Sub $900 semi-auto 12ga help

[Newshooter]

Check out the Beretta A300 outlander, very good feedback (I have the A400 Xtreme, its pricier cousin, great shotgun)

I got a Beretta 3901 a few years ago because I wanted an auto-loader that could shoot 3" shells if I wanted to duck hunt.

+1

I love my Beretta autos

[ILVSMOG]

Lots of good advice and options to consider. Thanks and keep it coming!!

[ruddogg]

I just picked up a Winchester SX3 off GB, DROS'ing it on Thu, I'll let you know how it goes after I take it to the range.

I also picked up a Benelli M1, will compare the 2.

[FLIGHT762]

Check out the Beretta A300 outlander, very good feedback

I own (ed) quite a number of shotguns for over 40 decades. I've been hunting birds with a shotgun since 1965 and I've hunted nearly every bird season since.

I've used and shot nearly all of the popular ones. In autoloaders, I still use Beretta, Benelli and Brownings.

I would stay away from the Remington 1100-11-87. The gas systems are complicated.

In your price range that you specified, if it were me, I would buy the new Beretta A300 Outlander. It's based on a proven, reliable and simple gas system. Uses very available Beretta Mobil chokes. It will give you years of reliable operation.

[ILVSMOG]

I've read a couple reviews stating that some of these 3.5" rated auto loaders have trouble with the lighter loads. Apparently skeet and the bulk Walmart/Big5 Federal and Winchester can have a tough time cycling. Anyone experienced this?

[stevec223]

browning

my browning gold 3 1/2 cycles cheepee rems and feds reliably....win universal will cycle but really dont waste your money---junk....look for used browning gold, 3 or 3 1/2.....browning silver and sx3..... 3 1/2 not really needed for ducks and geese anymore---3 in loads are much better than they used to be.... i want a rem 11-87 20 ga (really want a sx3 but 300 bucks more )...lol...good shoping and shoot them before buying if possible !!!!! cheers...

[moochaka]

I like the 11-87 myself as well

[ILVSMOG]

I don't plan on needing, or using, 3.5" shells, but most of the guns I'm looking at are rated to use them. I just want to make sure I'm not going to have a problem cycling the lighter stuff, which I shoot most of the time. It'd be a real bummer to buy a nice, new gun, then have it not eat anything but expensive, heavy loads.

[2nd Shot]

Where on the spectrum/what purpose do you want it for? Shotgun club showpiece? Beater hunting tool?

I've had excellent luck with the Russian made Baikal MP-153 (Imported by USSG/EAA). Won't win the looks contest, and definitely not light and nimble, but inexpensive, build like a brick outhouse, and pretty much bomb proof. Will cycle anything from 1 oz trap loads up to 3.5" Supermags all day once broken in.

+1 for the classic Remington 11-48 as well as mentioned by CSA. I believe it's based on the A-5 action (long recoil action - barrel moves like a big semi auto pistol) but with the classic Remington round back receiver. Solid steel, old school build quality. It'll eat anything you can shove in the magazine tube - super reliable (2-3/4" only).

[kianatom3]

I bought a beretta A300 great gun for $725 out the door. Unlike the rem 1100 it will shoot a 3" shell.