shotgun??? 3" 12 ga. auto

[okie]

Any experts here?
my kids saved up his money and wants one--I am not impressed with my Benelli--not sure what to tell him....thanks for any advice --needs a stock that can be cut down since he is small
thanks

 

[JRS]

Any particular reason for the 12 gauge? For what kind of shooting?

 

[HTSmith]

I recommend this one http://www.beretta.com/en-us/a300-outlander-synthetic/. I have 4 Beretta Semiautos including one of these. They have all been very reliable and function with light 1 ounce loads, though I did have to put couple of hundred rounds through the A300 before it would cycle the light loads. These loads combined with the gas action will keep recoil down--a very good thing. The length of pull is user adjustable with the spacers and pads, which is another big plus for you. If he's saved enough for a Benelli, he'll have plenty of money left for ammo.

I'll also shamelessly plug my book https://www.amazon.com/dp/1523365439/?tag=accuratescom-20

 

[wedgy]

What is the intended purpose ? If it's a field/upland gun you want light for carrying and if a duck blind shooting magnums you want a bit heavier, same for a target gun because you aren't hauling it up and down hills all day. The weight tames the recoil. For upland hunting I have been using a Franchi Infinity 20 gauge(I think Beretta owns them & Benelli??). Very lightweight, cycles 3" and light loads, and went nearly 2k rounds without cleaning it before it started to malfunction(I'm horrible about cleaning shotguns, especially synthetic stock hydrodipped ones). It also comes with the stock shims so you can adjust it to fit your cheek which is critical for sight picture.

 

[AckleymanII]

I sold my Super Black Eagle also. Darn think kicked like a mule. I now have a beretta 390 and a 391 that kick MUCH less! Hard to believe how much less the Beretta kicks compared to the SBE.

the issue of the 300 not cycling the light loads is that the gas piston has a lot of grease on if from the factory.

 

[Bugs]

I second all of the remarks above RE Beretta. If you're going to shoot an autoloader, you might as well have the advantages (less recoil, primarily) of a gas gun. Find a good used 391 and don't look back.

 

[okie]

he will hunt and shoot clays--school has a team now--so a multi-purpose type is what he needs--thanks for all of the responses and advice--some other guys also recommended the 390-391s--I am sure we will be going to check one out soon--thanks again!!

 

[3Ackleys]

I have a few 390's and 391's- great guns.
My trap gun is a 390 super trap I bought in 1996 it has 80,000 rounds through it.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

The berettas are great. I also love a franchi at even less money

 

[KMart]

Beretta would be my choice. I only have experience with the 301,302, and 303. They are bullet proof and the game warden will never give you a ticket for having the plug out of the gun.
In their owners manual, they advised you that you should break it down and get the crud out of the moving parts every 2000 rounds or so.

 

[rardoin]

Got rid of a Benelli SBE-gen 2 and have 2 Beretta a400's, an X-plor and X-trema.....if he will occasionally shoot 3 1/2" shells go with the latter.

 

[okie]

thank you guys---I appreciate the advice

 

[okie]

I have a few 390's and 391's- great guns.
My trap gun is a 390 super trap I bought in 1996 it has 80,000 rounds through it.

wow--thats a pile of hulls

 

[B Nettesheim]

Benelli m1 super 90

 

[Regnar]

If he 8s going to shoot clays, go with a target model. he still can hunt with it but they are a kittke more robust. any of the major manufacturrs will due. winchester, browning, beretta. i font like Remington but to eachtheir own.

I have an original beretta al390 that I have over a 200k rounds on. i us3d to shoot competive skeet and sporting with it. ive shot trap with it. Ive killed ducks, pheasant, woodcock, grouse, turkey snd 2 deer with it. Its over 20 years old and ive only replaced a firing pin spring.

 

[HTSmith]

If he 8s going to shoot clays, go with a target model. he still can hunt with it but they are a kittke more robust. any of the major manufacturrs will due. winchester, browning, beretta. i font like Remington but to eachtheir own.

I have an original beretta al390 that I have over a 200k rounds on. i us3d to shoot competive skeet and sporting with it. ive shot trap with it. Ive killed ducks, pheasant, woodcock, grouse, turkey snd 2 deer with it. Its over 20 years old and ive only replaced a firing pin spring.

200 rounds per week for 20 years is impressive for sure.

 

[SSL]

Certainly not an expert, since to me a shotgun has only ever appealed to me as a necessary tool, but you might want to take a look at the Weatherby SA series of auto-loaders. Made for them in Turkey and fairly entry-level, but I have had one for three years now and have found it perfect for my uses (upland game over a dog). Light, fast to handle and has been trouble free so far. Fairly attractive walnut but not a lot of frills. Handles 2 3/4" and 3" shells wth 3 choke tubes. Paid $350 three years ago, but don't know what they run now...or if still made. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Regnar]

200 rounds per week for 20 years is impressive for sure.

Avg yes, actual no. During the seaso I would shoot over 1k a week practice. during the off season I would shoot winter leagues and practice with it which were a couple hundred rounds a weekend.

If you think thats a bad number, you have never shot competively at tgat level. i averaged over 10k registered targets (12, 20, 28, 410 and doubles in skeet, sporting, some fitasc and trap for a few years before we had kids.) i eas shooting so much I was buyibg shot by the ton! not only was I reloading for me but my wife as well. 4 mec 900g's were running on a daily basis

 

[bpmoss1]

I have a couple of Stoegers, older model 2000. They are essentially a less expensive Bennelli. Parts are interchangeable. Mine shoot better than anything else I've ever had. And 100% reliability even when filthy dirty. Can't speak for the newer ones, but I would imagine their even better.

 

[KMart]

Avg yes, actual no. During the seaso I would shoot over 1k a week practice. during the off season I would shoot winter leagues and practice with it which were a couple hundred rounds a weekend.

If you think thats a bad number, you have never shot competively at tgat level. i averaged over 10k registered targets (12, 20, 28, 410 and doubles in skeet, sporting, some fitasc and trap for a few years before we had kids.) i eas shooting so much I was buyibg shot by the ton! not only was I reloading for me but my wife as well. 4 mec 900g's were running on a daily basis

Don't you wish you had all that money back that you ran out the end of a gun barrel.