Looking for a new shotgun for mostly dove hunting and playing around with some clay shooting. Currently looking at the Beretta 391 and one of the Benelli's. I have a 12 gauge pump Browning. Still trying to decide if the new gun will be 12 or 20 gauge. Thoughts?
Another OT Gun Post: Shotguns
- Thread starter Delmar
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Looking for a new shotgun for mostly dove hunting and playing around with some clay shooting. Currently looking at the Beretta 391 and one of the Benelli's. I have a 12 gauge pump Browning. Still trying to decide if the new gun will be 12 or 20 gauge. Thoughts?
Now if you want an all around gun for ducks, deer, and dove then I would go with the Benelli 12 ga. Super Black Hawk II. Another good gun that my buddy shoots dove with is the Browning O/U, it's pricey though.
for the past 2-3 years and it has been the best shotgun I have owned. It will cycle anything from the cheapest Walmart shells to 3 1/2 inch.
The Beretta 391 is a great gun too. You would not be going wrong with either. If strictly for dove, I would look harder at the 20 gauge. 16's would be my first choice but the shells are just too damn high.
The Beretta 391 is a great gun too. You would not be going wrong with either. If strictly for dove, I would look harder at the 20 gauge. 16's would be my first choice but the shells are just too damn high.
nothing like buying a gun and wishing you had gotten a bigger caliber. I have shot clays, dove, squirrels, rabbits, ducks.......with the SBE II and have never had a failure. I was not a fan of the original SBE but I would not trade this one for any other gun that I have shot other than some expensive over unders.
feather is my favorite shotgun but they are pricy.....All depends on how much you want to spend.......
I'd stay with a nice 20. I've got a Benelli super black eagle that I've had since they first came out. Its gone swimming in Montana and everywhere in between. My number 1 duck and goose gun.
For upland, I shoot the old standard Ruger Red Label 12 O/U. Not pretty but its what I like.
For dove, I've got the other standard Remington Light 20.
If I was just doing mainly dove and clays, no question, the 20.
For upland, I shoot the old standard Ruger Red Label 12 O/U. Not pretty but its what I like.
For dove, I've got the other standard Remington Light 20.
If I was just doing mainly dove and clays, no question, the 20.
I have been lusting for one in 20 ga. for awhile now. Primary use will be dove and some quail. If not that, I will probably go with a beretta. I'll be watching this thread closely.
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Sterling Archer.nafoom
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and every other shotgun he owned jammed or somehow failed except his Beretta, shooting their ****** cardboard shells, and hundreds of shots per day.
It's easy as hell to maintain too.
It's easy as hell to maintain too.
semi-auto ever produced. I am talking about the 391. That being said, he followed that up by saying that semi auto shotguns should not ever be made since they all mess up. I would put a good bit of stock in his recommendation since he does nothing but repair guns all day long and has for years.
Find a Browning Sweet 16 ! They quit making them like around the 60s or 70s or so but if you can find one used you won't ever need or care to have another gun (at least not for those uses). My grandfather gave me mine just before he died and I've never even thought about getting another shotgun. I have killed everything from Quail, Rabbits, Squirrels, Dove, Turkey, even killed a couple of Deer with itlast year hunting in close quarters. They were actually made for bird and clay shooting because they are so well balanced, they don't kick hard so you can follow through your shots and stay with your birds and they are are semi automatic. I actually inherited a Remmington Express 12 Ga Turkey gun a couple years ago and prefer shooting my Sweet 16. Sure its a smaller gauge with a little less power but the more you use it the less you'll need it. Unless of course you decide to go duck or geese hunting.
The Beretta Xtrema II 12 gauge is the best all around shotgun made. Period. end of story....
If you are using the gun to hunt any wild game, whether dove, rabbit or deer, never go lower than a 12 gauge....
but if you want a shotgun strictly to shoot sporting clays, go with a .20 gauge Browning Citori......
and if you want high dollar expert advise on sporting clay guns, as DentalDawg.......he knows the names of sporting clay guns I have never even heard of.....mainly because they are like 15k a gun.....(starting)
otherwise, ......Beretta is the best all around shotgun....you will not disappoint....
If you are using the gun to hunt any wild game, whether dove, rabbit or deer, never go lower than a 12 gauge....
but if you want a shotgun strictly to shoot sporting clays, go with a .20 gauge Browning Citori......
and if you want high dollar expert advise on sporting clay guns, as DentalDawg.......he knows the names of sporting clay guns I have never even heard of.....mainly because they are like 15k a gun.....(starting)
otherwise, ......Beretta is the best all around shotgun....you will not disappoint....
and have never had an issue with it.
I'm sure there are better guns out there, but I don't think you can find a better value than the 870.
I'm sure there are better guns out there, but I don't think you can find a better value than the 870.
Still shooting it 30 years later. From clays to live birds, squirrel & rabbits, hits anything I point it toward. Never a problem. Use an 870 Express 12 for a boat paddle to the blind, then shoot all day. I still lust after some semis, but I have taken shots while others were cussing.
Spend the money and get a decent gun. And "no" a Yuldiz is not a decent gun. You are giving up one shot, but you get to watch everyone shooting an auto clear a hung up shell. Ask me how I know.
It has served me well. I have put it through
Hell duck hunting and it has always been faithful.
Damn good gun for the money and you aren't afraid
To get it dirty, scratched or in my case bent. Killed
A lot of birds with my 870. I might add that I have shot
In a couple of competitions against folks using
Many of the aforementioned snob guns and I kicked their ***.
Hell duck hunting and it has always been faithful.
Damn good gun for the money and you aren't afraid
To get it dirty, scratched or in my case bent. Killed
A lot of birds with my 870. I might add that I have shot
In a couple of competitions against folks using
Many of the aforementioned snob guns and I kicked their ***.
I think I've killed more ducks on my 3rd shot than my first two since I've owned the gun. I grew up shooting antique Browning A5's but went with the 870 due to it being relatively cheap and the harsh conditions I was going to be putting it through. Once you get used to shooting a pump, there's something in the back of your mind that will make that 3rd shot count. This season I really considered getting a Benelli da Vinci but I've gotten so good with the pump that I don't think its worth the money to get the da Vinci.
I manage gun clubs for a living and I have seen pretty much every kind of shotgun imaginable over the last 15 years. For what you are wanting the Beretta 391 would be difficult to beat. Less recoil and better triggers than the Benelli, by far. Very easy to maintain and a good track record of longevity. I think you would be very happy with it.
Good Luck!
Good Luck!
Because they work. Time after time. They are a better design. They are a simple design. The balance is better. But the main reason is this, automatics (17) up. They hang up. I cringe when someone brings their new Beneli with a light load box of shells and wants to shoot sporting clays with my group. We spend half our day waiting on him to clear his gun and shoot the target over. Just my thoughts. I'm not saying buy a Perazzi, but spend the money for a good gun. Make SURE the gun fits you. Right size stock(stock length and comb height). You won't hit **** if this is wrong.
Final thought, if you're dead set on getting an auto, get the Beretta. It's more reliable, lighter recoil, and shoots great.
Final thought, if you're dead set on getting an auto, get the Beretta. It's more reliable, lighter recoil, and shoots great.
or have it fitted to you. I shoot sxs for upland and pumps for turkey and watefowl.They all work, but for what you have described as what you want to shoot, I'd get an O/U in 12 ga., with at least 28 inch barrels. You can shoot anything with thatcombination. Read some of the late Michael McIntosh shotgun books.
the benelli cordoba? The only benelli that I have shot was the montelfeltro and it had quite a bit of recoil, but it didn't have some of the features that the cordoba has. I really like the way the cordoba holds and I think I like it's features, but I will go with beretta if that is the way to go. BTW, this gun will be for dove and quail.
Completely agree with Beretta here. I've been shooting Beretta's for years and have had nothing but success. Been smacking ducks in -10 wind chill temps while the Benelli's boys were only getting one shot off each pass as their gun kept jamming in the cold. If you are strictly for dove and clays go with the .20 you won't be sorry. If you think you will hunt any other type of game go with the .12 no questions asked.Beretta said:
I used to feel the same way and always shot clays with my Ruger Red Label. When I got the SBE II, I have changed my mind. I have literally put upwards of 1000 cheapo shells through it without a problem. Funny thing is, after about 100 shells through my Red Label, the firing pin broke and had to be replaced.
That was my duck hunting gun for years and I put that thing through hell and back and still shoots like the day I got it. I have since gone to the Benelli Nova for the past 10 years as my primary dove/duck/pheasant gun. It's a no nonsense gun, easy to work on and clean. Mine is not very pleasing to the eyes (it looks like a police gun) but it gets the job done.
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Sterling Archer.nafoom
Guest
and it's had thousands of shells through it. I just know it's a semi, and it works great. I thought I remembered there being an A in the model name. I just looked at the gun and couldn't see a model number anywhere on it.
S
Sterling Archer.nafoom
Guest
30" barrel, full choke, non-changeable. And the barrel does not come off the gun for cleaning. It sucks. Cool to look at, awful to shoot. The kick is tremendous. Probably not a surprise that I believe it was the last shotgun Smith and Wesson ever produced.
But have seen a few here at the club. For hunting, the Benelli's are good guns, but I have found that the triggers are very stiff, and with not much weight, the recoil is more excessive than I like. If you want the gun to both hunt and shoot clays, the 391 is a much better gun. For dove and quail, you don't need the Extrema either. Try the Eureka, it will handle what you want well.
Another poster mentioned buying an o/u because of fewer problems. It's true that they won't hang-up and there is a bit less maintenance, but I have owned Winchester, Browning, Beretta, and Perazi O/U's. After 20 years in just the sporting clays game, and 45 years of hunting, I prefer the semi's for several reasons.
Another poster mentioned buying an o/u because of fewer problems. It's true that they won't hang-up and there is a bit less maintenance, but I have owned Winchester, Browning, Beretta, and Perazi O/U's. After 20 years in just the sporting clays game, and 45 years of hunting, I prefer the semi's for several reasons.