who makes great all around 12 ga. shotgun

[mfog15]

Hi , This past weekend a friend invited me to shoot trap,
also I have been thinking about trying some upland hunting.
bottom line is I want A great all around shotgun,
I do not have A large budget aprox. $650.00
Recoil supression is A must ,
I like real wood.
my friend let me shoot his Beretta 3901 al at the trap shoot I thought it was great.
any others out there like it?

[Brent]

My dad owns a Beretta 391 it's a great gun. I would also look at a Benelli SBE (Super Black Eagle) they are a great high quality gun. I own a Benelli Nova, I only wish I had the money for a SBE. They make a great gun and are very well respected around the world. I know the SBE II have some special features that help reduce the recoil.

[Vikingsin05]

lots of luck getting a SBE for $650. What action are you looking for? Do you want a semi auto? The Berrreta is a nice gun, but not as nice as a Benelli. The Benelli's have a highly desigend stock and gel pad that reduces recoil on the sythetic models. Any of the big name high quality gun makers make a great shotgun. It really matters which one fits you the best. Go to cabelas or another store that has a lot of different makes and spend some time checking them all out.

[mfog15]

Thanks for the replies,

Im' not to sure what type of action I want or need.
The gun I shot the other day was an autoload but, I was feeding ammo in one at a time .
I don't suppose I would mind any type more than any other.
I am kinda a patient shooter & dont often go out blasting.
(but "sometimes" I do .)

[Yooper]

Take a look at the I-12 from Franchi. It is in your price range and is a Benelli design. It is available in a wood finish and is a sharp looking gun. It uses the Benelli Inertia system so recoil is almost non-existant. For a well-made Italian semi-auto, it is one of the best values out there.

[Todd G.]

lots of luck getting a SBE for $650. What action are you looking for? Do you want a semi auto? The Berrreta is a nice gun, but not as nice as a Benelli. The Benelli's have a highly desigend stock and gel pad that reduces recoil on the sythetic models. Any of the big name high quality gun makers make a great shotgun. It really matters which one fits you the best. Go to cables or another store that has a lot of different makes and spend some time checking them all out.

Vikingsin05, I love that statement!!!

Beretta owns Benelli. The Beretta 391 with its recoil reduction system is noted as being THE lightest recoiling shotgun available today. Plus, its a gas recoil system that blows off part of the energy before it ever reaches the shoulder of the shooter. By contrast, the SBE is a recoil activated system that forces all of the energy into the bolt, and thus into the shoulder of the shooter. Simply using a gel pad etc. is no different than what many other companies already use, including Browning with their new Cynergy O/U shotgun.

To suggest one shotgun is better than another is generally a poor choice. When it comes to shooting clay targets, most shooters will select the Beretta 391 over any other semi-auto shotgun. This is primarily due to its ability to handle a full range of loads and properly eject light loads. It is also the softest shooting shotgun around. So, when you're shooting a boat load of targets, it really saves the shooter. On the other hand, the Benelli SBE is very rarely selected as a clays gun because it has a 3 1/2 inch chamber, generally produces more recoil, and has the potential to struggle with light loads.

However, take the two into the field, and the SBE has advantages over the 391. Especially if you are waterfowl hunting. When 3 1/2 inch shells are needed, the SBE is a great choice, as are others.

So, what I would suggest is to take a look at several shotguns, determine their individual strengths, and then decide which best fits your intended use. Once you have the list narrowed, try each and determine which one fits you the best.

If you are trying to stay with the $650 budget, I would look at the Super X2, the Remington 1100 or 11-87, the Franchi, and the Beretta 3901. All of them are good guns and may offer you a great choice.

[Vikingsin05]

Todd G

I personally prefer the Benelli because it does use inertia instead of gas. The Benelli is simple to clean and the gel pad/comfortech stock does make a HUGE difference in the felt recoil. I personally own a M2 and not a SBE.

I guess it really doesn't really matter either way though because his budget is $650.00

[Todd G.]

Viking, I think the SBE is a great gun! Of course, I also think the 391 is a great gun. They are simply different. One is built for heavy loads and hunting, while the other is built more for the target shooter and lighter hunting. Comes down to which fits the buyer better.

I have both an SBE and the 391. When it comes to targets or upland birds, its the 391 all the way. When its time to shoot turkeys or waterfowl, I bring out the SBE.

But, I think you are right. If its $650, neither matters...

[Vikingsin05]

I shoot skeet with my M2 all the time. I have probably shot about 2500 rounds thru it and it has never failed. (except for one time when I was out rabbit hunting at my buddies parents place. It snowed pretty hard the day before so I broke the gun down to clean it and only had WD-40. The WD-40 froze the next day and when I pulled the trigger for the first time the gun went click.)

[Yooper]

I've shot skeet with a Mossberg 835 and a 24" barrel.

I had a buddy with a Berretta Pintail and that is one of my favorite guns to this day. Joy to shoot. Too bad they discontinued it.

[Mark]

Are you guys all so young? Don't forget about the used market! At $650.00 a guy can still get a high quality repeater like a Winchester Model 12. Look for something like a 12 ga. with a solid rib that someone has put a recoil pad on. The collector value is shot, but it's still cool. Just keep your eye out for something that has been modified cosmetically. Recoil pad, reblue, Simmons rib, etc. are all candidates. Finding one is half the fun. Who doesn't like to go gun shopping?
Mark

[Dclewis]

I like shooting my Browning A-5 Auto Lite 12 for skeet and for small game. I also own a couple of rem's and winchesters in 12 guage. The Browning is definetly not a goose gun, but I have yet to hunt goose and would bring my trusty Winchester if I did. Todd, I can shoot the Browning all day without the use of a "Gell pad".

Fog, check out as many as you can before buying. What works best for us may not be the right ticket for you. Berreta and Benelli's are top shelf equipment. If I were in the market id look at them. If recoil is an issue you got to go with a semi. Dave

[Jheadid]

id stick with the 870 i regret buying a nova and wish i woulda got a 870 like my 20 gauge

[Black Mamba]

Stoeger model 2000 and the Franchi I 12 use Benellis Inertia driven system and are 2 great all around choices.

[rem 700]

If you can get your hands on one, a Remington 870 Wingmaster would be my choice. Classic pump gun, with a great gloss finish and excellent wood. http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/model_870/model_870_wingmaster_super_magnum.asp

[HOGWILD]

The SBEII i own has never had any problems with any kinda load i have put thru it and if ya follow the break-in instructions ya should be fine! Ya have to shoot 3 cases of the heaviest loads that it will shoot and believe me shooting 30 rounds of 3 1/2 inch shells is hard to do at one setting!! Took me 2 trips due to the recoil!! For a 650$ purchase i think i would go with a new pump browning, seems hard to go wrong with it and once ya get used to slammin shells in it it's going to be with ya for a lifetime!! EVERYONE needs a good pump gun anyway!!

[tmrschessie]

As pointed out in the above post. The Remington 1100 is a good choice. Sounds like you will be spending more time in the woods and on the trap range. If that is the case. you might also consider the the Remington 870 Wing Master. A good all around field and occational trap shooting gun. Easy to clean and will hold up in blowing sand and other duck hunting situations. You should be able to pick up a good clean used Wing Master for under $400, usually around $200. Best of luck. Tom

[tommy]

Nothing beats the rem.870 for quality and dependability and last a life time. my rem. has been thru mud, sand rocks,water, ect and has never let me down. A $650.00 and up gun couldn't touch it!

[bigbuck]

remington get the 12 gauge 870 express GREAT GUN

[RenderMan]

+1 on the rem 870

[pixelperfect]

I have two shotguns that I love. A Red Lable and a SBE 2. Both are great shotguns. I thing the best shotgun within your budget is an 870.

[bearbacker]

Somewhere you said you need recoil reduction, right? You also said you like wood. If it's a new gun you should look at the Remington 1187 if you need to stay in that price range. An excellent alternative would be its predecessor, the Remington 1100. Both are gas-operated autoloaders, which means they mitigate the recoil you feel, and both come in 12 and 20 gauge.

The 1187 probably will come with choke tubes, but the 1100 likely will have a fixed choke. An extra barrel comes in handy for the 1100, or you can buy a new barrel for it that has the changeable chokes. Many hunters have hunted a lifetime with a modified or improved cylinder choke, though.

[justhuntem]

Remington 870 Wingmaster, I own two in 12ga and 1 in 16ga, Love all three would'nt trade or swap for anything out there. I think my wife would be upset if I bring home another but oh well I will in 20ga one day...

[7mm mag man]

i have a browning silver hunter i shoot geese ducks upland birds and trap doesnt kick at all but it costs like 950$

[tat37]

I would say Remington 870. Take a ride to Scarborough. I have found the folks behind the gun counter at Cabelas are way helpful.