I'm about to purchase a dedicated 12 for crow hunting. I really like the way the Weatherby's SA-08 feel and considering one in a 28" barrel. Any suggestions on gun/barrel length?
Can't go wrong with a Browning Maxus. Had mine for 4 years (gift from my dad) and I absolutely love it. Handles 2-3/4 all the way up to 3-1/2 flawlessly, and with little noticeable recoil (kicks like a 20 ga on light loads). The Auto loading function is great and expedites reload times, but the gun is slightly more expensive then the SA-08 and is more of a duck gun in my opinion. You will also notice that the Maxus has a fairly heavy trigger in comparison to a lot of other shotguns on the market. On the other hand if you need to switch to heavier loads in the field then you will have to take apart the Weatherby. As a Crow, Dove, and Duck hunter this doesn't sit well with me. You may not hunt with different sized rounds that often and this wouldn't be a big deal for you. For me this is a deal breaker on the SA-08. There are days where I hunted Ducks at dawn, Crows in the morning, and Geese in the afternoon. The ability not to have to take my gun apart to change a gas ring has made me happy, but to each his own.
I use the Beretta A-400 and really like it. Lot of choices and opinions on guns, bottom line is to find one that fits you, and will hold up to what you are doing.
-- Edited by BUZZ on Sunday 4th of January 2015 09:59:41 PM
If you are a run & gunner.. and spend most of the time IN the woods... 26" is the ticket. Flyway and feeding setups... whatever length instills confidence!
I hide in the woods at the edge of most areas I frequent and routinely shoot upwards through the trees and a shorter barrel works well for me...but to me whatever works for you stay with it...
BPS is one of the most universal left or right hand designs ever. Bottom load, bottom eject, and a tang safety. If you want to recover empties, they're pretty much between your feet.
I am a big fan of the Winchester SX3, I have both a 12 and 20 guage in the SX3 and it is about $500 less that a Benelli. I have to say that I have a Beretta A390ST, which they don't make anymore but this gun is absolutely bullet proof. I use this gun exclusively for crows and have put over 8000 rounds through it with only one malfunction. I have put over 700 rounds through it without cleaning it and it works flawlessly. If you can find a good used one, I would highly recommend it. I'm actually looking for another one myself.