Looking for a half way descent semi auto shot gun

GOYABEAN

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MilesTeg

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My brother is huge fudd and a life long benelli fan. I do agree with him they are about the best field shotgun. With that said he's started to dable with the franchis and he seems to like them. So I would have to go with his fuddness and choose the franchi. I'll admit I don't know anything about the CZ shotguns.
 
Saltwater60

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That’s just it I don’t want to spend $1,000 or $1,200 on a shotgun I’m going to go bush wacking with because I won’t use it. It will sit in the safe and I’ll maybe use it for turkey or deer. I’d like to use it for small game and grouse hunting most. I won’t want to scratch up or beat up a gun that costs that much. I’d actually like to spend less, but I know anything less is a piece of shit. I won’t shoot thousands of rounds through it so keep that in mind.
 
MilesTeg

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Saltwater60 said:
That’s just it I don’t want to spend $1,000 or $1,200 on a shotgun I’m going to go bush wacking with because I won’t use it. It will sit in the safe and I’ll maybe use it for turkey or deer. I’d like to use it for small game and grouse hunting most. I won’t want to scratch up or beat up a gun that costs that much. I’d actually like to spend less, but I know anything less is a piece of shit. I won’t shoot thousands of rounds through it so keep that in mind.
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My brother beats the hell out his benelli. He's sent it back to them to refinish it twice. I don't remember the price but I remember thinking it was cheap.
 
SmallGameAddict

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That's what a 'field' shotgun is for. I bought my Browning Maxus Hunter to grouse and rabbit hunt with, not to be a safe queen. I paid the money for a nice, lightweight, dependable, quality shotgun with the features I wanted so I could enjoy and use it every season for the rest of my life.
 
Celt

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Used benelli M1 will be around 800-900 ( functionally the same as the M2 but the M2 has new style furniture)

New benelli M2 about 1200

Remington versamax about 1200

These are the best options for ultimate reliability.
 
Bananabandit

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Celt said:
Used benelli M1 will be around 800-900 ( functionally the same as the M2 but the M2 has new style furniture)

New benelli M2 about 1200

Remington versamax about 1200

These are the best options for ultimate reliability.
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As long as you take Remington off the list :D
 
phatfarmerbob

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I just got a franchi affinity it’s Nice, had a stoger for a bunch of years and it was fine. I do like the franchi better. I also couldn’t justify a “Big Nelly” super black eagle. I just don’t shotgun hunt enough.
 
Saltwater60

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I
SmallGameAddict said:
That's what a 'field' shotgun is for. I bought my Browning Maxus Hunter to grouse and rabbit hunt with, not to be a safe queen. I paid the money for a nice, lightweight, dependable, quality shotgun with the features I wanted so I could enjoy and use it every season for the rest of my life.
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I understand what a field gun is, but I guess $1300 for a shot gun is more to me than you. I could not beat up a $1300 gun. Also it could be you likely use it more than me. I will use it about 10 times per year max. I don’t get out hunting as much as I’d like to. I’m trying to make it a priority, but seems to not happen as much as I’d like to. I will soon have a lot more vacation time so I will likely get out more over then next few years.
 
phatfarmerbob

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I got the 2-3/4 -3” affinity rather than the 3-31/2 cause I have so many 2-3/4 shells for skeet shooting. And I don’t hunt turkey. Caught some flack for that decision but don’t regret it.
 
GuyMontag

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Saltwater60, I'd look for a Benelli Ultra Light, there's no finer field gun IMO for the money, and can had for around $1000-$1100. It's a fair chunk of change, but well worth it IMO. Buy once cry once has never been more true, sometimes you do get what you pay for.
 
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Saltwater60 said:
That’s just it I don’t want to spend $1,000 or $1,200 on a shotgun I’m going to go bush wacking with because I won’t use it. It will sit in the safe and I’ll maybe use it for turkey or deer. I’d like to use it for small game and grouse hunting most. I won’t want to scratch up or beat up a gun that costs that much. I’d actually like to spend less, but I know anything less is a piece of shit. I won’t shoot thousands of rounds through it so keep that in mind.
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I like the Franchi a little more than the CZ. But both are nice. Handle both and see which one fits you.

I had the same thoughts when I recently picked up my new semi-auto...
I don't like to bang around an expense shotgun when I'm in the field (been there/done that.)
I've been hunting in the rain and snow where water was dripping off of the gun and snow on it on other hunts. Each time, I had to take it down to clean it & dry it off. I would hate to see the gun get pitted or rust spots. I have friends that shoot the hells out of their guns & toss it in the closet after an outing. I guess I have ODC..

I brought a Stoeger M3000 12ga in Max5 as my beater. it uses the benelli action. And I got a great deal on it. This is my upland hunting shotgun( tool). I don't worry about it getting scratched or falling on the ground when it slips off the tree that it was leaning against. (kinda like my glock... I won't take my 1911s on hunts- too heavy & nice.)

Yes, $1.5k - $3k shotguns are very nice & function very well. And they're meant to be used/shot. I'm still on the look out for a nice Benelli (w/beautiful wood), but it will only be for a nice day hunt (B/c I have ODC. lol )
There's lots of good suggestions.
Everyone has their preference. Choose what fits your needs.
 
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SmallGameAddict

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Saltwater60 said:
I

I understand what a field gun is, but I guess $1300 for a shot gun is more to me than you. I could not beat up a $1300 gun. Also it could be you likely use it more than me. I will use it about 10 times per year max. I don’t get out hunting as much as I’d like to. I’m trying to make it a priority, but seems to not happen as much as I’d like to. I will soon have a lot more vacation time so I will likely get out more over then next few years.
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I certainly was not trying to insult. I saved for that shotgun, and kept saving until I got what I wanted, which was the best gas-operated shotgun in my opinion. I put my money down for what I wanted, as will you. I use it, not abuse it. I bought it to use. Every scratch and dent is a 'battle scar', reminds me of a great hunt or a particularly tough shot, or on the very rare days I actually limit out on grouse.
 
Eddie Gunks

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SmallGameAddict said:
I certainly was not trying to insult. I saved for that shotgun, and kept saving until I got what I wanted, which was the best gas-operated shotgun in my opinion. I put my money down for what I wanted, as will you. I use it, not abuse it. I bought it to use. Every scratch and dent is a 'battle scar', reminds me of a great hunt or a particularly tough shot, or on the very rare days I actually limit out on grouse.
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Ha ha ha. Don't worry about it. I would say that is about average for a good working semi auto shotgun.

And then there are o/u that start at $35,000 be for fitting..... some are like $100,000!

I even got to use a shotgun for sporting clays that was $45,000.....i was not very comfortable playing with it to say the least.
 
Saltwater60

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SmallGameAddict said:
I certainly was not trying to insult. I saved for that shotgun, and kept saving until I got what I wanted, which was the best gas-operated shotgun in my opinion. I put my money down for what I wanted, as will you. I use it, not abuse it. I bought it to use. Every scratch and dent is a 'battle scar', reminds me of a great hunt or a particularly tough shot, or on the very rare days I actually limit out on grouse.
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I got you. After reading my post it might have sounded like I was kind of jerky to you too. I was not trying to be rude back either. Everybody does things different and I know myself I just don’t think I’ll use a $1,300 gun if the weather is bad at all and I’ll shy away from those brushy areas where I need to go so I do t scratch it up.
 
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