Help me pick a shotgun

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R0llllin

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Im trying to get back into shotguns... used to shoot SxS for upland hunting before i moved to canada (8 yrs ago).. id call myself an average shot at best

i hope to get back into upland bird hunting in the long run, but will try trap, skeet for starters (to improve my aim and handling), then maybe hunting at a private reserve/game farm followed by proper hunting.

turkey, duck/geese hunting also excites me.

basically im looking for a 12 gauge shotgun that can get me participating into the above and then i could potentially purchase a more specialized gun for the sport that i like the most

undecided between a semi auto or a SxS, pump actions really arent my thing. The upper end of my budget would be around 1400 to 1500 $. Currently leaning towards a Beretta urika 2 classic with 28 inch barrels for C$1400 with choke tubes. Would any of you lean towards anything else if you were in my shoes?
 
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R0llllin said:
Im trying to get back into shotguns... used to shoot SxS for upland hunting before i moved to canada (8 yrs ago).. id call myself an average shot at best

i hope to get back into upland bird hunting in the long run, but will try trap, skeet for starters (to improve my aim and handling), then maybe hunting at a private reserve/game farm followed by proper hunting.

turkey, duck/geese hunting also excites me.

basically im looking for a 12 gauge shotgun that can get me participating into the above and then i could potentially purchase a more specialized gun for the sport that i like the most

undecided between a semi auto or a SxS, pump actions really arent my thing. The upper end of my budget would be around 1400 to 1500 $. Currently leaning towards a Beretta urika 2 classic with 28 inch barrels for C$1400 with choke tubes. Would any of you lean towards anything else if you were in my shoes?
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The short answer to your question is no. The Beretta 391 Urika is a very good gun for your purposes and would be my choice if I were limited to just one gun.
 
Trust the way you are leaning. I have two of them. The more I shoot the 391 the more I wonder why I have paid more or need another..............whoa I am getting carried away here. I do need more guns.:)
 
Look for deals brotha i personally would never buy new. You can get very lightly used beretta 391s for 800. I paid 600 for my max 4 franchi i 12 grea gun never had any problems. Dont go to store and pay 1800 for beretta or benelli look for used ones.
 
Get yourself a Remington 870 pump and save yourself some bucks doing so.

R0llllin said:
Im trying to get back into shotguns... used to shoot SxS for upland hunting before i moved to canada (8 yrs ago).. id call myself an average shot at best

i hope to get back into upland bird hunting in the long run, but will try trap, skeet for starters (to improve my aim and handling), then maybe hunting at a private reserve/game farm followed by proper hunting.

turkey, duck/geese hunting also excites me.

basically im looking for a 12 gauge shotgun that can get me participating into the above and then i could potentially purchase a more specialized gun for the sport that i like the most

undecided between a semi auto or a SxS, pump actions really arent my thing. The upper end of my budget would be around 1400 to 1500 $. Currently leaning towards a Beretta urika 2 classic with 28 inch barrels for C$1400 with choke tubes. Would any of you lean towards anything else if you were in my shoes?
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You can also get a new browning over/under in that price range these days.

I would suggest making sure whatever gun you end up with fits you well.
 
R0llllin said:
Im trying to get back into shotguns... used to shoot SxS for upland hunting before i moved to canada (8 yrs ago).. id call myself an average shot at best

i hope to get back into upland bird hunting in the long run, but will try trap, skeet for starters (to improve my aim and handling), then maybe hunting at a private reserve/game farm followed by proper hunting.

turkey, duck/geese hunting also excites me.

basically im looking for a 12 gauge shotgun that can get me participating into the above and then i could potentially purchase a more specialized gun for the sport that i like the most

undecided between a semi auto or a SxS, pump actions really arent my thing. The upper end of my budget would be around 1400 to 1500 $. Currently leaning towards a Beretta urika 2 classic with 28 inch barrels for C$1400 with choke tubes. Would any of you lean towards anything else if you were in my shoes?
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Frankly, I've never been much of a fan of semis or pumps for that matter. Outside that, my only preference are for Benelli inertia guns.

Having said that, I would take CB's advice straight without argument because from all the reviews that I've read and continue to read here and in various other forums - that Urika will be the appropriate "one gun fit all scenarios" type of tool to start with that would very effectively address the sequence of shooting activities that you have described in your post. The 28in bbl length will also be a good middle ground compromise for transitioning more smoothly between clay shooting and bird hunting.

The question of gun fit shouldn't be a challenge as a new Beretta will also come with a set of shims for any fine tuning that may be required.
 
No argument with the Beretta 391 ... have two, both Parallel Target models in the rack.
For upland work however, I far prefer a SxS.

Caution: A good many of the "private" game clubs and other reserves insist on a break-open gun ... meaning no pumps or auto-loaders.

A decent quality O/U, like a Beretta or Browning, although a little more expensive, might fit pretty much all your needs in one gun.
 
Are they also asking clients to wear a "formal" hunting jacket and a tie? :D wonder if one might be excused should one walk in toting a high end Benelli semi :D

Just kidding....I suppose the safety component would be far better regulated with breechloading guns particularly if the environment in such establishments is more along the line of driven shoots. As an afterthought, I must say though that it didn't prevent #### Cheney from peppering his lawyer buddy from a 28ga (Krieghoff?) :)
 
thanks guys i agree with your suggestions... its really between a beretta AL391 and a modestly priced O/U (read ~1000 to 1500 dollar)

any recommendations on top 3 O/Us to look at in that price range?
 
Ahsan Ahmed said:
Are they also asking clients to wear a "formal" hunting jacket and a tie? :D wonder if one might be excused should one walk in toting a high end Benelli semi :D
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No, no requirement for "formal" jacket & tie, Wellies & Barbour or plus fours & brogues, but some do require jacket & tie ... if your invited for dinner in the dining room. Blaze orange vest/hat are required in the field at some. Those that show up in blue jeans, a trendy "hoody" and a ball cap seldom get invited back. A little decorum & good form are the tradition ... and go a long way to participating in return visits.

Doesn't matter about your Benelli Executive or engraved & gold encrusted Pigeon Grade Model 12 either for that matter. No break-open - no shoot !
 
I've shot at several commercial preserves in Ontario and two of the private clubs and no commerical preserve that I've been to has a breaking gun only rule. One commercial operation did specify only two shells in a semi or pump however.

The private club I've been to most often is in Georgian Bay. I used my 20 gauge 391 on a pheasant hunt there last fall. The other one is in Lake Ontario and does require breaking guns only and based on my one trip there I can understand why.
 
The Lake Ontario island location and a couple of others are quite rigid in their "break-open only" rule. The Georgian Bay island location has considered it many times, but as far as I know, their Board haven't required it so far ... last I shot there was a few years back.

Best "ask" before you go ... then no disappointments.
 
beretta boy said:
The Lake Ontario island location and a couple of others are quite rigid in their "break-open only" rule. The Georgian Bay island location has considered it many times, but as far as I know, their Board haven't required it so far ... last I shot there was a few years back.

Best "ask" before you go ... then no disappointments.
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But those are private clubs. Commercial outfits aren't as discriminating.

The reason why the island in Georgian hasn't adopted it is because one of their more well-heeled members shoots a Cosmi. ;)
 
beretta boy said:
Agreed, but the OP did mention "private" ... thus the heads-up.

And the well-heeled often have their way !
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I don't shoot a semi myself, and would actually look right at home the way I often dress and certainly with the type of guns i shoot , but I'll be damned if I'll hunt with ANYONE who thinks they are better than someone else just because they shoot a break action shotgun.
That just smacks of snobbery, and a snob I am not.
Cat
 
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