shotgun recomendation

[Arrowthreat]

Beretta A350.

Don't waste your money on an A400. It's the exact same gun except for the stocks. My buddy that I primarily duck hunt with has two A400's, and I can tell you it's not worth the extra 600 bucks in my opinion.

I've shot almost all the Benelli's, and in my experience duck hunting, the Beretta's seem to function a lot better. The Bennelli's are lighter and feel better in hand compared to my Beretta. However, every single model I've hunted with jams a lot. I've hunted with the super sport, M2, the vinci, the SBE II, and the good ole Nova's. I know some people will debate me on this, but this has been my experience. I want to like them, but they're too picky for me, especially with cheap dove loads. My Beretta A350 will literally shoot any load. It cycles the 3 1/2 as good as the cheapest 2 3/4 dove loads. I've cleaned it once in 3 years.

I have another buddy who has a versa max, reliable, but I prefer that A350.


My 2 cents.

[Fmjag64]

Beretta A350.

Don't waste your money on an A400. It's the exact same gun except for the stocks. My buddy that I primarily duck hunt with has two A400's, and I can tell you it's not worth the extra 600 bucks in my opinion.

I've shot almost all the Benelli's, and in my experience duck hunting, the Beretta's seem to function a lot better. The Bennelli's are lighter and feel better in hand compared to my Beretta. However, every single model I've hunted with jams a lot. I've hunted with the super sport, M2, the vinci, the SBE II, and the good ole Nova's. I know some people will debate me on this, but this has been my experience. I want to like them, but they're too picky for me, especially with cheap dove loads. My Beretta A350 will literally shoot any load. It cycles the 3 1/2 as good as the cheapest 2 3/4 dove loads. I've cleaned it once in 3 years.

I have another buddy who has a versa max, reliable, but I prefer that A350.


My 2 cents.

Main differences are going to be the Aqua coating on outside and inside of gun that protects from water/rust, Kickoff system to lessen recoil and i think the A350 doesn't come with all the various chokes. That said, I've shot the A350 several times and they're great. BUT for list price of $999 for the A350, why not just spend an extra $300 or so and get the A400? That was my thought process.

[Roman AB]

And well within his budget

my budget really isnt 1600.00 bucks. id like to keep it at 1000.00.

[Fmjag64]

my budget really isnt 1600.00 bucks. Id like to keep it at 1000.00.

a350

[SmTx]

my budget really isnt 1600.00 bucks. id like to keep it at 1000.00.

I just saw the $1200 part of your post. If you don't have to have new you can get a nice shotgun used for that or less

[bignick612]

If you want to save a little bit, take a look at the Franchi Affinity 3.5. They're made by Benelli in the same factory using Benelli's inertia driven system. I have thousands of rounds through mine without a single issue using 2 3/4" 1 oz loads to heavy waterfowl loads. It also fits me extremely well which is worth a lot in the world of shotguns.

I agree with this. I love my affinity.

[Arrowthreat]

Main differences are going to be the Aqua coating on outside and inside of gun that protects from water/rust, Kickoff system to lessen recoil and i think the A350 doesn't come with all the various chokes. That said, I've shot the A350 several times and they're great. BUT for list price of $999 for the A350, why not just spend an extra $300 or so and get the A400? That was my thought process.

That's true about the coating.. If you paid 1400 for a camo a400 I'd like to know where. I've never seen one under 1600. I got my a350 on a black friday deal. I think I paid 900. The a400 next to it was still 1600.

[mzurovec]

Lot of good choices out there but I've had the best luck with Beretta. Hold their value well and it seems like most people hold on to theirs for a long time.

Good luck!

[duckboy007]

If you want to save a little bit, take a look at the Franchi Affinity 3.5. They're made by Benelli in the same factory using Benelli's inertia driven system. I have thousands of rounds through mine without a single issue using 2 3/4" 1 oz loads to heavy waterfowl loads. It also fits me extremely well which is worth a lot in the world of shotguns.

1000%. I grab my franchi over my SBE 2 alot more often than I should. They really have a fine piece of machinery there.

Theres a high faluting custom shop-type edition coming out that I would be all over if I was in your shoes. https://www.franchiusa.com/affinity-elite-shotguns

I bet it'll hit the shelves at just over $1000.

[El General]

Learn how to call and keep shooting your wingmaster.

Beretta 390/391/3901/A300/A350/A400
Winchester SX3/SX4

I like gas guns, but Benelli and Franchi make good inertia guns. Weatherby has a new auto out that is an inertia gun, I think.

I'd buy used.

[RR 314]

Look at the Chiapas triple crowns. They make a camo one as well. Triple barrels and no plug worries. Haaa. I bought a couple as a novelty and actually really like them. In fact, I left the nice guns in the safe last dove season and shot one exclusively :-) The game warden got a kick out of it when we were checked. I told him I didn't have a plug but only loaded three. :-)

[jdg13]

I'm partial to Beretta autos, I bought an A300 last year, which hunted hard has been as if not more reliable than my old Benelli M1. If you like the versamax, they make a sportsman model that is black, less fancy stock, not as many chokes, but the same internals, for $800. That or the A350 are both nice for under a grand.

If it comes down to cost, you don't "need" a 3.5 inch gun. If you or anyone else wants one, no judgement here, but if they are too high for 2 3/4" they are probably too high for 3.5". I wouldn't rule out a 3" like a v3, A300, etc if it feels good and the price is right. Handle as many as possible, find which one feels good, and go from there. Have fun with your purchase

[duckboy007]

If it comes down to cost, you don't "need" a 3.5 inch gun. If you or anyone else wants one, no judgement here, but if they are too high for 2 3/4" they are probably too high for 3.5".

Totally agree. I goose hunt with 3 inch #2's all season. No need for the longer shells.

[Capt Glenn]

I have owned a bunch of 3.5" guns and don't buy them anymore. There is no real benefit and I had more reliability problems with my 3.5" guns than I have with 3" guns. I've primarily shot Beretta, Benelli, Browning and Winchester shotguns. The 3" guns have been more dependable and less fickle. I don't think 3.5" shells are a real benefit anyway. You can bump yourself up to a nicer gun for the same money if you buy a 3".

[trophy8]

A400 extreme is what I have. Hard to go wrong there.