What shotgun do I need?

[ozarkhillbilly]

I could use some help. Here is what I would use it for, so what kind of shotgun do I need?

Skeet 4 to 8 times a year.
Water fowl hunting once or twice a year.
Bird hunting once or twice a year.

I have a Remington 870 and Mossberg 500, but I would like a auto. I looked at the Beretta Xtrema2, but while searching for info I have read that it might not be the best choice. So I could use some help.

 

[rocinante]

If you are mostly skeet shooting why don't you get an over and under? Skeets are all one or two shots and with safety rules like keeping the breech open just easier to deal with. It would work for your occasional bird shooting too.

As far as skeet shooting autos at the range I go to they all rent Beretta but have a variety of guns. Go try some and decide what you like.

 

[bensdad]

We can't go with you to the gun store and see which one puts the biggest grin on your face, but that's the one you should get.

 

[lev83]

Remington 1100 is a great autoloader. You might also consider the Beretta 391 and Franchi Al-48.

 

[bensdad]

I have a Franchi AL-48. Mine's a 28 ga. Darn thing is bulletproof.

 

[kimberfan]

mossberg 930?

 

[Dave McCracken]

You asked the equivalent of....

What's the best vehicle I can get to take the kids to school,haul vaccine to Nome in Midwinter and win the Indy 500?

Skeet guns shoot 2 3/4" ammo, weigh over 8 lbs for the most part and handle quickly.

Waterfowlers shoot 3" and 3.5" ammo, weigh over 8 lbs to best handle the kick and swing like wrecking balls.

Bird guns shoot 2 3/4" ammo, weigh under 7 lbs mostly and handle more like Zorro's rapier than Conan's broadsword.

You could buy a waterfowling semi like the Extrema, use it for skeet and use your two present shotguns for the uplands.

Or just use what you have and have a passel of fun. For a long time I used 870s for everything and could again if needed.

HTH....

 

[Bud Tugly]

I second the idea of an O/U for your uses. The only real advantages of an auto are somewhat softer recoil and a faster THIRD shot than an O/U. That third shot is never needed in skeet and only rarely needed for most hunting situations.

Plus if you plan on retrieving your spent hulls a break-open has a huge advantage over most other actions.

 

[ozarkhillbilly]

Dave,
I do realize what you are saying. What I probably need is a good O/U but I do not want to spend the $2,000 plus to get a good one right now. So what I was kind of looking for was one that would not be the best at all three but be ok for all three.

Here is a question, what is the opinion of the Remington 1187, and is the Beretta Xtrema 2 worth twice the price? I am not looking for the cheapest I am looking for the best buy.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Here's my opinions....

The 11-87 got off to a bad start and it still haunts them. Newer ones seem quite reliable and good value.

Were I getting a semi auto for whatever reason, I'd consider one of Beretta's 391 series first. While a bit pricey, they have oodles of happy owners out there and handle 3" loads all day long.

I'm not a 3.5" fan.

As far as an O/U goes, there's some used B guns out there for a grand or so. Get one with tubes and have fun.

 

[Snarlingiron]

The 11-87 got off to a bad start and it still haunts them. Newer ones seem quite reliable and good value.

Agreed, and I am a fan. The biggest complaints I hear is that they have to be cleaned often, and the "O" rings have to be replaced.

Well, all shotguns should be cleaned often if you want them to be reliable. The "O" rings don't fail all that often, and even so, just spend $5.00 and carry a spare. Big deal.

I know a local gentleman that has an entire family that shoots trap competitively. They all shoot 11-87's to the tune of about 10,000 rounds per gun per year. "O" ring replacements, average 1 per gun per year.

The Berettas are wonderful guns, but for $425.00 (I just bought a used 11-87 Premier for that), and a couple of $5.00 "O" rings, I can keep up with the Berettas all day long.

My buddy just bought a new 11-87, and the first 500 rounds have been flawless.

I wouldn't say that there might not be a Beretta in my future, but for now, I am quite happy with my 11-87.