Semi-Auto Shotgun
 

I am looking to purchase a Semi-Auto Shotgun, and am considering the higher end models such as the Benelli, Beretta, Browning, and Winchester's new SX3.

I am primarily looking for a gun that has a rifled barrel with 1x28 twist for deer hunting , but am also planning to purchase a field barrel for bird hunting etc.

Can anyone offer some educated advice about these higher endshotguns?

RE: Semi-Auto Shotgun
 

I can't say about all of them. I have owned/shot browning,winchester,and benelli,but the latest beretti I had was a 390. The winchester is basically a browning except cheaper,beretti was great,but the benelli is the one that I liked the most. I've since sold it,along with the others,the benelli had the least amount of felt recoil,I had to almost TRY to miss with it,and have never shot as good with any other 12 gauge shotgun.

RE: Semi-Auto Shotgun
 

Thanks for the reply. I am curious what model of Benelli you had, and if it was a slug gun? I am strongly considering the Super Black Eagle II slug gun.

RE: Semi-Auto Shotgun
 

I'd recommend the SX3, I love mine. Lightweight, low recoil, lightning quick, & just plain fits me - I've never shot this good! Mine even cycles the 1 oz loads, though the manual says it won't. I've been very impressed.

I was looking at the SBEII because it's very reliable because it is inertia driven, but decided against it for the same reason - inertia driven shotguns kick more than their gas driven counterparts.

Also beware, these guns you listed, the rifled barrels tend to be very cashy - like $400 or so. I wanted to do that also, but didn't, not when I can buy a dedicated slug gun for that price.

Just my 2 cents, but fit is more important than brand. I know guys with $100 beat up shotguns that can outshoot anyone I know, just because their guns fits perfect. I'm now a firm believer that fit makes the shooter.

RE: Semi-Auto Shotgun
 

A buddy of mine owns that very model and swears by it!!!! He stated that it shoots slugs to 125 yards with great accuracy!! You can also buy an extra barrel for spread shot as well!! Only thing is that price!!!![:-]

RE: Semi-Auto Shotgun
 

In addition to the Benelli SBEII, I've also been looking hard at the Winchester SX3. I wasn't aware that 1oz slugs would not cycle through the gun, but I guess these guns are more made for the high velocity sabots which are typically smaller.

I know that price is a factor when considering any of these higher line shotguns, and that goes for the SX3 as well. It will run you nearly $500 to add a field barrel to your slug gun! And that is not even a camo'd barrel as the SX3 Slug gun is only available in black. You can also add a field barrel to the Benelli SBEII, which comes in camo for around $500.

RE: Semi-Auto Shotgun
 

When I said 1 oz loads, I was talking field loads (quail, rabbit, dove etc). Slugs have plenty of recoil to cycle the shells!

RE: Semi-Auto Shotgun
 

Don't forget the Remington 1100 Series.
I shoot the LT-20, (20 gauge/24" rifled barrel) and it is the real deal.


Good Hunting,
Bowflex

RE: Semi-Auto Shotgun
 

Thanks for the suggestion Bowflex. I had a brother in law who had a 1100 and it was always jamming up. I am really looking for a gun that will not only cycle, but cycle quickly, but I will give the Remington a look.

RE: Semi-Auto Shotgun
 

the benelli's are the fastest cycling semis I've seen. I can set empty hull on side of reciever,turn up,and shoot 5 times before the hull hits the ground!!!!!!!!!!

RE: Semi-Auto Shotgun
 

Thanks for the info Stalkingbear, that is why I am leaning strongly towards the Benelli SBEII. The only thing standing in my way is that price tag!! The slug gun is $1730, and add another $500+ for the field barrel.

RE: Semi-Auto Shotgun
 

I have the Benelli M2. It is just the 3 inch model, but it is cheaper than the SBEII. I don't have the slug barrel, but I love that gun!! I will neverown another brand ofsemi-auto shotguns. I have never had a jam and you don't have to clean it as regularly as you do a gas operated shotgun.

Good Luck with your choice!!!
Pheasantfanatic

RE: Semi-Auto Shotgun
 

I was looking at the M2 also, which seems like a awesome gun as well. It helps to hear from people who own these guns, and it seems Benelli owners have one thing in common, they love their shotgun and that is important!

RE: Semi-Auto Shotgun
 

If you have a Gander Mtn around, see if they have any of the Beretta Xtrema slug guns left over. A buddy in INdiana got one for $899, then bought a 28" barrel for birds and rabbits. Not a bad combo for that level of gun.
I had the slug barrel when I lived in Indiana. I got rid of it when I moved back to Texas. My slug gun liked the Remington Hammerheads and the Copper solids. At 100 yards, I was getting groups of 1.5" and a smidgen less.

RE: Semi-Auto Shotgun
 

Darn right!!!!:)

RE: Semi-Auto Shotgun
 

I have a Browning hunter gold with fiber optic sights and absolutely love the gun... I don't have a rifled barrel for it, but have shot slugs through it very accurately. It's a blast to use on skeet/trap and have taken many a quail and rabbit with it as well...

RE: Semi-Auto Shotgun
 

http://www.mauser.org/shotguns/sabre/index.htm

RE: Semi-Auto Shotgun
 

Bbear, 1.5 is a darn good group with a slug gun! Currently, I am using a Mossberg 835 with a 24in fully rifled barrel equiped with a Nikon Pro Staff scope. After shooting nearly every kind of sabot manufactured, I am really disspapointed in the groups I was getting from the gun, soI'vedecided to get rid of the rifled barrel and only use the gun for turkey hunting, and that is why I am looking for a new slug gun.

The main thing I'm looking for is a gun that groups well, and cycles fast! I know that slug guns are not known for producing consistent and tight groups, however, if I can find one that will give me a consistent group 2in or less, I will be very happy!

I've pretty much narrowed it down to aBennelli, Berretta, orWinchester SX3.

RE: Semi-Auto Shotgun
 

Not that it matters as 99% of shooters can't take advantage of thecycling speed of any auto loader. The Winchester SX2/SX3 are the fastes cycling models.

http://www.winchesterguns.com/prodinfo/features/detail.asp?ID=72

http://www.winchesterguns.com/support/video/1442sx3.wmv

For your money, you might be better off getting a gun like the Mossberg 695 for you slugs and a semi auto for your other uses. Price wise would be pretty close or less and accuracy would be better.

RE: Semi-Auto Shotgun
 

clean a benelli then clean a gas gun .
benelli wins hands down.
not to mention how nice they shoot and swing

RE: Semi-Auto Shotgun
 

I shoot a Benelli SBEII for every type of fowl and love it. I also have a Benelli M-1 20ga that I use for deer. Match that with the Nikon 3x9 & the Winchester sabot @ 1900 fps. and I don't think there is any better combo for slug hunting. Every deer that I have taken with that combo has expired within 15 yards of the shot. I did get the field barrel with all the chokes for it but its a pain to take the scope on and off every year and then have to remount it. Sooner or later I know I'll strip out a screw or mar up the gun. Hope this helps. GOOD LUCK