First and last shotgun

Mike Oxbig

Mike Oxbig

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Location
Scarborough Ontario
Hey fellas. I’m new to guns in general and want to buy an excellent quality and very versatile 12 gauge shotgun. I want to shoot skeet, turkey, ducks, and one day bucks. I don’t mind spending the money to get something that I’ll never have to say “I need a better gun for this type of shooting” I know I’ll need interchangeable chokes and 2 barrels. Accuracy and a long life will be a huge selling point. I don’t care much for bling and my ceiling is about $1600 new or used. (Is that reasonable for what I need?)

I have shot almost every type action of shotgun at skeet. I didn’t like the pump much. (too much movement while aiming at a moving target) The 2 I liked best were the semi auto and the side by side break. My buddy who hunts is trying to talk me out of the break which i thought was a little more fun to shoot) and into a semi as he says “when the ducks come in you want to reload fast and fire even faster” Is an extra shot really going to make or break a day of hunting? (I don’t want to be a whore, just eat some BBQ duck)
Thing is every gun store I go to tells me that the last place I went sell crap or that they gave me bad info and theirs are better. It’s almost as bad as buying a used car in Scarborough!
Anyway if someone could give me an idea of what to look for in versatile and quality shotgun (and tell me honestly if I’m asking too much of a gun for that matter) I’d be grateful .

Cheers
Mike
 
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The double barrel setup makes it hard to change to, for example, a slug barrel.
In 12 Ga. the gas operated semi-autos reduce recoil. Consider a Beretta, Benneli or Remington package that includes a slug barrel if available.
 
Go with a Benelli. Super reliable, excellent quality, easy to disassemble and clean. I am partial to double barrels, that's just me, but if you want the slug option, more specifically sabots, go with the Benelli. I suggest the M2 would do everything you want.
 
M2, would be the best choice.install a 18.5bbl with interchaeable choke,your good for a action shooting, with 26bbl, good for hunting, I can only name a few, forget to mention their new retractable stock with pistol grip. wish have the dough ...
 
I really like my Browning Gold, I would however trade it for a Browning Silver (3.5" and camo) but I know fro a fact the first generation Beretta Xtrema is an excellent gun, will shoot anything and is very tough. I am sure the Betretta Xtrema II is as good or better BUT IMO UGLY!!

I would swear by Baikal for reliability but I don't think you will find a slug BBL for it.
 
I favor the Remington 11-87 Premier or the new G3. Both have 3"chambers but will also cycle target loads very nicely. Remington autos are user friendly in that they are dead simple to take apart and clean, are very reliable, point and balance well, spare parts and barrels are readily available and they don't cost an arm and a leg. For the clay target games I go with a stack barrel but when I hit the field after game I reach for the ole semi.
 
M2 or SBE II would be excellent all round choice for field use....a rifled bbl will only be necessary if you plan to use sabots for deer otherwise the smoothbore could be utilized for deer - buckshot, foster type slug (upto 50yds).

For Skeet, felt recoil, IMHO is negligible i.e. if you are already used to breechloading shotguns.
 
Owned and sold two Beretta Sporting 391's - great guns but for me the SBE is a better fit for sporting and field use. By far easier to maintain and recoil is not an issue with me. The SBE will easily look after your needs and there are several used ones around in your price bracket.

Bought mine used and it's a gem - great all around versatile gun.

REM
 
First and LAST shotgun. It will never happen. LOL. I started out with an 870 Super Magnum. It was going to be my first and last. Since then I have bought another 10 of various makes, actions, gauges. Had to buy a bigger safe and put some down at my Dad's.

Based on what you are asking though, I would go with a semi, and probably the inertia type. I have heard great things about the Benelli. A few guys at my club (Uxbridge) shoot them and seem to really like the gun.

Just remember that when you budget for your new shotgun, get a safe. (and bigger than you think you will ever need).
 
Either the Benelli or the Remington 11-87 based on your criteria. While I am a big fan of the Beretta 391 finding a slug barrel for one will be close to impossible.

Avoid the 3-1/2" chambered guns if you want to shoot clay targets. They don't work as well with the lighter target loads especially the Benellis.

And while you THINK this might be your one and only shotgun if you start handing around clay target ranges and other places of ill-repute you WILL be being another and another and another.:D
 
Claybuster said:
Avoid the 3-1/2" chambered guns if you want to shoot clay targets. They don't work as well with the lighter target loads especially the Benellis.
Click to expand...

This is true with many BUT the Xtremas and Baikals, you will have NO problem with a 3.5" gun.
 
bill c68 said:
This is true with many BUT the Xtremas and Baikals, you will have NO problem with a 3.5" gun.
Click to expand...

Indeed, I never had a problem with my Baikal when shooting clays at the club.



BT
 
Mike Oxbig said:
I have shot almost every type action of shotgun at skeet. I didn’t like the pump much. (too much movement while aiming at a moving target) The 2 I liked best were the semi auto and the side by side break. My buddy who hunts is trying to talk me out of the break which i thought was a little more fun to shoot) and into a semi as he says “when the ducks come in you want to reload fast and fire even faster” Is an extra shot really going to make or break a day of hunting?
Click to expand...

Personally, I don't think that third shot is really needed for duck hunting. In my experience, having that third round creates too much temptation for most guys -- who end up emptying their guns on a pass of birds, even though that third shot is almost always taken when the birds are already a bit too far to be fairly shooting at. Sure, the odd one will go down. But I think if most guys are honest with themselves, they'll admit that when they cripple a bird, it tends to be with that third shot. This may not have been the case in the days of lead shot, but it sure doesn't take the birds long to get out of range when we're shooting steel.

I'd say go with whatever gun is the most comfortable and fun. You're not at all handicapped shooting ducks with a double, and will probably kill just as many (and wound a few less) than the guys with the semi's. And call me a traditionalist, but I think you'll look more stylish with a double in your hands ;)

About the only time I really feel the need for a semi is when I'm goose hunting. My standing rule is to only take two shots per pass unless I'm trying to bring down a bird that's confirmed hit but still flying. That third round also comes in very handy (and fairly often) as an insurance shot on a goose that has hit the ground but not quite hard enough to convince me it's dead. That extra round allows me to flatten the suspect and get back under my blind, instead of running across the field chasing a cripple while birds are still in the air.

Of course, I'm also a big believer in my SP10 semi auto 10 gauge as my "goose solution", so that pretty much kills the idea of one shotgun for all seasons... :evil:
 
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Hey guys.
Thanks a million for all your replies. I truly value experience over hype. I knew I’d take slack over the “First and last shotgun” quote. I’m sure it won’t be the last but it needs to be a staple for all the others that may come along. Kind of like mistresses to the wife. (I don’t have one so I’m allowed to make that analogy)

I’ve really got my work cut out for me tonight and tomorrow researching these leads. The only site I’ve had time to look at so far is Remington. The G3 is an awesome piece of workmanship. I was also drooling over the 105 CTI. Anyone shot this? My biggest peeve is that these sites have no pricing on them so I’m not sure whether I’m looking at a prospective gun or Lamborghini type weapon. Lots of reading though :)

Can anyone recommend a good shop where I can go fondle a new Remington, Berretta or a new Benelli in the GTA? I’m in Scarborough.
BTW. Looking up the Extrema 2 got me this guy on a vid. May be all you have seen him but it’s new to me. This vid blew my head off how accurate he is! Thought I’d share. http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/gadgets/barretta-extrema2-in-the-hands-of-a-master-185473.php He starts a little slow but man can he shoot! I’m only good with a clay at a time haha!

Thanks again for helping out a beginner fellas. It’s much appreciated. Well, time to open a beerski and on to the Benelli site.
I’ll keep you all updated as to what I choose and I’ll post a few pics of my prize when she comes home and let you know how she shoots. I’m hoping to have it in time for Turkey. I’m taking a Turkey course in Peterborough in a few weeks. YeY!
Thanks again
Mike

P.S. Wrote this before I saw NEOs 2cents. Now I may have to revisit the side by side. Thanks a lot.:mad: You just cost me another 2+hr of reading:D
 
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A couple of things... slug barrels can be had for the Extrema II and the Benelli SBE II will cycle light loads except for really crappy one ounce loads. You fellas should offer qualified opinions only or go back to the sofa...:kickInTheNuts: :D
Mike Oxbig wuz out to the Cavan Swamp to visit BIG REDD at the "Useless Hoe Ranch" just last night and he got to handle both the SBEII and the Extrema II ... too dark to start flinging shot... next time brother.;)
 
I've owned a bunch, including the browning gold, remington 870 (bought and sold three and i still haven't learned my lesson), a browning BPS (which i still have), a stoger o/u and my go-to shooter, my 11-87. My opinion on doubles for waterfowl is that they're great shooters! However, there are times when youve knocked a bird down with two shells and needed a quick third to kep the critter from diving on you. That said, there are also times when you fire three shells, knock down a bird and still have to reload another to anchor him. Another consideration might be ease of opening your s/s or o/u in a blind. It can be tough to completely open an o/u to load the bottom barrel in a really tight blind without pointing the thing all over the place. My opinion, go with the one you like best. If you take out a gun that you like hunting with, the whole thing becomes more fun, irrespective of whethere or not you hammer 'em. Now time for shameless plug- 11-87, 870 or BPS.

best of luck, stef
 
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