New Shotgun

AR Dave

AR Dave

New member
I come from a simple family where we buy a Remington Shotgun at 12 yrs old and use it the rest of our life. I have my 1100, my dads', and my grandpa's Remingtons. My dad gave my son an 870, just before he passed away last year, and that'll probably be his last gun. I put away the shotguns, and hunted big game in Alaska for 20 yrs. Now that we're back and Duck Huntin Crazy, steel shot has replaced lead, 3'-3.5" has replaced 2.75, and the 1100 needs to be put aside for squirrel, turkey, & doves. Since my son shoots 3", I'd like to shoot 3" as well. 3.5" when he's in school and I'm dueling with my duck buddies.

I'm ready to get a nice shotgun, but have a lot of research to do. Was hoping y'all could help me cull my choices down to 5 or 6 guns before going to the gun stores, shows, clubs, wherever I have to go to find them.

I sure would like to hear as many opinions as possible on these guns and anymore I've left out.
 
Auto-Load, 12 gauge, 28” barrel.

Benelli Super Vinci
Browning Maxus
Beretta Extrema II
Winchester X3S

Stoeger M3500 (Recent move into Top 10)

Beretta A400 Xtreme
Benelli Super Nova
Benelli Super Black Eagle II
Remington 11-87 Supermag
Benelli Cordoba
Benelli Montefeltro
Browning A-5

Remington Versa Max
Browning Silver Hunter
Browning BPS Hunter
Beretta AL391 Xtreme 2
Weatherby SA-08
Mossberg 935
Frachi 1-12
 
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From your list my top picks would be:

Benelli Super Vinci
Benelli Super Black Eagle II
Browning Maxus
Beretta Extrema
Winchester X3

Go shoulder each of the guns, or better yet shoot them, and then determine which feels the best and fits you the best. Good luck!
 
I have the Beretta A400 that I use for upland. I love the gun, easy to carry and light on the shoulder. Also a bonus that it handles every load out there without a hitch. The one drawback is that it's just too pretty to bang around in the duck boat.

For duck hunting I have a Benelli Super Nova. I really like it. Handles all loads with ease and is heavy enough that I don't kill my shoulder with it, even on heavy goose loads.

If money weren't an issued I would buy the A400 light for upland and the Benelli Super Vinci for waterfowl.
 
Me - Browning Maxus
Son #1 - Beretta A400
Son #2 - Benelli SBE II Black
Son #3 - Benelli SBE II Camo

Personally, the gas operated Maxus and A400 are much nicer on my old shoulder than the SBE's but they all drop birds and have had ZERO mechanical issues.
 
I have an Extrema and a Franchi I-12. Resist the I-12's price and stay away. I have nothing but good things to say about the Extrema.
 
I have the benelli super Vinci and I must save I love the gun and feel its worth every penny. I carried the gun duck and goose hunting 15 times this year 5 grouse trips and over 30 pheasant outings. It's really nice to have a super light gun that can handle any type of hunting. Super light recoil and I prefer it against an explorer any day. Buy top of the line for once in your life and you will be the guy telling others spend the money someday.
 
I have an Extrema 2 with the kick-off. I LOVE the gun. It shoots so soft, you can pass shoot geese with 3.5" shells and the time it takes to acquire a second target is nil, like you were shooting dove loads. What I mean is that the recoil is so slight that you can stay focused on the birds and the barrel hardly moves. No complaints on the gun, except that I had to put about 200 rounds through it before it would properly cycle dove loads (which beretta tells you in the manual).

I'm really interested in the redesigned kick-off system in the current models, but I am too "in love" with my current gun to let it go. Maybe by next fall I will be overcome with lust and have to make a purchase...:eek:

I hunt with a retired guy who loads up his wife and dogs in an RV and follows the bird seasons from N to S all Fall chasing the birds and waterfowl. He probably hunts 5-6 days a week from September to January/Feb. He bought a Maxus last year and says it is the best gun he has ever owned. When he says it is an awesome gun, I take it as the gospel truth. He would know...

Gun shopping is so much fun! Good luck to you. No matter which one you get, I'm sure it will be a winner. Whatever you buy, please report back how you like it.
 
I thought my SBE was going to be my go to shotgun when I bought it, but it has been a jam machine. I guess I need to try some different springs, but I just can't get it to cycle reliably. Probably operator mounting error.

For sitting in a blind and shooting waterfowl, I would take my 11-87 Supermag any day. Never had any problems with it and, to me, 3 1/2 high speed steel feels about like 2.75 1 1/4 1300 fps loads in an OU or pump. The 11-87 also makes a nice turkey gun. It is a little heavy to lug around for pheasants, IMO.

Since you started out on an 1100 and have other Remingtons the 11-87 Supermag might be an easy transition, and you can always use the 1100 2.75 for upland birds. A couple hundred for a new barrel gets you into 2.75 steel and the Federal Premium loads in #4 and #2 shot kill pheasants like Thor's Hammer IME.

What works for one person doesn't work for others. For every person like me who is disappointed in his Benelli there are dozens who wouldn't shoot anything else. I've read complaints about 11-87 Supermag reliability, yet I've had no issues, and mine will reliably shoot trap loads without changing the pressure adjustment. I have a SKB 20 gauge gas auto that is very finicky about the high and low pressure adjustment to the gas system. Go figure.

Like Dakota says, try to shoot some different guns and see which one shoots best for you.
 
Thanks - doesn't seem like one could get much better of a shotgun review, than from the shooters who use them. I've been editing my list, 2nd post, looks like 8 are breaking away from the pack. Also looks like our family tradition is in jeopardy. I get it though, if I was going with a pump the 870 would be right in there. I'm a take-my-time type person, but I'll definitely keep this thread up to date. Going to check with my waterfowl friends to see if I can get some demo's. Word is out about my new Duck Blind, so they're all being extra friendly to me right now. This will be fun! :)
 
A Browning Maxus or Winchester SX3 with 3" chamber would be a sensible choice. Both guns are light to carry, handle/point extremely well, and the gas system tames recoil better than any other gimmicks. Unless you shoot big geese a lot, a 3" gun is all you need. They also have a fair price compared to other semi-auto's.

The Benelli guns are reliable, but their inertia-system actions do not cut the recoil enough for those of us that need it. I found this out the hard way, and sold/traded two Montefeltro's for a Maxus.
 
I sure look forward too and appreciate these post. The Maxus and SX3 are solid in my Top 5. I'm getting some time off in a couple of weeks and plan on flying over to an Outdoor Store, in Eastern Arkansas, named Mack's Prarie Wings. I'm told they have all the guns and everything else I need.

My hunting buddy thinks he found me THE shotgun for $600. Here's the link he sent me - NRA's Golden Bullseye Award
 
My hunting partner wants me to use his Black Eagle this year, so I guess I'll give it a try. Been so busy with the duck blind, have'nt had time to test guns. Buddy is left handed, so after shooting this right handed Eagle for a few years, he bought a left handed one.

I've been making awesome shots with my 1100. Trying to get rid of some older shells, I've been shooting at doves I didn't think there was any way of hitting. Really trying to be funny on a couple, only to bring some down. I've expanded my limits doing this.....
 
I have never found a gun that I shoot better than my old 1100.
The gun just shoots where I am looking. Now my son is shooting it most of the time.
 
AR Dave said:
Auto-Load, 12 gauge, 28” barrel.

Benelli Super Vinci
Browning Maxus
Beretta Extrema II
Winchester X3S

Stoeger M3500 (Recent move into Top 10)

Beretta A400 Xtreme
Benelli Super Nova
Benelli Super Black Eagle II
Remington 11-87 Supermag
Benelli Cordoba
Benelli Montefeltro
Browning A-5

Remington Versa Max
Browning Silver Hunter
Browning BPS Hunter
Beretta AL391 Xtreme 2
Weatherby SA-08
Mossberg 935
Frachi 1-12
Click to expand...

That's my choice from that list, but then again I'm Beretta biased....;)
 
I would be scrambbling if he hadn't practically given me this gun. So now I can take my time and really look at and handle all brands. I did go by a local Outdoor Store, who's owner is an avid duck hunter. He'd like to have our business. He sales a lot of guns but can't get a Binelli Distributorship, he told me to get a Binelli, even though he didn't sale them. He did have a used Eagle sitting behind the counter, said he'd sale it for $800. Anyway I picked it up - liked the way it felt. Regardless, I'm making myself a promise to pick up every gun on our list! :)

I just might try some Bismuth or Tungsten in the 1100. Any thoughts?
 
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AR Dave said:
I would be scrambbling if he hadn't practically given me this gun. So now I can take my time and really look at and handle all brands. I did go by a local Outdoor Store, who's owner is an avid duck hunter. He'd like to have our business. He sales a lot of guns but can't get a Binelli Distributorship, he told me to get a Binelli, even though he didn't sale them. He did have a used Eagle sitting behind the counter, said he'd sale it for $800. Anyway I picked it up - liked the way it felt. Regardless, I'm making myself a promise to pick up every gun on our list! :)

I just might try some Bismuth or Tungsten in the 1100. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

Winchester sx3 are very nice guns, and tough.
 
AR Dave said:
I just might try some Bismuth or Tungsten in the 1100. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

Are you worried about the barrel or is it 23/4 chamber. If it is just the shell size, I'd shoot steel out of it. You could always switch to heavyshot later,if steel is not enough shell.
 
Ha ha you guys are gonna talk me out of a new gun all together :rolleyes:

First my son shoots an 870, so it would be nice if we could both shoot 3". Right now we have to pay attention not to mix his 3" up with my 2 3/4. Could live with it..

Next - I'm thinking the steel shot will eventually errode my old 1100 barrel? Looked into switching to new barrels, but it isn't worth it too me. Can't get the length/choke combo I want.

Seriously, I've never really experimented with my range etc.. My range just came from whatever dad told me. Last year I was surprised with some of my duck shots (1100), but my huntin buddy and I were both taken back with those dove shots. What would be a good way to experiement with the patterns and stuff. Thinking of putting cardboard out 40 yds and seeing what kind of patterns diff shot & loads make.

I was in Alaska from 20's to 40's, where rifles are the tool. Beginning to understand how a shotgun works is helping my performance. Example realizing that the shot fly's in a stream, instead of a pattern - big light came on! Please feel free to pass on shooting tips. Yes I shoot with both eyes open :)
 
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