I'm going to buy a camo shotgun to shoot turkeys but not wanting to spend more than $400-$500. Looking at the Benelli Nova. I have 2 Benelli semi-autos that I love, but both of them were over well $1,000. What makes me curious is why are the Nova pumps so much cheaper? What has been your experience with them out there; the Nova pump that is?
Pump shotgun decision
- Thread starter Sniper66
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bannockburn
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Sniper66
A friend of mine has a Nova shotgun and his has been working just fine for about a year and a half now. I think that because it's a pump action and the extensive use of polymer materials in it's design are what makes it less expensive than other Benelli shotguns. Since he wanted it primarily for hunting he did his own camo paint job and it turned out very well.
A friend of mine has a Nova shotgun and his has been working just fine for about a year and a half now. I think that because it's a pump action and the extensive use of polymer materials in it's design are what makes it less expensive than other Benelli shotguns. Since he wanted it primarily for hunting he did his own camo paint job and it turned out very well.
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Not to state the obvious, but Novas are cheap to buy because they are cheap to build. They work OK, but I think there are several higher quality pumps available for the same or less money. If you are accustomed to a Benelli auto, I think you would be disappointed in the Nova. Buy the gun that best suits your needs, not the name.
HisStigness
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Benelli's pump shotguns are NOT as high quality as their semi autos and that's a fact. Benelli novas are cheap because they're built inexpensively. The design seems good and cycles shells reliably from what I've seen. They have a parkerized finish, like an 870 express, and as a result all the used ones I have seen show rust. However, I would buy a nova over an 870 express because benelli seems to have people working in their quality control department to ensure that their shotguns actually work. The reason I didn't buy one is because I can't stand how the forend rattles. The only two shotguns I found without the rattle were the Browning BPS and 870 wingmaster. I chose the BPS and it is an excellent gun. Used wingmasters are nice too, but I had a hard time finding one with removable choke tubes. Now, if the forend rattle DOESN'T bother you, I would opt for a mossberg 835 or 535 because they are just as reliable, but usually go for less money.
Virginian
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The Novas I have seen - and the Expresses - were not Parkerized, just had a matte black finish. There IS a big difference in how well Parkerizing holds up, and in cost.
I would get a Super Nova instead of a Nova. The Nova stock and receiver are one monolithic molded piece. If you break the stock you'll have to replace the entire receiver, the Super Nova has a removable stock which can be replaced if damaged in the field.
bowhntr04
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I have a Nova. My advice is get the nova over super. I waterfowl with mine when I don't want to break out the Browning gold. It's as quality as any pump out there, probably better. Only nicer gun maybe is the Browning pump, but it's heavy. A nova is a great turkey or waterfowl gun. I shoot the 3.5 without issue. You'll notice the recoil when patterning the big shells, but not hunting. I've hunted snows shooting boxes of shells without issues. Good luck.
Taurus 617 CCW
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Maybe the turkeys up here are different but I have taken 10 turkeys in the past three seasons with a non-camo double barrel shotgun and good old #4's. They don't seem to notice the lack of camo. I am wearing camo but the shotgun isn't. My shotgun is a Stevens Model 311 if you are curious. Hope that helps.
Hmmmm....now you have all given me pause to rethink my choices. The forend rattle would bother me. I have two 12 gauges, but both rather expensive and shiny trap models, which I don't like taking in the field. I'm going to the Tulsa Gun Show in 2 weeks, so maybe I'll shop for a suitable turkey gun; turkeys being my primary target. Saw a solid Winchester Model 12 last time so maybe I'll buy one this trip. Sometimes you can find them not too expensive for a basic field model, which is all I want. I grew up shooting an 870 Wingmaster so am intimately familiar with them. They are hard to find in good condition for a fair price. Don't like the 870 Express. Almost bought a Browning BPS once...can't recall just now why I didn't. This is great....now I have some shopping to do in Tulsa. Thanks guys!!
dak0ta
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The rattle problem as been fixed for a few years now. My Nova doesn't rattle. I use mine for waterfowl and it's very good. Synthetic used is good polymer, the action is slick, big ejection port that feeds all shells. Mag tube feeds very smoothly and the shell lifter stays up when loading. Good safety position. Trigger a little heavy and recoil pad is a brick, but you don't notice recoil on the 8 pound gun. Good vent rib with good fibre optic sight. Chrome lined bore for easy cleaning and rust resistance. 3 chokes.
Best value pump on the market for waterfowling. Don't use it for upland grouse, it's too heavy.
Best value pump on the market for waterfowling. Don't use it for upland grouse, it's too heavy.
bowhntr04
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I think limbsaver makes a recoil pad also that gets good reviews. My forearm doesn't rattle, but it's a newer model. BPS is a great gun but at a high price. I love my gold.
Had a Nova. Shot well, worked well. Kicked like the proverbial mule with 3 1/2 inch shells. Being somewhat of a walnut and blue steel guy I could never get past the looks. Also, never needed that loooong shell. Sold it and went back to my Wngmaster. To each his own.
bowhntr04
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Yep, it's the glock of the shotgun world. Ugly, boringly reliable. Not as pretty as a nice older wing master, but gets the job done all the same and no worries about scratches or mud.
HisStigness
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I second that. Benelli, Mossberg, Browning, and Remington (wingmaster) are all good to go, from my first hand experience. I can't comment on the Winchester SXP because I've never shot one, but lots of people buy them. I would stay away from the 870 express, because I have seen them jam with target shells, and I think that is unacceptable for a pump shotgun. You can find a used wingmaster in the same ballpark as a new express.
I definitely wouldn't discourage you from buying the Nova or supernova, because it's a good shotgun. But if you shop around you might find something you like better, possibly for less than you planned on spending to boot.
Crawdad1
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Here is the absolute best repeater, pump or otherwise, being built today.
http://ithacagun.com/turkeyslayer.php
Built the old way, like the Model 12.
http://ithacagun.com/turkeyslayer.php
Built the old way, like the Model 12.
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