Beretta 400 excel

[MidwayMonster54]

I am thinking of getting a Beretta 400 excel. I am going back and fourth between this and a over/under. Any opinions either way?

[ceh383]

It's really a personal preference. For me, I prefer an O/U, I like the balance of the O/U better.
Which ever fits the best AND balances how you like it to is the best.
Nothing wrong with either, if it works for you.

[Revoman]

If it's for any of the clay games, probably on O/U is the best. You may wanna start reloading so chasing empties is no fun.

If for field use, the O/U is still good, but you can get an extra shot in (if needed) as they hold 3 rounds legally anyway.

Problem is you gotta pick up the empties with either one, but absolutely with the semi-auto, which many don't....you don't wanna be a slob do you? Pick up your empties no matter what.

Semi's also lessen felt recoil to a certain extent as the action takes part of the recoil out.

As stated however, the gun has to fit you whether it's an O/U or a semi-auto.

[ysr_racer]

I have friends that have both. They're as different as different can be. It's like asking "should I buy a ford or a chevy".

Shoot them both, than you decide. Both are equally as good on clay targets as they are on birds. In you're in So Cal I'm sure they'll let you try them out.

Me, I shoot a Browning 525 on clays, and an A300 on birds. And really the A300 (at less than 1/2 the price of an A400) is the best deal out there.

Oh yeah, you can shoot those too if you want.

[NATEWA]

I had an excel and traded it for an xplor. I used my father in law's Beretta over and under until I bought my first gun.

If you're doing nothing but clays, I'd get an over and under. If I thought I'd use the gun for hunting, I'd get the excel. I've dropped a lot of ducks, geese, pheasants and doves with that third shot. Trying to break open an over/under is not fun while in a duck blind.

[bigbearbear]

I went with a semi-auto because my clay shooting shotgun is also my primary HD firearm, it becomes a buck/slug launcher after the day at the range.

Part of my HD ammunition load out is the 3 inch magnum 00 buckshot with 15 pellets, its for my worst case situation where I'm facing rioters who wants to burn me out or loot my neighborhood. The softer felt recoil of a semi-auto, along with higher capacity, is why I went with one. I'm pretty sure after I've splattered and shredded a few rioters with the magnum 00 buckshot, the rest will be convinced its not so entertaining targeting me and my neighbors.

If you don't plan to use your shotgun as a HD firearm and it will be strictly for clay shooting, I would say a O/U is better. You don't have to chase and pick up shells (I carry a Mojo pick stick with me when trap shooting for this purpose) and you don't have to worry about the noise from the action activating voice activated bird thrower when shooting trap.

[Rhatical]

Huge difference in felt recoil between the two for me. Now have the A400 Excel and love it! Can shoot 200 rounds and not have any soreness in the shoulder.

[savannah]

I have both and love both. I have a CG Syren O/U and an A400. I use both and shoot them both equally as well. Honestly, it is about recoil. If I am going to shoot a heavy load (I have a problem neck) I will go for the Xcel. If I am using B&P 1160, I love shooting the CG.

The big difference for me is cleaning. CG takes 15 minutes or less for a quick clean. The A400 longer.

[ysr_racer]

Different tools for different jobs. I wouldn't want to take my O/U out into the field, it's too nice. My A300? Hell I've used it as a paddle