New Gun

[dforsyth]

thinking of getting a new shotgun,just wondering yalls thoughts on best types and barrell lengths(thinking of 26 inch barrell and installing a pattern master choke or do i need a 28 inch which would be the best all around)need yalls help.

[Max4Gooser]

I use 26" barrels on all my waterfowl shotguns (I have 3). The 26" barrel has all of the ballsitics as a 28" aqnd swings very well for me. And overall length is nice especially since 3.5" guns have the usually have a longer reciever making the 28"barreled guns huge.

I like pumps, for duck and goose hunting myself, I seem to find myself in a lot of mud and muck, and don't want to subject an autoloader to that, plus pumps are still more reliable than even the best autoloaders.

I have or had shotguns by almost every manufacturer, and most of them make a decent pump gun, you will be fine with a Remington or Mossberg, winchester 's 1300 is alright but only comes in 2.75 and 3", and I hear is being discontinued. Currently I Stick with the "B's " in Shotguns. I have two Benelli Nova's and love them, they are in my opinion the best pump gun available for the money. I also have a Browning BPS 10 gauge and it too is awsome.

As far as aftermarket chokes go I have settled on PM's they seem to work and they have quite a following here.

If you want an autoloader, I suggest the "B's" again. Benelli SBEII, Browning Gold, Bereta Extrema II, and the Winchester SX2 (built by Browning), haveb't heard anything about the Browning Silver or Winchester SX3 yet, but they may be good choices as well.

Good luck deciding.

[SMOKE]

26s are the way to go in my opinion. I have a wingmaster with a 26 inch barrel and an 1100 with a 28 on it. I love shootin that wingmaster with the 26 inch barrel. they are so much easier to swing then the 28s or 30s. the only downfall to a 26 is some of them tend to cause ringin of the ears :D .

[mlgorecki]

Semi-autos:

I have the Beretta Extrema 2, 26" barrel, and love it. On the European end, you can't go wrong with any of the three "B"s: Beretta, Benelli or Browning. The Beretta Extrema 2 and the Benelli SBEII are definitely the lightest; both weighing in at a little over 7 pounds. Weight is a factor if you plan to do any upland hunting.

There are a lot of sem-auto nay-sayers out there who feel they're not as reliable as pumps. As long as you keep them lubed up they will not malfunction. If seen a lot of people short-stroke pumps into a malfunction.

[mndiverwacker]

i like 28 barrels they swing smoother for me and the 26 dosent feel right.

[dforsyth]

Thanks for all yalls help!

[Killer Miller]

I have always shot a guns with 26'' barrels(SBE). 28'' barrels will help you not stop your swing so easily, which some people have a problem with.

[CJSDuck]

I hate pushing certain products over others on forums because I am a firm believer that you should go with what works for you but I also have a Benelli Nova with a 28" barrel. My brother shoots a Remington 870 Super Mag and my Pops shoots a Mossberg 835 Ulti Mag. We shot them all new this year and my Nova was the only gun that never had any problems, regardless of the weather conditions or what brand of shell I was pushing through it. My brother's 870 would not shoot Remington shells (go figure) to save it's life. Not quite sure why but needless to say I am very happy with every aspect of the Nova. The 28" barrel is great for a bigger guy like me and plus you cant beat the price.

[Scott Curtsinger]

Shoulder as many models as you can, then make a choice. It basically boils down to what is in your price range, and fits you the best. For me, the Beretta Xtrema with a Wad Wizard Swat tube does a real nice job.