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Started By
Message
Need recommendation on a new shotgun for my 14-yo son...
Posted on 9/20/16 at 10:15 pm
Posted on 9/20/16 at 10:15 pm
This board recommended a Remington junior pump shotgun for Chicken Jr years ago, and it worked out great...but he has long outgrown it. I suppose its time to get him a semi-auto. He used my Beretta semi auto last weekend teal hunting and loved it.
Ideally, it would be used for upland bird hunting, waterfowl and for sporting clays...low recoil would be key.
Which makes and models should I consider? I have had good experience with my Beretta A400, but I also have friends that rave about their Benelli's.
Is there much quality difference between entry level semi auto shotguns and higher cost guns?
Ideally, it would be used for upland bird hunting, waterfowl and for sporting clays...low recoil would be key.
Which makes and models should I consider? I have had good experience with my Beretta A400, but I also have friends that rave about their Benelli's.
Is there much quality difference between entry level semi auto shotguns and higher cost guns?
This post was edited on 9/20/16 at 10:15 pm
17
Posted on 9/20/16 at 10:20 pm to Chicken
quote:
Which makes and models should I consider?
I have always been a fan of Benelli and have killed many quail and pheasant with the ultralight 28. It sounds like this will be a multi-use gun so stick with 12 gauge (mostly because of the waterfowl). I would say to let him go to a store and try out the various Benelli and Berettas out there. For benelli, SBEII and Supervinci have always been my favorites. On the Beretta side, I like the A400. Just see what he shoulders best and what fits him best. If you want to spend a little less, Franchi and Stoeger both make inertia guns like Benelli for cheaper.
This post was edited on 9/20/16 at 10:21 pm
Posted on 9/20/16 at 10:35 pm to Chicken
A300
OB tested and approved.
I'd like next year's membership to be waived now. Thanks.
OB tested and approved.
I'd like next year's membership to be waived now. Thanks.
Posted on 9/20/16 at 10:40 pm to jimbeam
Why is the A300 nearly half the price of the A400?
Posted on 9/20/16 at 10:42 pm to Chicken
Beretta A300
I just bought myself one today
ETA: Go with the A400 if you feel like spending the cash.
I just bought myself one today
ETA: Go with the A400 if you feel like spending the cash.
This post was edited on 9/20/16 at 10:43 pm
Posted on 9/20/16 at 10:51 pm to Chicken
A300 is 3" chamber. A400 is 3.5". And the 400 had been around longer.
Posted on 9/20/16 at 10:58 pm to Chicken
I would recommend the Remington, but I'm still waiting on my new 20 gauge to rust out before I give someone else the OK.
ETA: I have 0 complaints about benelli, along with everyone else I know that owns one. That'd be a good route to go.
ETA: I have 0 complaints about benelli, along with everyone else I know that owns one. That'd be a good route to go.
This post was edited on 9/20/16 at 11:03 pm
Posted on 9/20/16 at 11:08 pm to Chicken
Benelli is nice but their cheapest semi auto shotgun is still $1400. The A300 is almost $600 less. You and your son need to figure out if he wants a gas or inertia gun and go from there. If looking for inertia and don't want to spend the the big bucks on a Benelli M2, Vinci, SBE2, or the Browning A5, take a look at the Franchi lineup. If you go the gas gun route, the A300 seems like a pretty good pick. FYI, I shoot a Benelli and have no major complaints after about 6 years of pretty good use. I'll consider all my options when it's time for a new gun. Don't be concerned about shooting 3.5" IMO. Mine shoots only 3" as well and I've never had a problem knocking birds down, even big Canadas and specks. Shot shell technology is good enough to not have to worry about a bigger load.
This post was edited on 9/20/16 at 11:13 pm
Posted on 9/20/16 at 11:12 pm to Chicken
I still have my stoeger m2000 that I was given around that age. Still fires the same now as it did then. By no means was I gentle on that gun.
I would stick with the A300 if you like Beretta unless you see him using this gun for a longer period. I have the super Vinci and the ethos and cannot recommend them enough but I have never taken the ethos out in the blinds. The ethos has the least recoil I've ever shot
I would stick with the A300 if you like Beretta unless you see him using this gun for a longer period. I have the super Vinci and the ethos and cannot recommend them enough but I have never taken the ethos out in the blinds. The ethos has the least recoil I've ever shot
Posted on 9/21/16 at 12:19 am to Chicken
Love the way my Beretta A400 shoots - can handle everything from the heaviest duck load to the lightest field load.....and I duck hunt....a whole bunch.....it is a machine.
All that said, for a 14 year old, I would recommend the 300 - it is half the price and a helluva gun. IF something happended and it was lost, stolen, etc. you are only out the 600. It will easily get him through his high school and college years.....
....once he starts working he can go purchase the new Beretta version of the A400 that is out there.
Plus, the A300 has a little more classic look for a father to son type gift....the 400 may not be in style in a decade....the 300 will be in style well after all of us have left this earth.
All that said, for a 14 year old, I would recommend the 300 - it is half the price and a helluva gun. IF something happended and it was lost, stolen, etc. you are only out the 600. It will easily get him through his high school and college years.....
....once he starts working he can go purchase the new Beretta version of the A400 that is out there.
Plus, the A300 has a little more classic look for a father to son type gift....the 400 may not be in style in a decade....the 300 will be in style well after all of us have left this earth.
Posted on 9/21/16 at 5:51 am to KillTheGophers
I have shot Benelli's for years and absolutely love them. I am not sure you can go wrong with either gun. That being said if you are looking for less recoil then I think I would go with the Beretta as the recoil will be less than an inertia system like a Benelli.
Posted on 9/21/16 at 7:17 am to Da Hammer
My son (12yo) saved up all his own money from working this summer, did his own research, and chose the A300. He's only shot a couple boxes through it so far but it's been flawless. Last season he was rotating between his 870 and my Franchi Affinity. The A300 has a little shorter LOP and is adjustable so it fits him a little better.
Posted on 9/21/16 at 7:22 am to Chicken
I purchased my first semi auto and went with the franchi affinity. It's a great gun and is made by benelli. I believe they have one with an adjustable stock length as well.
Posted on 9/21/16 at 7:28 am to geaux7122
I have the AL390 Beretta, it is about 15 years old. I love that gun, id highly recommend anything Beretta.
Posted on 9/21/16 at 7:32 am to Chicken
My sbe has been hunted for 18 years now. My dad gave it to me when he upgraded to the sbe2 more so that I could have a semi auto. I love it and cherish the fact that we can keep it thumping 18 years later. Have you thought about buying yourself a new gun and handing down your a400 to your son?
Posted on 9/21/16 at 7:54 am to Chicken
My dad bought me my SBEII when I was 13 and here 10 years later it's still going strong. I absolutely love it and won't have to buy a new shotgun for a long time.
Posted on 9/21/16 at 8:18 am to tiger rag 93
A300 is a great gun - gas driven
A350 has also gotten pretty good reviews from what I've seen, it shoots 3.5 and doesn't have quite the price tag as the A400.
Benelli anything is pretty tough to beat.
having said all that I have a Franchi Affinity that I love, it has never let me down and can be had for about the same price tag as the A300.
A350 has also gotten pretty good reviews from what I've seen, it shoots 3.5 and doesn't have quite the price tag as the A400.
Benelli anything is pretty tough to beat.
having said all that I have a Franchi Affinity that I love, it has never let me down and can be had for about the same price tag as the A300.
Posted on 9/21/16 at 8:56 am to PapaPogey
quote:
Don't be concerned about shooting 3.5" IMO.
Birds have been getting killed for 100 years before people thought they needed an extra 1/2" shotgun shell.
If I duck hunted every weekend of both splits and spent money on a lease, etc. then I'd justify the A400. As a guy who just goes when he gets invited, the A300 is plenty of gun.
Get the black rather than camo to keep it timeless.
Posted on 9/21/16 at 8:57 am to GaryMyMan
All of that
I hunt geese and hardly even ever use 3.5
I hunt geese and hardly even ever use 3.5
Posted on 9/21/16 at 9:01 am to Chicken
I own Berettas and Benellis, and the gun I grab 99% of the time to both waterfowl and turkey hunt is a Winchester SX3. As a matter of fact, I just bought another one recently (the Waterfowl version in MO Bottomland).
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