$500 Auto Loaders vs. $1000 Auto Loaders, What's The Difference? **UPDATED**

A

AndrewNS

CGN frequent flyer
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
31   0   0
Location
Nova Scotia
I'm looking to get a new shot gun and I really know very little about what makes a shotgun good.

I currently have a pump action Optima and like it, but I want to get into an auto loader for the reduced recoil so that my wife can shoot it also.

The only auto loader that I have fired is the Remington Versa Max 26" version, it was a great gun and performed well, but at the $1200 price tag are they worth it or would a $500 shot gun offering from another manufacturer function just as well?

I will be using it mainly for skeet shooting, and possibly duck or goose hunting. I'd like to have the option of 3.5" shells also, but is this really necessary? Can I hunt goose / turkey with a 3" shell?

I would also like to be able to change chokes.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.


**UPDATE**

Ok, so I decided to take the advice of many here and forget about the 3.5" chamber. I went to the Sports & RV show today and picked up this beauty!!

It's a Browning Maxus, 3" chamber and 3 included chokes. It's a Maple stock which was apparently a Shot Show special production and limited edition.

I saw it and my wife was actually the one who said "we'll take it" to the guy behind the counter!!! God I love that woman!!!

IMG_1_zpsbec48342.jpg


IMG_2_zps4e10eb26.jpg


IMG_3_zpse68b86df.jpg


IMG_4_zps09fdd941.jpg


IMG_5_zpsb9bb63e1.jpg


IMG_6_zpsfa042065.jpg
 
Last edited:
You get what you pay for like everything.

If you are looking to put 1000 rounds a year through, then a $500 gun will do just fine. If you are planning on shooting 10000 rounds a year, you will quickly discover why your $500 gun was only $500.

On the 3.5" shells topic, keep in mind that if you primarily want to shoot targets, a 3.5" action has a long way to cycle with minimal "umph" to do it.

As has been previously mentioned, an older Beretta A series (300, 303, etc) are great guns and can usually be found very reasonably priced.
 
So I guess the general consensus is that for what I will be using it for what (mostly sheet shooting, max 2000 rounds a year) I really don't need to buy a $1000 gun.

Thanks for the input guys, I'll look at the Beretta's also.
 
Baikal MP153 difference is 500.00 bucks. Don't let the 10,000 round a year shooters tell you any different. Most of us can't afford that kind of shooting anyways....

Darryl
 
Last edited:
AndrewNS said:
I will be using it mainly for skeet shooting, and possibly duck or goose hunting. I'd like to have the option of 3.5" shells also, but is this really necessary? Can I hunt goose / turkey with a 3" shell?
Click to expand...

Lots of ducks, geese and turkeys died by shotgun before 1988, when the 3.5" was introduced. ;)
 
($500 Auto Loaders vs. $1000 Auto Loaders, What's The Difference? )

$500.00--sorry, couldn't help it.

My wife and my dad both have the Mossberg 930. I have an 1187. All have been great for hunting and the odd clay. While you are not talking high volume, you are saying 2,000 rounds per year. Knowing that, I might look at something beyond a $500.00 gun as 2, 000 rounds per year on a yearly basis is a lot more than the average hunter shoots. And if they do, those types of hunters aren't likely shooting a $500.00 semi.
 
madtrapper143 said:
Baikal MP153 difference is 500.00 bucks. Don't let the 10,000 round a year shooters tell you any different. Most of us can't afford that kind of shooting anyways....

Darryl
Click to expand...

Have you been shooting it 2,000 rounds per year, year after year, like the OP hopes to do? What, I mean is, the question isn't just a matter of what's a good gun for $500.00. There are several. But, what will hold up to a consistant 2,000 round per year which the OP is planning to shoot. Whether he shoots that many is another thing. Or maybe he will shoot more! This is a case where an extra $500 or $700.00 spent now will probably be a wise choice in the long run if he does indeed do the shooting he plans on doing.
 
Last edited:
The OP post says nothing about 2,000 rounds a year. That is 8 cases of shotgun ammo a year. That is a lot of shooting if you are not a competitor. The MP 153 will easily meet that demand. In a later post he mentions 2000 rounds. In any event the MP 153 will stand that and then some. My MP 153 has had more rounds than I care to count and I don't count target loads....

Darryl
 
Last edited:
AndrewNS said:
I'm looking to get a new shot gun and I really know very little about what makes a shotgun good.

I currently have a pump action Optima and like it, but I want to get into an auto loader for the reduced recoil so that my wife can shoot it also.

The only auto loader that I have fired is the Remington Versa Max 26" version, it was a great gun and performed well, but at the $1200 price tag are they worth it or would a $500 shot gun offering from another manufacturer function just as well?

I will be using it mainly for skeet shooting, and possibly duck or goose hunting. I'd like to have the option of 3.5" shells also, but is this really necessary? Can I hunt goose / turkey with a 3" shell?

I would also like to be able to change chokes.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

I got my son a Weatherby SA-08 youth model in 20 gauge, it came with a valve for shooting medium to heavy loads and one for shooting light loads that I'm starting him off with. The Mossberg doesn't have that, and as a result their owners have had issues with really light loads. The Weatherby is light, nimble, and came with 3 screw in chokes, for about $500. We've shot it at the range and it patterns well and was perfectly reliable. In my opinion this Turkish made semi auto shotgun is all anyone needs, unless you're after a fancy grade of walnut. In the event there are any issues, Weatherby customer service is excellent. I can't find a single thing to fault about it... The SA-08 is a very good copy of the Beretta A30X, which is an excellent shotgun that's now been replaced by new models, but has a very good reputation for reliability and durability.
 
Last edited:
AndrewNS said:
So I guess the general consensus is that for what I will be using it for what (mostly sheet shooting, max 2000 rounds a year) I really don't need to buy a $1000 gun.

Thanks for the input guys, I'll look at the Beretta's also.
Click to expand...

If you would have said you only hunted and shot the average 200-300rds a year that most do, then I'd say buy whatever you like and it'll last your lifetime. At up 2000rds per year though, you'll be looking for a new gun before you get mid-way thru your 5th season you get a new semi-auto in the $500 range!! Best to buy a quality used shotgun between $500-$1000 that has a proven track record or a new SX3, Affinity, VersaMax Sportman, A300 that can be found in the $900-$1100 range.
 
I got a Steoger M3500 for $725 tax in. Best auto loader that I have ever owned.

At the end of the day. Buy something that fits you. browning and mossberg din't feel comfortable for me and the Versamax is kinda heavy and the weight is distributed weird. My dad has one and loves it.

My steoger eat any ammo you feed it. When I was shopping around , the gun counter guy told me that I really only needed 3" shells for duck and geese. Maybe for the pros but I'm new at geese and duck hunting so sometimes I was not able to call them in and they would just fly over us. 3 1/2 came in real handy for those long shots. I shot a geese that was about 65 ish yrds. Dropped like a sack a potatoes.

I would buy a Steoger again in a hearth beat.

PS: Steoger is part of the benelli family. I believe they use the same action.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom