In the market for a SA 12 ga. shot gun

S

sure as shootin

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I never thought I need another 12 ga. but now that I'm waiting on a new pup (Wirehaired pointing griffon), which I will get in the New Year, I am thinking seriously about making the return to hunting water fowl next year. The last two dogs I owned (brittany spaniels), all I did was upland bird hunting and I found my O/U 20 ga. to be the perfect shot gun for that. Even when my last dog passed away a decade and half ago, I continued to use my 20 ga. to the tune of 75 +/- grouse per year popped off the roads. Love that gun!

As soon as I hit my teens I bought a used semi auto Remmington Sportsman 58 12 ga. I used it for about ten years but traded it in, plus cash, for my 20 ga. O/U over 30 years ago when I realized that the 12 ga. was too much gun for the pheasants, grouse, and chukars at the range I was able to shoot at with my dogs,,,,,plus I wasn't doing any migratory bird hunting anymore so there was no need to hold onto it.

Because I only ever had to just pull the trigger on either of those two shot guns for the last 48 years, I don't want to get a pump,,,,,not sure I could train my body to use one at this stage of my life. LOL I'm sure after my first shot I'd probably forget to extract the shell and pumped the next round in.

So even though I have very good rifles (all sakos, and 1 tikka), plus my Italian made 20 ga. I don't think I want to break the bank on a 12 ga. just yet. I definitely want to buy USED to save some money. What semi auto would you suggest I look at in the neighbourhood of $600 or less? The one good thing is I have at least a year to look at the classifieds.

Cheers~
 
You can usually get a Winchester Model 50 for well under $500 (actually, more like $300), and they're a nice, easy to maintain soft shooting semi.

Downside is that they're not rated for steel shot (AFAIK), but if you're just sticking to upland, then lead shot should be fine in most jurisdictions.
 
grelmar said:
You can usually get a Winchester Model 50 for well under $500 (actually, more like $300), and they're a nice, easy to maintain soft shooting semi.

Downside is that they're not rated for steel shot (AFAIK), but if you're just sticking to upland, then lead shot should be fine in most jurisdictions.
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Actually, I'll only be using this gun for water fowl so I'll need one that's good for steel shot. I have my 20 ga. for all my upland bird needs.
 
If you can find a Beretta 303 it can be adapted to 2.75 " or 3" depending on the barrel as other 300 series barrels fit along with the Browning B-80 barrels. Regarded by some as better than it's following 390 / 391 series.

Picked up a Beretta 303 Mobil choked and a Browing Gold Hunter in your price range recently and both great guns.
 
There are a couple of Remington 1100's in the EE right now for that much money you mentioned.
Good Gun and built to last.
I used to recomend or at least have someone look at those Turkish SA08, but have become suspect of them in recent year or so.
They do not stand up to the abuse the Duck/Goose blind hurl upon them, so have shied away.
Thats just me though and not having shot one Wby SA08 myself it is a bit biased ...
Rob
 
You might want to try the REmington 870 or Mossberg 500 series if you're down for a pump. They are budget friendly and a relatively
proven design.
 
raygun21 said:
You might want to try the REmington 870 or Mossberg 500 series if you're down for a pump. They are budget friendly and a relatively
proven design.
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Because I only ever had to just pull the trigger on either of those two shot guns for the last 48 years, I don't want to get a pump,,,,,not sure I could train my body to use one at this stage of my life. LOL I'm sure after my first shot I'd probably forget to extract the shell and pumped the next round in.
 
I picked up a Browning Silver Hunter this past summer for $600. Wood stock, 28" barrel, Invector + chokes and 3 1/2" chamber (I never use 3 1/2" shells though and it also cycles target shells no problem) Very soft shooting. A great gun that I will be hanging on to.
 
grelmar said:
You can usually get a Winchester Model 50 for well under $500 (actually, more like $300), and they're a nice, easy to maintain soft shooting semi.

Downside is that they're not rated for steel shot (AFAIK), but if you're just sticking to upland, then lead shot should be fine in most jurisdictions.
Click to expand...

I agree, the Model 50 Winchester is one of the most under rated shotguns. . The recoil is super soft and they point very well. . I own three, all with vented ribs, and they're a joy to shoot.

Don't under estimate you're ability to use a pump gun. . A nice 16 ga or 20 ga Model 12 Winchester is an easy gun to use. . When you hold the forearm with a slight rear pressure the gun unloads and loads itself. . Just remember to take your finger off the trigger as it'll slam fire. . Unlike the Remington 870, the 16 ga. Model 12 is built on the 20 ga frame. . Shoots like a 12 and carries like a 20.
 
I just bought a Hatsan Optima MP-A semi-automatic 12g from Tenda. Brand new for $350 +$20 shipping. I don't know how good they are but I read a lot of positive reviews, just wanted a cheap SA and new for $350 was less any any used one I could find.
 
Ended up buying a shot gun much sooner than I anticipated. Ended up getting a NIB Weatherby SA-08 Deluxe (12 ga.) from an aquaintance for a good third off the regular shop price, pretty much delivered right to my door. It was just a tad more than my original budget. Maybe I'll even get an opportunity to use it this year even though I won't be getting my (February) pup ready until next year's season.
 
sure as shootin said:
Ended up buying a shot gun much sooner than I anticipated. Ended up getting a NIB Weatherby SA-08 Deluxe (12 ga.) from an aquaintance for a good third off the regular shop price, pretty much delivered right to my door. It was just a tad more than my original budget. Maybe I'll even get an opportunity to use it this year even though I won't be getting my (February) pup ready until next year's season.
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You may want to confirm your gun isn't on the recall list.


http://www.weatherby.com/support/safety-center/sa-08-safety-notice.html
 
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