Benelli Nova and slugs.

[76shuvlinoff]

Some time ago I acquired a 12g Benelli Nova in realtree camo as collateral for a small loan. Time is running out for the owner to make a decision, either pay me back or let the gun go. I have a potential buyer but I don't know these guns, pretty sure he doesn't either.

To me this Nova looks like bird gun, I am sure the potential buyer wants to hunt deer. I am not a shotgunner except for the 870 I have set up as an HD gun. I see the Benelli has a removable choke but I can't tell you what level of choke it has. Should I be concerned if the potential buyer wants to run slugs through it? I know the guy well and don't want to set him up for failure so I am open for schooling on these shotguns.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[jmr40]

The Benelli will shoot slugs as well as any other pump shotgun. Most work better with IC or MOD, but with common slugs even a full choke will work. I wouldn't use them in one of the special extra full tubes designed for turkey. It should be easy enough to remove a tube and see what is stamped on it.

If it is a factory tube there will be small notches cut into the end of the tube. 1 notch is extra full, 5 notches cylinder. The more notches, the more open the choke. 3 are Modified I think.

New tubes are about $30, the buyer can buy whatever he wants

 

[BigBore44]

I have a nova with a 28" barrel. It is absolutely deadly with Remington Sluggers and modified choke. No, it's not my deer gun as I am a bow hunter. But I wanted to see what kind of accuracy I could get with it. I bought 3 boxes each of Rem, Win, and Federal foster style slugs. Shot all 6 boxes in one outing (not gonna do that again). The gun handled them much better than my shoulder. The Sluggers held 2 1/2 center to center @ 100 lasered yards with my modified choke tube. Just check the notches on the rim of the tube. I'm looking at my factory tubes now and 4 notches is IC. 3 notches is modified, and 2 notches is full.

As a side note. I did let a female friend of mine take it to a shotgun course where she fired 100 slugs over 3 days. I didn't pay attention (my fault). When she returned, I found out the choke I sent her with was the Full. No mishaps and she qualified as expert.

 

[627PCFan]

I used Federal Truballs in mine, whatever choke I happened to have in there after clays, usually a IM. Shoots as good as a non-rifled slug gun should. Perfectly safe

 

[76shuvlinoff]

Thanks folks. Went home at lunch and the choke has 4 notches. I stuck my finger in it and it was loose enough to spin it out. Snugged it back down with a nickle. I may have to try it out with some 2 3/4 slugs I have on hand just to see how it shoots. Can't have a gun laying around and not shoot it right? At least I know not to be concerned about it now.

Thanks again,

Mark