Versa Max vx. Browning Maxus?

.22LRGUY

.22LRGUY

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It occurred to me recently (in conversations I've read on CGN) how little experience I have with modern semis, maybe only a Remington Versa Max (tactical) I had the chance to use against gophers a few years ago. lol I have, however, ended-up with a few pump guns I like to mess around with...but seldom reach for. One of which is an 870. I've kept that gun for the day I decide to give ducks a go, since it's the only steel-compatible shotgun I own. Other than the odd round of clays, or, for pigeons/crows...it hasn't seen much use. I've been around Remington pumps for decades, so I know the 870's strengths...but I'm thinking a decent semi might be a bit more versatile considering how soft-shooting the VM was that I got a chance to use. For grouse/clays...I'm mostly using 20ga guns, just thinking my 12 should maybe a semi in the not-too-distant future.

I don't have much faith in YouTube video reviews being overly objective, so I'm turning to the crew here and hoping for some (mostly) unbiased opinions. Here are a few questions that have popped into my head having watched/read allot about modern..domestic semis.

1. Versa Max~anybody here HUGE fans of this gun? (other than the tactical/modified ones)
2. Versa Max vs. Browning Maxus~has anyone here used both extensively, and had one emerge as the favourite?
3. Browning/Remington~is one or the other "softer" shooting?
4. How does a gun like a Mossberg 930 stack-up against these 2?

Thanks for taking a moment to reply.
 
I have been shooting a versamax for 5 years or so as my main shotgun. some clay shooting and waterfoul hunting as much as possible every fall. I have 1 friend with a maxus that I have tried on a few waterfoul hunts.

the versamax will recoil much less with all shells.
the versamax is also a fair bit heavier, which helps with recoil and a smooth swing.
the maxus may or may not cycle cheap clay shells with 100% reliability. some do some don't.
with goose loads the recoil difference is quite noticeable but the maxus is still lighter than a similar weight inertia gun.
the wider forarm of the versamax has never bothered me and I don't have large hands.

for clays and waterfoul hunting where you don't walk around I feel the extra weight of the versamax is an advantage. if your upland hunting where you walk all day and shoot a lot less I would buy a maxus or sx3 for that as there lighter.

In my circle of guys who shoot shotguns, which is about 10 guys, there are now 6 versamaxs. originally 2 of us bought them for there any shell every time guarantee. we all like them they have been ultra reliable. but we waterfoul hunt and shoot clays and clean the odd farmers shed out of pigeons. I imagine if we did more upland style hunting the choice would change.
 
I have shot both a fair bit and for me it would come down to if you wanted an all around game gun where the lighter Browning would be my preference or if it will be predominately waterfowl and clays then the Versamax certainly has an edge.
Neither gun is over the top when it comes to recoil even shooting 3 1/2" shells although I do much prefer to shoot 2 3/4 or 3" shells and in fact have gone to shooting a 20 gauge for 75% of my wingshooting. Of course gun fit is crucial and I find both guns fit very differently.
 
Thanks guys, lots to chew on. I do remember the VM feeling very heavy...but I also remember it having such light recoil that I joked it ran like a "sewing machine". Food for thought.

Yes, it would never be a gun for long carries. The only shotguns I carry any distance are for grouse, and I have a couple of (much) lighter guns for that.

Thanks for chiming in.
 
Versamax was the only gun I’ve ever thrown 3.5” shells in and not dreaded the next shot. Love the speed load on the Maxus and its signicantly lighter to carry. As for the forearm, it may be thinner but the square shape of the Maxus never felt right in my hands.
 
I've handled both, bought a Maxus, and the Maxus seemed to fit and feel much better, and it shoots beautifully. I never did shoot the Remi-Semi...IIRC, the VM felt bigger and more klunky.
 
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