Autoloader purchase for goose season

International Harvester

International Harvester

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
39   0   0
Location
Republic of Saskatchewan
So I’m still hunting with a 3” 870 mainly but I am currently looking hard again at a modern autoloader. The guns that fit me best and seem to have good ratings are the used SBE2, 391 xtrema 2, and new M2. The older beretta is by far cheapest, the SBE2 is the most cash (they really hold value) and the m2 just feels great but is 3” limited. What do you guys think? I don’t feel recoil when hunting just 3 times a year so is the 3.5” worth it over the 3”? Thoughts....
 
If you're shooting over decoys you don't need expensive 3 1/2" ammo, high velocity 3" works great, and a couple of the best goose shots I know normally use high velocity 2 3/4" over decoys. Now pass shooting at long range from a fence or tree line you might pick up a few more birds with the big Roman candles if your skill level is high enough. If not, expect more cripples.
 
I used to shoot a 3" chambered shotgun & carried #2 and #4 shells... Swapping over to #2's if we had geese approaching...

When I purchased a 3.5" chambered shotgun, I went to #2 shells only after calculating how many pellets were in various shells.

While you 'do not need' a 3.5" chambered shotgun, I personally like their payload capacity... YMMV...

Cheers
Jay
 
I have owned all three of those guns, and I still have the SBE II after 14 years. However the M2 was in 20 gauge. They, in my opinion are all great guns and for the record I never had an issue with any of them. I bought the SBE II first as my main go to waterfowling shotgun, then the xtrema 2 came years later (used) and then the M2 20 ga. I bought the Xtrema 2 with kick off and the M2 because I wanted to try them, but still using the SBE II as my main go to shotgun. Sold the Xtrema 2 & M2 off because I wasn't using them enough(in my mind) to justify keeping them. I hardly ever use 3 1/2" shells anymore, always 3" or depending what location I'm hunting 2 3/4". Fit is important, but also know your gun & know your shell that you're using.
 
Which 3" shells at 1550 and which choke, and what distance ? Steel shot fails in energy as well as pattern at skybusting distances.
You will have to make your own choice, but I also have no use for 3 1/2". Get them close, over decoys and birds start falling. Despite thinking that you are not recoil sensitive, cumulative recoil degrades shooting performance, as any competition shooter will tell you.
Choose the shotgun that fits you best, and provides consistent results. The more "hands on" test opportunity that you have, the better.
 
No bad choices in your list. Let fit dictate. I chose an M2 for its "little dude" fit and am thoroughly happy with it.
The only shortfall was the thumb grabber lifter. I swapped it out for an AccuGlide Lifter from Taran Tactical and its perfect. 3" was fine for the geese I've harvested.
 
Saskbooknut I agree fit is very important. Unfortunately you won’t know how a gun patterns until you take it home and experiment. I’ve only ever used 3” since steel became mandatory and I only shoot in fields over decoys, 95% of shots are within 45yds. I found the super fast steel 1550 and up definitely degraded in pattern in both MOD and IC at 30yd targets (yes every gun, barrel, choke will have different results). There becomes a speed at which you get diminishing pattern returns with steel and I can’t dispute more pellets is an improvement.
 
I still use mostly 2.75" in 12ga. Over dekes i have never been left wanting more.
Less cost. Less recoil. Less muzzle rise. Less muzzle blast. Faster follow up shots. Smoother followup.
When i want a 3.5" shell ill take one of my 10ga guns

Although not my favorite in the brands line up id take the beretta if it fits you
 
Myself and my hunting buddies own a bunch of autoloaders and from old to new, from cheap to Browning/Benelli, Barretta, etc. 3.5" loads lasted all of half a season for one guy as he quickly realized the extra cost for shells didn't result in more birds...go figure haha.
Given your hunting style, you might be in the same boat. So now we are all shooting 3" loads... dropping geese no problem...from a $2500 Benelli...and a $600 used Auto-5 Magnum, so you don't have to break the bank, just get a quality used auto...then like you said, go pattern.
 
I'd tell you to buy the beretta. I've talked to a lot of guides and most swear they were the best auto loaders ever made. I went with a new A400 and no complaints going on year 4. The kickoff system is a lifesaver for me with bad shoulders. As for shells, if you're worried about patterns, switch up your choke tube. I run a pattern master and consistently pattern 12" at 30 yards with a 3" #2 shell.
 
I got the extrema 2 and I shoot the 3 inch block cloud rounds and even challenger steel and it’s unreal how well this gun shoots them I have shot lots of geese with a 2 3/4 steel 2 and bb
 
We have shot nearly 100 birds (60-40) ducks to geese this year. All shot with auto loaders and 75% 2 3/4. My biggest problem was not enough shell, but too much choke. Under 30 yds over decoys I.C. is lots. (I had steel full :().
 
FLHTCUI said:
The only thing greener will be the ammo stores till when you buy that stuff, but your not going to be remorseful with the SBII
Just my nickles worth.
Rob
Click to expand...

The SBE is the gold standard. Even if you only shoot 3" shells it's a phenomenal gun. I wish I had one. I didn't ever use 3.5"s for years after I bought a 3.5 but the last big trip I took out to SK I used 3.5" exclusively and, it appeared perform even better than the 3" that I had used before.

But better than 3.5" steel is 2.75" Bismuth or Tungsten!
 
I've patterned lots of steel shells primarily in the goose sizes. 3 inch generally outpattern 3.5s. Something about a square shot colum if you talk to aftermarket choke companys.

As for the gun I prefer gas autos. Much less recoil than a sbe. Plenty of good ones out there. I've shot a versamax for 6 years and no issues and its recoil makes a sbe2 or 3 feel painful.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom