Help for first semi shotgun

2883 Views 15 Replies 12 Participants Last post by Hawkeye421, Aug 31, 2003

savage308

Discussion Starter · Aug 12, 2003

I need some help on picking my first semi and are looking at the stoeger 2000, beretta es100, remington 1100, maybe browning or winchester depending on price. Im a guy who picked my savage over a browning medallion and have not regretted it yet. call me crazy, but the savage just called to me. Anyways, im looking for under 600 or cheaper hopefully and just would like some opinions on what to look for and +/- of each. I have only shot pump guns so im not really worried about the difference in recoil between the inertia systems and gas systems, anything is better than my pump whcih i have used since i started hunting. This gun should be able to make me a perfect shot for goose hunting, dove, deer, milk jugs and sporting clays

Any help you fellas can send out is appreciated

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

G

· #2 · Aug 12, 2003

go with the beretta es 100 pintail or spend a little extra for
a 12 gauge 391 urika you'll be happy you did.

john305

· #3 · Aug 12, 2003

This gun should be able to make me a perfect shot for goose hunting, dove, deer, milk jugs and sporting clays

Never thought I would say this but it is only a gun, not, magic. Although with the price of some you would think it. So can't help you here, but if you find this gun let me know.

So first semi and you want it for $600 or less that I can help you with. I would say go for used. You can find Winchester super x2's in the $500+, range Beretta AL390's in the $475+, once and a while you can find the Browning gold in the $575+ range. If you can't wait and need one right now then go to wally world and pick up the Beretta A390 in synthetic for $525 I think, not sure it has been a long time since I looked there.

fivemile

· #4 · Aug 12, 2003

The Remington 1187 Premier LC is a fantatic gun, shoots 2 3/4 and 3 inch. About $700. retail, but I have seen several new in the box on auction sites for $495.00.

Dale Gribble

· #5 · Aug 12, 2003

Browning Gold Hunters can be found, NIB for under 600 bucks. Just shop around. Have a look at Franchi also.

What model Savage do you have? I've been looking for a .308 with a Varmint barrell on it, and Savage seems to have the most bang for the buck. (I don't like laminate or synthetic stocks though)

savage308

Discussion Starter · #6 · Aug 21, 2003

Thanks for the help guys, but I have a few more questions

1. Will the remington 1100 3" chamber shoot both types, but just not interchangeably

2. Which of the autoloaders on the market will cycle 7/8 ounce shot loads since that is what i do almost all my shotgun game hunting and clay shooting with

3. What is the reputed quality of the beretta 390 sold at walmart?

here is another round to ponder. Thanks for the help

Jag

· #7 · Aug 21, 2003

I have shot just about all the semi's your talking about, and guess what? I always go back to the Remington 11-87! It will shoot 3" & 2 3/4" interchangebly, 7/8 oz. No problem. Remington has sold more 1100's and 11-87's than beretta could ever dream about. I think there is a reason for this (hmmm.) Do yourself a favor, buy the 11-87 premier, you won't be sorry!!! just my 2 cents. the most important factor though should be the way the gun fits you!!!

Iggy Hazard

· #8 · Aug 21, 2003

I used to have a quasi Bonnie & Clyde style Remington 11.

9mmMike

· #9 · Aug 22, 2003

savage308 said:
Thanks for the help guys, but I have a few more questions

1. Will the remington 1100 3" chamber shoot both types, but just not interchangeably

2. Which of the autoloaders on the market will cycle 7/8 ounce shot loads since that is what i do almost all my shotgun game hunting and clay shooting with

3. What is the reputed quality of the beretta 390 sold at walmart?

here is another round to ponder. Thanks for the help

I have an 1100 magnum that I shoot 2.75" from exclusively. It is a simple matter of buying a non-magnum barrel. I shoot value-pak ammo which is pretty light. generally 3dr, 1 or 1 1/8 OZ of 7.5 or 8 shot with no problems, ever.
I could put my 3" barrel on and fire off some big stuff but I have never found the need since I only hunt clays.

All the 390's are nice but too pricey for me. I bought my 1100 used for close to 300 clams.

Mike

RemingtonII

· #10 · Aug 22, 2003

Hold your horses. Your need to eject 7/8 oz loads eleminates the Rem 1100, which is a field gun, and will not even eject 1 oz loads reliably. We barter a tricked out competition clay version of the Rem 1100 and they have to open the gas ports to accommodate light loads. Remington discusses this issue on their website quite thoroughly.

The Wal Mart Beretta 390 is quite good...bolt isn't up to snuff, but I have the 20 ***** and I like it..has adjustable shims.

However, you can buy real minty Beretta 390s now for $450 with nice wood, and that might be a better choice.

Good luck.

savage308

Discussion Starter · #11 · Aug 24, 2003

I got to handle a 11-87 at the gun store this weekend and it pointed good but was fairly heavy. The only guns that i havent gotten to handle so far are the browning gold and the sx2 made by winchester. I just cant seem to find anything that will do what i want. Some say ****** will shoot light loads all day liong without a burp and others say that it wont. Anyone have a winchester SX2?

john305

· #12 · Aug 25, 2003

Honestly I think your best bet is a Winchester Super X2 Sporting. It will shoot anything 3" and under. It comes with two gas pistons one is the standard field which will shoot hot 3" to 1oz 2 3/4" then you have the sporting piston which will shoot 1 1/8oz and under loads.

I think this is the one you need.

http://www.winchester-guns.com/prodinfo ... 0&cat=009C

Remember Winchester has the $50 rebate going on now.

Live2Hunt

· #13 · Aug 25, 2003

Browning Gold Hunter, its a great gun and easy on the shoulder... Ask jlptexashunter about his, Jeff any comments?

Mgregg85

· #14 · Aug 31, 2003

If your willing to spend a little extra go with the beretta 391 Urika synthetic, its a great adjustable auto shotgun that you'll love

Fairlane64

· #15 · Aug 31, 2003

Live2Hunt said:
Browning Gold Hunter, its a great gun and easy on the shoulder... Ask jlptexashunter about his, Jeff any comments?

Nice gun no doubt, just make sure and pony up for the light load gas piston, as the Hunter model comes with the heavy load piston if I'm not mistaken according to a couple of my buddies who shoot them. I think the Gold Fusion comes with the light load piston? Also doesn't the Gold Sporting Clays model come with both pistons?

Regards,

Hawkeye421

· #16 · Aug 31, 2003

Since it appears I am the only one on this board that owns a Franchi 612VS semi-auto you might want to check these out. It has a simple gas operated piston that is located in the forearm with the recoil spring. You can switch the gas piston from light loads to heavy loads. It comes with 4 shims to adjust drop and cast. It is simple to take down and clean...unscrew the forearm cap and the gun completely disassembles...remove two pins and you can take the trigger assembly out. The gun has cycled everything I have thrown at it...from 1oz light reloads to the 3" magnum Turkey and buckshot without a single hiccup. I have patterned the gun and it is dead on the money. Beretta, Benelli and Franchi all use the same choke and are interchangeable. I purchased mine for $549 which is the synthetic stock...I have seen the camo version for less than $600 and I have seen the model 912 which is the 3-1/2" brother for a little over $600. I know time will tell whether this will be a great gun or not...so far I am impressed with the simple design, balance and feel of the gun. This is an Italian Company, some people see the word Franchi and associate it with France.

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