Looking for a auto that will shoot 2 3/4 cheap trap loads , up to 3 1/2 mags . A friend has a SBE II , and I like it a lot , but it is a little too much money for me right now . I seen a Winchester Super X2 on GunBroker for about $500 less , anyone know anything about them . Do they eject the cheap shell OK . Or does anyone know of another auto that will shoot everything .
2 3/4 - 3 1/2 Auto
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Kingcreek
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My SX2 has worked flawlessly, no issues at all. It is a dedicated waterfowl shotgun but I have shot it at the skeet range just to tune up pre-season and have carried it pheasant hunting when weather was bad (only synthetic stock I own).
Personally, I wouldn't purchase a semi-auto for shooting 3.5" magnum shells unless that was all I ever intended to shoot with the gun, and intended to do that quite often.
I think that for me (and the overwhelming majority of people), if you can't get the job done with a 3" magnum, then you probably won't get it done with a 3.5" magnum either.
The problem is that due to the engineering and design of the gun, there is just too much difference in the characteristics of a 3.5" shell and a 2 3/4" shell. People buy a 3.5" mag and then they get frustrated and angry because the trigger is hard to pull, the gun is heavy and bulky, and it won't usually handle 2 3/4" shells reliably...... and that is what they usually end up using in the gun most of the time anyway.
My suggestion: Buy a 3" magnum autoloader. They will get the job done just as well (in most cases) on waterfowl and will work FAR better with 2 3/4" shells. They are lighter, smoother functioning, and better handling overall than the 3.5" blunderbuss. You'll be happier with the 3" magnum and probably take more game with it because you'll be able to use it more and become a better shooter. Shooting skill trumps brute force every time.
I think that for me (and the overwhelming majority of people), if you can't get the job done with a 3" magnum, then you probably won't get it done with a 3.5" magnum either.
The problem is that due to the engineering and design of the gun, there is just too much difference in the characteristics of a 3.5" shell and a 2 3/4" shell. People buy a 3.5" mag and then they get frustrated and angry because the trigger is hard to pull, the gun is heavy and bulky, and it won't usually handle 2 3/4" shells reliably...... and that is what they usually end up using in the gun most of the time anyway.
My suggestion: Buy a 3" magnum autoloader. They will get the job done just as well (in most cases) on waterfowl and will work FAR better with 2 3/4" shells. They are lighter, smoother functioning, and better handling overall than the 3.5" blunderbuss. You'll be happier with the 3" magnum and probably take more game with it because you'll be able to use it more and become a better shooter. Shooting skill trumps brute force every time.
Agree with Pete.
If the question is: "I need a serious goose gun, but I would like to practice with it at the trap range too with Wally World bulk target ammo. Do any of them really cycle target loads and 3.5" goose loads?" that's one thing.
But if you just want a really versatile gun that will be reliable, well-balanced, and not too damned expensive, and maybe you'll want really heavy loads once a year, get a 3" semiauto and spring for 3" Hevi-Shot or the like on the rare occasion that you need something like that. They'll work fine for anything you want, for a price.
If the question is: "I need a serious goose gun, but I would like to practice with it at the trap range too with Wally World bulk target ammo. Do any of them really cycle target loads and 3.5" goose loads?" that's one thing.
But if you just want a really versatile gun that will be reliable, well-balanced, and not too damned expensive, and maybe you'll want really heavy loads once a year, get a 3" semiauto and spring for 3" Hevi-Shot or the like on the rare occasion that you need something like that. They'll work fine for anything you want, for a price.
ArmedBear & Pete409 : I agree with you , some what . 3 1/2 gunns are not bulky any more . The SBE II and Superma 2 ( not sure about the winchester ) are pretty slim & light gun .
The only reason ( I didn't think I would have to explain myself , sorry ) that I would like a shot gun like this is because I goose hunt in the morrning , useing 3" shells , and coyote hunt in the after noon useing 3 1/2" shells , and it would be a lot easyer to bring one gun instead of two . And I would also like to shoot skeet with the gun I hunt with , seems to make more sence to me .
Almost forgot . Kingcreek , thank you for answering my question .
The only reason ( I didn't think I would have to explain myself , sorry ) that I would like a shot gun like this is because I goose hunt in the morrning , useing 3" shells , and coyote hunt in the after noon useing 3 1/2" shells , and it would be a lot easyer to bring one gun instead of two . And I would also like to shoot skeet with the gun I hunt with , seems to make more sence to me .
Almost forgot . Kingcreek , thank you for answering my question .
Kingcreek
Member
My SX2 is not heavy, not outrageously expensive (I paid $529 new and not at Walmart), and not finnicky about ammo. It handles very well with its 26" barrel. I like the Beretta also, less the Benelli- JMHO.
I haven't used 3.5" since the first season with it but I still have the option.
I haven't used 3.5" since the first season with it but I still have the option.
Kingcreek , You are starting to talk me into it . How finnicky are they with being dirty . My 1100 sucks when it comes to that . One day in the goose blind and you have to take it all apart and clean it or it wont eject . Are they gas operated like the 1100 .
Kingcreek
Member
Mine is a dedicated waterfowl hammer because it has a synthetic stock and because it works even when muddy and dirty. It is gas op same design as the Browning gold and FN. It may not get the same shoot-when-filthy-and-frozen hoots as the Benelli cheerleaders but it has never failed to fire for me.
My hunting partner shoots a Benelli SBE-II and its fine too- he loves it (he should for that kind of $$$). I've shot it but don't care for the different recoil. I spose I could get used to it, if I had to, but my Beretta 390 Sporting that I shoot year-round and my SX2 actually fit and handle almost exactly the same for me. The reciever is a little longer but I like the overall length with the 26" pipe.
I haven't bought any 3.5" shells in years and except for an occaisional swatter, I only shoot hevi shot (buy it by the flat) but if the action is fast and the dog knocks over the shells, I run out, etc, I can grab any 12g shell in the blind and load. I never have to worry if my buddy just handed me a handfull of 3 or a 3.5"
My hunting partner shoots a Benelli SBE-II and its fine too- he loves it (he should for that kind of $$$). I've shot it but don't care for the different recoil. I spose I could get used to it, if I had to, but my Beretta 390 Sporting that I shoot year-round and my SX2 actually fit and handle almost exactly the same for me. The reciever is a little longer but I like the overall length with the 26" pipe.
I haven't bought any 3.5" shells in years and except for an occaisional swatter, I only shoot hevi shot (buy it by the flat) but if the action is fast and the dog knocks over the shells, I run out, etc, I can grab any 12g shell in the blind and load. I never have to worry if my buddy just handed me a handfull of 3 or a 3.5"
45crittergitter
Member
The 3.5" Benellis, being inertia recoil operated, aren't likely to work with light trap loads, though they won't jam. The lightest reliable load will vary with the shooter and technique, but I would assume 1-1/8 oz and up, unless you've personally tested lower.
throdgrain
Member
Dont worry about 3.5" would be my advice, then get a M2 or similar. Works all the time, with everything, no worries.
kentucky_smith
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Ounce works fine.
45crittergitter
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1 ounce works for me also, but when I am backed up against a tree even the old 3.75 dram, 1.25 oz loads cease to work. Caveat emptor.
My take
I shoot a 26"M1 s90 for 100% of my duck hunting and shot pheasant this weekend with it as well. MY gun has never failed to operate ever in the 9 yrs I've owned it. It has been submerged several times and when the spring gummed up a bit and that was that. It never failed at cycling a shell. I've shot Browning golds (owned 3;1100's;1187;'berettas;a5's and a host of others) and I've found the Benelli to be flawless. I have numerous shotguns but it is the gun o matic. Just my .02
I shoot a 26"M1 s90 for 100% of my duck hunting and shot pheasant this weekend with it as well. MY gun has never failed to operate ever in the 9 yrs I've owned it. It has been submerged several times and when the spring gummed up a bit and that was that. It never failed at cycling a shell. I've shot Browning golds (owned 3;1100's;1187;'berettas;a5's and a host of others) and I've found the Benelli to be flawless. I have numerous shotguns but it is the gun o matic. Just my .02
You need to gain about 100 lbs. so the gun moves more when your shoulder is up against a tree. It's kinda hard to gain a lot of fat around your shoulder; that's why you have to gain a LOT of weight.
Now I really DON'T get why someone would get a dedicated turkey gun from Benelli. I saw a guy drooling over one with a pistol grip for $1700. Bear in mind, our limit is one per season last I looked...
Sure, you might try to use your all-around gun for turkey, but an overpriced dedicated gun that doesn't even work right when you're against a tree? I kinda like Benellis and the way they balance and feel. But just for turkey?
plenty of guns for your dilemma
my remington 11-87 will cycle heavy 2 3/4" - anything 3 1/2", i cant really remember the price, im at school and everythings blocked, and they can track ur proxies....
the beretta xtrema 2 is also a good gun but expensive
dont rule out the brownings
also, remington's got a new shotgun, its called like 105CTi, ive never shot it but have heard people say its a good gun
my remington 11-87 will cycle heavy 2 3/4" - anything 3 1/2", i cant really remember the price, im at school and everythings blocked, and they can track ur proxies....
the beretta xtrema 2 is also a good gun but expensive
dont rule out the brownings
also, remington's got a new shotgun, its called like 105CTi, ive never shot it but have heard people say its a good gun
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