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Need recommendation on a new shotgun for my 14-yo son...

Posted on 9/20/16 at 10:15 pm
Posted by Chicken
Jackassistan
Member since Aug 2003
22546 posts
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?
This post was edited on 9/20/16 at 10:15 pm
Posted by ChatRabbit77
Baton Rouge
Member since May 2013
5872 posts
Posted on 9/20/16 at 10:20 pm to
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 by jimbeam
University of LSU
Member since Oct 2011
75703 posts
Posted on 9/20/16 at 10:35 pm to
A300

OB tested and approved.

I'd like next year's membership to be waived now. Thanks.
Posted by TigerTatorTots
The Safeshore
Member since Jul 2009
81093 posts
Posted on 9/20/16 at 10:42 pm to
Beretta A300


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 by Big_country346
Member since Jul 2013
3698 posts
Posted on 9/20/16 at 10:58 pm to
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.
This post was edited on 9/20/16 at 11:03 pm
Posted by PapaPogey
Baton Rouge
Member since Apr 2008
39788 posts
Posted on 9/20/16 at 11:08 pm to
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 by BACONisMEATcandy
Member since Dec 2007
46648 posts
Posted on 9/20/16 at 11:12 pm to
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
Posted by KillTheGophers
Member since Jan 2016
6455 posts
Posted on 9/21/16 at 12:19 am to
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.

Posted by geaux7122
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Sep 2011
238 posts
Posted on 9/21/16 at 7:22 am to
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 by Timmayy
Houston
Member since Mar 2016
1601 posts
Posted on 9/21/16 at 7:32 am to
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 by tiger rag 93
KCMO
Member since Oct 2007
2616 posts
Posted on 9/21/16 at 7:54 am to
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 by DeltaDoc
The Delta
Member since Jan 2008
16117 posts
Posted on 9/21/16 at 9:01 am to
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).

Posted by PillageUrVillage
Mordor
Member since Mar 2011
15007 posts
Posted on 9/21/16 at 10:05 am to
I've been shooting a Remington 1100 since I was about that age. Still using it. They aren't cheap though. But it'll last.
Posted by Tchefuncte Tiger
Bat'n Rudge
Member since Oct 2004
58536 posts
Posted on 9/21/16 at 10:11 am to
Beretta A300 or Franchi Affinity.
Posted by tigah headache
Member since Nov 2011
652 posts
Posted on 9/21/16 at 10:13 am to
I've got a good friend who is a smaller guy. He's around 5'8" and 165 lbs and he got a Benelli SBEII American when he was in high school. That was 8 years ago and it's still going strong. Only difference in it and the other SBEII's is it doesn't have the chevrons in the stock. I've been finding them on GunBroker for a while now for under $1200 where a regular SBEII is over $1600 everywhere else.

When I get ready to buy another shotgun to retire my 25 year old 870 express this is what I'm going to get.
Gunbroker SBEII American

Posted by JGood
Baton Rouge
Member since May 2016
795 posts
Posted on 9/21/16 at 3:49 pm to
I shoot a Franchi I-12. It has very little recoil and I have no complaints about the gun. I got it when I was 16 and I've put it through the ringer and have no issues.
Posted by biggsc
32.4767389, 35.5697717
Member since Mar 2009
34209 posts
Posted on 9/21/16 at 4:16 pm to
Remington 1100
Posted by LSU Tigershark
10,000 posts
Member since Dec 2007
10548 posts
Posted on 9/21/16 at 4:27 pm to
Remington 1187
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