Best 20 gauge semi-auto shotgun?

[eotp]

I am looking for a good (best?) 20 gauge semi-auto shotgun and I plan to use it mainly for quail hunting.

Recommendations?

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Beretta 391

 

[Dave McCracken]

Lots of choices, here's a few to consider.

The 1100 LW, Special Field or the older skeet models.

The LW Browning A-5.

The Franchi AL-48, a superlight gun at about 5 1/2 lbs, IIRC.

Divers Berettas, from the 303 on.

HTH....

 

[HSMITH]

There are two outstanding 20 gauge autoloaders in production now, the Beretta 391 and the Browning Gold Hunter. I own the Browning and have shot the Beretta a good bit. Both move as well or better than any two holer on the market and are ~ 6.5 pounds. The Beretta needs a couple cases of field loads to break in, the Gold is ready to go out of the box. Both have outstanding resale values with a slight edge going to the Beretta. The Gold is a little more tolerant of light loads, both shoot field loads up through the 3" stuff like clockwork. Both come with plenty of chokes, 3 for the Gold and 5 for the Beretta. Both shoot pretty flat, about normal as field guns go. The Beretta feels a little more trim and dainty in the hand, the Gold a little fatter in hand. Throw them up on a bird or a target and I honestly cannot tell the difference. Both are fantastic shotguns and will quickly replace everything that you don't need to use steel shot in. They will both run you around $800 or a tad more by the time you get it in the truck, but if ever a shotgun was worth it these two are. There are two shotguns in my safe that I would pay whatever it took to replace if I lost them somehow, and my BGH 20 is one of them.

The Benelli Montefeltro is also worth a look for a hunting gun, and it is nearly a pound lighter than the gold and 391. I have shot one a bit and liked it. It is not very tolerant of light loads at all, but that and the extremely low rib are the only drawbacks that I have seen. Feed it field loads and all is well.

 

[9mmMike]

We looked at the 391 very closely but found an 1100 LT-20 Special Field for way cheaper and it has been a terrific gun for the Mrs.
No regrets in getting the Remington.
Mike

 

[ReadyontheRight]

You can't go wrong with a Benelli Montefeltro for hunting. Easy to clean and light.

If you're going to shoot lighter loads (i.e. clay shooting), the Beretta 391.

 

[Mannlicher]

There are no currently produced 20 Ga Autoloaders that are in any way better than a Browning A-5. I know that others will differ, but thats my opinion.

 

[El Tejon]

eotp, I used a 20 ga. Ber303 with an English stock for quail back when my uncle and I were into quail a lot (he was some bigwig with Quail Unlimited). I liked that weapon very much and have recently discovered that it is an excellent trainer.

Quail hunting=running after dogs while carrying shotguns.

 

[txgolfer45]

I'd also add the Remington 1187 Premier to the list. I have the 12 gauge version.

Scott

 

[gconan]

I can't decide between gauges, but in a few weeks I plan on getting this.