Hi all. I have begun expanding my hunting and have recently added Sandhill crane and pheasant to my shotgun hunting. before it was only dove that I used a shotgun on. On a recent pheasant hunt, my old shotgun started to stutter on my and finally locked up. This has happened before. So i am in the market for a new on.
I have a mossberg pump that handles 3.5 inch shell and I will use that for turkey and maybe Goose. So I would like to buy a semi auto. I have learned that gas shotguns shoot softer than recoil operated shotguns (like the browning a5 and the benelli inertia drivern) but require more care and cleaning.
So I am looking at the Benelli designs like the SBE II, Franchi I12 and stoeger 2000, all of which use the benelli inertia system. But the Super black eagle is the only one that can use all 3 sizes of shells. The other 2 only handle 3 and 2.75.
Also looking at Winchester X3, Beretta AL391, and Beretta Extreme, Weatherby SAS in gas operated guns.
Here are a few questions.
I know the Super BLack Eagle is the big dog on the block and has incredible record for dependability and recoil absorption (due to the stock and pad). BUT IT IS1400 BUCKS!!! That is coming into the price range o a fin o/u.
***Does anyone have any experience with the Stoeger 2000 and Franchi I12 which use the ineretia system too? The stoeger is around 400 and the franchi is around 800. Plus the Franchi is not so ugly as the other two.
Does anyone have any experience with the Winchester X3, Beretta, or Weatherby Guns?
And do any of you have any experience with BOTH!!???

Thanks
okcmco