Duck hunting is an expensive pursuit. Just finding a place to hunt can be costly if you don’t have access to good hunting on public land. You also need all kinds of gear—a truck, boat, trailer, decoys, etc.—to effectively hunt waterfowl. It’s a big investment. And the last place you want to skimp on is your shotgun. Because without a reliable firearm, there’s not much sense in heading to the blind. That’s why the Winchester SX4 is such a great choice. It’s an ultra-reliable, gas-driven semi-auto for less than $900.

There are better duck guns than the SX4, but in terms of value, Winchester’s auto-loader is unmatched. It’s a 3½-inch shotgun with one of the best operating systems (Active Valve) you will find, and hundreds of dollars cheaper than a Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus, Benelli Super Black Eagle 3, or Browning Maxus II. And you get the same reliability from the SX4 that you would from those three guns. That’s why the Super X4 won the great buy award in our recent review on the best duck hunting shotguns.

So, if you’re interested in a durable duck gun that won’t drain your bank account, but will function when you need it to, here’s is a more in-depth look at waterfowl’s best value in an auto-loader: the Winchester Super X4.

Winchester Super X4 Specifications and Features

These are the standard options included in the Winchester Super X4:

• Gauge: 12 (tested), 20
• Action: Semi-auto
• Capacity: 4+1
• Chamber: 3½-inch (tested), 3-inch
• Barrel type: Chrome-plated
• Barrel Length: 24-, 26-, 28-inch (tested)
• Choke: Invector Plus (F, M, IC)
• Front sight: Red fiber-optic
• Finish: Black synthetic, Woodland, TrueTimber Prairie, Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Habitat, Bottomland, Realtree Timber, Max-5, Wicked Wing (Cerakote barrel/receiver with camo stock/fore-end)
• Length: 49½ inches
• LOP: 14¼ inches
• Trigger pull: 5.9 pounds
• Overall weight: 7.1 pounds
• MSRP: $899

The Super X Series Has Always Had a Reliable Gas System

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Winchester is on its fourth generation of the original Super X, which was introduced in the 1970s. The SX1 was chambered for 2¾-inch shotshells, like many of the auto-loaders and double guns of that era. It was also a tank (8½ pounds) due to its all-steel construction. That made it durable, but expensive to produce. Winchester stopped making it in 1981 because the SX1 struggled to compete with Remington’s 1100, which had a lower price tag.

Today’s SX4 looks much different than the SX1. It’s almost 1½ pounds lighter than the SX1 and sleeker than its predecessor. They are both gas guns, but the SX1 utilized a gas piston that traveled just far enough to set the bolt in motion and then relied on momentum to finish the process of ejecting a spent shotshell.

The SX2 more closely resembles the SX4. You could buy a 3½-inch version of that gun and it was available in a synthetic model, just like the SX4. The SX2 operated slightly different though. It used a gas tippet system borrowed from the Browning Gold.

In 2006, Winchester debuted the SX3 with the Active Valve gas system. It performed so well they kept it in the SX4. The one difference you will find in the Winchester Super X4 is a brass ring at the base of the piston, not a black rubber O-ring.

Active Valve runs as clean as any gas operating system there is. I’ve used an SX4 for my main duck gun the last two seasons and shot it on spring snow geese with a seven-round magazine extension affixed. The gun has never failed to cycle. It has slowed down when dirty, which lets me know it’s time for a cleaning.

You also won’t have any issues shooting different size loads through the SX4. A group of Outdoor Life and Field & Stream editors (myself included) tested this gun in Sept. 2021, at Pintail Hunting Club in Texas. We shot light 1-ounce target loads and heavy 1 1/8-ounce duck ammo on bluewing teal with the SX4. It cycled them all without issue. I also shot several turkey loads through my personal SX4 to break it in after purchase. It had no problem gobbling them up.

Winchester Built a Soft-Shooting Shotgun

Beretta’s A400 shotguns are well known for their recoil mitigation system, called Kick-Off. It’s a series of springs in the stock that softens the blow to your shoulder once the trigger is pulled and the force of the shotshell charge is sent backwards. The SX4 only relies on Active Valve and an Inflex recoil pad (a piece of rubber that is 2 inches thick). But the recoil you experience with the Winchester is only slightly heavier than the Beretta, which is to say it’s incredibly manageable.

None of our testers in Texas could tell much of a difference between the A400 Xtreme Plus and the SX4 when it came to recoil. The Inflex pad was built to direct recoil away from the shooter’s face. But it also cushions the “sting” your shoulder feels when shooting magnum 3- or 3½-inch duck loads by spreading the force over a larger area. The SX3 did not do that as well, because its Pachmayr Decelerator recoil pad was not as advanced. It’s impressive when you consider the SX4 is a full pound lighter than the A400. Generally, the lighter the gun, the worse the recoil. But that’s not the case with the Winchester.

A Look Inside the Winchester Super X4’s Chamber

One of the concerns I had about the SX4 before buying it was the quality of the bolt. Gas guns typically cost more to manufacture than their inertia-driven counterparts because there are more moving parts to them. I was skeptical Winchester could pull off a gun that cycled shotshells reliably at such a low price point. I’ve shot the SX3 plenty and was impressed with its functionality, but Winchester lowered the price on the SX4 by $200, and my thought was: “that cost cutting had to come from somewhere.” (Just a side note: I was impressed the SX4 cycled as well as the SX3, and it has better ergonomics and overall fit and feel).

The SX4 bolt has the same simple two-piece design as the SX3. It has functioned flawlessly in all the SX4s I have shot. You pull it back to open the bolt and press the bolt-release button to shut it. There is no button under the carrier to press before manually opening the bolt, like you would with a Beretta or Benelli. There’s also no rotating bolt head, which ensures better lockup when the shotshell is pushed into battery.

The firing pin has been reliable as well. Sometimes pins on cheaper guns will wear out fast, and won’t strike the shotshell primer deep enough to set off the charge. I’ve never had that issue with any SX4 (some of those have been the guns of friends who hunt 100 days a year and put thousands of rounds through their SX4s).

Winchester Improved the Feel of the SX4

You already know the SX3 and SX4 are similar guns. Both have the Active Valve gas system and the same stock design, which comes with two ¼-inch spacers to adjust length of pull. But the SX4 has an upgraded trigger guard that is larger than the older version, so you can shoot it more easily with gloves on. The safety is also larger and square instead of a circle. It’s much easier to find when ducks are in the decoys. If you’re a left-handed shooter, it’s simple to switch the safety to the other side.

There’s also an oversized bolt handle on the Winchester Super X4 so you can load and unload it with cold fingers or gloved hands. The bolt-release button is larger on the SX4 as well. Both are protected by a nickel-Teflon coating (as is the carrier) to inhibit corrosion, which saltwater and brackish water duck hunters will appreciate.

The fore-end of the SX4 was redesigned so that shooters have a better grip on the gun in the unpleasant weather. There is a cut out on each side of the fore-end your thumb and fingers will naturally find. There’s also a checkered texture so you have something to hold onto. The SX3 did not offer that on its waterfowl models. It was a smooth, blocky fore-end that became slick in the rain or snow. A few buddies that owned them put shooting tape on the fore-end to ensure the gun would not slip from their hands.

Winchester Super X4 Versatility

The SX4 is light (7.1 pounds), making it a fine choice for walk-in duck hunters. The 20-gauge version of the gun is only 6 pounds, 12 ounces, and is an even better option for waterfowlers who pheasant hunt or are run-and-gun turkey hunters. Winchester makes the SX4 in a compact model with a 13-inch length of pull as well. And there are turkey- and deer-specific models too.

Winchester, and sister company Browning, have cornered the market on shotgun trims. The SX4 is offered in 20 different synthetic, camouflage, and a combination of camouflage and Cerakote finishes called Wicked Wing. Browning supplies many of the same options in its A5 and Maxus II.

Where the SX4 Came Up Short

You have to be nit-picky to find something wrong with the SX4. The exterior is not on par with more expensive auto-loaders, but again, you’re not paying as high a price for this gun.

The bolt reliably cycles, but it does take some force to pull back. It sticks a little when closed—especially in the cold—and requires some muscle to open. The loading port also gets lethargic. There’s never a feeding issue when you are shooting, but when loading and unloading the gun, it can take a few extra seconds to place the shotshell in the magazine or remove it.

How Does the Winchester Super X4 Shoot?

Since we tested so many guns (17) in Texas, we picked one distance (35 yards) to pattern each gun from. The industry standard is 40 yards, but we wanted to showcase the patterns at a more realistic yardage for duck hunters. Plus, your average hunter should keep shooting distances inside 35 yards. Once you get out to 40 it takes more skill, and the likelihood of crippling birds goes up.

We patterned each gun with Federal Speed Shok 3-inch, No. 2s with a muzzle velocity of 1,550 fps and a charge weight of 1 1/8 ounces.

The Winchester Super X4 was one of the best patterning shotguns in our test—not surprising since it uses the proven Invector Plus choke system, which many Browning guns have utilized for decades. Its best pattern totaled 124 of 140 pellets (89 percent) inside the 30-inch circle, which was only matched by the Franchi Affinity 3.

As you can probably tell by the custom Cerakote finish on this test gun (which is my personal SX4) there have been some aftermarket modifications made that you won’t find on a factory SX4. I did have the forcing cones lengthened inside the .742-inch bore to increase pattern density. But I’ve also patterned and shot a handful of other SX4s on ducks, snow geese, and clay birds. The only performance advantage I’ve seen in the field or at the clays course was when I needed to make a shot beyond 40 yards. My custom gun paired with a Rob Roberts T3 choke does shoot better at distance. Inside 40, which is where we should all be shooting ducks and geese, I’ve never noticed any difference.

The SX4 shot 60 percent above and 40 percent below point-of-aim, an ideal gun for duck hunters who cover up the bird and fire. The pellets did shade slightly to the left side of the target, but there were no holes in the patternboard large enough for a duck to fly through.

Final Thoughts on the Winchester Super X4

During our Texas shotgun test it was clear from the first morning’s hunt that the SX4 was a favorite to win best buy. No other mid-level shotgun challenged it for long. Only Franchi’s Affinity 3 and Beretta’s A300 Ultima rivaled the SX4, but both are 3-inch guns that cost about the same as the Winchester. There were better shotguns in our test, but you will pay a premium for them. If you want a price point gun that doesn’t cut any corners, it’s tough to pass on the SX4.

The post Shotgun Review: Winchester’s Super X4 Is the Best Affordable Semi-Auto appeared first on Outdoor Life.

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Best Side-by-Side		CZ Bobwhite G2 Project Upland	SEE IT	LEARN MORE	Summary A classic frame with upgraded furniture.
Best Semi-Auto		Browning Maxus II Hunter	SEE IT	LEARN MORE	Summary A reliable autoloader for those who want more than two shots.
Best 20-Gauge Over/Under		Weatherby Orion I	SEE IT	LEARN MORE	Summary A reliable o/u at a fraction of the cost of competitors.

Upland bird hunters are blessed with lengthy seasons, liberal bag-limits, and endless opportunities to chase a wide variety of species across every state. No matter the pursuit, one piece of equipment remains a necessity for upland hunters—a reliable shotgun.

Whether you fancy your favorite upland scattergun as a work of art or a tool of the trade, its intended purpose remains the same. For this review, I included a rundown of the best shotguns for bird hunting to cover a variety of budgets and styles.

• Best Overall: Browning Citori Gran Lightning
• Best 20-gauge Over/Under: Weatherby Orion I
• Best Budget Side-by-Side: Tristar Bristol SxS
• Best Side-by-Side: CZ Bobwhite G2 Project Upland
• Best Pump: Remington 870 FieldMaster
• Best Beginner: Benelli Nova
• Best Semi-Auto: Browning Maxus II Hunter
• Best Sub-Gauge Semi-Auto: Benelli SBE 3 28-gauge
• Best Bang for Your Buck: Winchester SX4 Field
• Best Youth: Mossberg International SA-20 Youth

Methodology

Asking someone to pick their favorite gun is similar to asking someone their favorite breed of bird dog; at the end of the day, it is all subjective. Having spent the past 20 years chasing upland birds across the country I know what does and does not work for me. But this list also continually evolves. For this review, I drew on my own personal experiences as well as other experienced hunters I know and respect. While this list might not be absolute, there were hundreds of days spent afield that helped me arrive at these picks. I did my best to include shotguns for every action and price point so that everyone, no matter your budget or style, could find a gun that best fits them.

Best Overall: Browning Citori Gran Lightning 

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Key Features

• Break-action O/U
• Gauge: 12, 20, 28, .410
• Finish: Blued
• Weight: 8 pounds (12-gauge)

Why It Made the Cut 

Browning’s Gran Lightning Citori is as visually striking as it is deadly in the field, earning best pick for its performance and upland aesthetics.

Pros

• Well balanced
• Easily interchangeable chokes
• Comfortable rounded pistol grip and forearm

Cons

• Steep price tag
• The 12-gauge is a heavy field gun

Product Description

Browning’s lineup of Citori shotguns has reigned supreme for over and under enthusiasts for decades. I recently had the opportunity to take the Gran Lightning Citori on a traditional, southern bobwhite quail hunt where it quickly gained my utmost respect as one of the finest shotguns that I have had the pleasure to shoulder. The Gran Lightning that I hunted with was a little 28-gauge and boy did it wreak havoc on buzzing coveys of quail. For the majority of upland hunting, especially when hunting over pointers, it is tough to beat the 28-gauge’s knock-down power combined with its almost non-existent recoil.

The Gran Lightning features a stunning oil finished grade V/VI walnut lightning style stock with a high-polish blued barrel and engraved receiver. It is one of those shotguns that is almost too pretty to take to the hills, but that is exactly where it belongs. It also sports a rounded pistol grip and forearm for a consistent and classic feel when shouldered.

Best 20-Gauge Over/Under: Weatherby Orion I

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Key Features

• Break-action O/U
• Gauge: 20
• Weight: 6.2 pounds
• Barrel length: 26 and 28 inches

Why It Made the Cut

Weatherby’s Orion I 20-gauge over and under provides upland enthusiasts a reliable stacked barrel option at a fraction of the cost of many others on the market.

Pros

• 3-inch chamber
• lightweight
• Incredibly comfortable to shoot

Cons

• Only comes in 28-inch barrel length for 20-gauge

Product Description 

Weatherby is most well known for their cutting-edge centerfire rifles, but their line of shotguns shouldn’t be overlooked. The Orion I 20-gauge isn’t flashy, but don’t let that fool you. This shotgun has been put through the ringer by many who swear by its fit and reliability. The slimmed receiver combined with the oversized forearm is both comfortable to carry and easy to shoot. If you are in the market for a workhorse 20 over and under that won’t break the bank, the Orion I should be at the top of your list.

Best Budget Side-by-Side: Tristar Bristol SxS

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Key Features

• Break-action side-by-side
• Gauge: 12, 16, 20, 28, .410
• Single selective trigger
• Weight: 5.24 pounds (28-gauge)

Why It Made the Cut 

The classic look and feel of the Bristol SxS combined with its extremely affordable price tag makes it a no-brainer for first time side-by-side shooters.

Pros

• Several gauges to choose from
• Ability to interchange chokes
• Classic look and feel at a fraction of the cost

Cons

• Some might prefer a traditional double trigger

Product Description 

Side-by-side shotgun aficionados are a special breed, taking their love and fascination of these shotguns to extreme levels, my own father included. Knowing the price tags for many vintage side-by-sides, I never indulged in their mystique. It wasn’t until recently that I discovered there are many affordable options for new side-by-sides that are visually appealing work horses in the field, and most importantly, extremely affordable. Enter front and center stage Tristar’s Bristol.

When I first got my hands on a 28-gauge Bristol side-by-side, I was impressed. The wood-to-metal fit was satisfactory (the Turkish walnut English stock is nothing fancy but certainly clean), and the case-colored receiver added a classic, rustic touch. Another benefit of a new side-by-side is the ability to interchange chokes when needed. The Bristol side-by-side comes standard with five Beretta style chokes (skeet, improved cylinder, modified, improved modified, and full). With a price tag below $1,200, this is a perfect shotgun to break into the wide world of side-by-side shotguns.

Best Side-by-Side: CZ Bobwhite G2 Project Upland

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Key Features

• Break-action side-by-side
• Gauge: 12, 20, and 28
• Chamber: 3-inch
• Weight: 6.2 pounds (28-gauge)

Why It Made the Cut

CZ’s Bobwhite G2 Project Upland side-by-side shotgun incorporates the classic Bobwhite frame and reliability with upgraded furniture and details.

Pros

• Double trigger
• Case-colored receiver
• Comfortable straight English stock

Cons

•  $1,700 is pricey for a Turkish-made SxS

Product Description

CZ, in collaboration with Project Upland, designed the Bobwhite G2 Project Upland shotgun. This modern side-by-side is built on one of the best shotguns for bird hunting–CZ’s classic Bobwhite frame–with some upgraded lavish details that add both character and appeal.

The Bobwhite G2 Project Upland side-by-side features a beautiful straight-English stock made from select grade Turkish walnut, encased with a decoratively engraved case colored receiver. Side-by-side purists can also breathe easy with the traditional double trigger and case colored manual tang safety preserved in this modern play on a CZ’s classic side-by-side. A wise man once wrote, “Life is too short to shoot an ugly gun.” I couldn’t agree more. And luckily, this gun’s performance matches its looks.

Best Pump: Remington 870 FieldMaster

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Key Features

• Action: Pump
• Gauge: 12 or 20
• Weight: 7.5 pounds (12-gauge)
• Better metal finish than discontinued Express model

Why It Made the Cut

Many Remington 870 models are legendary for unwavering reliability. Whether you are a first-time buyer or a seasoned veteran, everyone should have a Remington 870 in their gun collection.

Pros

• Unmatched reliability
• Easy to breakdown and clean
• Rust resistant finish

Cons

•  No shims or spacers for stock adjustment

Product Description 

With over 11 million shotguns sold since its introduction in 1950, the Remington 870 is the best-selling shotgun of all-time. The 870 FieldMaster internally mirrors the Wingmaster model but externally features a rugged corrosion resistant finish on the barrel and receiver to combat the abuse hunters put their shotguns through. Also, as of this year, the FieldMaster officially replaced the 870 Express. If a pump-action scattergun is your preferred shotgun of choice, it is tough to overlook the versatility and dependability of the Remington 870. It’s not flashy, but no one will argue that it will get the job done.

Best Beginner: Benelli Nova

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Key Features

• Action: Pump
• Gauge: 12 or 20
• Weight: 8 pounds (12-gauge)
• Barrel length: 24, 26, and 28 inches

Why It Made the Cut 

With a sub $500 price tag, this is the most budget-conscious shotgun on the list, and most importantly, it provides reliable cycling and consistent performance. These two variables make it the perfect shotgun for those wanting to dabble in upland hunting without a substantial financial commitment.

Pros

• Budget friendly
• Extremely reliable
• Multiple barrel length and color options

Cons

• Recoil is stout

Product Description 

Any shotgun displaying the Benelli name merits consideration. The Benelli Nova pump-action shotgun provides bird hunters a very affordable option for a well-made, reliable firearm that can tackle just about anything you can throw at it. The synthetic stock is especially nice when hunting the rugged mountains that chukars call home where dings and scratches are proudly worn like battle scars. The ability to have four shells in the magazine (where legal) is also a huge advantage when a staggered covey of birds gets up and three or four opportunities arise without having to reload. You won’t turn any heads with this finish, but if you’re testing the upland waters to gauge your interest, the Nova is a great, versatile shotgun that you won’t regret buying even if you decide that wingshooting isn’t your style.

Best Semi-Auto: Browning Maxus II Hunter

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Key Features

• Action: Semi-Auto (Gas)
• Gauge: 12
• Barrel length: 26 and 28 inches
• Weight: 7 pounds

Why It Made the Cut

The Browning Maxus II Hunter is a reliable semi-auto shotgun made for upland bird hunters who want more than two shots.

Pros

• Reliable Power Drive Gas System
• Adjustable LOP, cast, and drop with adjustable shims
• Fiber-optic front sight

Cons

• Only available in 12-gauge

Product Description

Browning hit a homerun when they launched the original Browning Maxus over a decade ago. The Power Drive Gas System proved its worth in the original Maxus and continues to be the driving force in the Maxus II. This gun also incorporates several cosmetic changes as well as a stock redesign, which makes shouldering it comfortable and easy. And the Inflex recoil pad eliminates a lot of the recoil, which you’ll want with a 12-gauge, and makes for quick follow up shots. And while some purists might shudder at this option, the Invector-Plus choke system makes this a versatile shotgun for other pursuits.  

Best Sub-Gauge Semi-Auto: Benelli SBE 3 28-gauge

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Key Features

• Action: Semi-Auto (Inertia)
• Gauge: 28
• Weight: 5.6 pounds
• Barrel length: 26 or 28 inches

Why It Made the Cut

The Benelli SBE3 28-gauge shotgun is the finest sub-gauge semi-auto I have ever shot. It is also chambered to shoot 3-inch shells, which allow payloads similar to a 20-gauge but with the small frame and minimal recoil of a 28-gauge.

Pros

• Minimal recoil
• 3-inch chamber
• Lightweight

Cons

• Availability (for now)

Product Description 

Few trends have gained as much recent notoriety as that of sub-gauge shotguns. Manufacturers have taken notice, and Benelli was one of the first to answer the call with the launch of their Super Black Eagle 3 28-gauge shotgun. Needless to say, they set the bar high. This gun is made for hunting flighty coveys of quail and chukar when multiple shots and staggered coveys are a given. While the recoil of a 28-gauge is minimal, the Comfort Tech stock makes it even less noticeable, especially for follow up shots. 

With a well patterned lead load, you can easily reach out to 50 yards on most upland species and knock them out of the air with a good 28-gauge payload. And with the 28-gauge, depending on the load and choke combination, you can have similar performance to a 20-gauge without the recoil and added weight. Once you shoot a 28-gauge you may just fall in love. You have been warned.

Best Bang for Your Buck: Winchester SX4 Field 

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Key Features

• Action: Semi-Auto (Gas)
• Gauge: 12, 20
• Barrel length: 26- and 28-inch
• Weight: 6 pounds, 12 ounces (12-gauge, 28-inch)

Why It Made the Cut

The SX4 Field is a no frills, classic upland take on the proven SX4 platform. And with a price tag just below a grand, this shotgun is easily the best bang for your buck.

Pros

• Ambidextrous safety
• Comfortable pistol grip
• Reliable with a wide variety of shells

Cons

• Bolt can be sticky, tough to open
• Load gate is also stiff, makes loading a chore in the cold

Product Description

The classic matte-black receiver, combined with the satin oil finished walnut stock gives the SX4 a classic upland look, but this gun also performs reliably and isn’t picky when it comes to payloads. Winchester incorporated an oversized safety and bolt release which makes handling with gloves a breeze. Recoil from the SX4 12-gauge is minimal, thanks to the Inflex Technology Recoil Pad. The smaller pistol grip is comfortable and provides plenty of grip for hunters with smaller hands but should still feel just right with those who have larger hands. If $1,000 is your top budget, you can start and end your search with the SX4 Field.

Best Youth: Mossberg International SA-20 Youth

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Key Features

• Action: Semi-Auto (Gas)
• Gauge: 20
• Chamber: 3-inch
• Weight: 6.25 pounds

Why It Made the Cut

The lightweight SA-20 Youth shotgun from Mossberg is the perfect first shotgun for your favorite little hunting buddy. All they have to worry about is barrel control and flipping the safety off.

Pros

• Compact
• Comfortable for youth
• Low recoil

Cons

• Fixed LOP means they’ll eventually outgrow it

Product Description

Passing on hunting traditions to younger generations is crucial to the survival of this sport. And one of the best entries into this sport is bird hunting. Youth specific shotguns, such as the SA-20 Youth, offer a lightweight, low recoiling, and comfortable option for young hunters interested in bird hunting. Its reasonable price tag makes it money well spent to get your little ones hooked on hunting. It does have a fixed LOP, so your young hunter won’t be able to grow with this gun, but for their early years, this compact wingshooter is more than enough to get them started and hopefully coming back.

FAQ’s

Things to Consider Before Buying a Shotgun for Bird Hunting

Budget

Purchasing a new shotgun is an endeavor worthy of your time and research. The first thing you should decide is how much you are willing to spend. When it comes to hunting gear and firearms, I generally try to abide by the “buy once, cry once” mentality as you almost always get what you pay for. Setting a budget from the beginning will set parameters on what shotguns to research and help you get the most out of your hard-earned cash.

Style

The second variable to consider when picking the right upland bird hunting shotgun is what species you plan on primarily chasing and what action style will be most conducive to that endeavor. For example, if pheasants or grouse are your primary target, an over and under or side-by-side is perfect for shooting a single or a flushing pair. However, if wild coveys of chukars, quail, or Hungarian partridge are a staple, you may want to lean toward a pump or semi-auto that offers the ability to send a third round down range. There are some purists who might argue that anything with the ability to shoot more than two shots is a blasphemy to the sport, but no one needs that kind of negativity in their life. Plus, what better excuse to buy a new shotgun.

Gauge

The third and final variable that must be considered when buying a new upland shotgun is the gauge. Personally, I have used a 20-gauge shotgun for most of my life and for that reason have a bias towards it. I am also a big proponent, depending on where and what I am hunting, of the 28-gauge. More on that later. Everyone’s trusty 12-gauge will get the job done—and with authority—but usually winds up being overkill on most upland species (outside of pheasants). Additionally, there has been a resurgence in recent years of the 16-gauge. It is a sweet little gauge, but ammo options and availability are sometimes limited.

Final Thoughts

Performance and reliability wise, these are some of the best shotguns for bird hunting. When it comes to individual performance, what works best for me might not work best for you. Still, any of the options on this list are more than capable for bird hunting. Find a shotgun that falls within your budget, become proficient with it, and hit the fields. The killing of a bird is inconsequential compared to everything else that surrounds the hunt, but when you work hard for that opportunity, be sure you are shouldering a shotgun you have complete confidence in.

The post The Best Shotguns for Bird Hunting of 2023 appeared first on Outdoor Life.

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My Mossberg SA-28 Tactical Turkey didn’t make a great first impression.

“What are you shooting,” asked Gray Drummond, “a 12 or a 20?”

“A 28,” I answered.

His head shake and groan were not exaggerated for effect.

Drummond is the owner of Florida Outdoor Experience, a hunting and fishing outfit located an hour and a half north of Tampa Bay, tucked next to the tannic waters of the Suwannee River.

Drummond’s family has owned this land since the early 1800s, running cattle, making moonshine, and otherwise scratching out a living amid the towering live oaks, magnolia trees, and palmetto thickets.

In 2013, Drummond launched FOE, specializing in hunts for whitetails, feral hogs, and my quarry—Osceola turkeys.

Sub Gauge Trendiness

With the recent arrival of a slew of new shotgun wonder-loads, turkey hunters and waterfowlers have taken a keen interest in sub-gauge hunting guns. The lethality of these heavier-than-lead loads, particularly when offered in smaller shot sizes, has motivated some hunters to put their 12s and 20s aside. The Mossberg SA-28 Tactical Turkey was introduced this year to cater to that crowd.

As much as I like cutting edge firearms technology, particularly with respect to precision rifles and modern cartridges, when it comes to shotguns I’m traditional.

Of all the turkeys I’ve killed over the years, the number I’ve taken with something other than a 12-gauge is exactly zero. So I could relate to Drummond’s skepticism.

That said, there has been a lot of compelling data regarding the effectiveness of these loads, and I was curious to see if this Mossberg 28 would deliver the goods.

Mossberg SA-28 Tactical Turkey Specs

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• Gauge: 28
• Chamber: 2 ¾ in.
• Capacity: 4+1
• Action: Semi-auto
• Weight: 5 lb. 11.8 oz. (measured with no base)
• Length: 41 7/8 in.
• Barrel: 22 in.
• Choke: Extended Turkey
• Trigger: 5 lb. 9 oz. (measured)
• Sights: Fiber optic front and ghost-ring rear
• Stock: Synthetic pistol grip
• Finish: Mossy Oak Greenleaf
• Price: $902

Patterning the Mossberg SA-28 Tactical Turkey

This shotgun is the new hotness, and there aren’t a lot of samples kicking around right now. I took delivery of mine just days before boarding a plane to leave frigid Montana for the more agreeable Florida weather.

Prior to taking off, however, I was able to get the Mossberg dialed in.

Mounting a Red-Dot Sight

The stock gun comes with an effective set of fiber optic sights. It has a fixed green front post and an orange aperture rear sight that clamps onto the rib. But the receiver is also drilled and tapped for a rail, which Mossberg includes with the shotgun.

I used the rail to mount a Meopta Meosight IV red dot. The Meosight IV is a low profile and lightweight sight (1.15 oz.) that comes with a base that allows it to be attached to a cross-slot Weaver or Picatinny system. With the base and battery installed, the Meopta weighs just 2.2 ounces so it doesn’t alter the shotgun’s balance or handling in any meaningful way.

The sight has a 3 MOA dot that manually adjusts for the light conditions and glass that provides a good clear picture. It has 120 MOA of elevation and windage adjustment, so there’s plenty of room to get the dot centered with the pattern.

It just so happened that the slots on the adjustment dials were a perfect fit for the rim of a 28-gauge, which was a nice bonus.

Quick and Dirty Patterning

To get a feel for how the shotgun functioned I ran half a box of Winchester AA 28-gauge game loads through the Mossberg. In those initial rounds I had one failure to eject. Other than that, the shotgun ran smoothly.

I then shot the gun with that same load—3/4 ounce of No. 7 1/2s—on a shoot-n-c target at 25 yards. My pattern was a bit low and to the right. I made a best guess at the amount of windage and elevation to move it and shot again. My elevation was fine, but I overshot it a bit on the windage. I moved the POI back to the right and my third shot was nicely centered up.

I then put up fresh targets and loaded the shotgun with three of my precious Federal TSS 1-ounce No. 8 shells that are available from Federal’s Custom shop. At nearly 10 bucks each, you don’t want to waste them.

I shot once at 25 yards and those No. 8s left a thick dense pattern in the middle of the target. The recoil was noticeably heavier with the TSS than the AAs and the impacts on the target were a lot more defined than the holes left by the No. 7 ½ lead. It was obvious that the TSS hit harder.

I then stepped back to 40 and 50 yards, shooting once at each distance. The 40-yard pattern was still clearly lethal, but at 50 yards the impacts became more scattered. Perhaps with time to experiment with other chokes—the Mossberg SA-28 Tactical Turkey ships with a single extended choke marked “turkey”—I could get the TSS to tighten up at 50, but as it stood, I was going to keep my shots within 40 yards, which to my old-school way of thinking was still a hell of a poke on a mature tom with a 28 gauge.

I finished the session by running the remainder of my box of 25 AAs through the gun. It cycled them all without any issue.

The one thing I did notice, however, was that the cap holding the fore-end in place would loosen a touch every few rounds. I made a point to check it frequently.

Mossberg SA-28 Tactical Turkey Features

Going back 25 or 30 years ago the shotguns we carried for turkeys looked a lot like the shotguns we used for ducks or upland birds, other than that they were sometimes fitted with specialized chokes. There were some exceptions to this, but the basic profile of a turkey gun was the same as any other general-purpose 12-gauge bird gun. In fact, they were often the same gun, especially for poor, young hunters like me who relied on an 870 to do everything.

But as with evolution, when a specialized niche exists in nature something is bound to fill it. And that’s what’s happened with our turkey guns, which have been refined to meet the needs of hunters yearning to dispel their cabin fever each spring. The Mossberg SA-28 Tactical Turkey incorporates many of the features hunters desire in their “ultimate” turkey gun in its construction.

Stock Design

The Tactical Turkey comes with a camo stock—done in the stylishly retro Mossy Oak Greenleaf—with a pistol grip. The pistol grip is made of rubber with finger grooves that gives a very secure grip. Because the shotgun is so light—with the Picatinny rail attached and the reflex sight mounted it weighed 5 pounds 15 ounces—it is easy to control and support the gun for long periods of time. The shotgun is also easy to wield one-handed in case you need your lead hand to run a call or otherwise mess with your gear.

Controls

The controls on the Mossberg SA-28 Tactical Turkey are laid out in a pattern that will be familiar to most shooters who have experience with a semi-automatic shotgun.

The cross-bolt safety at the back of the trigger guard toggles easily from one side to the next and is quiet. The shotgun has a generously sized charging handle that can be manipulated while wearing bulky gloves in cold weather. The bolt release button is located on the right side of the gun just below the charging handle. Though not oversized by today’s standards, it is prominent enough to be able to work in the dark with gloves.

The most important control, of course, is the trigger. By the standards of semi-auto shotguns, the 5-pound 9-ounce break weight on my sample is more than adequate. It has a bit of creep—quite common on such guns—but is by no means distracting. And it is consistent, which makes controlling the shot easier.

Gas-Piston Action

When the fore-end is removed from the shotgun it reveals a standard (and proven) gas piston system. Ports located about 9.5 inches up the barrel vent gas into a chamber which contains the piston. Pressure generated by that gas forces the piston rearward driving a pusher assembly with two action bars rearward to cycle the action.

The return spring that sits between the pusher assembly and the receiver gets compressed when this happens. After the bolt completes its rearward travel and the empty hull is ejected, the return spring drives the pusher assembly and bolt forward into battery, assuming there’s another shell to be loaded. If the gun is empty, the bolt and pusher assembly lock open.

This system is soft shooting and requires little in the way of special maintenance other than occasional cleaning.

Mossberg International Vs. Domestic Mossbergs

Officially, Mossberg labels the SA-28 Tactical Turkey as a “Mossberg International” gun. Shotguns in the Mossberg line bearing that name are produced in Turkey, while the others are made in the U.S.

The quality of Turkish made guns can be quite good—especially for the price—which is the reason Mossberg and many other gun companies produce them there. Of course, some Turkish guns are pretty unimpressive too. In my experience, this arrangement works best when the company contracting with a Turkish gun maker keeps close tabs on the quality. One friend of mine who worked for Weatherby back in the day used to fly to Turkey to inspect each gun in every shipment before they were sent to the U.S.

My sample is well made, which is encouraging regarding Mossberg’s arrangement with their Turkish partner.

Read Next: Best Turkey Shotguns

Hunting with the Mossberg SA-28 Tactical Turkey

Forget raucous images of spring break—the land that Drummond hunts is Old Florida. It is unspoiled and largely undeveloped. One blessing is that there are no beaches nearby, which helps prevent the influx of “progress.”

The morning of our turkey hunt was cold, especially by Florida standards. The thermometer on Drummond’s pickup registered 30 degrees as we drove down a dirt road in the dark.

“It’ll warm up by the afternoon,” Drummond said. “And hopefully they’ll be moving by then.”

Turns out he needn’t have worried. Though it was chilly, there was no dampening the ardor of the toms Drummond had roosted the night before.

We sat in a makeshift blind using palmetto fronds with a simple three-decoy layout—two feeding hens and a jake.

Several toms fired off somewhere in the tangle of trees in front of us, responding to hooting owls and some deep booms from distant farm machinery.

Drummond coaxed the birds with some yelps and a few cutts. After flydown, we heard a lone gobbler in the woods behind us and to our left.

Drummond is a run-and-gun turkey hunter, which is my favorite way to chase birds. He grabbed the dekes and we took off down a two-track to close the distance to that solo bird.

We got to a clearing and Drummond slammed the dekes into the sandy ground and we tucked into some brush. His first call was answered by a determined gobble, and he pulled the tom toward us on a string.

After a few minutes we spotted the bird snaking through the undergrowth. As he stepped into the open his head flared blue and red and he spread his fan, giving us a show. When he fixed his gaze on the dekes he moved to them, crossing less than 25 yards in front of us.

I gave him a quick double-tap to the head—one of the benefits of using a gun that barely recoils and cycles fast—and down he went. The No. 8 TSS shot couldn’t have delivered a more decisive result.

What the Mossberg SA-28 Tactical Turkey Does Well

I love how handy and nimble this gun is. We were in a cramped position when the tom came into view and with a longer and bulkier shotgun it might have been difficult to get the barrel clear of the palmettos without getting hung up in the fronds. But the Mossberg’s short overall length (41 7/8 in.) and compact length of pull (12 ¾ in.) make it easy to maneuver.

Its light weight is a blessing too. Though our hunt didn’t take long, I could easily see how enjoyable the Tactical Turkey would be to carry on long forays for Western birds. Its weight also makes it much easier to maintain a shooting position when you have to remain frozen for long periods of time. Anyone who’s ever had the shakes when keeping the muzzle of their 12-gauge from dipping knows what I’m talking about.

And as I alluded to, the Mossberg SA-28 Tactical Turkey gets high marks for its shootability.

What It Could Do Better

The fact that the end cap on the fore-end keeps getting loose after just a few shots is an annoyance. I’m not sure what the cause of that is, but I’d probably try swapping the cap with a new one to see if that fixes the issue.

One other thing to bear in mind is that 28-gauge TSS ammo isn’t overflowing on the shelves of your local big box Mart. You’ll need to turn to specialty outfits like the Federal Custom Shop, Apex, Boss and Rogue to find these shells. 

Read Next: Best Turkey Loads

Final Thoughts on the Mossberg SA-28 Tactical Turkey

I’ve always enjoyed shooting sub-gauge guns on upland birds. Carrying a trim and well balanced 20 or 28 while in the company of bird dogs is one of life’s supreme pleasures.

With the arrival of denser-than-lead shot there’s no reason turkey hunters can’t partake in the sub-gauge experience as well—and the Mossberg SA-28 Tactical Turkey is an ideal tool for the task.

Despite all the hype concerning TSS (some of it justified), this shotgun is no long-range hammer—at least as it came out of the box. As long as a hunter can respect the limits of the 28—which as I said on mine is about 40 yards—this new Mossberg is a fun and capable option.

The post Mossberg SA-28 Tactical Turkey Tested and Reviewed appeared first on Outdoor Life.

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If you want to be a real duck hunter, you must be a tough son of a gun. Along with your bushy, duck commander beard and lifted truck, you must possess a hefty 12-gauge shotgun. It must have a 3.5-inch chamber and should be loaded with the heaviest BB payloads available. Afterall, the ducks you’ll be hunting are tough, and they require maximum firepower to bring down. This is at least what a lot of marketing around duck hunting would have you believe—until recently. Happily, the introduction of the 28-gauge Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 is a clear indicator that duck hunters are getting smarter about their gun, gauge, and shotshell selection—if not necessarily facial hair grooming.

The 28-gauge version of the SBE 3—which is one of the best duck hunting shotguns of modern times—is a light (5.5 pounds) and lovely gun. When I ran the first few loads through one on a clays range in South Dakota, the word that sprung to mind was not “tough” but rather “joyful.” The gun swung nimbly from target to target, cycled shells enthusiastically, and soaked up the recoil of the 3-inch, ¾-ounce loads so effectively that I’d burned through a box of ammo in no time, and promptly asked for another. As I would find out later in the week, with the right hunting loads the shotgun also flat-out crushes ducks. It’s no wonder that more and more hardcore duck hunters are putting up their 12-gauges and switching to svelte 28-gauges like the new SBE 3.    

28 Gauge Benelli Super Black Eagle Key Features

Benelli

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• Gauge: 28
• Action: Semi-auto, Inertia Driven
• Capacity: 2+1
• Chamber: 3-inch
• Barrel type: Steel (cryogenically treated), carbon fiber vent rib
• Barrel length: 26-inch, 28-inch (tested)
• Chokes: IM, M (Ciro)
• Front sight: Red bar
• Length: 47.5 inches
• LOP: 14.38 inches
• Trigger pull: 4 pounds, 3 ounces (measured average)
• Weight: 5.5 pounds
• MSRP: $1,799 to $1,899

About the SBE 3 in 28 Gauge

Think of this shotgun as the little brother to the 12-gauge SBE 3, which was introduced in 2017 with a 3.5-inch chamber It uses the same simple inertia-driven design, which employs the recoil from the shell in conjunction with the mass of the bolt to compress a powerful spring that then cycles the action, tossing the spent hull and loading a new shell. This has proven to be an incredibly reliable and clean-running system that duck hunters love. In the 28-gauge version, Benelli says the SBE 3 will cycle everything from light 3/4-oz., 2¾-inch target loads to magnum 3-inch duck loads. Like all SBE 3s this gun is also very easy to field strip and clean.

Also like its big brother, the 28-gauge Super Black Eagle uses the Comfort Tech 3 system in the stock to minimize recoil. Since recoil mitigation systems are boring in general, I’ll keep the summation short: there’s a series of chevrons in the stock that flex to absorb felt recoil, plus there’s a nice cushy pad on the comb to keep your cheek from being bruised.

Overall, the recoil from this little gun is less than mild, like a good friend giving you a pat on the shoulder. This, of course makes the gun fun to shoot but I think it also helps add to the mystique of why the 28-gauge is so “deadly.” More on this later.

The shotgun has a steel barrel with Benelli’s proprietary cryogenic treatment, which the company says improves patterning. The trigger guard and trigger assembly contain a lot of molded plastic, which old-timers will grumble at but hasn’t hurt the SBE’s durability. The rib is made of carbon fiber, for lightness and cool factor, but mine wobbled ever so slightly against the barrel. A small miss, but still a miss for a gun that costs $1,800.

The trigger had an average pull weight of 4 pounds, 3 ounces on my Wheeler digital gauge. Like most shotgun triggers, there was plenty of creep, but it was unnoticeable in the field or on the range.

Fit and finish on the gun are typical of Benelli, which is to say as good as it gets in the duck gun category.

Pattering the 28 Gauge Benelli SBE 3

Benelli Super Black Eagles are known to hit high. My go-to duck gun is an SBE 3 12 gauge and with some loads and the standard Z shim, it patterns almost 100 percent high. So before doing any pattern work with the 28 gauge version, I swapped in a different drop shim to lower the stock and lower the point of impact. Benelli ships each SBE with a shim kit, which most hunters probably ignore, but they shouldn’t. Dropping in a new shim is incredibly easy. Simply pull the pad off the buttstock, unscrew one nut, slide off the stock and drop in a new shim.

The only tricky thing about Benelli’s shim kit is their labeling system (it’s a bit confusing). But if you watch the video above and spend five minutes with the owner’s manual, you’ll figure it out. I swapped in a D shim and then got to patterning. I shot Hevi-Shot’s Hevi XII, 3-inch, No. 4, 1 oz. loads. I used the standard modified choke that was screwed into the gun. I shot five patterns at 40 yards under classic duck hunting conditions: 20 degrees with a 15 mph crosswind.

I’ll admit, I had planned on also shooting 30-yard patterns because I didn’t think the little 28 would produce effective patterns at this range. I was wrong. The gun put plenty of pellets on target, averaging 107 hits inside a 30-inch circle (83 percent patterns).

As you can see from the pattern below (which was the best I shot) the gun hit a bit high and slightly to the left. Benelli promotes a 60/40 pattern, which means 60 percent of the pellets hit above the target, so we’re pretty close there. I could also easily adjust the cast of the shotgun (same process as swapping in drop shims) to shift the pattern to the right if I really wanted to get nitpicky.

What’s most interesting to me is the number of pellets the 28-gauge put on target. For reference, my 12-gauge SBE 3 put 121 steel No. 2 pellets on target from 35 yards in our test of the best duck guns.

The takeaway? With these Hevi XII 3-inch No. 4s the 28-gauge Benelli is an effective 40-yard duck gun.

Hunting with the 28 Gauge Benelli SBE 3

I hunted with two different 28-gauge SBE 3s on field hunts for ducks and geese in South Dakota earlier this fall (with Federal’s Black Cloud No. 3s) and also in my backyard duck marsh with the Hevi-Shot load. In all cases, the gun functioned flawlessly.

During the South Dakota field hunts we were mobbed by big flocks of mallards at close range. The light little gun helped me pop from of my layout blind faster than my partners (at least most of them) and the minimal recoil of the 28 allowed me to quickly transition from one crumpled greenhead to the next. The Federal Black Cloud No. 3s performed impressively. Along with our ducks, we also killed several snows and specks mostly at close ranges. However, in one case, I watched another hunter shooting the same 28-gauge gun and load drop a lesser Canada with a 40-plus-yard crossing shot.

Our guide on this hunt was very restrained with his shot calling. He let the birds work in close (20 yards or in) before calling the shot for our crew. With that discipline and our 28-gauges, loaded with No. 3 steel, the ducks we hit fell dead. There were very few cripples for my lab Otis to chase down. 

On my home waters, I shot the Hevi XII No. 4s on late-season greenheads with excellent results. This was more close-range shooting, with headshots on greenheads backpedaling over the last open water in the pond—and more short retrieves for Otis. I especially liked the 28-gauge in this scenario because it’s noticeably quieter than my booming 12-gauge, meaning it’s a little less disruptive to my neighbors.

The only quibble I could find was that the bolt slid forward a bit sluggishly when I hit the bolt release to drive a shell into the chamber (this was even after cleaning). It never resulted in a malfunction (I’ve burned through about five boxes of ammo without a single jam). But I’d like to see the bolt snap home with authority the way it does with my 12-gauge SBE 3.

Everyone seemed to shoot the 28-gauge Benelli SBE 3 well. Though the gun was light, it did not feel whippy or jumpy. Fast transitions to secondary targets felt natural.

Pulling the trigger on a duck, watching it fall, swinging to another bird, and then watching that duck fold as well inspired confidence. Confidence breeds even better shooting. And I think this is one of the reasons that some hunters talk about the 28-gauge being somehow deadlier than it should be. It’s not, they just shoot it well. For me, it all comes back to the minimal recoil.

Getting rocked by 12-gauge magnum duck loads day after day degrades shooting. I’ve seen it in my own shooting and with other hunters. Maybe you stop getting your head all the way down on the gun, or you quit following through with your swing. Even the ducks you do hit, are hit marginally with the edges of your pattern. But recoil is not an issue with the mild 28. With less recoil, it’s easier to stay down on the gun and really focus on the target with follow up shots. Shooters end up maintaining their fundamentals and crushing birds with the core of their pattern, which makes the 28 feel extra effective, but really, it’s just good shooting at work.

So, forget about all talk over the ¾-ounce payload in a 28-gauge being “square,” and patterning better, like somehow there’s a magic formula packed into these little shells that makes the 28 punch above its weight class. Real shotshell experts will tell you this is not the case.

28 Gauge Effectiveness on Ducks and Geese

Shooting a 28-gauge for waterfowl is not some trendy stunt. With denser shot material, like bismuth or TSS, the 28-gauge is an incredibly effective gauge for ducks and even close-range geese.

Let’s look at those Hevi-Shot No. 4 pellets I pattern tested. They have an advertised density of 12 g/cc. Steel has a density of 7.86 g/cc. Because of their higher density, these No. 4 pellets have the same lethality (ability to penetrate) as steel No. 1s, according to the company (and to shotshell expert Tom Roster).

The key is understanding “penetration energy” says Adam Moser, a shotshell product engineer from Federal (whose parent company owns Hevi-Shot).

“Pellet energy density is a measure of pellet energy per cross sectional area. In other words, it is the kinetic energy of the pellet divided by the 2D area of the pellet,” Moser says. “This gives us a better idea of how well a pellet will penetrate a medium, better than just pellet energy and is particularly helpful when comparing shot made of different density materials.”

If you got lost in the math of that statement, the takeaway is this: Smaller, denser pellets penetrate better than larger, less dense pellets. Part of the reason is because they have less surface area to push through a medium (like a duck).

Now, if you’re used to shooting steel, look at that pattern board photo and imagine each hit was made by a No. 1 steel pellet. You’ll have an idea of true effectiveness of these 28-gauge loads.

Plus, there are more and more ammo options becoming available for duck hunters looking to shoot the 28-gauge. Some of the top choices include:

• Federal Black Cloud steel No. 3s
• Hevi-Shot Hevi XII No. 4s
• Boss bismuth No. 4s or No. 3/5 blended
• Apex Ammunition TSS No. 7.5s

Am I advocating for long range shots on big honkers or divers with the 28-gauge? Absolutely not. Waterfowl hunting at its best is about tricking birds in close and then killing them cleanly over the decoys. Deciding to shoot a 28-gauge should be a commitment to that style of hunting.

READ NEXT: The 28-Gauge Shotgun Can Kill Ducks as Effectively as a 12-Gauge (At Modest Ranges)

What the Benelli SBE 3 28 Gauge Does Best

This shotgun ramps up the fun factor in waterfowl shooting. I think it’s an ideal option for new hunters who don’t want to get rocked with recoil and develop poor shooting habits. It’s also perfect for veteran hunters who are looking to rekindle that romance of shooting greenheads up close. For SBE 3 fans, of which there are many, this is simply a scaled down version of the gun they already own—it’s just more enjoyable to shoot.

Where the Benelli SBE 3 28 Gauge Falls Short

I couldn’t find anything to not like about this gun except for the price. At almost $2,000, it’s spendy for a gun that probably won’t be your only duck gun (some days you’re just going to need that 12 gauge). Plus, living the 28-gauge lifestyle means buying pricier shells season after season. Those Hevi XII loads I keep pumping up? They cost $80 for a box of 25. The Black Cloud steel loads, which will start shipping this year, will be more affordable but still not cheap.

Final Thoughts on the 28 Gauge Benelli SBE 3

This shotgun (plus the shells I shot through it) made me a believer in the 28-gauge as a duck gun. Is it the best choice for all waterfowl hunting applications across the four flyways? Probably not. But it is a serious shotgun for serious waterfowl hunters who don’t mind buying premium ammo and want to mix up their shooting a little. If you spend some time shooting the 28-gauge Benelli SBE 3, you’ll become a believer too. 

The post 28 Gauge Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 Review appeared first on Outdoor Life.

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Best Overall		Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus	SEE IT
Best for Waterfowl		Benelli Super Black Eagle 3	SEE IT
Best Value		TriStar Viper G2 Wood Walnut	SEE IT

The best semi auto shotguns fire rounds reliably and cycle quickly. Even when built upon a relatively light platform, they soak up recoil and swing to birds and clays naturally. It’s no wonder that so many waterfowlers, upland bird hunters, and clays shooters opt for the modern semi auto shotgun.  

But, you can’t talk about the best semi auto shotguns without first starting with John Moses Browning. When Browning debuted his long-recoil Automatic-5 in September 1903, it quickly became the world’s first successful production auto-loader. His design was nearly flawless, and as such, the Auto-5  enjoyed an almost century-long run until it was discontinued in 1999 (a new, redesigned version debuted in 2014). The semi auto survived two world wars, and was manufactured on three different continents—Europe, Asia, and the U.S. (as the Remington Model 11).

The popularity that the semi-auto platform enjoys today is largely thanks to Browning. Now manufacturers come out with a “new” auto-loader almost every year. With such an expansive selection, buying a new semi auto shotgun can get confusing. To help you decide which is the ideal fit for you, here are the best semi auto shotguns for hunting duck marshes, uplands, deer woods, and competing on the clays range.

Best Semi Auto Shotguns

• Best Overall: Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus
• Best for Waterfowl: Benelli Super Black Eagle 3
• Best for Upland: Browning A5 Sweet Sixteen Upland
• Best for Turkey: Mossberg 940 Pro Turkey 
• Best for Deer: Winchester SX4 Cantilever Buck
• Best for Home Defense: Benelli M4 Tactical
• Best for Small Game: Weatherby SA-08 Deluxe
• Best Sub-Gauge: Beretta A400 Xplor Action 20-Gauge
• Best for Clays: Remington 1100
• Best Value: TriStar Viper G2 Wood Walnut
• Best Youth: Franchi 48 AL

Things to Consider Before Buying a Semi Auto Shotgun

Gas vs. Inertia

Almost all auto-loaders are currently built using one of two different platforms: gas or inertia. Gas-operated semi autos use a specific amount of gas (any remaining gas is bled off, typically through ports in the barrel) generated by the shotshell propellant to operate a piston housed inside the fore-end. The piston drives the bolt backward in order to eject the spent hull. The carrier then picks up a fresh shotshell from the magazine tube and lifts it into the chamber as the return spring sends the bolt forward, placing the shotshell into battery.

Inertia-driven guns use recoil to operate the bolt. The explosion of the shell creates recoil, forcing the buttstock of the shotgun into your shoulder. Inertia guns use that backstop (your shoulder) to briefly lockup the bolt with a tight spring, and then send it backward so the spent shell can be ejected. An inertia spring returns the bolt forward and a new shell is collected.

With any shotgun operating system there are trade-offs. Gas guns typically generate less felt recoil, but can also get dirtier because they use gas to function, which can cause carbon buildup on the piston and action. You must be diligent about cleaning a gas gun. They are usually heavier than inertia-driven guns because there are more components to gas guns. Inertia autos run cleaner than gas-operated shotguns, but you must ensure that an inertia gun is properly mounted so that the buttstock can drive against your shoulder in order to use the recoil and operate the action properly.

Gauge

The 12-gauge is the most popular and versatile. Sub-gauges—16, 20, 28, and .410-bore—are limited, especially the .410. But shotshell technology has made them all more viable for an array of game. There is also the 10-gauge, which has waned in popularity over the last decade. 

If you hunt ducks, turkey, deer, pheasants, small game, and shoot skeet, a 12-gauge makes a lot of sense because of its versatility. If you’re strictly a quail and dove hunter, any of the sub-gauges can work just fine, though you have to be very accurate and limit shot distances with a .410 because the pattern density is much smaller than any of the others. A 10-gauge is still a fine option for someone who hunts big Canada geese. 

Gun Fit

Finding a shotgun that fits you properly is key. We are all different shapes and sizes. So each gun will fit each shooter a little differently. Be sure to check out long-time writer Bruce Buck’s article on shotgun fit before you buy. And, left-handed shooters should read our review of the best shotguns for lefties. 

Best Overall: Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus

Beretta

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Why It Made the Cut

You can use the A400 Xtreme Plus for any hunting pursuit that requires a shotgun. It is also one of the softest shooting semi autos ever designed.

Key Features

• Gas-driven
• 3½-inch chamber
• Three-spring hydraulic Kick-off Mega recoil system
• Available in 20- and 12-gauge

Pros

• Ultra-reliable Blink operating system
• Very little felt recoil
• Gun fit is optimal for many shooters

Cons

• It’s 7.8 pounds, so it carries on the heavy side

Product Description

Beretta’s A400 Xtreme Plus was the Editor’s Choice in Outdoor Life’s 2021 best duck hunting shotgun test, but it can be used for multiple hunting and shooting pursuits, including deer, turkey, upland, clay shooting, and of course, waterfowl. This shotgun outperforms all others because of the gas-driven platform it is built on and the attention to detail its Italian engineers paid to the design of the A400. The Kick-off Mega recoil system has three hydraulic springs located in the stock to dampen recoil, which it does extremely well. Even heavy 2-ounce turkey loads are manageable for most hunters shooting the Beretta. The Blink system runs the action by regulating the amount of gas that is used to work the bolt when the gun is fired. Beretta touts Blink for its speed, and while it is fast, there is also less time for recoil to disperse, though the combination of Kick-Off, the gas-operation, and the weight of the gun (7.8 pounds) negates the recoil.

The 12-gauge is drilled and tapped for an optic, plus it comes in three barrel lengths—26-, 28-, or 30-inch. It has a 5.1-pound trigger pull, which is on the heavy side, but I have never noticed it much when ducks are in the decoys. The heavier trigger could be a slight issue when you need to aim the A400 at turkeys or deer, but the gun weighs almost 8 pounds, so that will help keep it steady when you touch off a round of TSS or a slug. Breaking down the A400 is a snap due to the quarter-twist fore-end cap. Just push down on the cap, turn, and it comes right off. Beretta offers the A400 in Realtree, Mossy Oak, and True Timber camouflage finishes as well as a synthetic option. There is also a left-hand variant available. 

Best for Waterfowl: Benelli Super Black Eagle 3

Benelli

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Why It Made the Cut

The SBE platform is the most popular shotgun among duck hunters because it’s reliable, durable, and low maintenance.

Key Features

• Inertia-driven
• 3- and 3½-inch chamber variants
• Available in 28-, 20-, and 12-gauge
• Comfortech recoil system

Pros

• Inertia-operated, so it runs cleaner than gas guns
• Incredibly reliable in cold weather
• Multiple gauge options

Cons

• Typically shoots 80 to 100 percent above center of target

Product Description

Benelli’s Super Black Eagle 3 is one of the most recognizable shotguns in duck blinds across the four flyways because hunters have found the SBE to be so reliable. The inertia operating system is much simpler than the systems of gas guns. And since the gun blows most of the gasses created by the shotshell propellant out the end of the muzzle, you don’t have to field strip a Benelli as often, though you should keep it clean so that it’s in good working order. The rotating bolt head has a detent that ensures the shotshell is sent into battery no matter how softly you slide the bolt forward. Previous SBEs and other Benellis did not have this feature and the shell sometimes remained (unknowingly) out of battery—a major inconvenience when you’re ready to fire the gun. 

SBE3s produce more recoil than most gas guns, but it’s made manageable by the Comfortech system, which is a series of synthetic chevrons located inside the stock. When the trigger is pulled, the chevrons flex, so that the shooter experiences less recoil. Some Benellis tend to shoot high—100 percent above center of target—on the pattern board, but I have never found that to be an issue when making kill shots on ducks. The SBE 3 includes a shim kit which shooters can use to easily lower their point of impact if needed. Available in 3- and 3½-inch chambers, and three different gauges—28, 20, and 12—the SBE is outfitted with a 26- or 28-inch barrel (there is a 24-inch barrel on the turkey model). Finish options include: black synthetic, walnut, Gore-Optifade, Realtree, and Moss Oak.

Best for Upland: Browning A5 Sweet Sixteen Upland

Browning

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Why It Made the Cut

It’s a light 5-pound, 12-ounce shotgun that’s easy to carry afield with above average pattern density.

Key Features

• Inertia-driven
• 2¾-inch chamber
• Invector DS choke system (3 chokes)
• Inflex recoil pad

Pros

• Lightweight
• Turkish walnut stock and fore-end
• Speed load function

Cons

• Pricey for an inertia-driven shotgun
• Product Description

Browning’s new version of the A5 Sweet Sixteen sports the same humpback profile as the original, but it’s only for aesthetics. The old 16-gauge needed the hump because it was a long-recoil shotgun and the barrel moved rearward into the receiver. Now, the Sweet Sixteen uses a Kinematic (different word for inertia) system to operate the auto-loader. But just like John Browning’s model, this gun has a speed load function that allows the shooter to slide the first round into the magazine where it is caught by the carrier, and lifted into the chamber. Since 1929, most all American 16-gauge shotguns, regardless of manufacturer, have been limited to a 2¾-inch chamber, which isn’t a big deal. Realistically, you don’t need a 3- or 3½-inch shotshell to kill a pheasant or any other upland bird. 

There is an Inflex recoil pad on the buttstock to dampen recoil, which I have found manageable on every Sweet Sixteen (new and old) that I have shot. Felt recoil is also dampened due to the fact that most 16-gauge ammunition doesn’t have a charge weight over 1⅛ ounces, though ammo can be hard to come by. There are only a few lead, steel, and bismuth options. Barrels are available in 26 or 28 inches, and outfitted with Invector DS chokes (IC, M, and F). The fore-end cap is simple to remove when the gun needs a thorough cleaning. Just stick your car key into the insert, twist, and the cap comes out. The Sweet Sixteen also has a 100,000-round or five-year warranty, whichever comes first.

Best for Turkey: Mossberg 940 Pro Turkey 

Mossberg

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Why It Made the Cut

There are more turkey shotguns on the market now than ever, mainly due to the fact that Mossberg set the trend by building specialized repeaters, like the 940 Pro, at a reasonable price.

Key Features

• Gas-operated
• 3-inch chamber
• 18.5- and 24-inch barrel options
• RMSc micro-dot sight-ready

Pros

• Gas system reduces felt recoil
• Nitride coating inside action for added reliability
• Cut for low-profile RMSc red-dot optic
• XX Full Choke included

Cons

• Fit and finish are a little rough around the edges

Product Description

Red dot sights are popular on turkey guns these days and Mossberg has leaned into that trend by making two cuts in the top of the receiver where a low-profile RSMc red dot (sold separately) can be added. This means that you can mount an optic low on the receiver and maintain a good cheek weld on the stock. 

The clean-running gas system is another component that makes the 940 such an attractive choice for turkey hunters. There’s a gold buffer tube that slides over the magazine to cut down on carbon buildup, so you don’t have to strip and clean it as often. Gas guns typically tame recoil more than inertia-driven semi autos, and that is certainly the case with the Mossberg. It’s also a 7½ pound gun, not overly heavy to carry in the turkey woods, but enough weight to soak up recoil (in conjunction with the operating system).

Mossberg designed the 3-inch gun, which costs under $1,000, with an oversized bolt handle and load port to make the semi auto shotgun easier to manipulate in the dark or when you run and gun and need to load and unload ammo for safety. It also comes with an XX-Full .670 choke and Hiviz red, green, and white front sights. The length of pull is adjustable from 13 to 14¼ inches, and the 940 is finished in Mossy Oak Greenleaf camouflage. During pattern work with Federal Heavyweight TSS 1¾-ounce No. 9s, the 940 averaged 161 pellets inside a 10-inch circle at 40 yards and 68 pellets at 60 yards (10-shot average for both yardages). 

Beyond pattern testing, Outdoor Life editors killed three turkeys in two states with the Mossberg 940 Pro Turkey last spring. It proved to be a handy shotgun in heavy cover and on run-and-gun hunts (Read our full review on the Mossberg 940 Turkey Pro here).

Best for Deer: Winchester SX4 Cantilever Buck

Winchester

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Why It Made the Cut

Unlike many other slug guns, the cantilever scope base is attached to the barrel of the SX4, not the receiver, which makes for superior accuracy.

Key Features

• Rifled barrel
• Gas-operated
• Adjustable iron sights
• Cantilever scope base

Pros

• Gas-driven for better recoil management
• Iron sights for close-range shots
• Costs under $1,000

Cons

• Trigger has a bit of creep in it

Product Description

Finding a moderately-priced, gas-driven semi auto slug gun that functions reliably and is also accurate can be a challenge. But Winchester’s SX4 Cantilever Buck checks all the boxes. The shotgun costs under $1,000, and uses an active-valve, self-regulating gas system that is nearly fail-proof—I have had the base model SX4 for four years and it has shot slugs, turkey, and waterfowl loads flawlessly. You will also experience less felt recoil thanks to the gun’s gas operation. A spring inside the gas piston compresses when a round is fired, supplying the auto-loader with the right amount of gas to function; the rest is bled off through vents in the forearm. An Inflex recoil pad on the buttstock also deflects felt recoil away from your face. The cantilever mounting system is affixed to the barrel, which allows you to mount an optic farther forward than if you were using scope rings or a Picatinny rail mounted to the receiver. This gives the shooter more eye relief when they are trying to find a deer in the scope or reflex sight.

READ NEXT: The Best Shotguns for Deer Hunting

Available in 20- or 12-gauge, the SX4 has a 22-inch rifled barrel, capable of shooting sabots and Foster-style (rifled) slugs. A 3-inch semi auto, it weighs 7.8 pounds. The gun has a matte black finish, and swivel studs so you can attach a sling. The trigger is on the heavy side (5.9 pounds) for a shotgun that you need to shoot like a rifle. But since it’s a gas gun, the trigger can be lightened significantly more than if you were shooting an inertia-driven auto (it’s dangerous to remove too much weight from an inertia trigger because of the way the trigger resets after the first shot). I had a trained gunsmith take the trigger pull on my SX4 down to 3.5 pounds. It breaks clean with zero creep.

Best Home Defense: Benelli M4 Tactical

Benelli

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Why It Made the Cut

The M4 is the civilian version of the shotgun relied upon by the United States Marine Corps. The only difference is ammo capacity (military M4s hold eight 2¾-inch rounds; civilian variants hold six).

Key Features

• 3-inch chamber
• Gas-operated
• Front post and rear ghost-ring sights
• 7.8 pounds

Pros

• Self-cleaning A.R.G.O. gas-system
• Picatinny rail for mounting optics
• 5+1 2¾-inch shotshell capacity

Cons

• Cost is over $2,000

Product Description

Benellis are inertia guns right? Well, not the M4 Tactical. In 1998 the Italian gunmaker developed the A.R.G.O. (Auto-Regulating Gas-Operated) system, which uses dual pistons that push directly against the bolt to work the action, so the 12-gauge auto-loader can reliably cycle lighter ⅞- or 1-ounce defense loads. It’s a self-cleaning platform Benelli says can churn through 25,000 rounds before the semi auto needs to be maintenanced. A.R.G.O. is so reliable—it contains no heavy gas piston or action bar linkage—that the U.S. Marine Corps and Department of Defense adopted the M4 as their combat shotgun. The civilian M4 comes in four models—two pistol grip and two standard grip variants—with a rear ghost-ring sight and front post sight. It’s drilled and tapped, but also outfitted with a Picatinny rail for mounting optics. If you want to mount a light to the barrel or front of the shotgun, there are aftermarket options available. 

The M4 can hold six rounds (5+1), though you can buy an extension magazine for more capacity. It includes a flush-fitting modified choke that screws into the muzzle of the 18-inch barrel. The Benelli is 40 inches long overall and weighs 7.8 pounds.

Best for Small Game: Weatherby SA-08 Deluxe

Weatherby

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Why It Made the Cut

Weatherby’s shotguns aren’t widely popular, but the SA-08 should be. It’s a well-built semi auto that’s a steal for the price.

Key Features

• 3-inch chamber
• Gas-operated
• 6 pounds (12-gauge)
• Aluminum receiver

Pros

• Dual-valve gas system
• Available in 28-, 20-, and 12-gauge
• Price is on point

Cons

• Tough to find

Product Description

Weatherby’s SA-08 Deluxe is a shotgun that should have stayed in production forever—it was discontinued in 2019, though the synthetic compact variant is still being sold. The gas-driven semi auto is soft-shooting, cycles reliably, and you can often find one for under $800. It’s also light for a gas gun—the 12-gauge weighs just 6 pounds, though I’d lobby for the 20- or 28-gauge for small game. The receiver is aluminum, which is how Weatherby was able to cut weight from the gun. Even though it’s a Turkish import, the wood stock and fore-end of the SA-08 are well done. Sometimes manufacturers will skimp on price-point semi auto shotguns, but the Deluxe harkens to a bygone era when you didn’t have to over pay for a wood and steel shotgun. There are no glaring gaps from steel to wood. 

The dual-valve gas-system uses a piston to drive an action bar that is connected to the bolt and a steel cylinder that slides over the magazine tube. When a shot is fired, the piston pushes the tube backwards using the propellant from the shotshell and the remaining gasses are bled off. It’s a trusted platform similar to the one Beretta used in many of its A300 series shotguns in the 1980s and ‘90s. Many current autos that cost considerably more employ a cheap plastic cylinder to operate the bolt. The SA-08 is available with a vent rib 26- or 28-inch chrome-lined barrel and comes with three flush choke tubes (IC, M, and F).

Best Sub-Gauge: Beretta A400 Xplor Action 20-Gauge

Beretta

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Why It Made the Cut

The A400 Xplor Action is an almost fail-proof semi auto that doesn’t need to be cleaned as much as competing gas-driven shotguns to function.

Key Features

• Available in 12-, 20-, and 28-gauge
• 3-inch chamber
• Blink gas operating system
• Walnut stock and fore-end

Pros

• Reliable gas operating system
• Light trigger pull (4.5 pounds)
• Superior gun fit for a variety of shooters

Cons

• Polymer trigger group
• IC choke not included

Product Description

Beretta’s A400 Xplor Action has the look and feel of a high-end auto-loader, but it’s also a workhorse. I have been shooting the 20-gauge on ducks, pheasants, and small game for nearly a decade. During that time, I put the gas-driven A400 through hell. The only shells it has failed to cycle reliably are a few brands of 3-inch tungsten waterfowl loads. Everything else, it churned through without issue. Its closest rival is the Benelli M2 20-gauge, another fine option, but I chose the Beretta because felt recoil is more manageable, plus the checkered pistol grip stock and fore-end are walnut, not synthetic. There are more moving parts to the A400 because it’s a gas gun. The gas piston sits atop the magazine tube and drives two metal action bars rearward to work the bolt. The action bars are attached to a plastic cylinder that slides over the magazine tube, a bit cheap when you’re paying $1,600 for a shotgun. A polymer drop out trigger group is also a cost-cutting measure I don’t enjoy, but most modern auto-loaders are not built with steel trigger groups.

Beretta chose the Blink gas-operating system for the Xplor. It’s a proven platform that has been used in the A400 Xtreme and Xcel series. It’s touted as being the fastest in the industry, capable of cycling two shotshells in less than half a second. Fast isn’t necessarily a good thing for semi autos because it doesn’t allow as much time for recoil to disperse. But I have never felt beat up by the Xplor, and the second and third shells have always been there when I needed follow-up shots. There is a Kick-Off system inside the stock, a series of hydraulic shock absorbers that cushion felt recoil. The A400 20-gauge has a 28-inch vent-rib barrel and includes three stock chokes (C, M, and F).

Best for Clay Shooting: Remington 1100

Remington

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Why It Made the Cut

Remington’s 1100 is built like a tank and one of the most popular skeet and trap auto-loading shotguns to ever be manufactured. 

Key Features

• Available in 2¾- and 3-inch models
• Gas-driven
• Built in 12-, 16-, 20- and 28-gauge, plus .410
• Weighs 8.1 pounds (12-gauge)

Pros

• Well balanced 
• Made of steel and wood (no plastic)
• Durable exterior finish

Cons

• Gas O-rings periodically need replacement

Product Description

In the 1970s, the Remington 1100 became one of the most popular shotguns for clay target shooters, namely because the gun fit so many different shooters well, plus it was offered in every gauge. The 1100 was produced in a laundry list of variants before being discontinued in 2020. The first models in 1963 were available in 12-, 16-, and 20-gauge with a 26-, 28-, or 30-inch fixed choke barrel. Remington did not introduce choke tubes with the platform until 1987. If you buy a fixed-choke 1100 (you will want to find an IC for clay shooting) it’s only safe for lead. Steel shot could damage the barrel. A majority of 1100s are chambered for 2¾-inch shotshells as well. The 3-inch variant did not debut until the late 1970s.

The balance, weight, fit, and price—you can find one for under $800—of the 1100 are what make it such an attractive option for modern clay shooters. It’s also a beautiful auto-loader with a walnut stock and fore-end that includes Fleur-de-lis checkering. It’s a soft-shooting gas gun (the overall weight also helps mitigate recoil), but you will have to occasionally replace a rubber O-ring that slides over the magazine tube to keep the 1100 functional. The trigger pull is respectable for a stock trigger at 4.9 pounds. And the finish on the outside of the 1100 is similar to that used on bowling pins, so it’s incredibly durable. 

A new company—RemArms—purchased the Remington gun business out of bankruptcy (it was broken up into several parts and sold off) and has said it will offer the 1100 in a sporting model, but that’s on hold for now.

Best Value: TriStar Viper G2 Wood Walnut

TriStar

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Why It Made the Cut

TriStar imports workhorse gas-driven auto-loaders for under $700.

Key Features

• Gas-operated
• Available in 12-, 16-, 20-, 28- gauge and .410
• 3-inch chamber (2¾-inch 16-gauge)
• 6.9 pounds (12-gauge)

Pros

• MSRP is $685
• Light weight, makes it easy to carry afield
• Beretta Mobil choke system

Cons

• .410 had a bolt-lock button recall

Product Description

Several years ago, I was part of a group of gun writers that met at a local skeet range to field test new shotguns. In almost 10 years of range work, there were few semi auto shotguns that we all shot as well as TriStar’s Viper G2. Since then, I’ve seen plenty of folks shoot this gun accurately right out of the box. That’s remarkable for a Turkish-made (Armsan) gas-driven repeater that costs less than $700. I patterned the 12-gauge and .410 with target loads on a painted steel plate after one of the skeet sessions. Every shot produced an even 50/50 pattern from 25 yards (most skeet shots are inside this distance) using an improved cylinder choke and No. 9 lead shot. I’ve also shot the 28-gauge variant on pen-raised pheasants and chukar with success.

Three Beretta Mobil flush-fitting chokes (IC, M, and F) are included with the G2, which has two barrel length options—26- or 28-inch. The gas system is reliable and the action bars, along with the cylinder they are attached to, are metal. The recoil spring slides over the magazine tube, making it easy to access and clean. A thin rubber pad affixed to the buttstock dampens recoil as well. It has been my experience that after hard use, you must remove the recoil pad and tighten the nut that holds the stock and receiver together (this was necessary on both the 12-gauge and .410). There was also a recall issued by TriStar on the .410 due to a faulty bolt-lock button that could cause a shotshell to detonate during loading and unloading. The problem has since been fixed.

Best for Youth Hunters: Franchi 48 AL

Franchi

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Why It Made the Cut

Frahnchi’s 48 AL is a light, long-recoil operated semi auto (just like Browning’s Auto-5) with few moving parts, so it’s simple to use for new shooters.

Key Features

• Long-recoil operating system
• 2¾- or 3-inch chamber
• Available in 12-, 20-, or 28-gauge
• Youth model weighs 5.4 pounds (20-gauge)

Pros

• 20- and 28-gauge weigh less 5.6 pounds
• Manageable recoil
• Few moving parts

Cons

• Discontinued in 2016

Product Description

Franchi moved on from the 48 AL in 2016, but you can still find this long-recoil operated shotgun online. It’s a perfect fit for a young, small shooter. The 48 debuted in 1950 and was offered in 12-, 20- and 28-gauge, enjoying a 66-year run before being discontinued. Youth shooters are better suited for the sub-gauge variants due to the light weight (under 6 pounds) of those guns. Most 48s are chambered for 2¾-inch shotshells so payloads are smaller, which means less recoil. The guts of the 48 are a bit different than any other semi auto on this list. There is a thick spring that slides around the magazine tube, followed by a governor ring, and then a bronze friction ring with a steel band around it. The governor ring is beveled on one side and flat on the other. When shooting light loads, the beveled edge must be facing forward toward the barrel for the gun to operate properly. The ring needs to be flipped to the flat side for heavy game loads.

All 48 barrels had fixed chokes until 1989 when screw-in options became available. Barrel lengths range from 24 to 30 inches. Since it’s a long-recoil shotgun, the barrel moves reward into the chamber with the bolt once a shotshell is fired. The bolt then locks in place and the barrel separates so the spent shell can be ejected. Once the barrel moves completely forward, it triggers the release of the bolt, and a fresh round is collected from the carrier.

How We Picked the Best Semi Auto Shotguns

I have shot semi auto shotguns from every manufacturer that currently builds or imports shotguns to the U.S. I’ve hunted with them in duck blinds and pheasant fields and shot them extensively at the range. For this review, I weighed cost, functionality, fit, and availability in picking the best semi autos.

READ NEXT: 10 Classic Shotguns Every Wingshooter Should Own

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Finding the best semi auto shotgun for you can be a daunting task, particularly when you’re buying a gun you have never shot. If possible, you should shoot a variety of shotguns that belong to friends and attend range days, which manufacturers and retail stores will sometimes hold at local gun ranges. This will allow you to get a feel for different guns and see which ones you shoot well before buying. Don’t dive into this process hastily. A shotgun is a major investment and the right one will last you a lifetime. 

The post The Best Semi Auto Shotguns  appeared first on Outdoor Life.

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None of us buy a pair of shoes without first trying them on. But when you are in the market for a new shotgun that’s precisely the predicament you face. You can’t leave the store with the gun and drive to the skeet range to see if it’s a good fit until you pay for it. So, how do you know if an off-the-shelf shotgun is the right one? Fortunately, there are many ways to check gun fit without ever firing a shotshell. And there are even more ways of adjusting gun fit after your purchase. 

But first, if you are a new shooter and this is your first shotgun, it’s best if you don’t buy right away. Take some shooting lessons first. Borrow guns from friends or at the range, if possible. You don’t know if a gun is right for you until you learn the basics of shooting. That said, if you must have a new gun now, know that your shooting style and body will partially adapt to the gun. It is different once you have learned to shoot. Then you will want a gun that fits you so you can continue to shoot in the manner you’re accustomed. 

Find Your Proper Sight Alignment

The usual approach to testing gun fit when you can’t shoot a smoothbore is to mount the unloaded gun and see if it lines up correctly under your dominant eye. This is best done by starting with your eyes closed. Shut your eyes and mount the gun so that it feels comfortable. Snuggle in a bit. Then open your eyes. Does your dominant eye look straight down the rib? If it is to either side, that means that the cast, or lateral bending of the stock, isn’t quite right for you. As to correct stock height, the store manager or a shooting friend can help you by looking down from the front of the mounted empty gun towards your eye and noting where your iris aligns with the rib. You can also check eye alignment yourself by mounting the gun in front of a mirror.  

If you already have a gun which you shoot well, bring it to the gun shop so that you can check the fit of the new gun against the proven one. If you don’t shoot your own gun well, bring it along anyway so that you can see how the new gun will differ to improve your shooting. It will also help eliminate guns of a similar design.

How Much Rib Do You See?

Although this is very personal, I don’t like to look flat down the rib when the stock is against my cheek with moderate pressure. That’s because when I need to shoot a dropping bird, I tend to cheek a little tighter and that causes my eye to go under the rib, which obscures the target. I like to see a little bit of rib when I cheek normally. This allows me to keep the target in full view and slightly float the target instead of covering it up with the muzzle. 

If the gun has a center bead in addition to the front bead, many shooters like to line them up to create a figure eight with the center bead just touching the bottom of the front bead. If there is no center bead, a trick that I have found useful is to lay a penny flat on the rear-most part of the rib and cheek the gun normally. Doing that, usually I can still see the front bead, but not the front part of the rib. That gives me just about the amount of height that I need in my field guns, which come with flat ribs. You may want a different sight picture than I do, depending on the game, clay target presentations, or your shooting style.

Some Shotguns Fit Better Than Others

If you are considering an automatic or pump shotgun, they often have fitting advantages. Many of today’s semi-autos are shim adjustable. They come with different shims which you can place between the head of the stock and the rear of the action to change the height and cast of the stock to suit the shooter. This basically allows you to easily alter the stock for an ideal fit. Most pump guns do not come with this feature, but a good gunsmith should be able to make and insert shims in a pump.

Unfortunately, over/unders and side-by-sides don’t have this feature due to the way the stocks fit into the receivers. If the stock is too high or doesn’t have enough cast off, one of the options is to sand it down to fit and then refinish it. The problem is when you want to increase height or reduce cast wood must be added. A highly skilled gunsmith may be able to bend the stock to fit you using heat lamps or moisture, but it is expensive and sometimes the wood doesn’t stay bent. Some modern target guns are built with an adjustable cheek piece. This allows for easy adjustment of cast and height. Unfortunately, an adjustable cheek piece is a bit cumbersome on a field gun, so you don’t find them on those. You can also have a gunsmith make a stock that fits your body type, but it can be a pricey endeavor.  A cheap DIY alternative is just to add some moleskin to the comb of the shotgun.

Length of Pull Is a Key Component to Gun Fit

You also need to check stock length. While there are different preferences, a good rule of thumb is to have about 1½ inches between the back of your trigger-hand thumb and your shooting glasses when mounted. Make sure that you are wearing your shooting clothing when you are trying a new gun out in the store, so that your reach will be consistent. If you are a duck hunter, don’t test the gun in a T-shirt. Note that a short stock will often increase felt recoil. One that is too long will inhibit gun mount and make control more difficult. Too short or long stocks can also hinder accuracy. However, stock length isn’t a deal breaker because changes in length are generally very simple to make by using a recoil pad of different lengths. You can also add spacers to some stocks by unscrewing the butt plate. Longer stocks can be cut to fit smaller shooters as well.

One Size Does Not Fit All

What are the chances of finding a gun that fits perfectly? Are there any brands and models which seem to fit most people? The answer to that is maybe. The problem is that there is no such thing as a standard gun measurement. Standard Remington 1100s—arguably the most popular semi-auto for target shooters in the 1970s—measured 1½ inches (drop at comb) x 2½ inches (drop at heel) x 14 inches (length of pull) through most of their production run. With a thin comb, they often suit the average American male. But then look at some European guns. The Fausti Class over/unders are slightly longer, measuring 1½ x 2¼ x 14½ inches as is the Beretta Silver Pigeon I 20-gauge, listed as measuring 1⅜ x 2¼ x 14¾ inches. Remember that a gun stock for pre-mounted target shooting can be a little longer than the stock of a field gun, which must be mounted under many different conditions. 

Beretta

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In addition to stock height, cast, and length for proper gun fit you will want to make sure that the pitch of the stock suits you. Pitch is the angle of the butt plate where it fits your sloping shoulder. Four degrees is standard. You want to make sure that the toe of the stock doesn’t dig into your chest. Pitch, like length, is easily adjusted. You can use a tapered recoil pad spacer to get the pitch right. 

While you are at it, make sure that the grip suits your hand and that the trigger is comfortably within reach. Some target guns have triggers which can be moved back-and-forth, but this is rare in field guns. 

Read Next: The Best Duck Hunting Shotguns for Waterfowlers

Not All Shotguns Are Created Equal

Clearly, if you are buying a gun off the shelf, it makes sense to see if you can borrow one of the same make and model from a friend to shoot before committing. Or you may find the same gun as a rental at a shooting range. That way you should know how that model shoots and fits before you lay your money down. But even that process has its flaws. Mass production of shotguns can lead to differences in gun dimensions. The measurements of the same model gun may be slightly different depending on when each individual gun was produced. So, you should still follow the guidelines I’ve laid out even when you are looking to buy a shotgun you believe is already the right fit.

The post How to Find a Shotgun That Fits You appeared first on Outdoor Life.

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If you’re a duck hunter and don’t know the name Fabarm, you’re not alone. In fact, I would venture to guess most waterfowlers have never seen one of these gas-driven semi-autos in the blind. But its absence in marshes across the U.S. has more to do with availability—not reliability—of the Italian-made smoothbores. For instance, the Fabarm XLR5 Chesapeake I just finished testing was one of the most capable and well-made auto-loaders I have shot in recent memory. Fabarm shotguns simply haven’t had a consistent importer until recently when Caesar Guerini bought the 122-year-old company and expanded the factory in Brescia.

Fabarm has a long history of building smoothbores that cater specifically to clay-shooting enthusiasts. But that has begun to change over the last decade with the addition of the L4S (an upland auto-loader) and the XLR5, which includes the Waterfowler and Chesapeake. However, the XLR5 was initially a sporting shotgun with an adjustable rib and trigger pull weight so skeet, trap, and sporting clays shooters could fine-tune the gun to their liking. You don’t get such features in the Chesapeake. But what’s beneficial about a clays gun that evolves into a hunting platform is that it almost always shoots accurately (at least that’s my take after years of shooting a variety of shotguns).

My best guess is the engineers who build clays guns put gun fit in front of everything else (or near the very top of the chart), and that’s why those smoothbores often outshine dedicated waterfowl shotguns on the pattern board and at the range. I certainly found that to be the case when I recently shot the Chesapeake on paper and at the skeet field.

Fabarm XLR5 Chesapeake Specifications

• Gauge: 12
• Action: Semi-auto
• Capacity: 4+1
• Chamber: 3-inch
• Barrel type: Tribore HP steel, vent rib
• Barrel length: 28-inch (tested), 30-inch
• Chokes: M, IM, F, and Exis DK full (extended choke)
• Front sight: Hi-Viz Fiber-optic
• Length: 48½ inches
• LOP: 14¼ inches
• Trigger pull: 3 pounds, 13 ounces
• Overall weight: 6.8 pounds
• MSRP: $1,995 (right-hand); $2,200 (left-hand)

How the Fabarm Chesapeake Patterned

The Chesapeake comes with four different chokes, an Exis DK extended full and flush fitting, modified, improved modified and full chokes. There was no difference in constriction of the flush and extended full chokes at the muzzle (both were .712 when measured with a digital caliper). I shot patterns from 40 yards with the IM and extended full chokes with three different 3-inch loads: Kent Fasteel 2.0 1¼-ounce No. 4s, Browning BXD 1¼-ounce BBs, and Federal MeatEater Bismuth 1 3/8-ounce No. 4s.

Fabarm’s Inner HP chokes are safe for steel shot, so you can shoot steel pellets of any size through them, including the full choke. The Italians made this possible by lengthening the choke tubes (3.233 inches verified by a digital caliper) and using a hyperbolic curved conical section inside the choke, which causes less friction as the payload passes through the choke. To be clear, it’s safe to shoot smaller steel shot (no larger than No. 4s) through any full choke. It’s the larger shot that can cause damage to the choke tube or bulge your shotgun’s barrel in a phenomenon known as bridging, in which two pellets become interlocked as they travel down the barrel. Because steel shot is so hard—unlike lead or bismuth—there is nowhere for the energy to go, resulting in barrel damage.

My patterns with the two steel and bismuth loads were all slightly different; not uncommon when you’re shooting multiple shot types from three separate ammo makers. The Kent 4s consistently printed 80 percent above my point of aim and 20 percent below; the Browning BBs yielded a 50/50 pattern; and the Federal Bismuth 4s shot 50/50 through the IM choke but impacted at a much lower 10/90 through the extended full. I shot each brand of shotshell at least five times through both chokes to ensure pattern consistency inside a 30-inch circle but ran 15 shells through the full choke-Federal combination because of the low pattern results. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t taking errant shots.

Testing the Fabarm Chesapeake

Duck guns get dirty, so after running 50 rounds through the Chesapeake on the pattern board, I picked up a dirt clod, crumbled it in my hand and threw it into the open action of the gun. After dumping the excess dirt out, I loaded three shells (a mix of the Kent 4s and Browning BBs) and fired them consecutively. The Fabarm had no issue cycling, but as I loaded up again, the bolt-release button began to stiffen, and I had to press hard to get the action to close and chamber the first 3-inch shell. I ran three more rounds through the smoothbore without a hitch and shot nine more shells, including three with the gun at my hip to try and get it to malfunction. But the gun never failed me that day. The action did slow a bit, but nothing more.

The next afternoon, I took the Fabarm to the skeet range without cleaning it. I loaded two 2¾-inch 1-ounce Kent Elite steel No. 7s at station one and called for the bird. As I fired the first shot, I could see the action sticking open for a moment and then closing. I called for the incoming bird, shot it, and then loaded two more shells for the double. The action ran sluggish but cycled. At station two, the bolt would not chamber the second shell as I tracked the low house bird, trying to complete the double. I removed the hung-up shell and worked the action repeatedly, trying to clear any grit I could from the gun. From that point on the Fabarm slowly improved, which was a surprise. I’ve never had a shotgun that jammed perform progressively better without a cleaning. But the Chesapeake’s cycling improved the more I shot it. By the end of my first round, it was functioning perfectly.

How the Fabarm Chesapeake Handles

The Chesapeake is a weight-forward shotgun, typical of gas operated smoothbores because the gas piston slides over the magazine tube, which is in the front of the gun. Fabarm also uses a heavy-duty action bar system that adds heft to the Chesapeake. However, the 3-inch auto-loader weighs under 7 pounds, so there’s not much to complain about when you’re carrying this gun afield. And though some prefer a more centrally-balanced shotgun, with the weight distributed between their hands, I’ll take a little more in the front—it helps keep me swinging through the bird. You just need to be extra diligent not to tip the barrel downward as you mount—easy to do with a weight forward shotgun. If you dip the muzzle, you’ll make a “check mark,” dropping and then having to raise the barrel. It’s harder to get on target than if you simply move the muzzle to the space in front of the clay or wild bird.

My first round of skeet—I shoot low gun—with the Fabarm was a bust because I was trying to get it to function after having left it dirty the previous day. But once the gun was up and running, I shot it well, scoring a 23 and 22 in the final two rounds. The Chesapeake has a .435-inch-wide vent rib and I noticed while shooting that it served almost like a runway leading to the front edge of the target. I don’t typically use the rib as a guide while shooting, but it was helpful to have a reference point. If I kept that big, flat rib in front of the target, I crushed it.

There was also a green plastic insert (other colors are available or you can remove it) at the back of the action that you can use to make sure your cheek is firmly on the stock and aligned with the rib. Some may find it obtrusive, but I felt like it kept my eye where it needed to be.

Gun Controls and Exterior Finish

There are three things the average duck hunter will find slightly different on the Chesapeake than other competing semi-autos. The first is the fore-end cap is shaped like a miniature ice-cream cone. It’s design and the small slits cut into the cap, make it easy to twist off and on. I was able to get a better grip on it and twist the cap off more easily than any other auto I have shot outside of the Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus, which has a half-turn cap.

The bolt-release button is located on the left side of the action. I handed the gun over to brother during pattern testing to let him shoot it, and after placing the first round in the chamber, he looked at me quizzically and asked, “how the hell do you close this thing?” So, it may be annoying for some at first to remember they need to reach to the left side of the gun to close the action. To open the action, there is a small lever—also on the left side of the action—you push outward. It’s not an inconvenient feature, but again, you will have to get used to it.

Like many of today’s auto-loaders, the Fabarm includes an over-sized charging handle, trigger-guard, cross-bolt safety, and roomy loading port, so you don’t catch your thumb and can easily insert a shell into the magazine with gloves on. To unload the magazine, there is a small lever you depress on the right side above the mag tube.

There is a ¾-inch recoil pad and thin rubber cheek weld that mitigated felt recoil well when I shot the 1- and 1¼-ounce loads, but the 1 3/8-ounce bismuth offering from Federal had more kick. It was a manageable amount of recoil, but you could feel the difference. That’s also the price you pay for shooting most 3-inch production bismuth shotshells. If you don’t enjoy the recoil they produce, step down to a lower charge weight in a 2¾-inch shell.

The receiver and barrel are finished in a bronze Cerakote and the stock and fore-end are coated in True Timber Strata camouflage. The checkering on the pistol grip and fore-end are abrasive, which is a plus when hunting in cold weather so you can firmly grip the gun. But on the skeet range in the dead of summer, it was like holding onto steel wool.

Fabaram’s Specialized Steel Barrels

The Tribore HP barrel system is the pride of Fabarm. Many gunmakers outsource their barrels, but Fabarm drills their own chrome molybdenum steel—a corrosion-resistant alloy that can stand up to high pressures and temperatures—barrels from a solid block of steel. Fabarm also overproof tests all its guns to 1630 BAR (1370 BAR is normal) to ensure the strength of the bore and action. One BAR equals 14.5 pounds per square inch (psi), so every Fabarm is built to handle over 23,000 psi. The bore is also tapered from 18.7mm (.736 inches) to 18.4mm (.724 inches) before the payload reaches the Inner HP choke, which Fabarm says is the key ingredient in making their guns pattern so effectively.

Fabarm’s Gas-Driven Operating System

When I picked the Chesapeake up at the gun shop it was in two pieces. The first thing I noticed while putting it together was the quality of the thick steel chromed action bars that drive the bolt rewards after the proper amount of gas is bled from the barrel. There are some equally expensive gas driven shotguns that rely on a much cheaper plastic tube that slides over the magazine, so it was impressive to see such attention to detail on a part that is integral to the gun’s operation.

The Pulse Piston gas system is responsible for setting those action bars in motion. When the shooter fires a shotshell, the propellants enter a dual port system housed under the barrel. The pressure those gases put on the piston force the bolt open, eject the spent hull, and allow the lifter to bring a fresh round into battery. When you shoot a heavy load—like 3-inch 1 3/8-ounce bismuth—the elastomer on the back half of the piston expands and slows down the action rods so you don’t feel as much recoil.

The action return spring conveniently slides over the magazine tube and sits behind the action bars, but you must remove the bolt to access it. To remove the bolt, press down on the bolt-release button, pull out the charging handle, and free the action bars from the bolt. The magazine plug is simple to take out. A round steel plate is attached to the plug and sits on top of the magazine cap, so you don’t have to pull the spring from the mag to remove it.

There are two quirks in disassembling and assembling the Chesapeake. First, you cannot insert or dislodge the barrel from the action if the bolt is open. And be certain the fore-end is secured tight to the front of the action before you shoot the gun. Sometimes it will not fit flush, and you need to push up on it, then finish tightening the fore-end cap.

Is the Fabarm XLR5 Chesapeake Versatile?

Most duck hunters buy an auto-loader with the expectation that they will be able to purchase an aftermarket extension magazine tube for the spring snow goose conservation order. And Briley does offer two, four, and six-round extension for the XLR5 platform. It’s also possible to mount a Picatinny rail to the Cheasapeake. There are four cuts—two on each side of the action—that allow for a rail in case you want to add an optic for turkey season. You could also deer hunt with the Chesapeake during slug-gun season, but again it’s not intended for that pursuit. The Fabarm will serve upland bird and small game hunters well; it’s a light enough 12-gauge that you won’t mind carrying it across a CRP field to flush a rooster or amongst the hardwoods and brush piles to shoot a rabbit.

Read Next: The Best Duck Hunting Shotguns for Waterfowlers

Final Thoughts

If you’re going to spend $2,000 on a current production auto-loader, there are only two other Italian-made guns that can compete with the XLR5—Benelli’s Super Black Eagle 3 and Beretta’s A400 Xtreme Plus. I’ll leave it to you to decide which of the three is worth your hard-earned money. But you get what you pay for in the Chesapeake. It’s a well-made repeater that doesn’t really skimp on any component, except for the plastic trigger group. The operating system, superior barrel strength, attention to detail, and overall functionality make the Fabarm one of the best 3-inch autos to ever come out of Italy. 

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At a 1973 Ducks Unlimited banquet a custom Remington 1100 shotgun was auctioned to raise money to help fund sustainable duck habitat for North American waterfowl. That first 1100 started one of the most successful philanthropic efforts in DU history—the “Shotgun of the Year,” a program that continues today. Each year a gun manufacturer is selected to build a special run of shotguns specifically made for the DU dinners that take place across the country. And some of those dinner guns have become highly coveted.

A total of 140,023 DU dinner guns have been sold, every penny made going to waterfowl and wetlands conservation. The only way to get a new model is to buy one at a DU event or online auction, though older version like these will crop up on the used market. Also, you can check out DU’s Into the Vault online auction that runs from November to early December every year to see if one of these classics comes up for sale.

The Lost DU Dinner Guns

DU never kept any of the dinner guns when the program started in 1973. But as time passed, the realization set in that they should have, and staff began looking for a complete set. For years, every lead came to a dead end until Tony Palermo of Sulphur, Louisiana, was found. He not only had one complete collection of DU dinner guns, but three. Palermo donated one of them, and the guns are on display at DU’s national headquarters in Memphis.

1. Remington 1100 Magnum (1973)

By the early 1970s, DU had completed 1100 wetlands conservation projects in Canada. Those projects helped waterfowl populations through tough times, including the early 1960s when drought decimated populations, shortening season lengths and limiting daily bags. By 1973, the birds had rebounded. So, to commemorate the success in Canada, DU selected the 1100—the same number of projects completed on the prairie. The Remington 1100 Magnum—a 2 ¾-inch shotgun with a 30-inch full-choke barrel—was one of the most popular auto-loaders of the era, alongside the Browning Auto-5. It was built to function in the harsh elements duck hunters often find themselves suffering through, something that had not been done with a gas-operated semi-auto to that point. The 1100 was a darling amongst clay shooters as well and offered in every gauge from 12 down to .410-bore.

2. Winchester Model 12 (1975)

DU went with another duck hunting favorite in 1975, the Winchester’s Model 12. The pump gun was deemed “the perfect repeater,” and all you needed was to swing it on a crossing mallard once to know why—it was a well-engineered smoothbore that fit scores of different shooters. This 12-gauge, 2¾-inch Winchester had a 30-inch full-choke barrel with high-grade walnut furniture and a signature red Winchester recoil pad. The DU gun was not overly ornamental, fitting for a shotgun built to take a beating. Tastefully engraved, the Model 12 sports a distinctive bronze receiver medallion, and the DU crest is attached to the pistol grip. Winchester debuted the M12 in 20-gauge in 1912, before adding 12- and 16-gauge two years later. There was also a 28-gauge variant and the .410 became a separate line called the Model 42.

3. Browning A-5 (1987)

In 1987, DU celebrated its 50^th anniversary with the most famous long-recoil shotgun in American history—John Browning’s timeless Auto-5. The gun is truly stunning, including an elaborately engraved silver receiver paired with high-grade walnut stock and forearm. The words “Fiftieth Year” are engraved in banners across the bolt side of the receiver, a graceful Canada goose overlooking the scene. The 2¾-inch chamber was chosen over the 3-inch magnum version, but this dinner gun was meant for collecting, not hunting. The Miroku factories in Japan built 5,000 of these Auto-5s, each of which had fixed modified chokes. Rock Island Auction sold one of the 50^th anniversary humpbacks for almost $3,000 in April of 2022.

4. Beretta White Onyx (2005)

It took more than 30 years for DU to add a break-action to the Shotgun of the Year collection. Beretta’s 686 White Onyx, a popular over/under design, was selected in 12-gauge. In 2008 and 2009 the 20- and 28-gauge White Onyx models followed, creating a coveted three-gun collector’s set. Each shotgun sports 28-inch barrels with Beretta’s Mobil choke system. The 12 and 20 have 3-inch chambers (28 has 2¾-inch) with polished nickel receivers set off by inlaid gold flying ducks. In 2019, the 12-gauge Super Black Eagle III began the next set of DU dinner guns, followed by the matching 20-gauge in 2022, and the upcoming 28-gauge for 2023. 

Read Next: Belgium vs. Japan: Who Made the Better Browning Auto-5?

5. Browning Maxus (2012)            

Browning scored another milestone gun with the 3-inch, 12-gauge Maxus for DU’s 75^th Anniversary. Browning completely changed the exterior of the gun a few years ago, debuting the Maxus II, but the original is still a solid duck auto-loader. Gas-operated, the Maxus features a Grade III gloss walnut stock and fore-end. Like the 1987 A-5, this Browning has a beautifully engraved silver receiver with gold inlay. It also has a high polish 28-inch barrel that comes with three Invector-Plus choke tubes. The Maxus fore-end was different from any other auto-loader because it was engineered with the Speed-Lok system. That allowed shooters to remove the forearm by pressing a button and lifting a lever, much like you would when removing the barrels from an over/under or side-by-side. It was touted as being much simpler (and faster) than unscrewing a fore-end cap, but also meant an extension magazine couldn’t be used. That’s not an issue with the Maxus II.

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Shotgun trends flow like the tides, they’re in and out depending on ammo performance (and availability), plus the advancement of the smoothbores themselves. Right now, sub-gauges are the rage for wingshooters, fueled by renewed interest in the 28-gauge and the diminutive .410-bore. Why? They are all effective on wild gamebirds at reasonable distances with the right shotshell, they’re light, and don’t punish you the way an inertia-driven 12-gauge paired with a 3-inch 1 5/8-ounce load of bismuth will. Here is a rundown of some of the best auto-loading sub-gauge shotguns whether you pursue ducks, geese, upland birds, or enjoy weekend rounds of skeet. There are a couple of old autos that made the list, but a majority of them can be bought off the shelf at your local gun shop.

Remington 11-48 28-Gauge and .410-Bore

Remington’s inertia-driven 11-48 (1948 is the year it was developed, but it wasn’t introduced until 1952) was the first successful 28-gauge and .410 autoloader. Remington built the Model 11 long recoil shotgun on license from Browning, essentially an A-5 replica. Post World War Two manufacturing ushered in stamped steel parts, a cheaper way to make guns in all configurations. That’s the reason Remington shotguns look very similar to one another—compare an 870 to an 1100 side by side—and have multiple interchangeable parts.

Remington introduced the 28-gauge 11-48 in 1952. My grandfather and uncle each hunted quail with them. The 28 is a wonderful upland auto, easy to carry, and packs plenty of gun for bobwhites. They shot improved cylinder choked barrels in combination with No. 9 lead shot, which produced deadly patterns to 30 yards.

The .410 11-48 was primarily a skeet gun. As the first semi-auto .410, skeet shooters that preferred autos only had the 11-48 to turn to, so Remington built a vent ribbed skeet model that remains a collector’s item. Both the .410 and the 28 are not easy to come by as production of both was limited. You can still track one down if you look hard enough, just be prepared to pay at least $1,200 if it’s in decent condition.

Remington 1100 Sporting 28-Gauge

Remington’s gas-operated 1100 changed the semi-auto shotgun game when it debuted in 1963. The 1100 looks like the 11-48, which was eventually retired in favor of the new 1100 model, using the same rounded receiver. But the 1100 was more reliable. The 1100 did have cycling issues, however, mostly due to shooters not keeping it clean or failing to replace worn o-rings that were needed to properly operate the action. The 1100’s reduction in recoil helped Remington sell over 4 million and counting (RemArms has plans to continue producing the gun). Plus, like so many Remington shotguns, Big Green engineered the 1100 to fit a wide assortment of shooters, another reason why it became such a popular clays gun.

The sweet spot in the 1100 Sporting line was the 28-gauge. These guns were designed as target guns but make a wonderful upland option as well. RemArms, the most recent company to purchase Remington out of bankruptcy, isn’t building the 28 at this time, but you can get it in .410. There are also used 28s on the market, but they tend to be pricey ($1,500).

The wood furniture on the old 1100s is some of the best quality mahogany and walnut I have seen on a Remington production gun. Remington 1100s also include gloss blue metal finishes, vent rib barrels, and white bead front sight. If you can find an 1100 Premiere Sporting (made from 2008 to 2011), snatch it up. You’ll recognize it by the nickel-plated receiver. The gun also came with four aftermarket Briley extended chokes.

Benelli Super Black Eagle 28-Gauge

The Super Black Eagle series was coveted by an overwhelming number of duck hunters because it was the first 12-gauge auto-loader that could shoot 3½-inch shotshells. That was 30 years ago, and as shotshell technology has improved the chamberings for SBE’s are getting smaller. In addition to the 3½-inch model, you can now purchase the Benelli in a 3-inch 12- and 20-gauge variant, plus the 28, which is new for this year. Chambered for 3-inch shells, it’s one of the few 28s that can handle such a load (most 28s are chambered for 2¾-inch shotshells).

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Benelli offers the 28 in black, Realtree Max-5, Mossy Oak Bottomland, and Optidfade Timber, making the gun at home in the marsh, flooded fields, and green tree reservoirs mallards love. The SBE sub-gauge has the same barrel lengths (26- and 28-inch) as the 12-gauge model and is the same overall length, just lighter at 5.5 pounds.

Beretta A400 Xplor Action 28-Gauge  

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Gas guns are Beretta’s specialty in their semi-auto lineup. They have built some of the best, including the 302 and 303 in the late 1970s and early ’80s. Then came the legendary 390 and 391 series that set new standards in gas autoloader reliability. Today, the A400 lineup includes some of the finest gas auto-loaders in the world.  

The Xplor Action 28-gauge uses Beretta’s Blink system, which the Italian gunmaker claims allows shooters to fire four rounds in less than a second. The system’s speed lies in the split-ring valve that seals tight, making for a more efficient and cleaner gas transfer, creating less fouling in the chamber. The gun spreads recoil out remarkably well even though it’s a fast-cycling auto. Most guns that carry such labels are hell on your shoulder. Reliability is also a staple of this platform, but you must keep the auto-loader clean. Even the best gas systems require a field strip and wipe down of the gun after in-field abuse.

The Xplor Action is a looker with a bronze-colored receiver, blued barrel, and walnut stock. It doesn’t have the exterior durability of the SBE III, but a few chips and dings won’t stop the A400 from running. It’s available in 26- or 28-inch barrel lengths with five chokes included.    

TriStar Viper G2 .410  

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TriStar’s slogan is “The Value Experts” and it’s an accurate claim. The entire line of TriStar guns has gained momentum over the last decade because they are a good value for the money. Made in Turkey by Armsan and imported to Kansas City, the G2 gas autoloader lineup is available in every legal gauge but 10, my favorite being the .410.

In .410 alone, Viper G2’s come in Bronze (a similar look to the Beretta Xplor Action), Wood, Synthetic (black finish), Camo (Realtree Edge), and a pistol-gripped turkey model with a bronzed receiver and Mossy Oak Bottomland stock topped with an optics rail. That’s a wide shotgun selection in .410 and all are priced below $1,000. The .410 G2 weighs under 6 pounds and three chokes (IC, M, F) are included with each model.

You can use the G2 for skeet, upland, waterfowl, turkeys, and a variety of small game. Outdoor Life senior editor, Joe Genzel, has shot the Bronze model extensively on skeet, doves, and squirrels. He reported that the gun is incredibly accurate (when you’re shooting well). He has busted upwards of 20 clays per round on skeet with the G2; and scored in the single digits—.410s are fickle range guns. It’s a light carrying gun (5.8 pounds) in the squirrel woods, critical when you’re covering a lot of ground behind a high-energy wolf dog like Genzel has.

The only downside to this gun in my experience has been the stock coming loose from the receiver after running a few hundred rounds through it. To tighten in up, you must remove the buttpad and tighten the nut that holds the stock in place.

Best .410 Target and Game Load Shotshells

There are many lead skeet loads to choose from if you shoot a .410, but I am a proponent of using No. 9 shot in a 2½-inch, ½-ounce shotshell. It offers the shooter almost 300 pellets, which means more margin for error than a No. 8 (205 pellets) or No. 7½ (175 pellets) in the same charge weight. For upland bird options, consider stepping up to a 3-inch shotshell with either an 11/16- or ¾-ounce payload in 4s, 5s, or 6s. There’s not much of gap in pellet counts between these two charge weights—for instance an 11/16-ounce No. 6 has 155 and a ¾-ounce 6 has 169—so whichever load you can find will do.

If you’re duck hunting, there are 3-inch bismuth, tungsten, and steel loads at your disposal, but premium non-toxics are the route to go in order to avoid crippling birds. Steel .410 loads can kill ducks in the timber or early-season teal, but bismuth loads, like Boss, RST, or Hevi-Bismuth (safe to shoot in fixed choked shotguns with thin steel barrels) are denser (9.6 g/cc compared to 7.8 g/cc) and thus more effective. Hevi-Shot makes a tungsten-iron shotshell with a pellet density of 12 g/cc, and straight tungsten offerings are even better as the pellets carry a density of 18.1 g/cc, almost double that of bismuth. But few manufacturers make a .410 TSS waterfowl load. Federal Premium’s Custom Shop will load 3-inch 7s or 9s for you and Apex will occasional have shells available, but outside of that, you will likely need to turn to hand loads or fork over $45 a for a box of just five TSS turkey loads.

The post The Best .410 and 28-Gauge Semi-Auto Shotguns appeared first on Outdoor Life.

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Mossberg has proven itself as an innovative manufacturer of auto-loading and pump-action shotguns, in particular smoothbores built for personal defense and multi-gun competition. Their latest semi-auto, the 12-gauge 940 Pro Tactical comes on the heels of the 590S pump, another versatile platform offered in a traditional shoulder-mounted shotgun and pistol grip variant called the Shockwave. Although the 940 lacks the pump gun’s ability to fire 1¾-inch “shorty” shotshells, the Pro Tactical combines several noteworthy features in a no-nonsense, personal-defense package.

Mossberg debuted the 940 series with the JM Pro Competition at the 2020 Shot Show. Waterfowl, turkey, and now this tactical model, which can also serve as a competition gun, followed (read our full review of the Mossberg 940 Pro Turkey here). The platform has a redesigned gas system that includes a new piston and sleeve that rides over the magazine tube so that the gun runs cleaner and more reliably.

It’s an evolution of the 930 series that allows shooters a more customizable experience. For example, the 930 could not be adjusted for length of pull, only drop and cast. You can add or remove spacers in the 940 to lengthen or shorten stock fit. Also, in the turkey and tactical 940 variants Mossberg made cuts in the receiver to mount a Shield RSMc-style red-dot reflex sight. As a result, the Pro Tactical, and the other 940 models are some of the most user-friendly shotguns Mossberg has built to date.

Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical Specifications

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• Gauge: 12
• Action: Gas-operated semi-auto
• Chamber: 3-inch
• Capacity: 7+1 (2¾-inch shotshells)
• Barrel length: 18½ inches
• Overall length: 37½ inches
• Trigger pull: 4½ pounds
• Weight: 7½ pounds
• LOP: Adjustable (12½ to 14¼ inches)
• Stock: Black synthetic
• Barrel finish: Matte blue
• Sights: Fiber-optic front, Shield RSMc-style optic-ready
• Choke: Accu-Choke system (Cylinder Bore tube installed)

The Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical Comes Optics-Ready

The defining feature of the 940 Pro Tactical is that it’s drilled and tapped for a low-profile Shield RSMc micro-dot reflex sight at the rear of the receiver. At the recommendation of Mossberg’s Linda Powell, I mounted a Holosun HE407K-GR to the 940. With a length of 1.60 inches, a height of .98 inches, and weighing 1-ounce, it’s unobtrusive yet easy to acquire the target through when you mount the gun.

The Holosun has a 6 MOA green dot, 1X magnification, and 1 MOA click adjustments. It runs on CR1632 batteries and turns on when you pick up the gun and shuts off automatically when the gun is at rest. There’s no on-off switch to worry about. That’s a real plus considering the 940 Pro’s purpose is to eliminate a threat. You may not have time or may not be able to find the on switch in an emergency. If you choose to shoot the 940 Pro without an optic, it does have a red fiber-optic front bead to use as a reference point for target acquisition.

Exterior Features of the Mossberg 940

You can tell Mossberg built the 940 Pro for ease of use, an important component of any shotgun, but especially defensive semi-autos that shooters have to be able to operate under duress and at times in the dark. The oversize bolt handle and oversize bolt release button are readily accessible and simple to manipulate. Many folks employing a tactical semi-auto shotgun—as opposed to a pump—don’t want to leave a round in the chamber due to safety concerns, and the 12-gauge makes racking a 2¾- or 3-inch load from the magazine tube a snap.

Mossberg’s tang-mounted safety also allows shooters to click the gun off safe quickly no matter the circumstance. A tang safety is also more convenient if you need to shoot with your off hand in a tight spot. That way you’re not reaching across the trigger guard from a left-handed shooting position. Plus, most auto-loaders place the safety at the front or rear of the trigger group. In my opinion, when you are in a high-stress situation where your life is at stake, it’s quicker to have the safety at the tip of your thumb so your trigger finger can stay closer to the trigger.

I found loading the seven-round magazine a breeze. There was no stiffness or thumb pinch in the beveled load gate or magazine tube when inserting shotshells because Mossberg re-engineered the gate, making it larger and thus easier to load multiple rounds at once, which competition shooters will appreciate.

The recoil pad is a beefy 7/8 of an inch and proved effective at taming recoil. The 940 includes a set of inserts to adjust the length of pull from 12.5 to 14.25 inches.

 Fore-end and stock are synthetic and finished in tactical basic black. The pistol grip and fore-end are textured to allow for a firm grasp if your hands become wet or sweaty.

A Look Inside the 940 Pro Tactical

To allow the gun to cycle shotshells with reliability (which the 940 did during my test sessions) Mossberg applied a nickel-boron coating to the gas piston, magazine tube, hammer, and sear. There is also a buffer tube that slides over the outside of the magazine tube to keep moisture and carbon build up to a minimum. This is an upgrade from the 930 and 935 series shotguns that used a gas-operated pusher system in which two metal rods pushed the bolt backwards when you pulled the trigger.

The recoil spring of the 940 Pro also slides over the magazine tube. I prefer this over a spring that is placed inside the stock, which is the case with many of Beretta’s gas-driven autos. The stock system is not flawed it’s just more work to clean it because you must remove the buttstock with a screwdriver and typically unscrew another nut that holds a hydraulic cylinder in place.

Patterning the Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical

Although the 940 Pro has a 3-inch chamber, I patterned 2¾-inch loads only. Why? Well, since it’s a tactical shotgun, the longer 3-inch shells decrease magazine capacity and add recoil while only giving you a few extra pellets per shell if you’re shooting buckshot. The only reason I would shoot 3-inch loads in a defensive shotgun is if the gun shop was out of 2¾-inch.

I zeroed the 940 with Federal TruBall 1-ounce slugs at 25 yards using the Holosun sight, shooting a cloverleaf pattern close to dead center. The plastic wads proved a formidable projectile as well, impacting several inches away from the slugs.

Next up was Federal Premium Personal Defense 00 buckshot. The cylinder bore choke put all nine .33-caliber pellets in a four-inch cluster centered a bit to the right of the 3-inch orange oval aiming point of the target.

Remington No. 4 buck delivered 14 of its 27 .24-caliber pellets well within the 12- by 18-inch silhouette target.

I did not adjust the Holosun between shooting slugs and the two buckshot offerings because I wanted to see how all three loads performed at the same zero. That said, a few clicks to the left would have put the nine-pellet 00 Federal payload dead center of the target. Whatever load you choose, be sure to pattern it—and adjust the optic—for optimal results.

Also, it’s impossible to hypothesize as to the best buckshot-choke combination for any gun. And though there may be a better option than the included cylinder bore tube, Mossberg’s stock choke performed admirably with 00 buckshot (and slugs). It did not like the No. 4 buckshot as much, but an aftermarket choke or possibly just a tighter choke may yield better performance from the Remington ammo.

I patterned the gun with Federal Top Gun target loads with a payload of 1-1/8-ounce of 7½ shot as well. At 25 yards, using a 24-inch square target, it produced 279 strikes out of 394 pellets (71 percent). The circle was divided into four quadrants, and the shot dispersion was fairly even, though the lower half of the paper soaked up more shot. From the top left clockwise to the bottom left, the pellet counts were as follows: 62, 57, 87 and 73.

How the Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical Handled

For years. I have shot rounds of American skeet to see how well tactical shotguns handle. Clay shooting allows you to move the gun more than you would shooting stationary targets. And though you would not shoot an intruder in this manner, it gives you a better sense of the weight distribution and balance of the shotgun.

For instance, the 940 weighs 7½ pounds unloaded but it’s only 37½ inches long. Unlike a sporting shogun, which is several inches longer, the 940 must distribute that weight evenly over a smaller footprint. On my rounds of skeet, I felt it was reasonably quick handling, though more of the heft is going to be at the front of the gun to start if the magazine is fully loaded.

Felt recoil was manageable in this gas-driven semi-auto. Shooting slugs and buckshot from a lead sled was tolerable and with target loads, the gun could well be described as soft shooting. My go-to smoothbore for just about everything has long been a recoil-operated Benelli Super 90 Police, but the Mossberg was much easier on my old shoulder and functioned just as reliably.

The 940 Pro’s trigger broke at a reasonably clean 4.5 pounds. That’s not a light trigger pull, but it’s not heavy enough to pull you off target in a close-quarters home intrusion when you’re shooting a gun that weighs over 8 pounds fully loaded.

Throughout the test, I shot several boxes of 2¾-inch target loads and five-packs of slugs and buckshot without malfunction. I mixed in full magazine of 3-inch loads, and the gun never failed to cycle.

Versatility in a Tactical Shotgun

Defensive shotguns can be used in a myriad of ways. Sure, the 940 caters to personal protection, but since its initial offering was as a race gun, it’s built for competition. The Mossberg could also serve as a truck gun, and if you are a small game or predator hunter—coyotes, bobcat, raccoons, and fox—this auto-loader is plenty capable.

I enjoy shooting tactical shotguns on skeet and trap as well, but that’s due to my small frame (defensive smoothbores are often shorter that sporting shotguns). However, with an adjustable length of pull out to 14¼ inches, larger shooters could have success with this semi-auto. That said, it is not an ideal clays gun, mostly due to its short 18½-inch barrel.

How Mossberg Could Have Improved the 940 Pro Tactical

The optic-readiness of the 940 is the strongest feature of the gun, followed by the ergonomics, and size of the controls and loading port. But an optional low-profile rifle-like rear sight and a blade front sight instead of the fiber optic front would be a nice addition. If your optic fails, target acquisition is much easier with such a feature.

Including more stock choke options than cylinder bore that arrives with the gun would also be welcomed for experimenting with different sizes of buckshot to optimize pattern density.

Read Next: Why a Shotgun Is a Great Option for Home Defense—Plus 3 Guns You Should Buy

Final Thoughts

Mossberg’s improvement in shotgun engineering over the last 10 years has been impressive. A decade ago, few would have considered paying $1,100 for one of their semi-autos, but the new, cleaner-running gas system in the 940 Pro series brings added reliability and makes the gun worth its price tag. There are a pile  of tactical options at your disposal, but if you’re in the market for an accurate, soft-recoiling defensive shotgun, the 940 is a fine choice.

The post Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical Review: A Personal-Defense Firearm That’s a Capable Competition Shotgun appeared first on Outdoor Life.

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