Benelli Nova, sell?

[chris in va]

Don't get me wrong, my 20ga Nova fits perfectly and is fun to shoot clays with. But it's getting on my nerves.

Should I sell and get say...a Remington 870 12ga, maybe even an old Wingmaster if I can find one?

Just tired of the silly quirks this thing has.

[arcticap]

How long is the barrel and what choke are you using? I definitely increased my hits with a longer barrel with a high rib in 12 ga. I don't know about an 870 being a significant difference though. You don't mention what the quirks are but could it be the sighting plane, lack of a center bead or trigger? Over/unders can have some very comfortable forearms, a wide variety of stocks and pleasant triggers. Seek hard enough & you should find something that suits you. If you stick with the 2¾ dram loads you shouldn't notice much of a difference in the recoil either.

[Dave McCracken]

Yes....

To elucidate....

Everyone should have a Wingmaster. It's the SAK of shotguns, and as flexible as we want it to be.

The Nova's quirks, like the forearm rattle, the egregious trigger, and the one size has to fit all stock, all come with the territory.

The Nova's an OK shotgun. The 870 is the standard against which all others are held. And all currently made pumps are found wanting in comparison.

Donning flameproof britches....

[Duke of Lawnchair]

Don't get me wrong, my 20ga Nova fits perfectly and is fun to shoot clays with. But it's getting on my nerves.

It fits perfectly, but is getting on your nerves?

Should I sell and get say...a Remington 870 12ga, maybe even an old Wingmaster if I can find one?

Just tired of the silly quirks this thing has.

If the gun is aggrevating you, then it isn't right for you.

Buy another shotgun (870 Wingmaster in this case) FIRST prior to selling your Nova. Let the Nova fester for a bit, shoot it alongside the 870 then sell it if you need to.

-Jim

[chris in va]

Good point Jim.

Basically I'm having a problem with the sloped ramp. POI is about 25 yards and it's keeping me from hitting the clays further out even using a full choke. Wobble trap is no problem though. I have one of those big HiViz magnetic front sights on there which helps compensate for the slope.

I can deal with the one piece stock and rattling forearm. But a few times the action has been so stiff as to not feed a shell during doubles. It'll take one from the magazine fine, but the elevator (whatever it's called) takes a bit of force to feed. Try one at a store, you'll see what I mean. I can rack my friend's Mossberg with one finger if need be.

Trigger pull, I don't know. It seems to be somewhat stiff, but I'm used to it.

[Deputy25]

I bought a Nova because I couldn't bear the thought of my beloved 870 laying in muddy water in the bottom of a canoe full of labs. The Nova handles the slop, no rust, no problems. It swings and hits just fine, and it was cheap. I can get used to the rattling forearm.

[Gordon]

It doesn't rattle with your hand on it- a non-issue! :rolleyes: