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Started By
Message
Looking for a new 12 gauge
Posted on 4/21/22 at 11:30 am
Posted on 4/21/22 at 11:30 am
So I've done most of my bird hunting with a hand me down 20 & 16 gauge and was looking to add a 12 to the cabinet.
Looking for a buy once, cry once gun, and have looked all of the common recommendations (Franchi, Weatherby, Browning, Benelli, etc) and I think I've narrowed it down to a Benelli based on handling a few and reading reviews on all of them.
There are a bunch of options, for all brands, so curious which one of the Benellis the board would recommend for an all around 12 gauge, or if anyone feels strongly for one of the other brands being better than the Benelli curious about that too.
Looking for a buy once, cry once gun, and have looked all of the common recommendations (Franchi, Weatherby, Browning, Benelli, etc) and I think I've narrowed it down to a Benelli based on handling a few and reading reviews on all of them.
There are a bunch of options, for all brands, so curious which one of the Benellis the board would recommend for an all around 12 gauge, or if anyone feels strongly for one of the other brands being better than the Benelli curious about that too.
12
Posted on 4/21/22 at 11:32 am to DukeSilver
quote:
Looking for a buy once, cry once gun
Beretta A400. I have a Winchester SX4 3.5" that I really like. But If money were no object I would go with the A400 hands down. My dad has a 12 and 28 gauge A400. Best shooting shotgun.
Posted on 4/21/22 at 11:43 am to DukeSilver
Really like my Benelli SBE2 and so far have not had any issues with it
Posted on 4/21/22 at 11:58 am to DukeSilver
Hard to go wrong with Italian shotguns, Kentucky whiskey, and Japanese trucks.
Posted on 4/21/22 at 12:35 pm to DukeSilver
Hard to beat a benelli. I used to work wioth an ol boy who had a lodge in Mexico and they shot shot connexs of shells each year. He claimed that the benellis were good for 50k shots before needing any repairs and the next behind it was berettas at 35k. I have not shot that many through my sbe2 but it has never failed me and cycles everything.
Some folks don’t like the feel of an inertia gun but I love them.
Buddy has a franchi and based on what I have seen from them I wouldn’t hesitate to try one and may buy one in 20ga next.
Some folks don’t like the feel of an inertia gun but I love them.
Buddy has a franchi and based on what I have seen from them I wouldn’t hesitate to try one and may buy one in 20ga next.
Posted on 4/21/22 at 1:26 pm to DukeSilver
I love my SBE3. I like it better than the m-2 (granted its in 20g). My "new" version Browning A5 shoots and shoulders so well though.
The SBE3 is probably going to shoot high but you get used to it and there are ways to fix this (shims, messing with heating that bolt over the magazine tube) but I haven't done either, just got used to aim a little low and its hard to miss skeets.
It is all about preference (gas vs. inertia). People will say gas requires more cleaning and maintenance which may be true but modern high end gas guns seem to not be a real issue. Some will say inertia kicks too hard. Both valid arguments for people to have I guess, but it is really preference. Beretta and Benelli both hold their value well which is a plus.
TLDR: go shoulder some at the shop and see how you like the feel, borrow some from a buddy to shoot, etc. I will say the SBE3 and SBE2 ribs are raised high and look nuts next to an 870.
I want a Franchi and have heard really good things about them.
ETA: the SBE2 and 3 (as well as the newer model a5) are all 3.5" guns as that was what I could find and sometimes I throw mixes of 2-3/4, 3" and 3.5" in random mix into all of them and haven't had a problem with it cycling any of them regardless of the order of shooting them.
The SBE3 is probably going to shoot high but you get used to it and there are ways to fix this (shims, messing with heating that bolt over the magazine tube) but I haven't done either, just got used to aim a little low and its hard to miss skeets.
It is all about preference (gas vs. inertia). People will say gas requires more cleaning and maintenance which may be true but modern high end gas guns seem to not be a real issue. Some will say inertia kicks too hard. Both valid arguments for people to have I guess, but it is really preference. Beretta and Benelli both hold their value well which is a plus.
TLDR: go shoulder some at the shop and see how you like the feel, borrow some from a buddy to shoot, etc. I will say the SBE3 and SBE2 ribs are raised high and look nuts next to an 870.
I want a Franchi and have heard really good things about them. ETA: the SBE2 and 3 (as well as the newer model a5) are all 3.5" guns as that was what I could find and sometimes I throw mixes of 2-3/4, 3" and 3.5" in random mix into all of them and haven't had a problem with it cycling any of them regardless of the order of shooting them.
This post was edited on 4/21/22 at 1:32 pm
Posted on 4/21/22 at 2:20 pm to DukeSilver
What kind of bird hunting are you doing?
Would an O/U work for you or would you prefer a semi?
If O/U looking at Beretta and Brownings
If Semi, the 3 Bs (Beretta, Benelli, Browning).
Go and shoulder them if you can and see which shoulders for you the best
Would an O/U work for you or would you prefer a semi?
If O/U looking at Beretta and Brownings
If Semi, the 3 Bs (Beretta, Benelli, Browning).
Go and shoulder them if you can and see which shoulders for you the best
Posted on 4/21/22 at 2:26 pm to bbvdd
quote:
What kind of bird hunting are you doing?
This is the question
Posted on 4/21/22 at 2:31 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
quote:
What kind of bird hunting are you doing?
This is the question
This is something to consider, but never bad to have something versatile (if you are looking at semi's) most of the 3 B's are all very light weight now, at least in the non wood versions.
Posted on 4/21/22 at 2:32 pm to DukeSilver
I have no real experience but plan on going with a Weatherby 18i Waterfowler soon
Posted on 4/21/22 at 2:39 pm to BorrisMart
quote:
This is something to consider, but never bad to have something versatile (if you are looking at semi's) most of the 3 B's are all very light weight now, at least in the non wood versions.
Yeah aiming for it to be pretty versatile anything from dove/duck to goose/turkey depending on choke and load.
Posted on 4/21/22 at 2:42 pm to DukeSilver
I do all that with a benelli ultralight and like it a bunch. I never shoot a whole whole bunch though. Recoil is pretty rough because the gun is so light.
Posted on 4/21/22 at 7:06 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
The B gun that fits you the best. After that it doesn't matter. Try and go to a skeet range and shoot a cpl of brands if you can. I like berettas but a padnah likes his M2 benelli. A400s are not really a carry gun for upland ... too heavy a M2 would be better. I have shot brownings but their autos dont fit me well. Get the gun that you like and fits you best.
Posted on 4/21/22 at 9:00 pm to OntarioTiger
quote:
Get the gun that you like and fits you best.
Or, get the gun you like and shoot it a wholeeeee bunch. No amount spent on a gun replaces trigger time. Buy any gun, shoot it enough to get good with it.
Posted on 4/21/22 at 9:21 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
Downshift... i disagree. It starts w gun fit then trigger time. If gun doesn't fit no amount of trigger time will fix it. Yrs ago i had my heart set on a sbe2. Picked it up and stock was too long, picked up a 391 and never looked back it just fit.
Posted on 4/21/22 at 9:39 pm to OntarioTiger
Go handle a Beretta 1301 Comp and see how it shoulders. Super sweet shooter
Posted on 4/21/22 at 10:02 pm to DukeSilver
I have a SBE2 and 3 and I prefer my 2 over the 3. They’re both great guns, they just have different aim points. I prefer the 2 because it has a typical aim point, whereas the 3 shoots high as stated above. I shimmed it, put a bigger front bead and bought rob roberts chokes and it shoots pretty close now, but if I would’ve known that beforehand I would’ve bought another SBE2. I’m a benelli guy, but I feel like you should buy whatever feels the best for you.
Posted on 4/21/22 at 10:11 pm to OntarioTiger
Well that might be true for somebody who shoots a whole lot. Me, I'm just a dude who's had cheap junko shotguns his whole life and bought a fancy one on a whim. I couldn't shoot my ultralight for shite when I first got it. Now after a few years I can shoot it as well as I used to shoot my old POS 870 express.
I've shot sporting clays tournaments with guys who were REALLY good. I'm sure their shotgun fit matters a lot, its probably the difference between shooting an 85 and a 95. For me, I dont think the difference between 70 and 72 is anything to do with the shotgun
I've shot sporting clays tournaments with guys who were REALLY good. I'm sure their shotgun fit matters a lot, its probably the difference between shooting an 85 and a 95. For me, I dont think the difference between 70 and 72 is anything to do with the shotgun
Posted on 4/21/22 at 11:36 pm to DukeSilver
Soo, what 16g you have?
This post was edited on 4/22/22 at 11:31 am
Posted on 4/21/22 at 11:58 pm to DukeSilver
The Benelli M4 is the best shotgun on the planet.
I support buying once and smiling forever. Probably not good for birds but use those others for birds and have the best shotgun on earth.
I support buying once and smiling forever. Probably not good for birds but use those others for birds and have the best shotgun on earth.
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