I'm ditching the pump for an auto loader. Not necessarily because of the need for multiple shots but that the auto takes out the bite of the recoil and it feels sturdier in my hands.
Which auto loader do ya'll suggest? Mossberg, Remington, Beretta, or Benelli. Money is no object. I want the best pattern a gun can throw and as little recoil as a 3.5" gun can have.
I too thought the Auto would be less brutal but...I have an 870 SM, 2 835s and a 935 auto. I have no way to measure but I feel the recoil from the 935 as much and more than the others shooting the same loads.
Well, if you want an auto loader that truly reduces recoil, then I would take a good look at the Remington Versa Max. I have not used it for turkey hunting and won't be as I use an 870 Shurshot for that, but I used my Versa Max all season for waterfowl hunting and it is a real joy to shoot. I used mostly 3 inch magnum roads all season and it does what it was designed to do...reduce recoil and spit any shell you feed it right out.
well if recoil is a major part then remove benelli as the interia system reduces it more then a pump it does not reduce it as much as say a beretta or remington gas operated gun.
Beretta Extrema2 if money is no object or Remington VersaMax or Browning Silver would be my opinions.
however removing the recoil part the Benelli SBE2 would be my overall choice. Just personally a fan of the inertia system.
I'd throw a Win SX3 in the mix. The Inv+ throws a mean pattern. I have the SX3 and SX2 and both seem more tame than my pumps, but all of them kick hard with heavy 3.5" loads. I would not suggest a Benelli, to me they seem to kick as hard as a pump.
I would say that my 1187SM with surshot stock tames recoil better than the Browning, Winchester, and Benelli autos I've fired.
Another thing to consider is the stock type. A stock with a pistol or thumbhole type grip seem to reduce felt recoil to me. I feel it has to do with the recoil being absorbed by both your palm and shoulder instead of soley your shoulder.
Recoil pads are also nice, the Sims pad is the best I've found for taming these beast.
I love my Browning gold. Shoots exalent, handles recoil real well, and very reliable. The maxus is nice to, lighter but still handles recoil good.
I got 21" benelli 12 gauge m2 and it is the hardest kicking son of a biscuit eater I've ever shot. Coming out of Winchester NWTF 1300 SS that everybody complains of recoil about it aint got nothing on this little nelli.
But it handles and carries like a dream.
Browning Maxus in bottomland. I have an 835 and will probably never shoot it again because there is that much difference.
:z-guntootsmiley:
If I was buying one right now I would buy a sx3.
I like invector plus guns. And like it better than the silver.
M1 Super 90 or 11-87 SP...
Thanks for all the suggestions so far. I like the Beretta Xtema 2 with Kick Off so far. I'm suprised no one has mentioned the 935. The 935 have shown the best patterns that I have seen so far.
I shoot an Sx3 for waterfowl with a steady diet of 3.5's. The recoil is much more tame than a lot of other autoloaders I have shot . An Sx2 is my turkey gun and I while you feel the thump patterning 3.5 turkey loads its easily manageable. I'm a fan of the Winchester / Browning invector plus bores myself.
My dad shoots a Beretta Xtrema II and I shoot a Benelli SBE 2. Both are great guns. Shoulder both and purchase whatever feels better.
Get the Extrema 2.
I've had the SBE 2 and a few other autos and it's been the most reliable of all of them. It's my favorite shotgun and this is from a man that's has way too many shotguns to choose from...
The 935 shoots awesome patterns with Htl loads and an SSX .670 or carlsons .675 but it doesn't have much less recoil than my 870 SM or 835s
I agree rebelman. Had an 870 sm, the 3 inchers would break your checkbone. Switched to SX3 Waterfowl, its allowed me to shoot 3.5 inchers with less recoil than the pump and 3's. Only auto's for me too.
SX3, Browning Silver, or Browning Maxus. The 11-87 Supermag with Shur-shot stock is nice too shooting 3.5 Hotdogs from Hell also.
I have a SX3. It is very good on recoil. I only shoot 3" shells in it and average 223 hits @40 yards. The gun just feels right in my hands. I got the field grade with MOBUI camo and a 26" barrel.
I am a benelli fan and love both mine, but the super Vinci probably does kick more than some other autos.
SX3.
Remington 1187
Quote from: redleg06 on March 12, 2012, 05:30:16 PM
Get the Extrema 2.
I've had the SBE 2 and a few other autos and it's been the most reliable of all of them. It's my favorite shotgun and this is from a man that's has way too many shotguns to choose from...
x2 the sbe2 is kind of hard to fine the right choke and load for but once you find it its a awesome gun
I have a 935 with the pistol grip and I love the gun. I don't like recoil at all not in trap guns or hunting guns. I find the 935 is a gun that I can shoot the 3 1/2 in and not dread it. I would not shoot the 3 1/2 before because of the recoil in the 835. I think you would like the 935 or a Beretta.
Benelli SBE
People seem to love the SBE but I have yet to see a pattern that will compete with the cheap 835. I don't see either in my future.
I have a 935 and its a great gun. I bought it new in 05 and I've taken alot of good birds with it. Its equipped with a mossberg .695 xfull flush fitting choke. Love it!!
I love the SBE II. Throws a great hunting pattern for me.
Beretta xtreme A400
1187 SM shurshot. Never shot a Benelli. One guy I hunt with has a SBE 1, but he always carries an 870 SM. 3.5" loads are heavy recoiling in the 1187, but not unbearable. Remember shooting at a turkey, you ain't gonna feel it any way. Most guys, myself included will only shoot 10-20 turkey loads an entire season.
I'm looking for a new auto myself, and I think I'm going with the Browning Maxus. It's advertised as the lightest recoil auto. It has the longer forcing cone, backbored barrel, and the model I'm looking at is drilled and tapped for a scope mount.
I can't speak for many guns, being I haven't shot others, but can give a comparision.
I use a 11-87 SM with a shur shot stock, which surprised me when shooting 3.5 Hevi loads, as I didn't notice much difference as compared to shooting 3in. loads out of my old Moss. 500 before?
i have a SBE and Baikal both shot great.
Quote from: reynolds243 on March 12, 2012, 12:20:05 PM
well if recoil is a major part then remove benelli as the interia system reduces it more then a pump it does not reduce it as much as say a beretta or remington gas operated gun.
Beretta Extrema2 if money is no object or Remington VersaMax or Browning Silver would be my opinions.
however removing the recoil part the Benelli SBE2 would be my overall choice. Just personally a fan of the inertia system.
Quote from: Cutt on March 13, 2012, 12:08:31 AM
I can't speak for many guns, being I haven't shot others, but can give a comparision.
I use a 11-87 SM with a shur shot stock, which surprised me when shooting 3.5 Hevi loads, as I didn't notice much difference as compared to shooting 3in. loads out of my old Moss. 500 before?
I have to rephrase this as I shot my 11-87 today with 3.5 Hevi. The 11-87 SM Sure Shot when shooting 3.5's definitely kicks less than my old Mossberg 500 shooting 3in.loads. No Black-N-Blue shoulder like my Mossberg gave me just shooting 3in., big difference, now that I think about it.
BROWNING MAXUS; I picked up a lightly used 3.5 all black stalker model with 28inch barrel off gunbroker early last year. Not a big fan of barrels that long, but it really throws a great pattern. Basically, its very light, low recoil and feels good. Only addition is an IC choke and tru glo rifle sight, Shot 3x last year at varied yards with Win XR=3 dead longbeards. I did a lot of research and shot/handled as many of the upper end autos I could, Beneli/Beretta/SX3/silver and gold browning/ new Rem auto, Maxus was the best IMO.
Quote from: VAarrowslinger on March 12, 2012, 05:31:40 PM
The 935 shoots awesome patterns with Htl loads and an SSX .670 or carlsons .675 but it doesn't have much less recoil than my 870 SM or 835s
I respectfully, wholeheartedly disagree with that statement.
SBE2 is an awesome shooter! Finicky no doubt, but once you find the right combo its crazy good. But that SOB will kick you like a rented mule!!! I love mine to death
The only time the recoil has bothered me with the Sbe ii was when I tried mag blends the other day.
I have had a Browning Gold and liked the 'feel' of the gun, however it was terribly unreliable ... would not feed a 3.5"
I have an xtremma 2 with kick off and it is a joy to burn 3" steel shot (with or without the kick-off)... it shot a decent pattern with a rhino choke and hevi 13
I got a sure grip 870 SM this year ... it kicks