: kcrump88] #7998868 10/05/20 03:38 PM
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Beretta is best overall. Browning is good but Benelli M2 is best. Benelli will cost you $$$$ as well Beretta A400. Benelli is recoil operated so I think it kicks more. Beretta is gas but it too is $$$$ unless you can find a A300. You shouldn't need a 3 1/2 in. chamber unless you are pass shooting. Don't just call Cabela's or Bass pro, get ahold of the manager and he can make you a deal.

Re: Need Shotgun Advice - Please help! [Re: kcrump88] #7998900 10/05/20 03:53 PM
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Look at the SBE, I been shooting my SBE2 since 2008 and love it. It’s been a great gun, it holds 3 and half inch shells, I never use them but good to have if you are in a situation where you need to take long shots.

Re: Need Shotgun Advice - Please help! [Re: kcrump88] #7999005 10/05/20 04:59 PM
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If you find the recoil operated action to your liking check out the Franchi Affinity 3, they make them in 3 and 31/2 models and they are a little less than $1K.


There is time, and you must take it, to lay your hand on your dog's head as you walk past him lying on the floor or on his settle, time to talk with him, to remember with him, time to please him, time you can't buy back once he's gone" GBE
Re: Need Shotgun Advice - Please help! [Re: kcrump88] #7999011 10/05/20 05:08 PM
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Recoil operated is the way to roll.

Re: Need Shotgun Advice - Please help! [Re: kcrump88] #7999017 10/05/20 05:16 PM
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After 25 years I bought a new shotgun last season. I've always been a Remington guy, but they don't produce the same quality they once did. I wanted to avoid inertia guns, as I am getting older and recoil wears me out now. I settled on a Beretta a300 Outlander. Checked all the boxes for me. I found one on GunBroker.com. After FFL transfer and tax, it ran just under $600 (even with DRT Tru-Timber finish). I would happily have gotten an a400, but the money was prohibitive (Nearly, $900 more). I used some of the money I saved to pickup a Briley bolt release, bolt handle and a couple of extended chokes.

Last edited by longtalltexan; 10/05/20 05:19 PM. Reason: punctuation

A wise man told me don't argue with fools. Folks from a distance can't tell who is who.
Re: Need Shotgun Advice - Please help! [Re: kcrump88] #7999023 10/05/20 05:22 PM
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https://texasfishingforum.com/forum...gauge-auto-for-sale-650-obo#Post13716787

Here you go and don't look back! An A400 like you suggested above is also great and if you need less recoil the kickoff system is great too. These guns just run and run! I teach youth to shoot a lot and this is my choice hands down! An older 870 before Remington got cheap would be my second choice. Not an automatic but again you pull the trigger and it goes boom no matter what! I have always told my son you want a gun you can paddle the boat with if you have to and then pick it up and kill birds with it!

Re: Need Shotgun Advice - Please help! [Re: kcrump88] #7999038 10/05/20 05:46 PM
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Go shoulder some guns and see what fits you best. Length of pull is pretty standard and normally fits close enough for all adults. The biggest issue is how you eye lines up with the bead/rib of the gun.

I really don't believe anyone makes a bad gun these days. Typically the 3 B's are considered the best and will hold their value if you ever decide to sell.

I've been shooting browning gold hunters since the late 90s, I have 3 of them and have been very happy with them.


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Re: Need Shotgun Advice - Please help! [Re: kcrump88] #7999061 10/05/20 06:03 PM
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IMO there isn't really a "bad" gun made these days. It all comes down to your budget and what shoulders best for you.

I shot a M3500 for years. Killed plenty of ducks and geese with it. It's too damn heavy to carry around for pheasant hunting - in my opinion. It hasn't left the gun safe in several years. It would make an excellent choice if you intended to beat them to death though.

I'm a big fan of Franchi. Can't go wrong with any of the B guns, but $$$

Re: Need Shotgun Advice - Please help! [Re: kcrump88] #7999130 10/05/20 06:55 PM
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Skip the 3 1/2" idea and get a Beretta A300. It will be 1/2 the price of a A400. Spend the extra money on gear and shells.

Re: Need Shotgun Advice - Please help! [Re: kcrump88] #7999137 10/05/20 07:05 PM
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Get a Benelli Nova pump. They are cheap. See if you like shooting birds. You may, and you may not. Shot it for a year or so then bump up to a better gun if you like it.


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Re: Need Shotgun Advice - Please help! [Re: kcrump88] #7999160 10/05/20 07:35 PM
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Get a Beretta A400 12 gauge, 28". Fastest & lightest 12 gauge available, at least it was when it came out. Shoots 2-3/4 - 3-1/2".

Re: Need Shotgun Advice - Please help! [Re: kcrump88] #7999215 10/05/20 08:19 PM
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Can't really go wrong with any of the "B" guns. I bought a benelli M1 Super 90 in 2000 and it's the best I have ever owned. It fits me well and shoots everything I have ever fed it. It's not a "cheap" investment, so you should go look at several and see how they fit/feel to you. Good luck and have fun!

Re: Need Shotgun Advice - Please help! [Re: kcrump88] #7999407 10/05/20 10:10 PM
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Beretta A400...unless you can find a used AL391.The AL391 are are a better gun IHMO.

It is true that the inertia guns require a little less cleaning, but the Beretta gas guns go 2 - 4 CASES (500 -1000 rounds) before they need to be cleared. The easier recoil worth it.


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Re: Need Shotgun Advice - Please help! [Re: kcrump88] #7999414 10/05/20 10:15 PM
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I used a Benelli Nova (pump) for about 10 years. Solid gun. Never a hiccup. I would still be using it if my boss hadn’t cleaned out his safe and gave me a BNIB Beretta A300. Going on my 2nd season with it. Another good gun.

Last edited by samsamthemex; 10/05/20 10:15 PM.

Re: Need Shotgun Advice - Please help! [Re: kcrump88] #7999435 10/05/20 10:31 PM
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Beretta, Benelli, or Browning.

Honorable mention Franchi.


Thought for the day: Ducks were almost hunted to extinction long before camo was invented.
Re: Need Shotgun Advice - Please help! [Re: longtalltexan] #7999644 10/06/20 12:39 AM
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Originally Posted by longtalltexan
After 25 years I bought a new shotgun last season. I've always been a Remington guy, but they don't produce the same quality they once did. I wanted to avoid inertia guns, as I am getting older and recoil wears me out now. I settled on a Beretta a300 Outlander. Checked all the boxes for me. I found one on GunBroker.com. After FFL transfer and tax, it ran just under $600 (even with DRT Tru-Timber finish). I would happily have gotten an a400, but the money was prohibitive (Nearly, $900 more). I used some of the money I saved to pickup a Briley bolt release, bolt handle and a couple of extended chokes.


Exact same approach I took. All the gun you need and budget friendly.

Re: Need Shotgun Advice - Please help! [Re: kcrump88] #7999693 10/06/20 01:26 AM
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Benelli M2.
Buy boss ammo and you won't need anymore than their 2³/⁴" #5. If you want more pop, get their #3s


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Re: Need Shotgun Advice - Please help! [Re: kcrump88] #7999969 10/06/20 12:14 PM
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I will say I love my post 14' browning A5. Same action as the SBE2. Flawless with any shell you can buy.

Re: Need Shotgun Advice - Please help! [Re: mx3p4] #8000224 10/06/20 04:01 PM
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Originally Posted by mx3p4
Beretta is best overall. Browning is good but Benelli M2 is best. Benelli will cost you $$$$ as well Beretta A400. Benelli is recoil operated so I think it kicks more. Beretta is gas but it too is $$$$ unless you can find a A300. You shouldn't need a 3 1/2 in. chamber unless you are pass shooting. Don't just call Cabela's or Bass pro, get ahold of the manager and he can make you a deal.


X2

Re: Need Shotgun Advice - Please help! [Re: longtalltexan] #8000604 10/06/20 09:28 PM
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Originally Posted by longtalltexan
After 25 years I bought a new shotgun last season. I've always been a Remington guy, but they don't produce the same quality they once did. I wanted to avoid inertia guns, as I am getting older and recoil wears me out now. I settled on a Beretta a300 Outlander. Checked all the boxes for me. I found one on GunBroker.com. After FFL transfer and tax, it ran just under $600 (even with DRT Tru-Timber finish). I would happily have gotten an a400, but the money was prohibitive (Nearly, $900 more). I used some of the money I saved to pickup a Briley bolt release, bolt handle and a couple of extended chokes.


Something I failed to mention about my Beretta a300; So far, it doesn't like any shells under 1 1/4 ounce load. It does mention this in the manual, that at least 1 1/4 ounce is needed for break-in. I forgot about this on my first trip to the range, and it flat would not cycle 1 1/8 Winchester AA's. I was planning to shoot RIO ammo in the field this season anyway, (their stuff is at least 1 1/4 ounce). It eats them up with no problems. With that said, I don't know if its broken-in, or not. I haven't tried anything else through it yet. If I have a chance to try a smaller load, I will update here with the results.

According to the interwebs, your results may vary on this issue.


A wise man told me don't argue with fools. Folks from a distance can't tell who is who.
Re: Need Shotgun Advice - Please help! [Re: kcrump88] #8000939 10/07/20 02:59 AM
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If you don't have a budget, for sure the Benelli SBE3.

I'd run a Stoeger M3500 before I spent a penny on a clanky and janky Beretta. Have shot/used the A400 and A300 Outlander, didn't like either of them. Now every Benelli I've shot, up up up Stoeger's are damn near close to the feel of a Benelli for half the price. And I'd run a Stoeger before a Beretta.

But yeah for sure go for a Benelli auto.. Either SBE3 or the M2 if you don't care about 3 1/2" shells. I run a Remington Versamax that I absoutely love.. Didn't have the money nor the willingness to dish out $2000 on a Benelli, especailly since I got the Versamax for damn near half off brand new!

But yeah... My vote is Benelli all the way..

1- Benelli
2- Remington (the V3 or the Versamax... the other new Remingtons are junk)
3- Stoeger
4- Winchester SX4
5- Beretta

But with that said, the reality of it is since it's gonna be your first time bird hunting, just get a 870 or Mossberg 500 pump! You ain't gotta start with the biggest and baddest gun. I started with a Winchester 1300 12 gauge pump that I picked up for $230 as my first duck gun, after being preached on here that I had to absolutely get an A400 or SBE3 to kill a bird.... I shot many of ducks with that 1300 no problem. Now that I know that I'm hooked, I went ahead and upgraded.

My friend still shoots a rusty and crusty Mossberg 500 and doesnt do any worse than I do!

Last edited by dk2429; 10/07/20 03:03 AM.
Re: Need Shotgun Advice - Please help! [Re: dk2429] #8000967 10/07/20 03:16 AM
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Originally Posted by dk2429
If you don't have a budget, for sure the Benelli SBE3.

I'd run a Stoeger M3500 before I spent a penny on a clanky and janky Beretta. Have shot/used the A400 and A300 Outlander, didn't like either of them. Now every Benelli I've shot, up up up Stoeger's are damn near close to the feel of a Benelli for half the price. And I'd run a Stoeger before a Beretta.

But yeah for sure go for a Benelli auto.. Either SBE3 or the M2 if you don't care about 3 1/2" shells. I run a Remington Versamax that I absoutely love.. Didn't have the money nor the willingness to dish out $2000 on a Benelli, especailly since I got the Versamax for damn near half off brand new!

But yeah... My vote is Benelli all the way..

1- Benelli
2- Remington (the V3 or the Versamax... the other new Remingtons are junk)
3- Stoeger
4- Winchester SX4
5- Beretta

But with that said, the reality of it is since it's gonna be your first time bird hunting, just get a 870 or Mossberg 500 pump! You ain't gotta start with the biggest and baddest gun. I started with a Winchester 1300 12 gauge pump that I picked up for $230 as my first duck gun, after being preached on here that I had to absolutely get an A400 or SBE3 to kill a bird.... I shot many of ducks with that 1300 no problem. Now that I know that I'm hooked, I went ahead and upgraded.

My friend still shoots a rusty and crusty Mossberg 500 and doesnt do any worse than I do!


May be mistaken but, werent you just on here a couple of months ago saying you were new to autoloaders and asking which one to buy? I believe you may have gotten frustrated that no one would vouch for the Remington you were sold on. A lot of new found experience, huh?

Re: Need Shotgun Advice - Please help! [Re: kcrump88] #8001300 10/07/20 02:06 PM
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I will say this about Beretta's......I have seen alot of them freeze up and jam up in the blind. I had a 391 years back and like said above, it only liked certain loads through it. Money well spent is for sure on Benelli.


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