Best Semi Auto 12 Gauge Duck Gun

The Beretta 391 has that effect on people. I know many target shooters who have made the switch. I'm not quite there yet but if I had to start all over again I'd buy two 391s, set them up the identically, and never look back.

That is what I have done. I have two and a kit of parts. Not that I think I will need all the extra stuff! I am a convert from the o/u crowd and we can not get it out of our mind that somthing mechanical will crap out when we are not prepared. With every shoot I go to I am noticing more and more 391 shooters and last time I leafed through sporting clays mag I was surprised how many of the top shots are using them.
 
I can't imagine anyone making that statement, have you ever owned one?
Can you imagine Benelli saying it? Even they acknowledge their guns are not 100 per cent reliable with light target loads.

Check their site under "Specifications" and you will see at the bottom the warning: "Minimum recommended load, use 3 dram, 1-1/8 ounce loads in all Benelli 12-ga. semi-auto guns."
 
I just bought a SX3 its a great gun,,,,,I guess it comes down to how much you are willing to spend and how munch Lead/steel you wana put though it......My buddy spent a bunch more on a SBE II he loves it,,,mine is a 3 inch verses his 3 1/2
 
Originally Posted by beretta boy
... the Benellis are often not reliable in cycling anything other than heavy hunting loads. If you like to practice on clays before the season opens, this may be a factor.


I I can't imagine anyone making that statement, have you ever owned one?

Can you imagine Benelli saying it? Even they acknowledge their guns are not 100 per cent reliable with light target loads.

Check their site under "Specifications" and you will see at the bottom the warning: "Minimum recommended load, use 3 dram, 1-1/8 ounce loads in all Benelli 12-ga. semi-auto guns."

I must have a communication disorder, I was asking if you have ever owned one.
Mine works fine with all loads as does another board members Win/64.

The manual states that if it does not cycle properly when first bought, you may need to fire 3 to 4 boxes of hunting loads through it to break it in. I did not need to, it cycled 1 1/8 oz. for sporting clays no problem.

I am just saying if you do not have first hand experience by owning one then you are assuming many things. If you have owned one and put many rounds through it, I apologize.
 
I must have a communication disorder, I was asking if you have ever owned one. Mine works fine with all loads as does another board members Win/64.

The manual states that if it does not cycle properly when first bought, you may need to fire 3 to 4 boxes of hunting loads through it to break it in. I did not need to, it cycled 1 1/8 oz. for sporting clays no problem.

I am just saying if you do not have first hand experience by owning one then you are assuming many things. If you have owned one and put many rounds through it, I apologize.
I haven't owned one but my Benelli total with various borrowed guns is probably around a thousand rounds including a Cordoba that I was thinking about buying last summer.

Benelli makes an excellent shotgun with many good qualities but functioning with light loads isn't one of them compared to a Beretta 391 or Browning Gold. By light loads I mean 1 ounce and even 7/8s, not 3 dram 1-1/8 ounce which qualifies as a heavy target load.
 
When I bought my Benelli SBE II (at P&D in Edmonton) I was told by their gunsmith to run 2 boxes of heavy 3 inch shells through it to break the gun in. He said it would then cycle anything, even the lightest target loads.
I've had it 3 years and he was 100% correct. I have used the gun more for trap and skeet than goose hunting and it has never ever failed to cycle the light target loads. I've seen people with other guns having fail to cycle problems tho.
I think its cause of the inertia mechanism. no gas mechanism to get fouled up and stick.
Also, the 3 1/2 magnum capacity is really good for goose hunting now that you are not allowed to use lead shot.
Super Black eagle II is a great gun, expensive but one of the best purchases I have ever made.
 
A better title for this thread would be "what semi-auto shouldn't I buy for duck hunting".

Too many great guns on the market is a good problem to have!
 
I'm shocked no one has mentioned the Baikal MP153!!! Seems as rugged and reliable as any AND the price is right!!!

Cheers
Jay
 
I have the Xtrema 2 and really like it. It has yet to fail me..and I like the way that beretta incorperated loads of protective features into this gun. If I am going to shell out that much money for a shotgun I want it to withstand the the hardships of hunting that I will put it through.

I have shot the SX2 and really like it...But I like my beretta a bit more..


Same for me

Alec
 
I'm shocked no one has mentioned the Baikal MP153!!! Seems as rugged and reliable as any AND the price is right!!!

Cheers
Jay

X2 and its a 3.5".

Baikal MP-153 / Remington SPR453 is a same gun different label.

It has very good rating at the shotgunworld.com and those ppl own Berettas and Benellis still recommend it
 
My extrema 2 has been through several snow goose hunts at Cap Tourment Qc Canada last season. This location is noted as being one of the toughest conditions for shotguns. The "bionic" mud that gets into everything, salt air, dirty water, bad weather, freezing temps and none stop pass shooting will quickly expose the weaknesses in any shotgun. The weather was as bad as it gets when we were there (snow freezing rain, crazy winds, and cold cold weather). Making for an epic hunt that only the strong could survive.

2 out of the six guys sported Extrema2's. Two out of six guys never had an issue, while the rest encountered one problem or another while hunting the Cap Tourment's muddy tidel flat's. We managed to post the best results of the entire controlled hunt.

It was during those days that I knew I made the right decision to go with the Beretta X2.
 
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