Benelli 828u

SimpleMan

SimpleMan

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Looking into O/U's for clay busting. This shotgun has peaked my interest. Does anyone here have any experience with one? I will most likely try to rent one at the local range for a round before plunking down $2,300 bucks, which is apparently chump change in the O/U world. Looking for info on this specific shotgun, thanks.

http://www.benelliusa.com/828u-shotgun
 
That's a nice looking shotgun! I have just bought a CZ Redhead Premier Target and can't wait to get my hands on it.

You might see what folks are saying over on the Shotgun World forum, they seem like a pretty nice crowd.
 
Didn't you just pick up a Red Label? Have you tried it out on the clays course yet?
Also if you need someone to ride down to Rocky Creek with, let me know. I'm not a competitive shooter, but I always need a little practice before duck season. I'm in Rock Hill.
 
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NJSC said:
Didn't you just pick up a Red Label? Have you tried it out on the clays course yet?
Also if you need someone to ride down to Rocky Creek with, let me know. I'm not a competitive shooter, but I always need a little practice before duck season. I'm in Rock Hill.
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I did just pick up a Red Label and have not had it out yet, although I did fire four shells from it to test the function. You have to understand, just like I tell my wife, I'm an admitted gun whore. My four trips to Rocky Creek have been with a Versa Max and an 1100. I called them today and they only rent Beretta's. I'd be glad to shoot with you down there sometime. I'm not a competitive shooter either.
 
If you are a true gun whore you need to ride over to Mid South Guns in Wagram, NC.
 
ronn47 said:
If you are a true gun whore you need to ride over to Mid South Guns in Wagram, NC.
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Not to sound like a narcissistic a hole, but I've been to Mid South several times. Bought a shotgun there, been to Mackey's east of Greenville (NC) several times, I've bought two rifles at Prices Creek Store in Burnsville NC. I used to travel NC for work, now SC. SC definitely does not have the gun shops like NC does. But we got PSA though! Mid South is really one of a kind, especially if you're a shot gunner.
 
Nice, you've been to a lot of nice shops.
 
I would look elsewhere if you plan on high volume clay shooting with the 828. It is designed to be light weight upland field gun, which is not an ideal clays gun. Take a serious look at Browning's Citori CXS. It is designed to be an all-around clays gun and it's cheaper than the 828 to boot!! Paid $1650 incl transfer fee off GunBroker.

http://www.browning.com/products/firearms/shotguns/citori/current-production/cxs.html

I have the '16 Crossover Target, the predecessor to the CXS. It is an absolute clay crusher!!!!

Take a look around Shotgun World in the Benelli sub-forum for additional info. Here's a link:

http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewforum.php?f=61
 
Mad Dawg said:
I would look elsewhere if you plan on high volume clay shooting with the 828. It is designed to be light weight upland field gun, which is not an ideal clays gun. Take a serious look at Browning's Citori CXS. It is designed to be an all-around clays gun and it's cheaper than the 828 to boot!! Paid $1650 incl transfer fee off GunBroker.

http://www.browning.com/products/firearms/shotguns/citori/current-production/cxs.html

I have the '16 Crossover Target, the predecessor to the CXS. It is an absolute clay crusher!!!!

Take a look around Shotgun World in the Benelli sub-forum for additional info. Here's a link:

http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewforum.php?f=61
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Well, that's everything I needed to hear as well as what I didn't want to hear. I believe you are spot on, as Benelli even labels it as an "upland field gun". I'm assuming the difference is being designed to fire 30 shells a day vs 100. I appreciate your input and will study on the Citori. I got kinda wrapped up in the "new" technology built into this O/U and was hoping to get on the Benelli bandwagon. I guess I could call it a dove gun, as there isn't any upland anything happening around here!
 
I can understand being attracted to "newer" tech, but the Citori is a long proven design that is worry-free. If you like something newer, take a look at Browning's "Citori" 725 line of O/Us. They're an updated "Citori" design that is lower in profile over the original. If you can not tell, I'm a Browning fan boy. At the same price point as the 828, take a look at Beretta's Silver Pigeon line of guns. And like the Citori's, they are a proven durable and reliable design. The best advise I can give you is to handle, mount to your shoulder and if possible shoot as many different guns you can. This will give a better idea what fits you the best, and a well fitted shotgun makes for a better shooting shotgun.
 
Well, I took the Red Label out today, just on our property with my Do All thrower and put 2 boxes of shells through it. Man, I don't know if it's from getting old or what, but my shoulder felt those 50 shells. My Versa Max doesn't punish me like that with 100 shells through it. I know there's a big difference between a gas gun and O/U but damn. I guess I was hoping the claims of softer recoil would be true in the 828. As far as being a gun whore, I bought a CZ Drake today to fill the void of a 12 ga O/U until I decide on my main squeeze. I've read a lot of good things about CZ O/U's and it was there and priced right. It will need to stay in the safe until it is able to successfully blend in with the crowd. The club I usually shoot clays at only has Beretta's for sale or rent.
 
Matt.Cross said:
That's a nice looking shotgun! I have just bought a CZ Redhead Premier Target and can't wait to get my hands on it.

You might see what folks are saying over on the Shotgun World forum, they seem like a pretty nice crowd.
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I looked at a Redhead today when I picked up the Drake, man that's a great looking/feeling gun. I may go that route as well.
 
SimpleMan said:
I looked at a Redhead today when I picked up the Drake, man that's a great looking/feeling gun. I may go that route as well.
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It's going to be about a week before mine is in hand, not sure how I'm going to cope until then, but I'll think of something. I'll be looking forward to comparing notes with you if you do decide to go the Redhead route.
 
The Red Label is going to recoil hard for it was also designed to be a field gun in addition to the type of shells that you were using. 1-1/8 with 3 dram of powder will kick hard, especially in a field gun. To soften the felt recoil in an O/U, you need to increase the overall weight of the gun and use light shells (1 ounce or less, 2-3/4 dram charge @ approx. 1200fps or less). A good butt pad such as Kick-Eeez or Limbsaver also helps. I use RIO 1-ounce target loads @ 1210fps and I can shoot hundreds of these at a time. My arms do get tired after a while for my Crossover Target weighs in at 8.5#'s

The Redhead is a nice gun!!!
 
SimpleMan said:
I did just pick up a Red Label and have not had it out yet, although I did fire four shells from it to test the function. You have to understand, just like I tell my wife, I'm an admitted gun whore. My four trips to Rocky Creek have been with a Versa Max and an 1100. I called them today and they only rent Beretta's. I'd be glad to shoot with you down there sometime. I'm not a competitive shooter either.
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I'm down for whenever.
 
NJSC said:
I'm down for whenever.
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I actually threw some shorts and what not in a bag thinking I'd take the cz out there today after work. Well I got my stuff done over the phone and stopped in there about 45 mins. ago. Guess what, not open on mon. or tues. Friday afternoons or Saturday's are good for me. This sat. I have a kid graduating high school.
 
Absolutely @NJSC ! I've been wanting to go back all week but this dang rain. This weekend looks nice.
 
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