Looking for my first semi-auto shotgun

[Kmccord]

I am looking at buying my first semi-auto shotgun, I plan to use it for waterfowl and Dove, possibly Turkey. I do not want to pay over 1000.00, I have been looking at Stoeger M3500 and Beretta A300 outlander, I wanted to see if anyone has experience with these two and could possibly provide the good and the bad? Also, if there are any other shotguns someone think are better in the same price range. Thanks.

 

[dogbuster0006]

Franchi affinity are in the $600-800 range and are made right beside the benelli. I've got a buddy with a couple of them they are pretty sweet for the price point. Yadiz makes some lower priced guns and some o/u and they shoot very well and come with 4-5 chokes they're at academy and I think around $500. They're a lot of fun for the money.

 

[just country]

morning, Benneli black eagle II. very good shotgun.
justme gbot tum

 

[ResearchinStuff]

At the 1000 price point you could get a Remington versamax sportsman or v3, Franchi affinity, winchester Sx3, Browning Silver, occasionally browning maxus dip below 1000, Beretta A350 or A300. They all have decent reputations, so fit makes the biggest difference. Try to shoot or handle as many as you can before you buy, that way you get the one that fits you the best.

 

[Salmonchaser]

I've cut way back on my guiding only about six hunter days a week this last winter, still see quite a few shotguns. The most popular were Benelli and Beretta followed by Remington and Winchester. Also saw Stoeger, Franchi and Weatherby. The only ones I thought were balky were the Weatherbys. I'm convinced any of the semi autos made by the major players in that 500 to 1,000 dollar range is going to be a good gun. I think a guy needs to look at fit first and then worry about who made it. Ducks to doves I'd do my fit testing in heavy clothes.
Have fun

 

[KyCarl]

Super Black Eagle from Benelli is hard to beat!

 

[FIGJAM]

I have a versamax and love it - it has the woodtech stock. Its been crazy reliable - shoots everything I feed it. From Duck and goose hunting in idaho to pheasant hunting in North Dakota it goes bang everytime I pull the trigger.

 

[seawolfxix]

Get the one that fits you best.

 

[KyCarl]

as far as fit most off the rack shotguns are built for their idea of 'average"
a lot of guys aren't average! I use a good stock fitter! He makes a world of difference!
you want it to mount and point right where you are looking.. Without aiming it!

 

[FIGJAM]

Most of the newer shotguns come with stocks that are adjustable - spacers to increase LOP and comb riser inserts etc.

 

[460 magnum]

I have a Beretta Extrema and had it for 15 years now shot countless shells through it anything and everything EXCEPT slugs. Not trying to start a "my gun brand is better than your gun brand" but it never failed me and it would be shooting we a lot of the other big name brand's wouldn't be. Up until one day out dove hunting it got run over with a pick-up broke the butt stock off and it has been down hill every since.

 

[PNWGator]

Highly recommend buying any of the "B" guns that fit and meet your criteria regarding form and function.

 

[460 magnum]

Also not a big fan of the Stoeger's but the Winchester sx3 are really good too don't know about the sx4 never been around but if the are like the 3's they will be a dang good choice. Another thing just my preference I don't like the camo dipping on the guns it rubs off and looks terrible. I would just get the black syn. or the wood stock and get the metal parts seir. coated.

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

I own a Winchester SX3. I grew up on a benelli M2 field, but I really like my Winchester. It's been a very reliable shotgun and it points well for me. Shotguns are personal. They have to point well since shotguning is instinctive shooting and not aiming. Go hold a bunch and see what feels the best. Beretta and benelli both feel good to me. I couldnt get past the versa max. To me that felt like a 2x4. The Remington v3 felt ok, but when I looked down the barrel the center bead was drilled way off center so I didn't want anything to do with one after that. So far though my Winchester has been my favorite. It's a very soft shooting shotgun. You'll appreciate that over the inertia system if you shoot alot. I shoot trap in the summer so I shoot 100-150 rounds in a night sometimes.