A5 20 guage
- Thread starter Amelio
- Start date
20 Guage seems to be the new rage for waterfowling these days. Well at least on the good ol youtube. I'd be willing to bet browning has something for next year. Especially if Benelli is. I may need to uptrade the SX4 20 to a SBE 20 whenever it happens lol.
A good friend is a Browning rep in the US. I asked about a 20ga version when the A5's came out and he said Browning apparently talked about a 20ga version, but because the new A5 is recoil operated they dismissed it as likely not being reliable with light loads (and since they predicted a lot of southern dove hunters would want the gun, that was a killer). We'll see if Benelli's move encourages Browning to figure it out.
If you're into inertia operated shotguns and can't wait for Benelli or Browning to come to the party look at Weatherby Element and 18i.
I have gone through a lot of shotguns, and if I don't carry an o/u 20, I go for the Element 20 with 26" barrel.
I had an SA-08 20g and sold it in favor of the Element. Now they have the 18i model, but I'm staying where I am.
FWIW....I'm hanging onto my SBE2 and Winchester SX3 20g.
I have gone through a lot of shotguns, and if I don't carry an o/u 20, I go for the Element 20 with 26" barrel.
I had an SA-08 20g and sold it in favor of the Element. Now they have the 18i model, but I'm staying where I am.
FWIW....I'm hanging onto my SBE2 and Winchester SX3 20g.
fishslinger
CGN Regular
- Location
- southern ontario
Pretty sure Benelli already makes 20ga auto’s. M2, legacy, Ethos, and more but these are the ones I can just think of right now without checking there line up. As for a SBE version in 20ga not sure if that makes sense as the SBE designation goes to there 12ga 3.5” auto, not sure if any ammo manufacturers are making 3.5” 20ga shells at this time, but I could be wrong. Anyways a Benelli M2 in 20ga is pretty much a SBE II without the 3.5” chamber. As for the original posters question, I have heard the Browning is not making a 20ga version of the A5 as they believe it will take sales away from the sweet 16 and they are really trying to push that model. If Browning discontinued the 16ga version you can bet a 20ga model would be just around the corner.
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If you like the A5 I wouldn’t discount the 16 unless maybe you are sitting on a bunch of 20 shells. 16 is a versatile gauge and the sweet sixteen is a very trim package comparable to 20s.
If your are set on a 20 I know one chap that uses a Benelli ethos 20 for upland and quite likes it.
If your are set on a 20 I know one chap that uses a Benelli ethos 20 for upland and quite likes it.
Sweet sixteen sales in Canada are virtually non excitant from a marketing point of view the 20 would be a good seller the sweet sixteen in the USA sells very well also a good selection of non toxic shot in the us not so much in canada
the spank
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Planet Earth Wearing My Tinfoil Hat
I don't even own a 12ga hunting gun any more. I shoot an SX3 and my wife an A400 both in 20 gauge. They work superb on everything and the only thing that takes a kicking is the birds. There is almost no felt recoil!
Turkeyslayer 1300
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Russell, Ontario
The Sweet 16 sold well, the dealer I used to work for sold 12 in the last two years. More than the same gun in 12. Shells are definitely harder to find, but as a carried a lot and shot a little gun they are great. Mine was quite picky with shells, I eventually traded for a O/U.
A 20 would have to compete in a market flooded by other offerings.
A 20 would have to compete in a market flooded by other offerings.
Personally, I just prefer the ergonomics of a 20. I have big hands but still feel like most 12's are too chunky for my tastes. Especially so in double guns.
That said, I don't know if I'd trade my 12 gauge Silver for a 20. Definitely a case where more than one of each are needed to make a fair comparison. A 20ga A5 would be nice to try out.
