Hunting shotgun

[TSchwab25]

I don't need this now, but I am going to start saving up for a new hunting shotgun. I want a very soft recoiling semi-automatic preferably in camo. I like the Remington versa max but Remington doesn't make guns anymore so I don't know what to get now. I need:

12 ga
3.5" chamber-for heavy turkey loads
Semi Auto
Very soft recoil
Preferably camo
Under $1500
Able to cycle lighter 2 ¾" loads up to 3.5"
Very reliable
Not too heavy (less than 8lbs if possible)
Preferably have an adjustable comb
Cannot have a vertical pistol grip due to NYs stupid laws

I don't know if this really exists, but I would like to hear what is out there.

 

[George P]

Except for the camp, the Beretta A400 Xplor Unico comes in at 7#, has a 3.5" chamber (although you might want to rethink the need for that) and even handles my 12 gauge 3/4oz reloads; an adjustable comb isn't offered but a Beartooth comb kit can be used if you need to raise the comb.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Not too heavy, soft recoiling, needs to take 3 1/2” turkey loads........nothing exists that fit that criteria if you are actually going to shoot 3.5” turkey loads.....no shotgun under 20 lbs can make turkey loads “very soft”.

My suggestion does not fit all of these criteria but the Browning Gold is one of the softest recoiling shotguns I have ever shot and do pretty good with 3 1/2” turkey loads. They are around 8 lbs.

 

[TSchwab25]

Not too heavy, soft recoiling, needs to take 3 1/2” turkey loads........nothing exists that fit that criteria if you are actually going to shoot 3.5” turkey loads.....no shotgun under 20 lbs can make turkey loads “very soft”.

My suggestion does not fit all of these criteria but the Browning Gold is one of the softest recoiling shotguns I have ever shot and do pretty good with 3 1/2” turkey loads. They are around 8 lbs.

I want soft recoil with 2¾game loads but the ability to shoot 3½ turkey loads. I have a maxus clay gun that weighs under 8 lbs but recoils very softly.

 

[George P]

Then check out that Beretta if you can't find your ideal dream gun - it does check most of the boxes.

 

[TSchwab25]

I do kinda like the beretta a400 xtreme plus, might get one when i get the money...

 

[cdb1]

3.5” capable with adjustable comb-I’m 99.9% sure that animal doesn’t exist.

Able to cycle lighter 2 ¾" loads up to 3.5"

If you purchase a 3.5” capable semi there are three scenarios that can occur.

1) the shotgun will cycle light 2.75” loads from the get go.
2) It will cycle them after the shotgun is fired a number of times.
3} It will never cycle light 2.75” loads.

If you get a 3” semi the odds grow much much much better on cycling light loads. With the advances in turkey loads made over the last few years 3.5” shells flat out aren’t needed. That’s why many people including myself now hunt turkey with a 20 gauge.

My suggestion does not fit all of these criteria but the Browning Gold is one of the softest recoiling shotguns I have ever shot and do pretty good with 3 1/2” turkey loads. They are around 8 lbs.

If you are talking 10 gauge then the Gold is still in production. It’s different than the original Gold that came in 20 gauge and 12 gauge. The original Gold operating system lives on though in the Winchester SX3, SX4 and Browning Silver. The Browning Maxus and Maxus II are essentially the same as the original Gold too.

 

[TSchwab25]

3.5” capable with adjustable comb-I’m 99.9% sure that animal doesn’t exist.

My dads Remington versa max cycles anything and everything, but Remington guns aren't made anymore. Sooo....... Here we are

 

[TSchwab25]

I dont know why your quote and my response is in the quote box thing but oh well, I'm still new here

 

[cdb1]

My dads Remington versa max cycles anything and everything, but Remington guns aren't made anymore. Sooo....... Here we are

I don’t know what point you are trying to make.

 

[entropy]

I dont know why your quote and my response is in the quote box thing but oh well, I'm still new here

You have to click 'quote these messages' first, then be sure your cursor is after the " [/Quote]" or else it will show up in the quote you clicked.

There probably are still VersaMax NOS available, as well as V3s.

That A400 Xplor Unico sounds like a good bet, and the king of the duck blind , Benelli SBE3, is definitely a good bet, even if the ante is higher than you'd like.

 

[LoonWulf]

I don’t know what point you are trying to make.

I think just that he would buy the Remington were it available, because from experience it does what he wants....

3.5” capable with adjustable comb-I’m 99.9% sure that animal doesn’t exist.

If you purchase a 3.5” capable semi there are three scenarios that can occur.

1) the shotgun will cycle light 2.75” loads from the get go.
2) It will cycle them after the shotgun is fired a number of times.
3} It will never cycle light 2.75” loads.

If you get a 3” semi the odds grow much much much better on cycling light loads. With the advances in turkey loads made over the last few years 3.5” shells flat out aren’t needed. That’s why many people including myself now hunt turkey with a 20 gauge.

If you are talking 10 gauge then the Gold is still in production. It’s different than the original Gold that came in 20 gauge and 12 gauge. The original Gold operating system lives on though in the Winchester SX3, SX4 and Browning Silver. The Browning Maxus and Maxus II are essentially the same as the original Gold too.

My buddy had an SBE2 and a Maxus at the same time. He sold the SBE2 and kept the Maxus. I don't know if his is a 3.5 as all we shoot are 2.75s.
I had an akkdas made Stevens 12ga inertia gun that ran everything up to 3" slugs comfortably, and weighted something like 6lbs. His Maxus is smoother by a noticeable amount, if a bit heavier.
Were I buying another nice shotgun to go with my Citori I'd probably get a Maxus or Maxus 2.

 

[red rick]

Winchester SX3 .

 

[TSchwab25]

I think just that he would buy the Remington were it available, because from experience it does what he wants....

My buddy had an SBE2 and a Maxus at the same time. He sold the SBE2 and kept the Maxus. I don't know if his is a 3.5 as all we shoot are 2.75s.
I had an akkdas made Stevens 12ga inertia gun that ran everything up to 3" slugs comfortably, and weighted something like 6lbs. His Maxus is smoother by a noticeable amount, if a bit heavier.
Were I buying another nice shotgun to go with my Citori I'd probably get a Maxus or Maxus 2.

I have a maxus now but It has problems running some shells, unless it is cleaned every 50 shots, for me thats too much when I shoot around 100+ a week. Great gun though otherwise

 

[FL-NC]

I like my Mossberg 930 (3") and I believe there is a 3.5" version out now.

 

[jmr40]

You don't need, nor do you really want 3.5" capability for turkey. Those 3.5" turkey loads have recoil approaching 458 WM. And modern 3" shells combined with many aftermarket choke tubes will get the job done just fine. In fact the trend in turkey hunting right now is the 20 ga with many hunters going down to .410's. I made the move to a lightweight 21" barreled 20 ga a few years ago. It holds patterns that will take a turkeys head off at 35-40 yards. If I'm willing to pay $10-$20 each for shells there are some loads out there that will turn a 20 ga into a 60 yard gun.

If you hunt geese often and use steel shot then 3.5" shells start making sense. Since steel shot is lighter than lead you have to move up to larger shot sizes and when you do that you really limit how many pellets you can get into even a 3" shell. Having another 1/2" for more shot can help. But for ducks or other smaller waterfowl 2 3/4" or 3" shells are enough.

I've never seen a 3 1/2" semi auto that was 100% reliable with 2 3/4" shells either. If you take the 3.5" requirement off the table you open a lot more doors. Especially with the price and weight constraints you have.

For a primarily HUNTING shotgun I really like the Benelli M2. It is about 7 lb, inertia operated and does have more recoil than an 8 lb gas operated gun and doesn't take 3 1/2 shells. But you can't have everything. It does meet your weight, price, and reliability criteria. Which for me are the more important criteria.

I would not recommend this gun if you plan to shoot a lot of the clays games. For some practice shooting clays and hunting I like mine just fine. But if I planned to shoot several hundred rounds every week playing the clays games the lightweight gun and added recoil do add up. For that a heavier gas gun is the way to go.

If it absolutely, positively has to be 3 1/2" the Benelli Super Black Eagle comes closest to meeting your criteria on most counts other than costs. I'm not aware of anything that meets all of your criteria, but these 2 are the ones that come closest with the features I prefer

 

[TSchwab25]

I like my Mossberg 930 (3") and I believe there is a 3.5" version out now.

I would but I want something I can shoot all day long

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

You never really said what the gun is for but 3.5in might not be needed.

My 2 most used O/U's are 2.75in only---my M2 has never seen a 3in shell and my 870 SuperMag has never seen a 3in or 3.5in shell----I have the capability to use any shell but have never needed it. You might not need it either---just sayin.

 

[cdb1]

I have a Maxus and have never had cycling issues even after 200-300 shells. It gets cleaned after 250-350 rounds. It’s a 3” though.

I think just that he would buy the Remington were it available, because from experience it does what he wants....

Well if the worldwide web is to be believed Remington shotguns will start being manufactured soon. I’d go with a V3 though. If I had a dedicated goose gun it definitely would be a VersaMax if I went 12 gauge. I’d prefer a 10 gauge gold though.

I've never seen a 3 1/2" semi auto that was 100% reliable with 2 3/4" shells either.

I haven’t seen one that shoots 1oz and lighter reliably either.

Within your budget is the FABARM L4S Initial Hunter. I’ve had mine for six years now and it is by far my favorite shotgun ever, and I own a fair number of semi’s. I’ve also owned numerous others over the years.

I wasted a lot of time and money over the years on shotguns, purchasing what I like and ignoring fit. Finally came to my senses and now only purchase shotguns that fit or will fit with a small amount of tweaking. As such I now totally disregard brand and purchase based on fit. As a side note Remington shotguns have a well earned reputation of fitting a wide array of body types.

 

[TheDr]

I got my son and I each a Stevens 320 at wally world for $147 each.
Shocked to see they're made in China.
More shocked at how well they're built and how great they shoot.
I've absolutely ZERO complaints or issues with either gun,and they come with screw in choke.
Can't beat it for a hunting rig.