New semi-auto advice

[Boss-302]

I'm trying to decide what my next shotgun will be. I'm looking for a semi-auto. Most of the time it would be used for shooting clays. I'd like to get something that would also do well for hunting dove and possibly turkey. Looking to keep the cost under $1800. What would you recommend and why?
Thanks

 

[browningguy]

I'm quite fond of my Benelli Montefeltro Silver, shoots very well and pretty to boot.

 

[jmr40]

I you want gas operated, one of the Beretta's. Inertia operated, one of the Benelli's. It is really as simple as that.

I'm primarily a hunter and the Inertia action's features appeal more to me. They are simpler, lighter and more reliable in harsh dirty conditions so I prefer the Benelli..

The gas guns tend to be softer shooting because they are a bit heavier and the gas operating system softens recoil. They are a better choice for the guy who shoots a lot of clays and wants to do everything they can to lessen recoil. Nothing wrong as a hunting gun. They may choke sooner if used in really dirty conditions, but kept reasonably clean are very reliable.

 

[BigJimP]

I like Benelli ....and I have Benelli SuperSport models in 12ga and 20ga...and new, they're at the top end of your budget now ...but its a very good gun. Its light, but with comfort tech system in it, its a soft shooting gun. Because they're light...I went with a 30" barrel on the 12ga...to give me a longer sight plane ...it helps me on the follow thru. The longest the 20ga comes in is
28" ...and while its not optimum for me, its ok.

For a gas gun ....there are a lot of Beretta models...or the Browning Silver series ...like the silver hunter which is a pretty nice gun.

It depends on what you need for "Fit" .../ personally I prefer a parallel comb...so the Super Sport with its highest comb pad works for me pretty well...there are a couple of Berettas with parallel combs as well.

I hate picking my hulls up off the ground, especially on a sporting course...so all of my primary guns are Browning O/U's....but Benelli Super Sport is the gun I use as a Travel gun, when I only want to take one gun to do a lot of things away from home - Skeet, Trap, sporting clays, some upland birds...or when I travel on airlines ( I don't want to give an airline a $ 3,000 plus gun - just in case ! ). Its also a good foul weather gun .../ my 12ga version is about 10 yrs old now - bought it when they first came out ...and for what its worth, I'd buy it again.

 

[browningguy]

It's kind of a crappy picture but this is a Benelli Silver:

 

[Tom Held]

new Fabarm

I've also been looking for a really quality semi-auto primarily for sporting clays. I had a chance a couple of months go to shoot a Fabarm XLR5 Velocity, Beretta A400, and a Benelli at the same club. The Fabarm in my opinion was head and shoulders above the other two, although they are both fine shotguns. It's designed primarily for sporting clays. I really like the adjustable rib that allows easy point of aim from 50/50 all the way to 90/10. I was really impressed with the fit, finish, quality of the wood,etc.

They are very difficult to find. I want the 30" barrel version and have located one at a sporting clays facility in Pennsylvania. So I've bought it sight unseen and it's been shipped to my FFL here in Maryland. It's more costly than the Beretta or Benelli but I feel it's a notch or two above.

Reviews have generally been very good. Here's one. Good luck with your search.


http://www.chuckhawks.com/fabarm_XLR5.htm