Best Autoloader?

Crashman

Crashman

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I know opinions vary and can be very subjective, but speaking from experience--what is the best autoloading shotgun available right now? Lets keep the cost reasonable too, say a maximum of $1500. I am thinking I will get back into duck hunting after a 7 year hiatus, and my old winchester model 50 won't handle the steel shot and my 870 is all set up with a cantilever barrel and I don't want to mess with that.

So please tell me about your experiences both good and bad. Thanks guys!:)
 
Beretta Extrema II looks pretty cool. Also Benelli Super Black Eagle II is pretty sweet.

I have an Rem 1100, and love it. But if you want to spend $1500... the two above are better.
 
I recommend you do some research on the Baikal MP-153.

This board has had a few threads on them you could find via the search function.
 
If you must have 3.5" shells then the Beretta Xtrema is the way to go.

If 3" will satisfy your needs then the Beretta 391 Urika. I have a Urika for waterfowl and as a back up clays gun. It's the best on the market IMHO.
 
Hey Crash... the Benelli SBEII is the most reliable autoloader for hunting.
The Extrema II has slightly less recoil because it is a gas operated semi as opposed to an inertia driven action like the Benelli.
The SBEII is lighter and faster and has less muzzle jump.
 
I have shot them all at least a couple of times, but I cant say I have owned them all.

If I was strictly waterfowling and not going to shoot any clays, I wouldnt hesitate to get an 11-87. They are 1/3 of the price of a Extrema but I find them to fit me like a glove.

If any clays at all are in your future I would get a 391.

(I'm just waiting for the GF to graduate in Dec and I will be buying a Synthetic 391)
 
Up to a month ago I would have said Beretta but recently picked up a used Benelli SBE. I've only used the SBE on clays so far but love it. With a 24" barrel the SBE actually has a longer sighting plane than my 30" Browning O/U Sporting.

I've owned Remingtons and I'm not a Remington fan. Haven't shot the Extrema II or the SBE II but from owning the Benelli SBE and Beretta Sporting each has their virtues and are quality guns.

Owned a Benelli S90 in the past and liked it but one of those ones I traded off. The SBE is basically a Super 90 on steroids and with the extra weight is a better gun for me.

So, my pick at present for an all round sporting and field gun is my SBE with the Beretta a close second used only for sporting.

REM3200
 
#1- Beretta 391/Extrema
#1.5- Benelli
#2- Rem. 1100
#3- Browning Gold
This is just MHO. I never have been a big fan of either the Rem.1187 or
the Browning Auto5. Some think they are the greatest guns going. Both
are well made though.
 
WOW!! Lots of votes for the Benelli SBE II. I am certainly going to consider that one, but at $2K for the camo version I may have to consider others too. I am very interested in the Stoeger 2000 as well. It can be had in a camo version and combo'd with a slug barrel, but I need to find a price for it before I know for sure.

A buddy has a Remmy 11-87 and he thinks it is the best shotty ever. I have shared a duck blind with him and he seems to drop the birds pretty good with it so I may have to consider that one too.

In the short term, a case of non steel, non toxic shot may be in order for the old model 50 until I can find what I want. Any suggestions for a good shotshell for the old girl?

Thanks to all who have expressed their opinions--I really appreciate it!:D
 
From a price/quality perspective.......

Low end: Baikal MP-153 synthetic (doesn't compromise peformance at all)

High end: Benelli M2 synthetic (personal opinion only - exchanged an SBE II for the M2, did not much appreciate the SBE II design i.e. top part of the receiver mated to the bbl).
 
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