Best 12 gauge

quote:

---

What does TD think would be a good first semi auto shotgun at a reasonable price

---

Really depends on you pocket book. An entry level remington semi-auto is no where near the same level as a Benelli Super Black Eagle. I have had very good service out of my Browning Gold Hunters in 3" and 3-1/2". I think they discontinued them in 12ga and replaced with the Maxus but I have not had the chance to shoot one. After several thousand rounds I have never had to disassemble my browning because of a jam. Can't say the same for my Remington 1100 20ga.

I love my Browning Maxus.

The Weatherby semi-auto's look almost identical to the browning gold and cost less. $600-700 range. Those may be worth a look.

I seriously doubt that expensive shotguns send shot downrange significantly differently than cheap ones.

The expensive ones just feel so much better. It's just the nature of things.

quote:

---

Spend the coin to get what you want and skip the entry level buisiness. It should last you a long time if your hunting habits stay the same.

---

I agree but there is a difference btw quality and luxury.
the Browning Gold is nice, but for about half as much, you can get a fine, long lasting shotgun

In my opinion which is not worth a ton, I would get a pump as your first gun. It takes time to develop the automatic sequence of fire, pump, fire. If you ever go hunting with a group and need to borrow a gun inevitably someone will have an 870 you can borrow. The pumps are relieable and trustworthy and very capable of taking game.


I have the Benelli Nova in Wetlands cammo and I am very happy with it. I know alot of people swear by a Remington 870 and I agree it is a good gun. I wanted composite and wrapped or coated as I wanted to cut down on rust as much as possible. The only regret I have about composite is the stock and foreend seem to stay colder in your hands longer than wood does.


Get 3.5" chamber in what every you decide to get and at least 26" barrel lenght for waterfoul hunting.

I also liked the position of the saftey on the right side of the tirgger gaurd on my benelli vs the left side on the 870. Also dont waste money on a nice sling jsut get one of the ones that is a simple nylon webbed strap with loops on each end that slide on and off easily. You will find that the sling gets in the way when you are shooting and gets wet on the floor of the boat/blind and is only needed for portage of your gun when walking in.

Benelli SBE II's are great guns but will run you around $1400.

Remington 11-87 is another good option for a little cheaper.

quote:

---

I second this but did not say anything in my first post because he did not ask.

---

I third it. I went through 4 pumps, 3 of which being 870's before i got an automatic. Nova is a decent gun as well. But if you want to stick with Remington, the 887 is almost identical to the Nova

I tend to disagree with getting the pump first. They have a steeper learning curve and kick much harder.

I shoot a stoeger 2000 semi. Its great and only runs about 500