Advice in first Semi Auto

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Scrumbag

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Hello there,

I'm looking at getting my first semi auto shotgun.

Primarily for duck and goose hunting but I'd also like the option of using it for smoothbore slug hunting wild boar sur la continent

Now, I do believe in buying cheap usually means buying twice so I don't mind spending money on something if it is worth it.

So, I reckon my specifications are:

26" Barrel - Should be long enough and am not drinking the long barrel cool aid

3.5" Chamber - Not always used but nice to have the capability

Possible to mount a red dot

My options seem to be:

Browning Maxus

Benelli Super Vinci or SBEII

Beretta A400

So, what do people reckon?

Anything else to consider?

Thanks in advance,

Scrummy
 
Weatherby sa08 very great value if you can find one! I never ended up getting one this year I run a browning silver hunter 3.5 however fn fabric makes it same as the Winchester sx3 it's the same gun I took both apart and everything looks damn near interchangeable. Basically there both very good. But my friend has a weatherby sa08 and after trying it decided I must have one! The base model is only 450/500 new! Synthetic stock. Interchangeable chokes, very good gun that won't brake the bank and you can afford to muck it up in the bush. If you don't have a semi and don't want to loose a cent resale I don't see how if the demand is so high as in always sold out in a store you can loose money on that model.
 
Try them out to see how they fit you it is the most important thing! I was going to buy the benelli super sport until I tryed one it just did not fit but the berettas fit perfect So I picked up the 391 and I love it.Good luck try as many different brands, models as you can,dont get stuck on the name on the side.
 
Don't exclude the Remington versa-max. Lots of good reviews on it and likely the next semi I am going to buy after having a couple brownings.
 
Brian46 said:
Benelli with a spare rifled barrel so you can mount a scope, with a good scope and sabots you can soot 200yds
Click to expand...

I wish we could have the rifled barrel. Semi-Auto rifles are a pain in UK which anything with a rifled barrel tends to be classed as a rifle. And we can't have semi-auto or pump rifles bigger than .22 Rim Fire
 
x3

I have the VM in 28" and love it. Have never had a problem with it for my last 6 outings this year for hunting and 3 times at the range. I'm -very- happy with it.

I don't know if you can mount a red dot on it. The receiver is tapped.

I strongly recommend going to the store and shoulder them all. The closest semi that felt right for me goes to Weatherby SA-08 and Browning Maxus. Remington Versamax was perfect for me out of the box.
 
I was in a similar situation and ended up buying a Maxus in MODB camo and 3" chamber, 28" barrels.

I really had my heart set on the A400 in Optifade (too cool!), but in the end, the Maxus felt better in my hands (lighter) and the Beretta was going to be an extra $500+...
The recoil on the Maxus is very light. I felt 3" was plenty good as well, as I have a 3.5" Cynergy if I REALLY have the need. 99% of the time I'm waterfowling with 3" shells anyway.

Also, since my Cynergy has a full set of extended chokes already, it made the Browning choice a little easier.
 
I was in the same position as the OP a year ago. I was always a pump gun guy but I felt the need for a semi.

Started looking at the Stoeger 3500, seemed to be a good gun for the money, reviews were good. Then I found myself being steered to the Winchester SX3. Was just about to get one and a local dealer put the A400 on for a great price.

Camo wasn't needed as I use it for upland and rabbits, same for 3.5" capabilities. It is tapped and has a grooved receiver. Very light for a 28" shotgun, wish it was 26" or shorter though cause it feels insanely long after carrying a KSG around for a bit.

I would still be happy to pick any one of those 3 choices, it all depends on what you want to spend.
 
Thanks for all the input folks. Will have to see what Santa brings in terms of Christmas spondoolies.

I do like the SX3, I even borrowed one at my local clay ground to have a couple of rounds of sporting with. Only problem was is it felt very short and like my right hand thumb was very close to my nose.

Maybe that and a "Boot" is the answer...
 
The SX3 is a good gun for the price. It is made in Belgium by FN and will cycle the cheap stuff with ease. When we go crow hunting or blasting skeet it is nice to have the ability to shoot the cheap stuff.

The xtrema 2 is also an excellent choice and will also cycle whatever you place in the chamber.

Those are the only two waterfowl semi's I have owned so I can not offer first hand info on the other guns mentioned
 
Thanks folks. Will keep pondering. Might see if I can find a clay ground with a few of the above in stock and rent 'em...

Merry Christmas!

Scrummy
 
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