Need all around shotgun recommendation
 

I got a quote on my montrefeltro and have decided to get rid of it. In an earlier quote, I was asking for turkey gun suggestions but now that I am getting rid of my benelli as opposed to adding a turkey gun to the arsenal, I need a single "do everything gun". In other words, I want something that is as short as possible, preferably 24 inches but I may be limited to 26 inches since I want a do it all gun. I would like synthetic, black or camo is fine. I also want a gun already tapped for a sling and a 3 inch chamber is big enough. I don't have a preference for pump or auto and my budget is very flexible. I am getting $700 for the benelli, so if i need to come out of pocket a few hundred, that's fine.

Any recommendations would be great, i've been out of the gun market for yrs so i'm at a loss. The reason I think a turkey only gun won't work is it's too single purpose. I need something that can be used for hog, deer, bird, duck and turkey hunting. again, a one for all gun that is short and durable.

thanks, hope to get something this weekend.

RE: Need all around shotgun recommendation
 

I just found something i really like but know nothing about. It is the Franchi I12 Waterfowl, 24 inch barrel in Realtree. anyone know this gun?

RE: Need all around shotgun recommendation
 

I don't have any experience with the Franchi, but just out of curiousity, why are you getting rid of your montefeltro? Those are great guns, my buddy has one and I shoot the benellisupersport for wingshooting. I almost bought the montefeltro when deciding between the two. As fora straight, do it all shotgun the benelli supernova is a good choice. Thats my main turkey hunting shotgun, but it has knocked down everything from ducks to dove tosquirrells too.

RE: Need all around shotgun recommendation
 

If you want my opinion, I really like the Benelli Nova. I have used it for everything from waterfowl, to pheasants, to grouse, to turkeys, to deer. It has performed very well. I find it very easy to aim, and it is very reliable. I have a 26 inch barrel in black synthetic, and it's an awesome all around gun. Benelli's a great company. If I were your, I'd stick with what I have but thats just me. Good shooting.

RE: Need all around shotgun recommendation
 

Look at the Remington 870's are good all around guns. Benelli Novas are good also!

Both go for"somewhere" around $350....some less some more...

RE: Need all around shotgun recommendation
 

Typical forum.... LOL! :DA guy asks about a quality shotgun and folks respond with answers for low end "budget" shotguns. MAN, the guy is getting rid of a Benelli model...... once you've handled one of those beauties,... the guns mentioned above are cheap JUNK! :(

Take a look at the new Benelli VINCI that was just released today! It may be the smoothest shooting 3" 12 gauge anyone has ever seen. I lovemy SBEII but this new gun may be a "must have" as well? ;)

Of any of our guns, my all-time favs for Gobblers are the T/C Encore Pro Hunter with it's 24" barrel and the Benelli SBEII. Good luck and good shootin'

RE: Need all around shotgun recommendation
 

If your not scared to come out of pocket some more I would say a Benelli Super Black Eagle. 1200$

RE: Need all around shotgun recommendation
 

I'm a Remington guy, and more specifically an 870 guy, so whenever anyone asks about what kind of shotgun to get that's immediately my first suggestion. But since you have some money to play with I would say go for an 11-87. Semi-auto sucks up some of the recoil of those hard hitting turkey and waterfowl loads. But if it were me and I was looking for a gun to use hard, a gun that will probably get a little dinged up, and wet, and dirty and everything else that comes with being an honest working hunting gun i'd prob stick to the 870. But like i said, I'm probably a little biased haha

RE: Need all around shotgun recommendation
 

im also an 870guy i ve 3 . my latest is a super mag got a pure gold choke tube i also use it duck hunting its got a 26 in barrel

RE: Need all around shotgun recommendation
 

No offense to those who can, and do, spend a lot of money on a gun. In my opinion, and probably a few others here, a $5000 shotgun is no better than a $500 shotgun.I could afford to spend more on a shotgun than I have, but I decided after looking around not to. I shoot a Maverick 88, almost the exact same gun as the Mossberg 500.Since it's made byMossberg,everything's interchangeable with the 500. It hasn't given me any problems in the three years I'vehad it, and I've taken deer and turkeys with it in the pouring rain, freezing cold and muggy South Carolina heat.It also serves, along with my 9mm, as home protection.

I don't care how "sweet" and "smooth" a gun shoots,dead is dead. When Benelli makes a shotgunthat cleans and quarters a deer, breasts out a turkey or drops an intruder faster than a Mossberg, then I'll buy one. Until then, I'll stick with my $189 "cheap junk" gun.I'll use theother hundreds of dollars for things more important.

RE: Need all around shotgun recommendation
 

Mossberg 535 ATS 12g Realtree Camo, 20 inch barrel, and XX Full Choke. It works great for me and love the gun!

RE: Need all around shotgun recommendation
 

I use my Super Black Eagle II for everything turkey,waterfowl, pheasant and I've even used it to hunt coyotes a couple of times. It's synthetic black with 28" barrel. Its an awesome waterfowl gun, but it works just fine for everything else. It is an expensive gunso itgets used. If youwant to spend the money I would go with a Benelli auto if you don't keep the one you already have of coarse. A little less expensive you can't go wrong with a Remington either. I used 11-87 for 15+ years (its kinda of retired now.) The Mossberg 835s' are also popular so Iwon't leave them out. I don't have one but my nephews seem to like theirs'. Just my .03 in reverse order good better Benelli;)

RE: Need all around shotgun recommendation
 

I'm also an 870 guy, with the money that your talking about get an extra barrel. I like my turkey gun, 21" barrel and I bought a modified choke for quail and squirrel. If you want a barrel that's a little longer just get an 870 with a 26" barrel and buy a turkey choke. With the extra money get a rifled barrel with a cantilever mount and put a scope on it.

RE: Need all around shotgun recommendation
 

I bought the Benelli SBE IItwo years agoand was never happy with the way it patterened 3 1/2" turkey loads. Even after using several different combinations of chokes and shells.

Recently I bought a 26" Winchester SX3in camo and have had much better luck with the pattern. The SX3 is a great gun that I will also use for waterfowl and upland. Great all-around gun in myopinion and softer shooting than the Benelli. I just killed 3 gobblers with it in Mississippi and am really happy with the way it shoots. It is along the same price range as the Benelli and would deserve your consideration. Good luck.

RE: Need all around shotgun recommendation
 

Sorry, but I have to comment on this. I promise you, I can kill just as many ducks and turkeys with an 870 as one can with a high dollar gun. If you want to spend the extra hundreds of dollars, that's fine, it's your money,but it is definatley not necessary. I spent $550 for my 870 SPS-T Thumbhole. I don't consider that cheap junk. I consider it a wise buy, unlike spending $1000 or more for something that won't kill any better than what I have. Don't get me wrong, the high end guns are nice, and I'm not knocking anyone who uses them, I just don't think you need them to be successful. I'll stick with my 870's for ducks and turkeys and kill all I want.

RE: Need all around shotgun recommendation
 

Isn’t the real answer to the gun to buy is the gun that fits your body. One that puts the shot charge were you want it to go with no thought or work it just happens. A $5000 gun that you can’t kill with is only good to show off to your friends. A $500 gun may need more TLC & may not hold up for as many years for a clay bird shooter but think gun fit not what is the best gun. Some dollars spent shooting different types of guns to see what feels good (fits your body) or have a custom fitting might end up being the gun that kills the most & isn’t that what we want from our toys.