Thinking about a new gun, suggestions?

S

Springer22

Well-known member
Opportunity came up and I am pondering a new shotgun. Semi auto. Lightweight is most important, my old Winchester gets heavy. Not sure between a 12 or 20. I mostly hunt public land birds and as we know those things are tough and don’t always give ideal flushes. Use it for some waterfowl too. Just want reliable, tough, and lite.

budget is around $1000 give or take, any suggestions? I’m sure this same thread has been started a 1000 times but entertain me
 
I haven't priced shotguns in many years so I can't make any specific suggestions on brands or models in your budget.

What I would suggest is a 12 gauge in a camo pattern though. If you intend to use it for waterfowl/geese, a 12 gauge in camo fits that bill and can also be used for upland hunting.

A 20 gauge will probably take down some waterfowl too, but it doesn't have enough for me if I'm after bigger ducks and honkers. If I was solely using it to hunt upland birds, then a 20 would be fine. Just my 2 cents
 
Steal some $, sell your body, buy used, or some of each….i can’t speak highly enough of the Benelli ultralight…mine is a 12 gauge…6 lbs…3 shell capacity…I have lots of guns, this would be my go-to if my life depended on hitting the target. The most important thing is the fit, and you can use shims to create the proper fit with this gun. Lots of good guns out there, what feels good and fits you is key. If you’re near Duluth you’re welcome to borrow mine and shoot clays.
 
Beretta A400, Browning A5 both north of $1K. I have a Beretta A300 in 20 gauge that came in under $1k. I like the A300 and would get another. but it doesn’t shoot as good as my A400. Finding a good used gun may be a good option.
 
I have a beretta AL 391 gauge, love it as well, shoot it great…safety is forward of trigger guard, opposite of where it is on my Benelli’s…goofs me up at least a few times per season…but a great gun…
 
You can get the older style Benelli ultralight for around a grand on gunbroker. If I was set on spending a grand, Id probably wait out a new old stock old model on Gunbroker.
If it was my money, and I wanted a 20 gauge, I would look at a Stoeger 3020 upland. Less than 600 buckd and weighs nothing. Another possible would be a Franchi 48 AL in 20. Ive only had the 12, but the 20 is supposed to be mid 5 lb range I think.
If I wanted a 12 gauge and wanted to save $$, I would try to find an Impala Plus with 26 inch grey cerakote barrel/wood. Around 6.9 pounds and 500 bucks. Gunbroker has several different models. The blued version is 370.
Then go to budsonline or rogers and drop several hundred on different ammo with the money you saved! Get some bismuth before it goes away.
 
Beware the Benelli “click” on the old models! The bolt becomes unseated, even 1/128”, and it doesn’t fire…happens! You have to be attentive anytime you close the bolt, or touch it. Happens to me once or more per season and there’s a bird flying away! The new ones supposedly are cured of this, thanks to the new ethos action. If you’re firm on price, I’d look at older beretta’s…12 gauge.
 
I had my ‘smith go through that gun last summer, cleaned the spring that cycles the action, and went through the whole action…don’t think I suffered the click last fall! But I was careful…
 
I did a small job for a gun shop so it would be kind of a trade deal. Might just have to check some out. I was thinking A400 but that’s a bit rich for my blood. Wouldn’t be opposed to a used gun either. Anyone have any experience with the weatherby elements? Was also pondering the stoeger 320 upland
 
Labradinger said:
Are the newer Franchi Affinitys prone to that?
Click to expand...
I've got a camo 12 ga Affinity, it's my main duck gun and I do use it some for pheasant late-season. My wife has the same gun in 20ga. We haven't had any issues with the benelli click in the 5-6 years that we've had them. Great guns.

I bought my wife a 28 ga Benelli Ethos at the start of last season, for sharpies and huns. Incredibly nice gun, I ended up using it some during pheasant season. I'm mostly a 16ga guy for phez, but if I was looking for a 12 or 20, the Ethos would be very tempting!
 
I carried one of my 28’s last year a bit…killed 5, no lost birds. Used a Winchester load, 1 oz of lead #5’s, about 1300 fps. M/F chokes out of my Parker reproduction. Fun!!!
 
Labradinger said:
You can get the older style Benelli ultralight for around a grand on gunbroker. If I was set on spending a grand, Id probably wait out a new old stock old model on Gunbroker.
If it was my money, and I wanted a 20 gauge, I would look at a Stoeger 3020 upland. Less than 600 buckd and weighs nothing. Another possible would be a Franchi 48 AL in 20. Ive only had the 12, but the 20 is supposed to be mid 5 lb range I think.
If I wanted a 12 gauge and wanted to save $$, I would try to find an Impala Plus with 26 inch grey cerakote barrel/wood. Around 6.9 pounds and 500 bucks. Gunbroker has several different models. The blued version is 370.
Then go to budsonline or rogers and drop several hundred on different ammo with the money you saved! Get some bismuth before it goes away.
Click to expand...
No experience with the Stoeger but the first shotgun I used for pheasant was a 48 AL in 20 gauge. Love that gun. It has a 2 3/4” chamber so if you are looking for a 3” chamber it won’t work for you.
 
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