In the market for a new duck/dove semi-auto. What say ALdeer?

I just got a Weatherby element and I like it. I have a benelli montefeltro that I have shot the past 10 years or so and it is highly comparable to the element. I have only shot it two days in the dove field but it has been flawless so far.

Beretta a300/400 would be my top choices. Benelli would be second. Heard many good things about the weatherby and Franchi.

Browning silver hard to beat for the price.

A new shotgun is always a good idea. Pick up and shoot as many different makes and models as you can. Wingshooting is done best with a shotgun that fits you.

Truth

I have bought and shot a Benelli and a Franchi, hunted with both, and also hunted with a Browning A5.....

I just purchased a new Browning A5.

Retay or benelli all the way can’t go wrong with either

Retay or Benelli if you're going full bore duck hunting. Inertia operated will be more durable and dependable.

If you're the one or two hunts a season as I've gotten to be lately, not to my liking I might add, then the Beretta A300 is a fine operating gas gun that shoots well for the money. In my opinion.

Benelli SBE3. Pick up a 20ga model while you’re looking, they’re very nice guns.

Beretta A300 is the best value.
Beretta A400 is the best gun.

Definitely inertia over gas. Benelli or Browning A5. I have a 90s A5 that never fails me and a Gold Hunter gas that’s garbage. I’ll never recommend a gas shotgun again to anyone

Probably should look at Benelli SBE and the M2. My next semi will probably be a Benelli M2 as cheaper than SBE which seems mostly for waterfowl

I’d take a look at this new Weatherby Sorix. Made in Italy like Benelli unlike Turkish Element. This is the other one I will consider because it’s inertia

https://weatherby.com/sorix/

Everyone is different but I prefer a gas operated shotgun, specifically a Beretta.. With most of them all you have to do is keep them clean and they cycle just fine. Plus, they have a smooth and lighter recoil compared to a recoil or inertia driven action.

I prefer them as well.

I have 2 of the new m2 in bottomland 1 in 20ga,and 1 in 12ga.
Love both. Bought 20ga for my daughter and have shot it more than 12ga.

True. It all comes down to personal preference. I honestly couldn’t tell the difference in recoil in my gas operated Gold Hunter versus recoil A5. Recoil in a 12 gauge doesn’t bother me. I liked the Gold Hunter but it broke where I never had a problem with the A5. Browning doesn’t make them anymore and several of their subsequent gas operated models had issues. Now I’ll have to get it up to Gundoc to try to get fixed from a gunsmith I trust meaning a long drive. That’s why my future semi automatic will be a Benelli M2 or SBE or a Weatherby Sorix. I heard bad reviews of Beretta 300 but good for 400. Almost bought 300 but passed. But like others say it’s personal choice

I’m partial to the new A5s. I always like SBEs until they raised the vent rib.

My shoulder is starting to think about gas guns. Getting older sucks. Recoil is starting to take its toll. Then again I’m playing with the idea of an O/U 20 gauge for both. With bismuth being the equalizer

I did shoot a Browning Silver 3.5 and loved the gun. It was wood and silver receiver is not great in the duck hole as far as camouflage

Weatherby element 20 ga…I’ve got 2. They feel amazing and I got them for $500

To me the recoil and inertia guns are way snappier on the recoil. It's not terrible but just different. The gas guns seem like they have a more gradual push to me. I have a SBE 2 and love it, but there is a difference between it and a the Beretta 390's recoil.

For the value a Beretta A300 is hard to beat.

I almost bought another one a couple weeks ago. They had them for $549 at Dunn's. I told my buddy and he met me there but left with a 3.5 SX4 for $699 instead.

I don't blame him.

Benelli SBE3 in bottomland. M2 is a great option too.

I love the new a5 but it doesn’t fit me at all. I would go and shoulder a bunch and see which one fits you naturally. Gas or inertia doesn’t matter if you can’t shoot it. Also with today’s loads now days I’d seriously consider a 20. If you can shoot well it’s all you need and more pleasurable after a long day from a weight and recoil standpoint. My boys both shoot 20s and kill csnvasbacks at 30-40 yards and have killed several geese. In my opinion those are about the 2 hardest critters to knock down with a shotgun and the 20 wil do it all day with proper shooting.

I agree 100% I also shoot a 20 for most anything. I will say having to buy bismuth to get that performance kinda takes the fun out a little. Buying 45$+ per box while seeing the 12 gauge for 25-35$ range.

Buy the H&K Benelli in the classifieds

There is an H&K SBE 1 in the classifieds. Probably the most proven duck gun besides the 870. Back in the day, that and the Beretta AL390 were the only non-jamming guns in my duck camp. Shooting cases of steel shot every year took the 870 out of the equation.

I have an SBE 1 and SBE2. Just getting the itch for something new. Thanks for all suggestions!

The SBE's fit me really well. I am shooting a Retay currently as it fits me too. I can also shoot my son's Beretta 300 well.

If you like the SBE, I would at least pick up those shotguns.

For new semi autos: I've never been able to hit with a Browning as they just don't fit me, wish they did as they are great guns. I've shot thousands of rounds thru Benellis at doves and not a big fan of them, not sure why, just don't like them. I like the Beretta's for new guns. They fit me well, although if you are switching between semi autos, the loading/unloading of the Beretta is odd...

I've been waiting for the new A5 in 20 gauge for a while. Release keeps getting delayed. One source now says late 2024 or Spring 2025.

I wish they would hurry up. Because ill be getting one for me and a couple for the kids as well

Lov my sbe2

One day want sbe3 in 20 or try an m2

TDog find an older M2 20. It's a lot better gun than the current versions of the m2 and sbe3 in 20. Those original M2 20's are as solid as it gets. It's my go to for every thing I hunt that has feathers. I never carry a 12ga anymore

I had a older m2 12ga loved it.
I now have a 12&20 in the new m2 and love them. I like New model better.

Picked up a sbe3 28ga Saturday and it felt good. Really good!

That 28 is some bad medicine!

I need more BBs than that 😂

I will say you can tell a difference, keeps you honest for throwing those Hail Mary shots.

Just ordered a benelli M2 optifade timber camo. Researched the semi auto's heavily and for all purpose shooting the M2 was my choice.

I wish they would bring back the 16 gauge. I’d have one of those in a heartbeat.

Still ain’t pulled the trigger in one yet. Been way busy with work, life, and trying to get ready for gun season.

They had this one at a store in tuscaloosa until.......

I just can’t get used to that honey comb camo.

That techno camo works really good. I guess I’m old school as well and think it’s suppose to look like what you’re hiding in. In reality it’s all about shading and contrasting

I guess I’m a traditionalist and don’t care for camo on guns. Wood and blue or all black for me.

Have a M2 and love it!

I don’t mind camo but the digi stuff is hard to look at in my opinion. I’m sure it is very effective though. I definitely don’t knock it or anyone that has it. It’s just not my favorite. I’ll take wood and blued any day of the week. But I do prefer camo over just a black gun.

For duck hunting I want to camo and the new camo works well. I’ll take it for dove too and then upland I want traditional wood and blue that is well worn.

Black stands out bigly so I’m not fond of those at all

I have never been into gun camo. My choice would be walnut with the Matt finish. But, my beater gun is all black. I've been looking at a new browning silver 3.5 inch and looks like my choices will be camo because the walnut only comes in the glossier finishes.

I always get a little tickled when someone gets worked up about camo on a gun. Our forefathers wiped out the duck & turkey population wearing brown duck coveralls & blued/wood guns. Be still & you will kill ducks. Move and ducks flare.

And use the shadows.