Semiauto Shotgun Question

JRHunt0610

JRHunt0610

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Looking for the best semi auto shotgun I can get in the 800-1200 range. I want an all around gun that can be used for clays, dove hunting, turkey hunting and deer hunting occasionally. Right now I’m really considering the Beretta A300 or Winchester SX4 and am curious of opinions. Both feel good to me.

I would really love an A400 or Browning Maxus but not sure I can justify the price.

Thoughts?
 
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A300 slightly edges out the SX4 for me unless people still occasionally have problems with them, but both are excellent for that price range.
Weatherby makes a good shotgun at the bottom end of that cost range (Element) and I would feel comfortable investing in one.
If you intend to do any hunting that involves salt water, spray or that marsh mud, I'd go ahead and get the nicer coatings/quality that comes with A400 or maxus (it's my favorite of the bunch listed). I do know of plenty down your way that duck hunt with an SX4 with no problems so I'd feel comfortable there as well.
 
Desron23 said:
A300 slightly edges out the SX4 for me unless people still occasionally have problems with them, but both are excellent for that price range.
Weatherby makes a good shotgun at the bottom end of that cost range (Element) and I would feel comfortable investing in one.
If you intend to do any hunting that involves salt water, spray or that marsh mud, I'd go ahead and get the nicer coatings/quality that comes with A400 or maxus (it's my favorite of the bunch listed). I do know of plenty down your way that duck hunt with an SX4 with no problems so I'd feel comfortable there as well.
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Awesome thanks for the insight, I hadn’t even considered the Weatherby. I have seen them online but never held one. I was unsure of their reputation when it came to shotguns.
 
You need to go somewhere and shoulder them, some naturally point and fit better than others. I was looking for a gun to do the same as you a few years ago and unfortunately for my wallet the Benelli SBE3 felt heads and shoulders above anything else. I had to wait a little longer to save some more but in my opinion it was worth it and I've not regretted it once. Get what feels good to you and not what feels good to someone else.
 
JRHunt0610 said:
Awesome thanks for the insight, I hadn’t even considered the Weatherby. I have seen them online but never held one. I was unsure of their reputation when it came to shotguns.
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Sure thing. I'd definitely throw the Benelli in there too like @AverageDad included but it sounded like an all gas gun lineup from you.
I normally stay away from weatherby in general, I just liked that shotgun in particular. I didnt shoot the one I sold on here, but got the opportunity to shoot one after It got gone.
 
chocolate lab84 said:
Have you considered a used Beretta? They can be found in that upper price range. Just last week I saw several Xtremas for sale on GunBroker I believe.
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I truly believe the worst shotgun mistake I will ever make was selling the Beretta A303 12 ga I purchased new in 1990.

Cycled like silk, probably the finest wood stock, fit and finish as I'll see on a field model gun.........I'll never understand what i was thinking.

And the A390 cycles just as well.
 
My suggestion is go with the Beretta a300. However, like mentioned upstream, if you can find a good used Extrema grab it.
 
I’ve had great luck with Beretta 390, 391, and 300. You can use the shims to get a perfect fit and (for me at least), they go bang every time. In this case I don’t think spending more really gets you anything functional
 
I've always had good luck with Beretta shotguns. I've owned 303, 390 and 391, and now have an A400. The A300 should serve your needs well for what you want. Most Berettas come with shims to adjust drop and cast of their stocks, which makes gun fit a little easier to adjust than on many other shotguns. A400, Maxus and Benellis are also good options, but not necessarily in your price range. However, if you are patient you could probably find a used A400 in the $1,200 range, and maybe a used Maxus or Benelli Super Sport.

For confirmation, if you go to registered sporting clays shoots and survey the semi-auto shotguns being used, Beretta would be about 80% or more. That would be heavy on A400, but the A300 should have similar characteristics.
 
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