Considering a semi auto 12g, what one?

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Harbourone

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Ive been running a Browning BPS as my field gun for years now, and have been thinking about going to a semi auto this year.

Im not sure what brand/model I want to go with, but there are a few requirements I have.

It HAS to fire 3 1/2" shells, it must be reliable, and it must be as element resistant as possible. The easier a field strip is, the better.

I spend days at a time hunting duck in a swamp with a wet camp. Its tons of fun, but incredibly damp. Im also far enough a way from home that if anything is dropped ect, and needs to be stripped it has to be done in camp.

I really dont want to bring a second gun in the boat with me. I never have with my BPS and have never needed one. Id like the same track record with a semi.

It needs to fire 3 1/2" for goose season.

What brand/model would you folks reccomend? Im not loaded rich, but im also not scared to save for quality.
 
I've got the extrema 2, and it kicks a$$. I've used it as a walking stick when crossing a flooded field, as a bat to finish off a goose, left it in the rain for hours while out for ducks, and it still functions without a hiccup.
It did have a couple fte with light target loads when I first bought it, but after a box of 3.5's to break it in, it now works with everything I can find. I love it!
 
Benelli SBEII. Meets all the criteria and is easy to strip. Not always reliable with light target/upland loads.

Beretta A400. Meets all the criteria. Harder to strip than the Benelli but not impossible. Works with light loads.

Baikal MP153. Lower price and good value for the money.
 
Baikal 153. It may be a recycled lota but it works and doesn't understand the word quit. My old mans was set for 3.5" goose loads and I shot a round of skeet with it using 7/8oz loads and it worked flawlessly. I even had to chase the spent hulls. If I were to rely on any semi it would be russian made
 
Harbourone said:
It HAS to fire 3 1/2" shells, it must be reliable, and it must be as element resistant as possible. The easier a field strip is, the better.

What brand/model would you folks reccomend? Im not loaded rich, but im also not scared to save for quality.
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Were it me looking for what you're asking, Beretta A400 Xtreme Unico with KO in the stock. Black or camo, 26/28 or 30" barrel, $1600-$1800 depending on the dealer.
 
Buying the one that fits your or can be adjusted to fit you should be goal #1.

I can't speak for the Maxus, don't own one. I have a couple friends that shoot Beretta Xtrema2, and like them.

I have a Browning Silver and Winchester SX3 (both 3.5"). Both guns are the same internally (same company). Stripping them down all the way to the recoil spring is pretty easy. They can run pretty dry (not much oil in other words). I use G96 gun treatment to lube them up. It doesn't thicken in cold weather and I've hunted these guns on the lake shore in -20C weather.

They will both cycle 7/8oz 1300fps light target loads all the way up to the heaviest stuff.

Anyhow, Silvers and SX3s have come down in price, so you can probably snag a really good deal and get a really good gun at the same time.
 
In my mind it's down to the super black eagle 2 and the a400 extrema with kick off. I'm really torn, as the sbe2 would be an easier clean, but the a400 is supposed to be a way softer shooting gun. I'm not scared of recoil by any means, but after 3 days of 3.5" heavy loads, I start to get a little sore.

I love my bps, and will never sell it (custom camo paint job ya know) but I would bag more birds not having to rack between shots. Maybe the third shot would actually hit something too lol.

Both guns have great reviews. I think it's down to getting my mitts on both and seeing what fits me better now. And saving some cash lol.

Thanks for all the help!
 
Harbourone said:
In my mind it's down to the super black eagle 2 and the a400 extrema with kick off. I'm really torn, as the sbe2 would be an easier clean, but the a400 is supposed to be a way softer shooting gun. I'm not scared of recoil by any means, but after 3 days of 3.5" heavy loads, I start to get a little sore.

I love my bps, and will never sell it (custom camo paint job ya know) but I would bag more birds not having to rack between shots. Maybe the third shot would actually hit something too lol.

Both guns have great reviews. I think it's down to getting my mitts on both and seeing what fits me better now. And saving some cash lol.

Thanks for all the help!
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Most people say you just end up wasting more shells. I wouldnt know only hunted ducks with my SX3 before.
 
Winchested said:
Most people say you just end up wasting more shells. I wouldnt know only hunted ducks with my SX3 before.
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The way all our blinds are set up we get a third shot fairly often, but even as a pretty experienced pump shooter I can't quite get that 3rd shot to count. About 1 out of every 7-8 will get a bird, but I think it would be way more with a faster first two shots.
 
Harbourone said:
The way all our blinds are set up we get a third shot fairly often, but even as a pretty experienced pump shooter I can't quite get that 3rd shot to count. About 1 out of every 7-8 will get a bird, but I think it would be way more with a faster first two shots.
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1 for 7 -8 is terrible. I am about 6 for 7 or 8 on the third but I think a lot has to do with your ammo. Bet you have the same three shells in the gun like all BB.
Pattern your gun with say BB first shot, BBB second and T for the third and I bet you will see most birds drop on the 3rd shot.:)
 
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