Selecting Autoloader

[dak0ta]

Hi,

So it looks like we have 3 categories in terms of price range $600-700, $900-$1300, $1500+

I'm interested in the $900-$1300 range, which includes the Winchester SX3, Browning Maxus, Remington VersaMax, Browning A5

$1500+ gets me into the Benelli SBE2, Beretta A400 Xplor

What exactly does the extra money get you with the Italian guns other than nicer styling and pride of ownership? Are they better fitted and designed than the others?

I am leaning towards the SX3 and Maxus in 3'' chambers. No experience with the new A5 and VersaMax. I know Remington had teething problems at first, anybody know if the new iterations are good? The SX3 is the cheapest, and it's based I believe on the Browning Gold gas system which is reliable.

Thanks for the input.

 

[oneounceload]

MY Beretta A400 Xplor - the 3.5"goose behemoth that will never see a max target load, shoots my 3/4oz 12 gauge 1210 fps loads without failure- EVER, .............try that with a cheap Turkish gun or even a cheaper Italian import - tain't happenin'

 

[jmr40]

For me it would come down to a gas operated Beretta, or the inertia Benelli M-2 since you are not interested in 3.5" shells. Both should be in the $1300 range, maybe less. Both are probably the best guns made.

If you want a slightly heavier, softer recoiling gun for shooting clays buy the Beretta. If you want a lighter, simpler design that will continue working after being subjected to more abuse while hunting, the Benelli is the way to go.

I chose the Benelli because it suits my needs better. I've owned Beretta in the past. Cannot say a bad thing about them, just like the Benelli better.

I've read good things about the Winchester. No personal experience. In fact I've only actually seen 2-3 of these guns. The lack of interest among shooters would concern me.

In the $600-$700 range an 11-87 is a good buy for the money. It is basically 1960's technology. They are heavy and not as well finished and more crude than the Itilain guns. But most work fairly well.

 

[dak0ta]

I forgot to mention that I'm mainly looking for a waterfowl guns with clays secondary.

Any word on the MAXUS and Versa Max?

 

[JAshley73]

Dakota, pay more attention to fit when you're shopping.

The Browning and Winchester shotguns have a parallel comb with much less drop compared to the Remington, Beretta, and Benelli guns. They will all have a little more pitch and drop to the stocks, and will fit similar to each other. Only you can decide what's comfortable and what feels good.

I don't think you have any bad guns in your list though. I say, find the one that fits and go for it.

 

[dak0ta]

I currently shoot a pump, do you guys find the advantage of a semi huge when hunting ducks/geese?

 

[oneounceload]

You miss the mention that mine IS the waterfowl gun? The 3.5" Beretta goose gun? (Yet it still cycles my 3/4oz reloads?) Get the Kick Off system, it works

 

[Virginian]

To me it would come down to the Beretta A400 or the VersaMax, depending on which one fits you the best, and you like the best. If they come out with a blued and walnut VersaMax I may have to take the plunge. I have shot 3 and they all felt good and worked fine. Those are two 3-1/2 inchers that I have seen that seem to run with the light loads too without issue.

 

[MCgunner]

I currently shoot a pump, do you guys find the advantage of a semi huge when hunting ducks/geese?

The big thing I find is less recoil with heavy steel loads. Other'n that, pump works for me just as well. With a gas gun, though, shooting heavy 3.5" would be a lot easier on the old shoulder. I shoot a 10 gauge H&R on geese, but just got a pump 3.5" 12 gauge gun. I've not found a load to pattern in that gun, yet, but I'm guessing since it's a lighter gun than my 9 lb ten gauge, it's gonna hurt. LOL I shoot 2 3/4" fasteel on ducks, not that hard to kill and fasteel works out past 40 yards just fine. I like more reach on geese and shoot steel Ts to bring 'em down. Takes a 3.5" shell for a load of T shot.

 

[oneounceload]

If you want to use a 10 gauge, I would suggest the Ithaca 51 semi - between its weight and gas action, it helped to somewhat tame those monsters

 

[MrDig]

I like the Inertia system, I would go for a Benelli M2 but that is me. I like my Montefeltro a great deal and if I upgraded it would be the M2.

 

[cdb1]

I have four SX3's and a Maxus. Why? They fit me the best so I am more accurate with them. In my experience they are softer shooters than Benelli's and Beretta's. If the Benelli's and Beretta's fit me better I would own them. The shotguns I am most accurate with though are my two Franchi Affinity's. They do recoil more since they are inertia guns but they fit me like my SX3's, not like a Beretta or Benelli. I like the Italian B shotguns very well, just shoot my others better.