OT: Shotguns

[SyonaraStanz]

What do you recommend for a good dove hunting shotgun? I want a semi auto or O/U. I’m using the same shotgun I’ve had since I was a teenager, so it’s time to upgrade.

 

[aTotal360]

Light loads in a Benelli SBE.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

Benelli Nova

I dove, duck, and pheasant hunt with it and I’ve had the gun for over 20 years and it’s been through hell and back and is still like the day I got it.

 

[msu86]

My favorite topic!!!! 12 or 20 ga? I love the inertia guns but they absolutely kick more than the gas driven. I love my SBE2 in 12 for dove hunting(actually thats the only thing I use a 12 ga for anymore)…for turkey, rabbit and squirrel I use Benelli M2 20 ga. It is the lightest gun Ive ever picked up. My son has the Franchi Affinity 3 in 20 ga and it is the hardest kicking 20 ga Ive ever felt. He loves shooting it, so thats all that matters.
My buddy has the Beretta A400 xtreme and absolutely loves it! Its gas driven and has the lowest felt recoil on the market that I know of.
I think if I ever buy a new one it will be the Beretta. Shotguns are expensive but they are my favorite collectables.

 

[SirBarksalot]

What do you recommend for a good dove hunting shotgun? I want a semi auto or O/U. I’m using the same shotgun I’ve had since I was a teenager, so it’s time to upgrade.

I was literally in the same boat as you 9 months ago.

I finally got sick and tired of my hand me down shotgun, a Winchester 1400, from jamming, etc, while dove hunting. I don’t do any other wing shooting, but I enjoy it. I will get over 10 days in the dove field each year, mostly by my lonesome after opening day.

Anyway, I ended up buying a beretta a300 outlander in the black composite, for $599. Shot sporting clays once (very nice upgrade from the 1400)…dove season coming up obviously.

Id love to have a Benelli Super Black eagle, or a Beretta A400 Extrema but obviously can’t justify the cost.

ed: just read the other replies…glad to see the SBE and Extrema were well thought of. Maybe one day.

 

[Jeffreauxdawg]

I have a Stoeger M3500 semi auto. Bought for goose hunting in West Texas. It's the Toyota to the Benelli SBE2's Lexus. Stoeger is owned by Benelli and uses the same inertia system. Best I have heard is the fit and finish is better on the Benelli.

I shot both before buying, I couldn't to tell much of a difference. The SBE2 was smoother, but for double the price I went Stoeger. Never had an issue, but I only hunted a couple of seasons with it before changing careers and never goose hunting again.

Glad the thread popped up. I should sell that damn thing.

 

[SirBarksalot]

Glad the thread popped up. I should sell that damn thing.

I’ll give you 3 fitty….

BTW,
haven’t looked lately, what’s the Dove shot ammo situation look like these days? I found some 7.5’s light loads online a few months ago and paid too much, but not bad at the time.
Local Cabelas and BP had none since spring. Haven’t looked lately.

 

[msstatelp1]

Beretta A300 or A400 depending on what you want to spend. I've had an AL 391 for years with no problems.

 

[InTheIttaBenaHotSun]

Was in Academy this afternoon and bought the last flat of Estate 8 shot they had...paid $8/box. I think that's up about $2/box from last year. Had college baseball's National Coach of the Year standing behind me in the checkout line. As far as shotguns go, I have a Beretta Silver Pigeon - solid O/U.

 

[AlSwearengen]

If you want the ultimate dove hunting shotgun, Benelli Cordoba. That is what it is made for so it is not an all around versatile gun. You will have to wear ear plugs though bc the ported barrel will make your ears bleed.

 

[idog]

I’m not as experienced as many on here but my favorite shotgun I get to shoot annually when I pheasant hunt in west KS is a Browning A5. My father in law has had a pair for 30-35 years. He has used one very heavily and it’s still kicking. I have an 870 composite turkey model that’ll lay long beards down.

 

[Treemydawg]

My 15 yr old shoots a Benelli Nova, my 14 yr old shoots a Remington 870 wing master. I shoot a ATI o/u. All of these are great for doves, it just comes down to your personal preference. If I had my choice I would shoot the Nova. It is my favorite out of the three.

 

[MStateU]

SBE. Any of them. It’s great. Light, tough, easy to clean. It is a stone cold killer. I shoot everything with it and it is a dragon of death. Doves. Skeet. Ducks. And it will melt turkeys faces.

 

[Uncle Ruckus]

How much you want to spend? Beretta if price isn’t an issue for both o/u and semi.
Stoeger makes some really good guns. I like an o/u. If you need more than two shots you got bigger problems, and it’s just a classic, badass look. Again, Beretta o/u’s are the best. I’ve shot several of the models, although it was a few years back. I own a Stoeger Supreme. It’s not too expensive, about $600. Probably the cheapest long gun I own but it may be my favorite.
Franchi may be the best of both worlds. Not super expensive and are fantastic quality

 

[PapaDawg]

Ducks- 12 Benelli SBE II
Dove- 20 Wingmaster 870
Quail- 20 Wingmaster 870
Clays- 12 Caesar Guerini O/U

 

[paindonthurt_]

Remington 870 turkey is a legit gun.

I’ve also got a Remington 870 auto modified for dove hunting.

 

[Mobile Bay]

They used to be incredible. New made Remington's are absolute crap now.

 

[Water Dawg]

Spend the money it's worth it --- Beretta A400 xtreme

 

[SyonaraStanz]

Thank you for all the suggestions. I forgot to mention I’m a lefty, so that narrows my options down a bit. I’ll probably go between a SBE or A400.

 

[Dawgbite]

A Super Black Eagle is overkill for doves or uplands. A Montefeltro or a M2 are lighter weight and a better option. A Stoeger is a Turkish made copy of a Benelli, you get what you pay for. If you want an Italian gun but on a budget buy a Franchi.

 

[SirBarksalot]

What choke do you guys prefer for Dove?

I’ve only shot IC, since that’s all I ever had. Do you prefer modified? Or use IC early season and go Mod after week 1?

 

[Dawgbite]

What choke do you guys prefer for Dove?

I’ve only shot IC, since that’s all I ever had. Do you prefer modified? Or use IC early season and go Mod after week 1?

Modified unless I know that it's going to be a small field and close ranges.

 

[Uncle Ruckus]

If you’re a lefty id get a o/u. If you want one of the two you said, extrema is the best semi auto ever made. I had a chance to shoot every shotgun from every manufacturer over a couple days on a few different trips. Everyone’s pulls is different, but the extrema shot the best, had the lowest felt recoil, and cycled 2 3/4 to 3 1/2 like it was nothing. My favorite o/u was brownings, but the beretta was excellent too

 

[Slow Natives]

I was in the same predicament last year looking for a good shotgun and settled on the Winchester sx4. Gas operated and so far it’s been a fantastic shooter. My 16 yo has the Franchi and my 14 yo has the A300 Outlander. I like the Outlander the most, then the Winchester.

 

[PirateDawg]

I have the same gun with the 20 and 12 ga. barrels

Was in Academy this afternoon and bought the last flat of Estate 8 shot they had...paid $8/box. I think that's up about $2/box from last year. Had college baseball's National Coach of the Year standing behind me in the checkout line. As far as shotguns go, I have a Beretta Silver Pigeon - solid O/U.

On top of being a superbly balanced gun (most important feature) it is beautiful to look at. I did make a mistake and take the gun with the 20 ga. barrel pheasant hunting in Utah. Since the birds were being flushed about 30 yards away I would have loved to have the 12 ga. for the added range but I didn't pack it.