BEST SHOTGUN MANUFACTORER
 

I am planning to buy a new shotgun in a 12 guage caliber for deer hunting, turkey hunting, and duck hunting. I was thinking either the new Benelli Super Black Eagle II or a Remington 870 Express supermag. Does anyone have any helpful comments or opinions of the two? Thanks.

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One is a very nice shotgun that costs 3X as much than the other. The other works just as good, but a pump. Tough comparison. I like the Browning Gold and older Auto-5 over the Benelli.

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Of the two guns you mentioned, the Benelli is BY FAR the better of the two, but you'll pay for it.

The Super Black Eagle II is one of the best semi-auto shotguns in the world, if you don't mind a gun with a very "modern" look.

The Remington 870 Express Supermag is a very functional, pump-action, no-nonsense working shotgun made for people who need performance on a budget. I have one that I picked up used for just over $200 and it works great and gets the job done, but it won't turn heads at the gun club like the Super Black Eagle would.

So, if you've got the cash I'd definately say go with the SBE and be forever happy with your decision to buy and outstanding shotgun. But if you don't want to spend $1000+ on a shotgun, don't care about 'bragging rights," but still want to be able to hunt whatever you want, the 870 is a great choice.

Mike

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Look at Berettas also they are very nice and Benelli is owned by Beretta. I think they are a better value but not a better gun but a good shotgun nevertheless. Trigger group in that 870 looks like cut up beer cans were used in construction but nevertheless they work. Stay clear of Brownings at any cost except the A5 others are a pile of junk:D:D:D:D

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Ok, my friend you got some explaining to do on that statement, you better explain yourself.[:@][:@]

My gold is the best shotgun I ever had. :D

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How in the world did I type that must have been thinking of a 710 or something along those lines:D Actually the Gold is a good shotgun but I have been burned by every Browning semi-auto that came out since the A5 but have never owned a Gold I meant to say

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I feel better. You hurt my feelings there.

Cureious what kinda of probs you had with semi? One thing I don't like, is its very difficult to clean the gas piston of the Browning. Other than that its a pretty simple design. Not as simple as the benelli. The benelli is a fine gun, but I have trouble going past the 800 dollar point for a shotgun. Only complains on the 11-87 is it has this rattle of that little metal do hicky behind the piston. And they are tad more difficult to put a shell in. Got to hit that button just right. And the rubber o ring sucks. But other than that, its my duck gun.

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I had the A2000 20 gauge autoloader that was in effect a single shot luckily I had a good brittany and one shot was all I needed on Pheasants. Took it to a Browning authorized repair center and the gunsmith shook his head and said it had an inherent problem with gas system and that 70% of the ammo made would not cycle this action. Another was the famous double auto they made which was a Jammo matic and lo and behold its not made anymore. A5's no problem and a few friends have the Gold and like it and compare it to Berettas. Lots of good shotguns out there these days ... I have had a lot of luck with 870's.1100's,11-87.Franchi autoloaders, Winchester autoloader and whoever made the Smith and Wesson autoloader. I am in the market for a 28 gauge for my 11 year old probably pick up an 870 in that gauge for him and cut the stock down.

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Right now at Bass pro, got 870's express's on sale for 198 dollars.

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Wow, Your the first person I know who had all the bad shotguns from Browning. I was told to walk around the A2000's. Well you live and learn I guess.

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The Browning BPS is a great shotgun. Quality is outstanding, and they are the smoothest working pump shotguns I've ever had the pleasure of shooting. Some dislike the bottom eject, but otherwise they are outstanding, and a great value as well.

Mike

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I owned two Browning gold autos.....matching pair in 3" 20 ga and 3" 12 Ga.

The 20 was a sweetie.....great gun and I loved it. The 12 was junk. I had way too much trouble with it and I sold it.....

I like twin tubes today....over/unders and side/sides.

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Yep I was lucky I guess...I am into doubles these days sxs's and have a dandy at home ..that one goes nowhere..

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BPS would be a good gun I like the bottom ejection reminds me of the Ithaca 37

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Vapor, why was it junk? Jam?

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WINCHESTER! i shoot a winchester 1300 and have never had a problem with it going on 5 years with hunting with it.

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i have a browning a-5 16 and 12 guage.i would not trade them for any of these new guns

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The action wouldn't close upon cycling so I returned it to Browning on warranty and they repaired it and it fired and cycled again nicely for about 100 rounds and again started the irritation of not closing the bolt upon cycling. My 20 Ga didn't have this problem and so I assumed it to be a flaw in the 12 ga.....anyway I again returned it to Browning and when it was returned to me I traded it for an SKB 385 sideXside.

I also am aware of others that have been disappointed with the Browning gold autos.

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Well, I am glad I havn't had these troubles with any of my old Auto-5's or my gold. I have such a high regard for thier shotguns, and any troubles like these would really put a dink in that regard.

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I'm into S&S's too, and i have 3 favorites. Two are Krieghoffs, and the third is an old Remington.

I had a SKB many years ago, and although it was a great shotgun, it never did fit me very well. I traded it to a guy for some engraveing and although he got my SKB, but i never got the engraveing!! :>(

Drilling Man

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I like Berettas very much, but will never own another Browning. Had a Browning BAR in .300 Win.Mag. broke two firing pins. One just as I put my crosshairs on a big Red stag.
I like Ruger MKII 77 in .270 after I did a trigger job on it and free floated the barrel, and also have a Tikka 7mm mag that I like.
But shotguns, Beretta all the way!

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you can't go wrong with either one you need to shoot each if possible and go with what you like more .

like both buy both LOL

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Benelli make the best Semi-auto's period.

I got rid of my overly sensitive Browning Gold Hunter in order to get a Benelli. I have never regretted the move for a minute. It has never jammed, even in the dust of South Dakota or the swamps off the Mississippi.

I love the Beretta's as well.

Do it right the first time.

-Mathewsconquest2

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The SBE is a great gun for sure. So good I almost bought one myself. After seeing first hand my buddies experinces with this finicky gun. I decided to go with a Browning Gold 3 1/2" in shadow grass for my waterfowl gun. It's been 100% reliable with several thousand rounds fired. Being used as a waterfowl gun here in Michigan it sees some awful treatment. Without a doubt Browning makes the best semi auto shotgun!

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I have seen some Benelli's SBE's not be able to fire 7/8oz real light skeet load. But I guess if you buy one, you don't buy it for skeet generally.

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I own 5 Benelli's and LOVE everyone of them. Nova - Benelli's pump can be bought new for around $300.00 and will do every thing you want. Shoots 2 3/4" - 3 1/2" mix or match.

Watch your local pawn shops - I icked up a like new SBE for my son for $ 650.00 and it has worked great for 2 yrs.

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i go wit remmington i dont care what any body says you can have a 1000.00 dollar gun or a 50.00 used gun and it still comes down to one thing the skill of the one pulling the triger

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Very true. Moving here to MD, I see alot of people, not all, trying to substitute actual trigger time with high dollar goods. Especially shotguns. I have seen some of the best hunters with gear not half as good as mine. Here in MD, I see alot of novices come out to the bay in thier 10K boats, 200 dollar calls, not calling very well, not a very good decoy spread, with 1200 dollar guns. And then see some good ole boy on the eastern shore with his 200 dollar pump, and decoys that looked like they been thru a war limit out.

I fell in this trap when I started Moose hunting in Newfoundland. I bought the best of the best, from binocs, gortex to custom built gun, to the most accurate loads, but what it really came down too, was how good in shape you was. None of the other stuff mattered much besides the binocs. My guide carried some 300 dollar 243win, and 80 dollar binocs, and clothes that looked like he got off his fishing boat. But he could hump all day all night. He could bring in a Moose everyday.

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It comes down to whether you prefer a pump or an auto and if you are willing to pay for the SBE. For a pump you cannot beat an 870. Since you are also deer hunting with it, you can swap barrels cheaper than with the Benelli. For an auto, you cannot beat the SBE. You are going to pay for it but won't regret it. I've been shooting a SBE for four years and can definitely recommend it. Lighter than other 3 1/2" guns and handles great. Being inertia recoil and not gas operated it is the cleanest auto I have ever used.

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bigcountry:

This is true about the 7/8 oz. load. The Benelli manual says to use 1 1/8 oz. load min. with 2 3/4" shells. I've never had a failure with 1 1/8 oz. I have shot a couple of cases of Estate 1 oz. loads with no failures either. But I think that Estate loads a little hotter shell than the rest.

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I personally can't speak to the SBE .I have many friends who own them and wouldn't trade them for any other gun. I own a Nova and the M1 Field semi-auto and love both of them. I also own a Browning BPS and like that one as well. However, as I mentioned on my previous post, I got rid of my super finicky Gold Hunter 3 1/2. I loved the look of it and how it handled in nice upland conditions. But I had multiple horrible experiences with in a wet duck blind. I keep my guns in perfect condition so I got a decent trade $ for it. I never have had any bad experiences with my Benelli's in the past two + years. I bought the Gold Hunter the first year they went to 3 1/2. Hopefully they have worked out the bugs because I have a lot of respect for Browning merchandise.

Mathewsconquest2

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Mossberg and remington for pumps and Benelli and beretta for semi auto's