Shotgun Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

New to Semiauto's - Advice on a Beretta semiauto for pheasant hunting?

Jump to Latest

  • Whether you're a greenhorn or a seasoned veteran, your collection's next piece is at Bass Pro Shops. Shop Now.

    Advertisement
21 - 40 of 45 Posts
Discussion starter · #23 ·
jpward999 said:
That you are using a follow-up shot and profess to be new semiautomatic shotguns to leads me to wonder if you are also new to pheasant hunting. If I'm wrong, please forgive me. If correct, I suggest you find a clay target range with an instructor and rental shotguns. Shooting at moving targets (clay pigeons, birds) is completely different than shooting at fixed targets. Your instructor will help with your shooting and provide suggestions on gun fit; not only how to modify a shotgun to fit you but which makes/models might best fit you. Shooting instruction is helpful for beginners through professionals. By seeking instruction when you are relatively new to the shotgun sports you will pick up fewer bad habits that you have to un-learn later. If your intent is to hunt pheasants let the instructor know this as it will affect the instruction they provide.
Click to expand...
JP, thank you for your thoughtful post. I am very new to pheasant hunting, and before this year, never hunted in my life...grew up in NJ with no gun knowledge in my family. Total hunting experience is two outings at a nearby sporting club (hunting preserve) in Waukesha, WI. As other astute people surmised in prior posts, my technique is lacking with the pump, and with non-target shooting in general. I'm now realizing that time spent at clay target range is key. There is one less than 2 miles from my home (I can hear it from my backyard!), so I have no excuse not to go, other than nobody to shoot with.

It sounds like at the very least I need a longer barrel for my 870. A possible benefit to blowing serious funds on a good semiauto is the practice and training would be on a more capable firearm, vs training on the pump then switching to semiauto in a year or two. Would I get more mileage out of the training? Am weighing that question.

I LOVE the idea of finding an instructor. I have one that has done several 1:1 sessions on tactical home defense with shotgun, and that has helped me tremendously. Your point is excellent. I wonder if a home defense instructor may not be the same as lessons/instruction at a clay target range. I should probably join the nearby clay target gun club (just $35/year) and hang out there...may both find people to shoot with, and a good instructor that can help me build skills in a more serious way.

Thank you JP, and all who have responded - I am so grateful for all your insights and suggestions!
 
Discussion starter · #25 ·
Randy, I love the video! Captures the experience well, though for me it was a clumsy second shot that got a pheasant on both my first hunts. I'll dream of doing it the way you did in a "future me". (y)
 
Discussion starter · #26 ·
noweil said:
Where are you at in WI?
Click to expand...
@noweil , I'm in SE Wisconsin, west of Milwaukee. Hunt at a club in Waukesha. If you plan on getting out my way, shoot me a note - I'd be glad to introduce you to the club, and we could shoot clays together in the summer. (Pheasant season ends on 4/15, and doesn't resume until October)

Thank you for your suggestions!
 
#28 ·
Personally, I prefer a 20 gauge autoloader if I’m doing a lot of walking.

20 gauge autoloaders I’d recommend:
Benelli M2
Beretta 390, or A300 Ultima
Browning gold/silver
Franchi affinity
Mossberg Sa-20/Tristar’s Viper G2
Remington 1100, or 1187
Weatherby Sa-08, or Element.
Winchester SX3, or SX4
 
#29 ·
(note.. Wisconsin's wild pheasant and grouse season ended Jan 8 2020) (There is ample public hunting in south/central Wisconsin... the big problem is I would rather hunt with an old Stevens single shot and my dog.. heck.. maybe even a slingshot and my dog.. than a Perazzi and no dog.)

Now someone said "recipes"... for me, I use the "Stand on the wings" method , let hang for (depends on the temperature outside) then fillet the breasts. Dredge the breasts in about 2 tablespoons of Wisconsin maple syrup and 1 tablespoon of apple vinegar. Grill 3 minutes over medium heat, NO LONGER! Flip, put a dollop of applesauce made with Wisconsin apples on the fillet. Continue grilling for exactly 3 minutes, NO LONGER! Remove to serve with

Wisconsin Apples, diced and added to apple sauce
Wisconsin wild rice
Wisconsin acorn squash that have been cooked for 40 minutes with (you know where the butter came from) and brown sugar rubbed inside.

The remaining carcass, heart, thighs and drumsticks are frozen for later.. they make the best winter soup ever. But that's another recipe.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
Discussion starter · #30 ·
Hi SP, That recipe looks tasty! I may need to try it - thank you for the suggestion.
On the season - the club and its grounds (with its pheasant farm) isn't a wild pheasant hunt, otherwise of course I wouldn't be hunting them in April. :)
Now I'll have to find some Wisconsin wild rice and acorn squash!
 
Discussion starter · #32 ·
Any specific reason for the "idiot" or "fool" designations? I'm going to hunt with the idiot/fool's Beretta and his dogs in a week, just wondering if there's helpful coaching to arm me for the sure-to-be stupid advice he might offer when we're together. I could guess, but would learn more by hearing your insights behind the mental capability assessment. If you'd be willing, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks in advance! :)
 
#33 ·
Your guide gave you good advice. A shotgun with an 18" barrel is big handicap.

Even more to the point, if you want to actually hit a fair number of the pheasants you shoot at (released or wild) you're going to have to spend some time shooting clays. Doing that the recoil reduction a gas-operated semi-auto provides over n 870 will be very helpful.

I hunt wild pheasants with an A400 20-ga Upland model. Great guns, whether in 20 or 12. There isn't anyone on the planet who can fire 2 shots with an 870 as fast as I can fire my A400's, in 20 or 12. There is nothing wrong with an 870, I hunted with one for about 20 years. But the new Berettas are a whole lot nicer to shoot, if you can afford one.
 
#34 ·
If you decide to get a new barrel, you will not want a Full choke on it. These seem to be the most readily available. A modified is what I shoot, but for a shooting preserve or over a pointing dog, an improved cylinder might suffice. Better yet is a barrel with an interchangeable choke.

If you go for a new gun, almost all will have changeable chokes and you can figure out for yourself which works best.

The home defense instructor may also teach clay shooting sports, but I would not assume it. Your idea of getting instructor suggestions from the clay shooting range folks sounds like a good one.
 
#35 ·
Carmel Nova said:
Any specific reason for the "idiot" or "fool" designations? I'm going to hunt with the idiot/fool's Beretta and his dogs in a week, just wondering if there's helpful coaching to arm me for the sure-to-be stupid advice he might offer when we're together. I could guess, but would learn more by hearing your insights behind the mental capability assessment. If you'd be willing, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks in advance! :)
Click to expand...
The reason Dr Duk, Staff member Super Moderator Premium Member came up with the "idiot" label is not a cognitive assessment. The idea that anyone in control of their faculties would prefer a ponderous, heavy, slow 3-1/2 inch chambered 12 gauge for preserve pheasant hunting is what is silly. They are far too heavy to be fun, much less enjoyable.

Goose guns and riot guns are universally poor upland hunting choices.
 
#37 ·
Do-all-ish shotguns are all the rage today and many suggest those for that reason alone....your Preserve guide may simply have had that in mind.
That said, a Preserve guide sees all kinds of folks in his work and may or may not be able to translate what he personally does ...to you, regarding swatting stuff out of the air.
Dice roll, in other words.

People suggest ill-advised actions all the time...see this message board. Be mindful of suggestions from another's perspective....guide or other.
Tailor sufficiency to your needs, first.....if you make a mistake, join the club....the earth will still spin.
Your main concern on a Preserve will be..do not shot the dog!....otherwise, take your time, as another bird will be just down the way.

Clays won't hurt.....much as speed won't always help, especially on a second shot at a missed bird.
Consider using clays as gun familiarization with break the bird, break a piece shots helping in the field with wounded birds...shot presentation experience, less so at this stage imho.
Clays can be over-rated.(enter duck & cover emoticon)

I do not know your particulars of age, size or gender....I may guess your experience level and I can still suggest a wiser barrel for the 870 than riot.
But, "gun" is only one factor in your personal equation.
Fit & try several options if that avenue is open...take your time deciding....wisely practice after the decision...and always be safe around the dog.
Do not forget to grin tho....none of it is rocketry.
 
#38 ·
Carmel Nova said:
My question: Guide suggested the Extrema, which I think is an A350 model (with Max5 camo). My LGS has a fancier A400 (Extreme Plus KO ...). I'd like to get a general view of the options, yet cannot find a "guide to Beretta Semiautomatic Shotguns" for general guidance to the Beretta semiauto line. Their website is nearly useless in this respect. Online I can find lots of reviews for a specific shotgun, but no overview to help me logically hone in on a given model.

Any thoughts or guidance you might be willing to offer to a new-to-hunting Beretta semiauto shotgun fan? Thank you in advance!
Click to expand...
As you own "Benelli SuperNova, Rem 870, Mossberg 500" what would make you a Beretta SA fan, or a SA fan at all? As far as I know, the A350 was a bit of a problem gun and is now discontinued. You'll have to decide what your budget is, and there isn't much of a substitute for gun fit. A 20 gauge makes more sense for what you are doing.
 
#39 · (Edited)
I actually own a Beretta A300 Xtrema. I also own an A300 Outlander. The A300 Xtrema is the same gun as the A350 Xtrema. It is very easy to adjust to the shooter just like the Outlander. Beretta just renamed it to the A350 somewhere around 2015 and began only selling A350s with a modified choke, where as the A300 Xtrema came with 3.

It is a very good waterfowl autoloader. The gas system is the same as the A400 line. The main differences are:
1) the ergonomics are different. The trigger group and controls resemble the A300 Outlander’s trigger group.
2) no kickoff on the A300/A350 Xtrema
3) there is no Aqua coating on the A300/A350
4) The A300/A350 doesn’t have the longer forcing cone like the A400 XP
5) The A300/A350 weighs 7lbs 4ounces, which is actually about 4 ounces less than the A300 Outlander. The A400 XP weighs around 8lbs
6) The mag cap is the traditional spin off type, instead of the quarter turn style on the A400 XP.

I have never read anywhere that the A350 was discontinued for being a “problem gun”. My own personal experience with the Xtrema is that’s it’s just as reliable as my mother’s A400. The gas system and chokes are interchangeable with the A400 line. The reasons Beretta discontinued them are most likely due to poor sales. Most customers opt for the A400 line if they want a 3.5” gun for the extras like oversized controls, aqua coating, and the kickoff.

The only negative I can see as it pertains to the A350 and upland hunting is having a 3.5” receiver and a 28” barrel makes it a little long to swing quickly when birds flush. Other than that, it’s a great all purpose shotgun. Most on here giving advice about it have no experience with the A350. Ignore the noise. Go out and have fun and see if you like the gun. The suggestion given about shooting clays with it first to learn the gun is great advice.
 
#40 ·
The guide’s advice that the 870 is a poor choice for pheasant (the pump shotgun is perfectly useful for any game bird), that you need a new gun (practice / familiarity is better), recommending a specific gun (only you can determine what fits & points best) makes me think he’s got Berettas for sale.
If you want a new gun, get one but get the right one(s).
 
  • Like
Reactions: Carmel Nova
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
21 - 40 of 45 Posts
About this Discussion
44 Replies
22 Participants
Last post:
StinkeyPete
Shotgun Forum
posts
4.5M
members
165K
Since
2000
A forum community dedicated to Shotgun owners and enthusiasts including the Remington, Beretta, and Mossberg shotguns brands. Come join the discussion about optics, hunting, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
General Shotgun Discussions Shotshell Reloading Sporting Clays Tactical/HD Shotguns Shotgun Opinions