Benilli M2 20 gage for hunting

[pat701]

I am looking for opinions on the M2 in 20 gage with a 24' barrel to be used for upland game hunting. The Benilli reputation and 5.7 lbs on the 20 gage with 24"barrels sounds so sweet to walk the fields with. Has anybody hunted or handled this shotgun, if so you opinions please?

 

[Dave McCracken]

One acquaintance used one in Argentina on doves. Says he fired thousands of rounds glitchless. He seems pretty truthful on other matters.

Note, a shotgun that light doth kick mightily.

 

[45crittergitter]

I use a 20 Montefeltro which has the same op system and about the same weight. I love it. I'd recommend a longer barrel, though, as it will swing better on birds. I think mine's a 26" and I'd prefer 28" even though I'm a little short guy.

 

[evbutler462]

My favorite barrel length is 24". Very handy and will do anything a 30" will do. No velocity loss at all, per many expert sources. My turkey gun is a 22" and it is deadly on those toms.

 

[45crittergitter]

Short barrels are ok for turkey or anything else that's more or less stationary. However, the longer ones are far easier to hit a flying bird with. So in that sense, a 24" will not do what a 30" will.

 

[bigmedicine]

I have an M2 20 gauge and just love the thing. My only complaint is that my thumb really takes a beating feeding shells into the gun. Not sure why - I have varied techniques/positions/etc. and still get a very sore thumb. I borrowed my son's Gold Hunter in 20 ga and really noticed that my thumb was much better after a round of clays.
I don't know if others have noted this, but it is about my only gripe. The thing just shoots and shoots - any misses are on the shooter, not the gun.