[macd]

I am thinking about trading in my Beretta 686 Onyx for a Benelli Montefeltro semi auto. Most of my shot gunning is hunting with some occasional trapshooting (few times a year). I like the feel of the Benelli and the versatility of a semi-auto. But is this a wise choice value wise if I can trade my 2 year slightly used Beretta for a new Benelli? What do think would some of you rather have a semi auto or o/u

[TrapperReady]

I'm fortunate in that I've got both. If I had to narrow things down quite a bit, the Montefeltro would probably be my pick. I've run many thousands of shells through it and it still looks and functions like new. I've used it on birds, sporting clays and trap with not a single glitch.

Even though I shoot a Browning 425 O/U for most clay games now, I probably shoot the Benelli a little better. It's the only shotgun I've been able to use to run perfect scores on sporting clay and 5-stand courses. It's kind of a bad time to ask me about O/U, since I've got a fit problem with my Browning right now. I've actually gone back to the Benelli until that gets worked out.

If you reload, the O/U is a lot more convenient. Also, when hunting, I do find it convenient to have two different chokes available.

If you shoot the 686 well, then I don't really think there is any reason to switch. The Benelli is a good shotgun, but so is yours. Besides, if you wanted to "switch back", you'd end up losing more money on the deal.

[HSMITH]

I would not trade it personnally. I would sell it outright and buy something if I wanted out of the Beretta. Trade=less money out of the used gun in nearly every deal with a dealer.

Shoot some of the other current top autos before buying a Benelli.....

[Dave McCracken]

Good examples of each are darn good shotguns.

Like H said,try different ones before committing.

[PJR]

Depends what type of hunting you will be doing. The breaking gun (o/u or sxs) is my choice for upland gunning because they are handier and safer IMHO than autoloaders. The only thing they give up is the third shell. For waterfowling, a semi-auto is the equal of the breaking gun because you generally shoot from a fixed position.

I'd keep the Beretta.