New gun choices

[AveryPC]

I made another post about buying a new choke tube for my Remington 870, well I have decided to scratch that plan and go for an all-new gun. However, I am having a hard time choosing. I went to Bass Pro set on getting a Benelli M2 20 gauge yesterday and they only had one with a 24-inch barrel. I held it and it felt really good and decided I might as well hold the 12 even though I came in for a 20. Well, it felt even better and now I do not know what to do. The few apprehensions that I have are that I already have a 12 gauge and the M2 does not shoot 3 1/2....not that I have ever needed 3 1/2 it just seems to me that if I were to get another 12 gauge that would be one of the reasons to upgrade. So, from people that have M2s in both 12 and 20 what do you think I should do? I really like the way the Benelli shoulders I just do not know if I can justify the extra money for the SBE for 3 1/2 that I may use once a year in late goose season. Also 26- or 28-inch barrel? The 12 I shouldered was a 26-inch barrel and felt extremely "snappy", but I have only ever shot 28-inch barrels so that makes me cautious. I think anything I tried yesterday I will be happy with I just want to get the right one since it is quite a large purchase.

 

[RUGER]

Worst thing you can do to a 12 gauge shotgun is to shoot 3 1/2" shells in it.

 

[poorhunter]

While it may not be the worst thing as Ruger said, I would not get the 3 1/2" version. Way too many quality shells today that make them unnecessary. Personally I would stick with a 20 ga since you have a 12 already.

 

[MickThompson]

I hunt ducks with a 20 some, but only in tight spots or when I expect to small game hunt on the back end and don't want to fool with 2 guns. It wouldn't be my first choice for waterfowling. That would be a 3", 12 gauge semi auto with a 26"-28" barrel.

 

[AveryPC]

Worst thing you can do to a 12 gauge shotgun is to shoot 3 1/2" shells in it.

Why so?

 

[RUGER]

Why so?

The components the guns are made of just simply will not hold up to the pressure and forces the 3 1/2" shell put out.
From a longevity standpoint you are much better off buying a 10 gauge.

I personally know a gunsmith and he has a rack FULL of waterfowl guns to work on.
He said they tear them up faster than I can fix them.

 

[Redfox]

I would buy a 3 1/2 inch gun even if I didn't plan on shooting them. If you ever get in a pinch you can shoot whatever is available, and they move easier when you decide to sell. I see no need in a 20ga for waterfowl but that's just my opinion.

 

[TNJones4530]

20 Gauge Retay.. love mine. Even though it wasn't an option of yours

 

[Remington700]

I have a Super Black Eagle that I hunted with for years. I have switched to a 20 gauge now and haven't looked back. I did not want to spend the money on an M2, so I got a Franchi Affinity 3. I love it and would recommend it to anyone.

 

[AveryPC]

For the guys shooting 20 gauges, is it hard to find shells for it? Do you use steel or some alternative?

 

[webfeet7]

I have a SBE 2 and it's a great gun that's been everywhere from Canada to sea duck hunting. With that being said, I can count on one hand how many 3 1/2 inch shells I've shot out of it. Get the M2 12 gauge and don't look back

 

[TNJones4530]

For the guys shooting 20 gauges, is it hard to find shells for it? Do you use steel or some alternative?

I go with Boss (copper plated bismuth) and availability is high.. not sure about steel and other rounds.

 

[Cache]

I have the M2 in both a 20 and 12 gauge. Both have 26inch barrels. Love them both but the 12 gets used more due to where I hunt. No need for 3.5 inch and that's coming from someone that was raised shooting nothing but.

Do yourself a favor and look around online for what you want. Chances are you can find EXACTLY what you want for cheaper.

 

[Cache]

I go with Boss (copper plated bismuth) and availability is high.. not sure about steel and other rounds.

X2. Expensive but worth it.

 

[Levee Jumper]

Ive got a 20 gauge M2 with a 28" barrel and love it. Haven't shot a 12 gauge all year. If you have any desires to reload and shoot top of the line shells I would go with the 20. If you are solely going to shoot steel I would go with a 12. Whatever you do, don't get a short barrel on whatever you do buy…. Soley for everyone you hunt beside in the future.

 

[AveryPC]

Ive got a 20 gauge M2 with a 28" barrel and love it. Haven't shot a 12 gauge all year. If you have any desires to reload and shoot top of the line shells I would go with the 20. If you are solely going to shoot steel I would go with a 12. Whatever you do, don't get a short barrel on whatever you do buy…. Soley for everyone you hunt beside in the future.

What do you consider short barrel, 24 and under? I hunt with a few people that hunt with 26 inch barrels and do not bust my ears. Right now my 870 has a 28 inch barrel but a pretty long choke so it's more like 30. It's nice if I can get the gun shouldered and swing through but after my first shot I have a hard time getting on a second bird. I was hoping a shorter barrel might help.

 

[Levee Jumper]

IMO 24" is too short to hunt out of a blind/pit with. I'm a fan of 28" or even 30".

 

[CritterGitter]

I was wanting a sbe3 , But then i got to reading about the poi issues and said the heck with that. Took my dads advice and got a 12 gauge 26" black M2 and i absolutely love it. It hits where I aim too. As far as a 20 or 12 goes thats a hard decision. I love my 12 but i see a matching 20 in my future

 

[Kyboy]

If it was me personally, I would buy the 20 gauge. I own 6 benellis ranging from the old H&K to new sbeiii and my m2 20 gets grabbed 99% time out of the safe. Go with boss shells and get number 4s 3in and it will kill any waterfowl within 40 yards.

 

[Displaced_Vol]

All good choices. Go with the one that fits you best and you can find ammo to make it a viable choice for anything that walks or flies.

 

[West_Tn]

It would come down to where I hunt the majority of the time. Small timber hole, I'd get the 20ga. Fields or the river I'd get the 12. Me personally would go ahead and get the 3.5" gun if you liked it even just a little more than the other. You may never shoot a 3.5" shell, but the option is there if you ever want to.

 

[thirdwilliam]

I shoot a 12 ga m2 and it does me well. I also have a nova as a back up and it shoots 3 1/2 shells. I have never shot a 3 1/2. I bought my grandson a 20 ga m2 and its a killer. so I would recommend either

 

[JBell]

Do not buy the sbe3. Buy a 2 if you want to go that route. I had a 3 for 3 years attempting to learn how to shoot it. Went back to beretta/browning and was right back to hitting like normal. I buy guns that can handle 3.5's but hardly ever shoot them. Will for turkeys. The new maxxus 2 is nice

 

[Gravey]

I have a SBE2 with a 28" barrel and love it. Really wanted a 26" but glad the deal I found was 28". I've never fired a 3 1/2" shell through it…only 2 3/4" for doves and 3" for ducks a couple of times.

 

[NumberOne]

 

[AveryPC]

It would come down to where I hunt the majority of the time. Small timber hole, I'd get the 20ga. Fields or the river I'd get the 12. Me personally would go ahead and get the 3.5" gun if you liked it even just a little more than the other. You may never shoot a 3.5" shell, but the option is there if you ever want to.

I hunt Old Hickory mostly so big water and lots of passing shots, I should have mentioned this.

 

[TNGunsmoke]

I hunt Old Hickory mostly so big water and lots of passing shots, I should have mentioned this.

I'd get the 12 in this case. And I'd also go on and get the 3.5 inch chamber, just in case that is the only size shells you can come up with when you need to buy some.

 

[Red-Team-98]

That Dual Piston Bennelli in my M4 is the smoothest shooting 12Ga I have ever shot. From Field loads to Breneke Orginal Slugs it never stops.

 

[AveryPC]

I think I've decided to go with the 12 and get a 20 later on down the road. I don't think I can justify the extra money to go to the SBE3 from the M2 for 3 1/2 inch shells alone. Espically since there seems to be so many outstanding issues with it shooting high and failing to feed. However, for around the same price as the M2 I can get the Franchi Affinty Elite that will shoot 3.5. Does anyone have expierence with this gun?

 

[GOODWIN]

Get a 3" 12ga. 20ga shells too high. My opinion and I've got a 20 I shoot on occasion